Shadow is a great utility prop that you make yourself for less than about $13! With Shadow you can switch cards, billets, money, or anything else you can think of. It can be used in mentalism routines to bring in a prediction; you can also make vanished objects appear in an impossible location. You are really limited only by your imagination.
Not only do you get very detailed instructions on how to make this prop (it takes about 3 minutes or so) and handling techniques, but you also get a hard-hitting routine that David uses as a closer in his formal close up performances. The routine is called, "The Really Big Finish" and here is the effect:
A locked box is shown to the spectators. It is examined and proven to be solid and locked. The box is placed off to the side, but is still in full view throughout the show.
A deck of cards is introduced. The performer has a spectator name literally any card she wishes. Let's suppose she names the Six of Spades. The performer runs through the deck, removes the Six of Spades, and the spectator signs it. The card is then placed in the card box, which the spectator seals with tape and places under her hand.
The performer brings out a small pay envelope that has the words, "The Really Big Finish" written on it. This is given to another spectator to hold also for the duration of the show.
At this point the performer goes on with the show. At the end of the performance, the performer talks about the importance of having a show end with a really big finish. He then draws all attention to the card box that is still underneath the spectator's hand. The spectator rips open the card box to see that the card is no longer the Six of Spades, but is now a card that reads, "Look in the envelope!"
The spectator holding the envelope rips it open, but the spectator's card is not inside it. Instead, there is only a key. The performer with clearly (and honestly) empty hands brings the box back to the table, and has a spectator unlock it. The box is slowly opened. Inside the box is a "clear" mesh container with Saran Wrap covering the top. The Saran Wrap covering is held in place by a rubber band. The performer (again with clearly and honestly) empty hands removes the container from the box. Through the mesh the spectators clearly see a folded card inside the container.
The performer removes the cover from the container and dumps the card out. The clearly empty canister is placed aside. The spectator herself unfolds the card and it is her signed Six of Spades!
1st edition 2015, 15 pages.
word count: 4374 which is equivalent to 17 standard pages of text
