The Master Sessions: DVDs

TIME WITH AN EXPERT...

It’s a solitary art. Most magicians learn their techniques by themselves, in front of a mirror. They never have the benefit of personal instruction from an expert, or the thinking behind expert routines. That’s why great magicians credit the influential teachers in magic. It’s not about just instruction, but inspiration.
John Carney has earned a renowned reputation — including the recognition and respect of professionals and sleight-of-hand fans around the world. We recently watched him dazzle a small group of experienced magicians: first with an intricate routine, and then with a detailed explanation of each move and his thinking behind it. Over the course of his books, workshops, lectures and performances, there’s no question that John is the “real thing.” If you’ve seen John work, you know that his skill allows him to diagnose and perfectly integrate sleights, resulting in (seemingly) effortless presentations. With a conversational approach, John explains exactly what’s necessary, what isn’t, and how magic can always be made better. John makes great magic. And he helps other people perform great magic.

A UNIQUE CHALLENGE...

When we started talking about a DVD project, John had his doubts. He has strong feelings about why video is a good at certain things, but bad at others. Typically, his insights made the project more innovative. We were challenged to incorporate his ideas, and the result, we’re proud to say, is nothing short of remarkable. The “Master Sessions.” Imagine sessioning with John. He shares his thoughts about several routines. He offers some simpler effects as well as “knuckle-busting” sleight-of-hand. More important, he explains the thinking behind every aspect of the routines. John’s known for his detailed analysis, and his improvements for professional routines. He chats about his approach to magic and offers insights into your own magic. For over an hour, John shows you the “real thing,” and gives you some real things to think about.

AND HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY...

If it sounds like a rare opportunity to experience a master class, that’s exactly what it is. And it’s now possible through the medium of video. John Carney picked the subjects, a deliberate mix of card, coin, and small prop effects that will always give you varied instructions and inspirations. Almost none of this material has appeared on video before; many of the routines have never appeared in print. You can get to know John, get to know his magic, and make your own magic better. These “Master Sessions” are not just steps up the ladder, but an opportunity to take quantum leaps. It is the “real thing.”

NOT JUST ANY VIDEO...

We knew that this project called for a different approach. We didn’t want a lecture on a disc, or mere lessons, with one trick after another. We needed expert camera work, professional editing and state-of-the-art production. And we’ve got it. Producer Frankie Glass (who has produced A&E Biography documentaries, science specials for Nova, and magic televison shows, including the innovative “Secret Cabaret”) started from scratch. The videos are produced in Hollywood, like television specials. The result is a DVD that you’ll be thrilled to watch, and happy to watch over and over again. Jim Steinmeyer, magic author and television producer, has developed the final product.

NOT JUST TRICKS...

Is it worth it to you? Are you interested in taking the next step with close-up? Could you benefit from time with a great sleight-of-hand artist? Or just ask yourself: Are you serious about improving your magic? A GREAT OFFER...“The Master Sessions” consists of four separate DVD sessions, each over an hour in length. You cannot buy these DVDs separately. The price is $125 domestic, $135 overseas, postpaid, for the four-disc collector’s case, and all four discs. It’s an amazing price for an amazing mixture of inspiring magic. John’s goal has been to keep the quality of the material high, the quality of the production high, and the price low, so magicians can benefit from these sessions. We can do that because these discs are only available through our website.

Each disc will offer over an hour of John's lessons in magic, with inside tips, practical routines, and masterful touches on audience handling. Each will offer over an hour of John’s lessons in magic, with inside tips, practical routines and masterful touches on audience handling. DVD 4 will culminate with John’s in depth analysis of the Cups and Balls, with all the hints and expertise you’ve come to expect from him. Together these four DVDs contain classic, modern, entertaining magic that you’ll use over and over again.

We know that magicians would like to treat themselves to a year of this incredible sleight-of-hand. We’ve called it an “invitation to magic mastery.” John’s work lives up to its billing. If you’re serious about your magic, if you’re ready to spend time on the “real thing,” these sessions will not only provide a year of great magic and great thinking.... They’ll be a lifetime of inspiration.

SOME QUESTIONS AND SOME ANSWERS:

What’s on “The Master Sessions?”
John has deliberately made each session a mixture of material. Almost all of it is close-up, with cards, coins or small objects. There’s plenty of sleight-of-hand, but also simpler routines taught with the important tips and touches. John also “visits” with you, discussing some approaches or attitudes towards magic.

What if I'm not interested in difficult sleight of hand routines?
We actually think that anyone interested in magic will benefit from these examples of routine, sleights and psychology. They're lessons for any magician. And John is well-known for his ability to negotiate tough sleights with ease and artistry. But there are always easier routines included, so you have something to think about and work on right away. Those of you who are serious about their sleight-of-hand will find plenty of inspiration here. But John has never considered himself a "hard core sleight" fellow. His goal is great magic, using a variety of techniques.

Is this material from John's books?
Only a few of these pieces have appeared in John's books. Almost none of the effects have been on John's videos before.

CONTENTS:

Disc 1 (Winter)

• Exchanged, Expanded and Extracted
• A copper and silver coin change places in a spectator's hand. These coins then mysteriously penetrate a through a handkerchief
• Is That a Real Mouse?
  A coin cleanly vanishes, then a secret accomplice makes his appearance
• Coins in the Mist
  Two coins cleanly disappear from the bare hands, then reappear.
• Off Ring
  A borrowed ring penetrates a pencil or straw
• Current Classic
  A practical sponge routine for the real world
• Versa Visa
  A utility move for adding or switching a packet of cards
• Insights: Video vs. Books

Disc 2 (Spring)

• Four Gone
  Four cards appear at the fingertips, vanish, then reappear in four different pockets
• Carneydo: Karate Coin
  A nice handling of David Roth's Karate Coin
• Ambitious Aces
  Four aces repeatedly rise to the top of the pack after being buried in the center
• Matchless
  A selected card vanishes and appears in a matchbox
• Slow-Mo Coins
  Variations on Leipzig's Slow Motion Coin Vanish
• Insights: Practice and Rehearsal

Disc 3 (Summer)

• Cards Undercover
  A deck of cards appears, cards penetrate a handkerchief, change and rise into the air, ending with a vanish of the pack
• Revanishing
  Unique coin vanishes
• Crystal Flash
  A crystal locates a selected card by flashing light
• Hot Slot
  A varitation on Sawa's Slot Machine plot. Coins disappear, then a handful coins appear
• In Hand Monte
  A Three Card Monte routine done entirely in the hands.
• Insight: Notebooks

Disc 4 (Fall)

• Swing Blade
  Four small piece of paper magically appear on a knife blade
• Muscade Magic
  Thoughts and Tips on Vernon's Cups and Balls
• Foote Forward Rise
  David Foote's diabolical Card Rise with an ordinary pack
• Coins, Here to there
  Coins Across
• Old School Coins Across
  Another approach
• Insights: Research, Study, History
  

All four DVDs are now finished and will be mailed to you, as a set.

These DVDs are not available through dealers or web sites,
ONLY through CarneyMagic.com and HahneMagic.com