XB2 Q&A - Dice Stacking with Cards/Card Throwing/Penspinning/XCM

[De'vo]

Finally, all about XB2 is exposed. Please feel free to post up any questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer them.

Here is the add copy:
Xtreme Beginner’s Vol II
“New Beginnings”
Trailer Here: http://www.ellusionist.com/xtreme-beginners-2.html

Release date – projected 2 September 2008

Price - $39.95
However an introductory price of $34.99 will be offered for the first 500 DVDs upon release. Do NOT miss this special deal!

Learn Card Throwing, Pen Spinning, Dice Stacking, and XCM from the world’s best!

This brand new 2 DVD set from Handlordz destroys the traditional thoughts of manipulation. Never before has such a diverse group of manipulators been assembled to create such an incredible DVD, packaged in classic Handlordz production style galore.

This DVD is geared toward those that want to learn a variety of mind numbing manipulation.

What will you learn?

Pen Spinning – Almost 1 hour of pen spinning instruction from Germany’s top pen spinner, Robert Heim with layout by Kam. You will learn about pens, the basic moves, easy combos, and get to see some never before seen advanced/ideas. This section teaches with slow motion, visual instruction and voice over. There are far to many moves to list. Just watching the intro to this section on the DVD will leave you breathless. If you have ever wanted to learn about pen spinning, then look no further!

Card Throwing – Learn from the current World Record Holder in Card Throwing – from Rick Smith Jr. In this amazing section, Rick will teach you all the details on his power throw. From grip, stance and his release, you’ll be throwing like a pro in no time. Rick also teaches the classic boomerang card and let’s you in on 2 of his live performances to see how he incorporates card throwing into his own act. Chop vegetables and learn to throw with deadly accuracy using Rick’s special throwing techniques.

Basic Dice Stacking – You will learn everything about cups, dice, surfaces and of course basic stacking in extreme detail. The teaching in this section is very visual, with 3D models, and repeated, slow motion instruction.

De’vo underground XCM/Dice hybrid work - De’vo will teach you his incredible moves, ideas, and combos. Yes, De’vo stacks dice with cards! Impossible? He doesn’t think so. This section is worth the price alone if you are a card worker looking for something different to add to your act. Learn with incredible detail several different ways to stack dice with cards to include advanced ideas and combos that will destroy your audiences. You haven’t seen anything like this before!

XCM

2-handed Cuts - Underground artist Daniel Madison will teach you no less than 5 of his favorite signature 2 handed cut combos. Learn with in-depth teaching from multiple angles and slow motion highlights.

Palm Back Fans - Ulmen Trials Competitor Ciappi will teach you his Palm Back Fanning techniques. Learn the basic Palm Back Fan, the Giant Palm Back Fan, and his “Arena Display” (2 fans in one hand.) Ciappi will also demonstrate some variations of these moves.

XB Vol 1 routine – Jerry Cestkowski will teach you a complete flowing routine by using moves found in the first Xtreme Beginnerz DVD set. He will also teach you 2 variations of his deck twirl.

Charlier Challenge – Many people know the classic Charlier Cut (basic one handed cut), from magicians, manipulators and just people off the street. De’vo created this challenge to use on those that know this classic move. Can you complete the challenge on your first try? If not, De’vo will teach you the ins and outs of this challenge so that you can use it in your own act.

Fun, Bloopers, and more! - witness hilarious bloopers, spend time with the Superhandz crew with a manipulating chef and much more.

This DVD set is hosted by Angela Funovits from the NBC show entitled “Phenomenon” with Criss Angel and Uri Geller. Angela will guide you through every aspect of this large DVD set.

We could of packaged any one of the manipulation sections as it’s own DVD, however decided to put them altogether in one single very large 2 DVD set offering you the best of all worlds at one price.

I sincerely hope you all enjoy this new DVD set. We used your input in the making of it. 2 handed cuts, card throwing, penspinning and so on. Lots of variety here. No "what to wear" or manicure lessons, just pure manipulation.

There will be downloads available and bundles with XB1. Together you get 7 hours with a ton of different artists. Release is just around the corner.

So if you have any questions, just ask and I'll see what I can do.
De'vo

[FishSticks]

De'vo, I've enjoyed your posts and helpfulness on your forums, first and foremost, thank you. (for de'ring)

Secondly, I can't wait to order this! I like pen spinning and am currently working on the charge. I can't seem to get it well because I use a pencil (I heard you have to put weights on both sides of the pencil to make it heavier). Do you yourself do pen flourishes as part of your manipulation?

I'm not much into card flourishes, but I loved de'ring and I certainly like pen spinning. I'll probably buy this for the dice stacking/pen spinning. I love your teaching style! Keep it up de'vo!

[De'vo]

De'vo, I've enjoyed your posts and helpfulness on your forums, first and foremost, thank you. (for de'ring)

Secondly, I can't wait to order this! I like pen spinning and am currently working on the charge. I can't seem to get it well because I use a pencil (I heard you have to put weights on both sides of the pencil to make it heavier). Do you yourself do pen flourishes as part of your manipulation?

I'm not much into card flourishes, but I loved de'ring and I certainly like pen spinning. I'll probably buy this for the dice stacking/pen spinning. I love your teaching style! Keep it up de'vo!

Thank you for your kind comments. I always try to give good support for any of my products, since our goal is for you to actually learn what we are teaching.

I'm very happy you love the teaching style! I'm been accused of over teaching on occasion, and that works for me. Some people will need all of it, some may not. Those that don't can fast forward. I prefer this to the other way around where the people that can't get it need to constantly rewind. I always try to make sure the person gets the jist of the material the first time around. I'm talking the basic ideas of the moves. Doing the moves profiently obviously can take alot longer depending the moves. On XB Vol II, each section has a scene selection menu where you can jump between moves and so on. This will help those advanced people get through faster.

I do pen spinning as part of my manipulation act. I am still very much a beginner in pen spinning, however am using XB Vol II myself to get better.

I'm happy you like the dice stacking hybrid. It's my pet moves/combos I use in my own table act. They kill laymen, magicians and manipulators and it's really not even that difficult if you can do basic dice stacking. If you can't, no problem, I take about 20 minutes to teach basic cup dice stacking as well. Then another in-depth section for the card/dice stacking. Hybrid is also a great way to break up a long card routine. There's a ton that can be done with it that I haven't shown in this or any other videos including a special combo that I purposely didn't mention yet. You'll see it on the DVD when you order it. I think you'll know it when you see it on the intro (wink).

Thanks for the questions, and I'm ready for more!

Bring them on.
De'vo

[4757joshua2]

I too enjoy your teaching style.

Will Miss Funovits be teaching anything, or is she just an "extra".

[arvindj227]

De',

Great to have you doing a QA for us! Gotta few questions. Each release you never fail to amaze us with something unique, extreme, hardcore and outta this world. For example, I NEVER knew that you do dice stuff before. I'm not much of an xcm'er or manipulator but I do dabble in it a bit and love watching it. I have most of your videos. However, I'm just curious, how much more do you know? Haha. I've heard about you having guarded moves, etc but in a totally different sense, what crazy stuff do you have up your sleeve? Cards, coins, now dice, card throwing..

I look forward to this DVD and it will be joining my shelf very soon!

Cheers,

AJ

[De'vo]

I too enjoy your teaching style.

Will Miss Funovits be teaching anything, or is she just an "extra".

Angela is not teaching anything, however she is the host on the entire DVD set! She will tell you about each section, what you will be learning and so on. There is also a short montage video of her in the "Fun" section doing some XCM. She does an outstanding job I think! That lady is a PRO!

[4757joshua2]

Angela is not teaching anything, however she is the host on the entire DVD set! She will tell you about each section, what you will be learning and so on. There is also a short montage video of her in the "Fun" section doing some XCM. She does an outstanding job I think! That lady is a PRO!

And super sexy to top it off!

Thanks for the quick response.

[De'vo]

De',

Great to have you doing a QA for us! Gotta few questions. Each release you never fail to amaze us with something unique, extreme, hardcore and outta this world. For example, I NEVER knew that you do dice stuff before. I'm not much of an xcm'er or manipulator but I do dabble in it a bit and love watching it. I have most of your videos. However, I'm just curious, how much more do you know? Haha. I've heard about you having guarded moves, etc but in a totally different sense, what crazy stuff do you have up your sleeve? Cards, coins, now dice, card throwing..

I look forward to this DVD and it will be joining my shelf very soon!

Cheers,

AJ

Thanks AJ!
I do all kinds of manipulation. I specialize in weapon manipulation, but also do cards (XCM), coins ('07 guinness book), rings (De' Ring), dice stacking and hybrid dice stacking(Xb Vol II), pick pocketing, knife/card throwing, other jewerly manipulation, finger fitness, and card cheating/moves/routines in the non-magical sense. I also enjoy nacho cheese dip manipulation. Ha ha.
Thank again for all of your support! I look forward to more questions.
De'vo

[arvindj227]

Thanks AJ!
I do all kinds of manipulation. I specialize in weapon manipulation, but also do cards (XCM), coins ('07 guinness book), rings (De' Ring), dice stacking and hybrid dice stacking(Xb Vol II), pick pocketing, knife/card throwing, other jewerly manipulation, finger fitness, and card cheating/moves/routines in the non-magical sense. I also enjoy nacho cheese dip manipulation. Ha ha.
Thank again for all of your support! I look forward to more questions.
De'vo

You really can manipulate anything! Gosh. Thanks for the reply!

Cheers,

AJ

[Steerpike]

I do all kinds of manipulation. I specialize in weapon manipulation, but also do cards (XCM), coins ('07 guinness book), rings (De' Ring), dice stacking and hybrid dice stacking(Xb Vol II), pick pocketing, knife/card throwing, other jewerly manipulation, finger fitness, and card cheating/moves/routines in the non-magical sense.

I know the rumor is that Shattenreich will be the last DVD you'll be teaching on, but I want to know if its possible that we can persuade you to do a weapon manipulation and jewelry manipulation DVD. I would definately be one of the first to grab it up.

Anyway, the card throwing section has me very intrigued. I've never been able to find a good resource on it, so I'm wondering how deep into the subject does XB 2 go and if there's a good reaction, are there any plans to delve further into the subject on future releases?

[De'vo]

I know the rumor is that Shattenreich will be the last DVD you'll be teaching on, but I want to know if its possible that we can persuade you to do a weapon manipulation and jewelry manipulation DVD. I would definately be one of the first to grab it up.

Anyway, the card throwing section has me very intrigued. I've never been able to find a good resource on it, so I'm wondering how deep into the subject does XB 2 go and if there's a good reaction, are there any plans to delve further into the subject on future releases?

Schattenreich will be my last "card" and possibly my last manipulation DVD as I want to get into more film-making ventures. I've thought about doing a weapon manipulation DVD however the liabilities for something like that is crazy. Jewelry manipulation for me is not a broad enough market for it. I use it in my own acts, but I'm not sure there is a big enough draw for something like that for retail, however I'll keep it in mind.

There are only 2 card throws, the classic boomerang and Rick's "power" throw, however we really focus on his world record power throwing technique. It goes into his special grip, throw, and release in great detail! As far as training and accuracy/chopping veggies and all that will be up to you with time and training. Rick also included 2 of his private show clips to show you how he incoroporates throwing in his own act which should help those that want to put it into their own acts.

I haven't seen anything that has gone into this much detail on a single throw as I felt that this one particular throw will get you a ton of milage if you are doing shows, and if you train and perform it well. People are always impressed with card throwing, not sure why, but they really are mesmerized by it and is why the pros that can do it use it in their acts.

Rick and I had planned a card throwing only DVD at one point and it's possible we may revisit that idea in the future.

Great questions, keep em comin!

De'

[4757joshua2]

This isn't really about the DVD, but, how did you get started in extreme card manipulation?

[Kahne]

Wow, if this was anything like a movie premier, I would be the guy camping at the front of the line waiting days early.

Couple questions:
1) How difficult is the stuff in this DVD compared to XB1?
2) More specifically, how much more difficult are the card manipulations?
3) In the first post, you mentioned 7 hours of material, is that both XB1+2?
4)Where can I see more of this sunglasses manipulation (in the previews)?

[De'vo]

This isn't really about the DVD, but, how did you get started in extreme card manipulation?

I'll give you the short version:

I was also heavily into martial arts and loved weapon manipulation more than sparring or breaking bricks/boards. Got into magic which took me to love sleight of hand but didn't care for the "magic" portion, just the manipulation. I eventually cut out the magic and stuck with the manipulation side. Eventually I found the Ulmen 4 and they transformed my love for manipulation into an artform. Hope that answers it.

[De'vo]

Wow, if this was anything like a movie premier, I would be the guy camping at the front of the line waiting days early.

Couple questions:
1) How difficult is the stuff in this DVD compared to XB1?
2) More specifically, how much more difficult are the card manipulations?
3) In the first post, you mentioned 7 hours of material, is that both XB1+2?
4)Where can I see more of this sunglasses manipulation (in the previews)?

1) How difficult is the stuff in this DVD compared to XB1? - I'm probably the wrong person to ask, however from what I'm told, even though these items are different, they are tougher.

2) More specifically, how much more difficult are the card manipulations? - It depends on your background and again I'm probably the wrong person to ask. I believe it's intermediate work, but there are a few easy items and a few tough items. Overall, intermediate. There's a little something for everyone I think.

3) In the first post, you mentioned 7 hours of material, is that both XB1+2? - Yes, almost 4 hours in XB1 and more than 3 in XB 2 = about 7 or so.

4)Where can I see more of this sunglasses manipulation (in the previews)? - That was actually a joke hence the booper title and him stabbing himself in the eye. Ha ha. But there are more bloopers on the DVD.

De'vo