Reviews of products by Stefan Olschewski
3 ★★★★★ reviews
1 ★★★★★ reviews
Mes(s)merize
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brian Reaves (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 21 March, 2024)
What I love about this is the apparent impossibility of the ending, along with the overwhelming fairness of the audience's involvement in the process. If you are doing a parlor show, this is a fantastic way of beginning things. People can truly write down whatever thoughts they want, and you are working a miracle in the process. The props are indeed "pack small play big" and the one-time setup won't take that long. You'll need at least 20 people involved in this for safety's sake, but other than that there aren't really that many limitations. You can have just about any word as the reveal at the end, so bookend it to something else in your act.
Balls
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brian Reaves (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 18 January, 2023)
In the right situation, this is nice. You can do it alone, but the assisted version is much stronger. Once you construct the props necessary, you'll be set to go from that point forward (except for the prediction, of course). This is a cheap alternative to the expensive prediction chest models out there that accomplishes the same thing using a very similar method, so if you're just wanting to see if it fits in your act before investing in shiny expensive props, get this. The single-person version of this isn't as strong as some other methods out there though.
Balls
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 30 August, 2022)
Method has been used since the 1950's. It was even in a Linking Ring magazine back then. But magicians usually don't use published methods. However, it is easy and can really work well. Sometimes we have to buy tricks separate to realize the potential. It is a stage trick. You need a tray and hanging box. That is weird in a home. Schools, churches, night clubs. Easy and cheap to put together. Recommended.
Balls
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Heather Johnson (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 10 May, 2022)
This is just such a remarkably deceptive concept that after I read, very quickly I may add, I immediately put this into my act. For the money, I can't think of a better way to perform the master prediction. The book was easy to read, clear to understand, and overall of good quality.
Balls
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Paul Booth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 03 April, 2015)
Through the clever use of combined older methods, Mr. Olschewski has created a terrific 2 person concept that can also be accomplished as a single performer. The props are as promised, very inexpensive and should not require much maintenance or wear thru regular use. Whenever I see his name attached to an effect I know it will be something of quality. Once again, Mr. Olschewski does not disappoint. For such a meager investment you will gain a utility that has abundant possibilities.
Mes(s)merize
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Ray Doetjes
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 30 January, 2011)
Every now and then there's a truly wonderful ebook for sale and this is one of them.
I had an idea how the effect was done but when reading it I saw that another known method was applied and I had an: "Why haven't I thought of that before!" moment; having been in my act in another shape before. This is definitely something that I will add to an act at some point in a different shape.
The Key to Your Card
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Fells
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 12 December, 2009)
I would be reluctant to describe the choice of card and number as fair. I think that those familiar with the ACAAN plot would find that the effect here is not close enough to consider it as such. There are better methods available which make use of more direct methods to produce an effect closer to the classic ACAAN. I would describe this as another round the houses attempt. On the positive side, I like exploring alternatives, so I enjoyed reading it.