I was really looking forward to this download, but the trouble began the moment I went ahead with the purchase. For starters, there are no instructions for this effect in English. The performer is an Italian gentleman, and he has recorded the instructions in his native tongue without subtitles. Which means that unless you are proficient in Italian, you will need to send an email to the creator asking for the English language file. Why this wasn't attached automatically to the download is a fair question.

In any event, I waited nearly a week to hear back from the performer, which was a bummer considering that I wanted to begin learning this effect right away, only to receive a file that was in a non-standard file format which I could not open. I responded with a request for a new file and have not heard back a week after that.

As for the effect proper, I admit I was expecting that this would be a sleight-of-hand based technique. My hope was based on what seemed to be some finger-flicky movements in the performance, as well as the existence of several contemporary effects which look almost identical to this one and are based entirely on non-gimmicked principles, including SM Vanish (by Kyle Purnell), Halph (by PH) and V2F (by G). This version is not only gimmick dependent, but the gimmick itself is heavy on the arts and crafts. It takes Alessandro 30 minutes to construct the apparatus, using a variety of different tools and techniques, and I imagine it will take many of you at home considerably longer, especially the first few times out.

That all said, the illusion is nice looking, and the execution of the effect is pretty easy. So if you don't want to learn a sleight-based approach, and if you are focused and properly motivated to learn you may be able to get quite far even without understanding exactly what Mr. Lavardino is saying. Those are big if's however, so buyer beware.