"Shellraiser" DVD by Troy Hooser
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"Shellraiser", a DVD by Troy Hooser, is a fantastic collection of elegantly magical coin routines utilizing probably the most versatile gaff in coin magic that, while aimed at the more knowledgeable novice, will find a place in many a more experienced coin workers library and rightfully so.

Yeah, okay, so you caught me. When it comes to Troy Hooser, I'm a bit of a fan-boy. I fell in love with the guy's thinking in "DesTROYers", then, watching him in action performing his routines, I loved the way he performs. If there is a craftiness in his thinking -- and there is -- there's an easy elegance in his performing. Put those two things together and you have some very magical effects.

"Shellraiser" is a collection of those things, those tricks that look so good. Obviously, from the title, all the routines here feature Hooser's work with an expanded shell. This tool, arguably the most versatile gaff in coin magic, allows for some truly stunning magic. Throw in Hooser's thinking and routining and you get some great stuff indeed.

In "Shellraiser", Hooser teaches ten of his routines (eight core routines plus two variations that are different enough to think of as separate works). As the disc is aimed at beginners to coin and shell work, the routines are simple but, at the same time, they have that Hooser touch that makes them worthwhile.

"Two-Coin Vanish" leads off the collection and is exactly what it sounds like. It's quick, magical, and contains moves and sleights that are the basis of the works that follow. As an introduction to shell work, it's a good one.

"Coin and Phone" has one of two coins disappearing and reappearing underneath a cell phone that has been on the table since before the trick started. This is a slick little piece and, like "Two-Coin Vanish", adds to the foundation of using a shell. The "International Version" of this is the same as the original but uses one half-dollar and one foreign coin.

With the easier stuff out of the way, Hooser begins ramping up methods and routines. "Coins Thru Table", his three-coin version of the classic, is a little more difficult than other routines but very clean (and sneaky on that troublesome last coin) and quick, making it a great coin piece for those that don't do a lot of coin work.

"Silver Ink" begins with two coins on the table along with a pen. The coins are covered with the hand, one coin vanishes, and is produced from the cap of the pen. Another neat piece that looks clean and, with that production, completely unexpected.

"One-to-Four and Barehand Matrix" is a combo routine that begins with a weird three-coin production from a single coin and then goes into a "shadow coins" variant. The highlight here is that production, which relies on some killer misdirection to have coins appear in the corners of a close-up mat.

"Coins Across" is what you'd expect, but done in a spectator's open hand. This is simpler than other versions Hooser's done, but it's quite simple and certainly magical.

"Brass and Silver" is a two-coin transposition between a foreign coin and a half-dollar. The way Hooser put this one together -- to make it more visual than it really is -- is interesting to say the least.

The final effect (well, maybe two effects) bring it all together. Having gone over the previous material, Hooser unleashes it all in his "ExTROYdinary Lite" and "International ExTROYdinary". This is the barehand production of three coins, one at a time, the vanish of the coins singly, and then their individual reappearance. The only difference between the two routines is the first uses three half-dollars, the second -- really more of an idea for the "Lite" version -- uses different coins. This "three-coin flurry" is beautiful, really capturing the Hooser elegance, and a solid winner.

If the routines seems commonplace to you, well, in a way they are. Again, this is a disc for newcomers to using a shell. As such, the routines are kept short and simple, certainly easy enough for those newcomers to master fairly easily. However, the touches that Hooser adds are what sets them apart. His use of subtlety in "Silver Ink", the misdirection in "One-to-Four", the deceptive display in "Brass and Silver"... all of them might go by the newcomer but the more experienced will appreciate them as gems.

That's really the thing about this disc. True enough, it's for the less experienced and kept simple that way. But even the more experienced coin worker will find things here of interest. The routines themselves are all excellent and worth a look by anyone except, perhaps, the most skilled and advanced coin worker.

Now one thing I haven't mentioned is that this is one heck of a package deal. There are other discs that would teach you these kinds of things (probably for much more) and then send you out to spend more money on the shell. FUN has included an expanded half-dollar shell with the disc. This is what they call "getting your money's worth". Granted, some will buy this and already a shell or three crammed in a drawer or box somewhere, but for those truly getting their feet wet in shell work, this is a great idea and certainly most welcome.

Finally, "Shellraiser" is a disc I heartily recommend. The routines are designed for beginners but are so well done even the more advanced will find things of worth here. A look at Hooser's handlings are worth the price of the disc for the experienced. The free shell makes this a deal you can't beat with a stick. Put it all together and this is a great product, hands down.

"Shellraiser" DVD by Troy Hooser
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
Are you kidding me? The ever-talented Troy Hooser teaching his always-magical coin routines? No way that doesn't get the highest of marks. Hooser earns them here in this excellent collection that, while aimed at the knowledgeable novice, will satisfy even the more advanced coin worker.

Practicality: 10
It's all about coin magic with an expanded shell, and, other than the odd angle issue or the like, it's really as practical as it gets. Bring out the coins and the gaff and go to town.

Quality of Production: 10
The production values here are remarkably high, with excellent work all the way around.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Hooser does a fantastic job of teaching the material, covering all the bases excellently. You'll have no problems picking them up fairly quickly.

Presentation: 10
As with most coin magic, the verbal component is narrative. When it comes to shell work, though, it's all about the cleanliness and the visuals. Hooser's routines have those qualities in truckloads here.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact FUN, Inc. by phone at (773)745-3837, email at info@funinc.com, or visit the FUN Inc. website