From ellusionist forum:

Here is my review for one of Daniel Garcia's famous lecture notes; BluePrints. Though I own all three volumes of the Daniel Garcia Project; and though I know that only one effect in the lecture notes is not taught in the DVDs ( the effect is Math ), I was still very happy to have the notes only to learn Math. But I was not disappointed since I learnt a new sleight that is very useful( a coin sleight ); and most of all, I learned more; I got and read of ideas that Daniel Garcia hadnt mentioned in the DVDs along with the other effects. All in all, I feel I got enough of what I spent for the notes.

Here are what you are going to learn. Ill divide it into 2 parts;Sleights and Effects.

The Sleights:

Ego Slip - Card control. Very straight-forward. You insert the card in the middle, and bamm!, its on top. No funny moves. No doubles. Also works in conrolling multiple cards. It is like nothing else. I love this! It may take lots of practice ( though I got it down even before I got the notes ) , but it is definitely worth it. The teaching is clear; but not as clear as that on Daniel Garcia Project vol. 2 of course.

One Point Production - The card production closest to a real invisible palm. Show both hands empty, turn your hand over on the table, and bamm!, a card visually materializes under the hand! Veeeerry cool move. Daniel Garcia, you're the man! Genius! I love this! This is a magician-fooler. Im sure you guys will like this despite of its boldness.

Though this can be an effect in itself, I consider it as a sleight since it can be utilized in routines besides of being a regular card production. Can be used as a load ( visual or subtle - its up to you ) and more. Daniel Garcia stated in the notes that he also use this as a comic Card to Wallet; where the spectator thinks you are just kidding, then you hit them between the eyes.

Ego Change - A very visual color change. The card visually melts into another card. It is not that quick, "noisy" snappy change. It is that visual, slow, quiet change which you can associate with butter and the word "smooth". You guys must be familiar with this, but wait until you see it in the hands of the creator himself, Daniel Garcia. ( here is a video: http://www.elusionist.com/audio/DGP_Vol1.wmv )
There are major misconceptions about this color change, and this video blows it all! Watch and you will understand. Taught well in the notes.

Could be used as a card reversal, card vanish and more.

The Effects:

White or Wheat - a very nice sandwich effect. Looks very natural. No forces. No palming. I do this all the time.

Here is a video: http://www.elusionist.com/audio/DGP_Vol2.wmv

It fried me the first time I saw it.

Math - It starts as a coin across, then ends up as a coin change right in the spectator's hands! No gimmicks. Coins could be borrowed.

Two quarters are shown openly. One quarter is openly placed in the left palm-up hand at the outstretched fingertips, and the other quarter is also placed in the right hand in thr same manner. The magician closes both his hands, opens his left hand to show it empty. The magician then shakes his right fist and you can here two coins clinking. He opens it and show two quarters. Then he places the quarters in his fingertips in the same manner, asking the spectator to cup his hands under. The magician then drops both the coins to the spectator's hand and they visibly (you can also do it audibly if you want to ) merge into a half-dollar!

Nacho Momma's Triumph - You think you know whats going on? Think again. This starts as a full triumph routine, then ends with a deck color change. No deck switches or whatsoever. No gimmicks. All normal cards. Very cool. This is a magician-fooler. You can fool your magic buddies with this, even with its simplicity. For me ( though I own Daniel Garcia Project vol. 3 ), this is worth the notes alone. I think this is the best triumph routine out there. This is much better than X Marks The Spot ( Justin Miller ), practicality-wise.

Your Personal Safe - 4 coins across. Killer climax. A ring transposes with the spectator's ring. Awesome. It needs a gimmick. I think the notes provides a more clear teaching than in the DVD. The photos really helped a lot.

So there it is: BluePrints.

Teaching: 9/10

Contents: 8/10

Quality: 9/10

Excellent!

Alel

Last edited by Alel; 04-09-2007 at 11:31 PM.