Torn by Daniel Garcia

[Alex Hess]

::Torn by Daniel Garcia::

From very early on, I was a big fan of Torn and Restored playing card effects. However, growing up, I had to start with the basics. I had the famous little case that changed a card into another card, or changed a torn card into a fully restored card in the matter of seconds. Though I was a fan, I wasn’t satisfied, and wanted more, I wanted visual.

After years of small time performing, as well as a few paid performances, I came across Guy Hollingworth on a version of the World’s Greatest Magic performing his version of a Torn and Restored card, which from that point on, I’d fallen in love with. Later on I found out the name, Reformation, and the fact that, if performed smoothly, is probably the greatest of all Torn and Restored card effects. Smoothly is the key word in that last sentence, as though this is probably the greatest so far, this is a very knuckle busting effect to pull off correctly. To this day I have practiced, and practiced, and I have NEVER performed Reformation for any audience. (Not including test runs for very close friends familiar with the art.)


In the past week or two, my eyes changed course, and diverted my attention towards a very trusted company, for a highly visual effect in which I’d recognized, but the visuals were completely different, and much more open than I’d previously encountered. ***********.com was now carrying an effect in which I’ve searched for the perfect variation for years, and the claim of this effect with far less knuckle busting moves was very eye catching to me. This effect, which has previously been on the market in VHS, and far less professional looking, is called Torn.
Keeping in mind that I’m not like the majority, and still have dial up connection, I downloaded the demo just to see what kind of visuals I was looking at. Trusting that ***********.com would not put up any poor quality material, I still had to see for myself. To my surprise, what I’d seen was the most visual Torn and Restored card I’d ever seen, almost knocking Reformation out of the water. (I’m still unsure which I consider better, but if anything, I’d give it a close tie between the two.)
Visually tearing the cards into quarters, and showing each piece individually. Visually, and magically connecting piece by piece of a previously signed playing card, with the signature showing the entire time, and immediately handing everything out for examination. No funny moves, no knuckle busting, absolutely nothing to hide. No duck tape, no bunny shaped balloons, pure and simple, and straight to the point magic in which we can all enjoy.


Finally having a few questions answered, and receiving the video, I was surprised to find out that the method involved was so devastatingly simple, and there were no knuckle busting moves, so you could concentrate entirely on presentation.
I was fairly happy with the DVD, as it gives a gritty feel instead of the age old “bunny rabbit, top hat, cheesy music” syndrome that you see in so many magic videos. The navigation at first was a bit disappointing until I understood what was going on. It’s like navigating through graffiti in a way, but you quickly get used to it. I won’t go into much detail on all of this, but I will say that the teaching involved is highly professional, and no little movements are gone unnoticed.





Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions I’ve seen so far, that have either been a concern of myself, or others, in which I’d like to answer.


- Is this effect examinable? Absolutely. In fact, the routine itself involves both examination (by selecting and signing) before the effect begins, and handing the card directly to a spectator as soon as the effect is over.


- Can you perform this with multiple colored cards? No. At first I had believed that this MAY be possible, but after watching the video, and trying to work around a few methods, I’ve came up with “no” as the answer. Perhaps after more consideration, it may be possible with the right minds.


- Will knowing previous versions of Torn and Restored card effects help me with this effect? My opinion, yes it will. My knowledge of Reformation, although the methods are completely different, and my experience with countless months of practice, I believe that there are huge similarities with the “feel” of things. (I own no other versions except for Torn and Reformation.)


- Are there any angles that I need to worry about? Yes, you have a few angles, but not throughout the whole effect. All angles are covered throughout the lessons, and are easily avoided.


- Is this effect impromptu? I’m going to go out on a limb and say yes, this effect is impromptu. However, that does not mean there is no setup, but the setup involved is very minimal, and takes literally seconds. If you have a deck of cards, you can perform this effect, simple as that.


- Anything special about the signature? Absolutely not, there are no duplicate signatures of any kind, no fancy scribbles, no chocolate covered shoelaces. When the spectator signs a card, that same signature is the signature seen throughout the entire effect.


- How visual is the effect? If you’ve seen the demo, you get exactly what you see in the demo. If you haven’t seen the demo, you tear a card into quarters (4 pieces), and restore them back together, 1 by 1. Each restoration is visual in it’s own way, and is highly believable.


- How long until I start performing? Everyone is different, so this question is really hard to say. Personally, I just received the video today (hadn’t had time to watch it but once before work.) and I can see myself performing this effect in the next week or two, if that.


- Can the signature be on the front or the back? Sure, why not? The effect will be exactly the same either way you perform it, but personally I think the effect overall is better with the signature on the back.


- Can you perform the effect with the face towards the audience? I don’t think this is recommended, but again, with the right knowledge, I see no reason as to why you couldn’t do this.
That’s all I have for now guys, I hope you enjoy the effect. If you’re skeptical, don’t be, as this effect is almost perfect.

[Augmoe]

Originally Posted by Exo

::Torn by Daniel Garcia::

From very early on, I was a big fan of Torn and Restored playing card effects. However, growing up, I had to start with the basics. I had the famous little case that changed a card into another card, or changed a torn card into a fully restored card in the matter of seconds. Though I was a fan, I wasn’t satisfied, and wanted more, I wanted visual.

OMG, I had this same thing and loved it as a kid. Yes I also have been a fan of the torn and restored. Thanks for the review.
Also I had found a video sometime back showing how to due this and I can due some what well, I'll look for it and post a link to it.(If thats ok EXO?)

[DonVito91]

daniel garcia is one of my favorite artists and this effect is great.Really cool review

[candyman]

One of my fav. tricks to perform in the streets

[pedromazevedos]

in my opinion is the best torn and restore card trick, with practice and some angle caution, it is a good one!

[CandyWaffles]

It's a great effect, made better by how awesome Daniel Garcia is, just makes learning it so much more enjoyable. Can be problematic with flashing, so requires some decent practice to get down solid but it's an amazing T&R effect and the good magic tricks are always the ones that require practice

[BlahBlahBlah32]

I love Garcia's Torn, I think it's one of the best versions of Torn and Restored out there, with enough practice it'll look great because it's soooo visual!

[blurkuna]

I prefer this over TnR (Torn and Restored) from Theory11 as the 'torn' card can b examined by the audience, however, you need some cleanup.

[stickylondon]

I have a vid by Yves Domergue (spelling, and can't remember the vid name) and Torn. Torn takes part (credited) from YD's vid but it is a better overall routine. I think it is really excellent. I am not that keen on cards, but am utilising it for my business cards (clients will want to keep the restored business card - which they also signed).
The teaching and presentation are excellent, the navigation and trendy navigation screen, the views of Daniel Garcia's nostrils are a pain, but the teaching and routine are first class.
The most difficult thing about the routine, apart from learning the moves, is the angles. You just need to practice in front of a mirror and realise that the audience needs to be in front.
On the DVD there is a standard method and a more advanced one that leaves you slightly cleaner at the end. As someone said, it's not trully impromptu, but it's easy to carry the necessary small item in your wallet.

[Incarnum]

[QUOTE=stickylondon;11341]I have a vid by Yves Domergue (spelling, and can't remember the vid name) and Torn. Torn takes part (credited) from YD's vid but it is a better overall routine. I think it is really excellent.QUOTE]

The effect is Ripped & Restored by Yves Doumergue, and Laurent Baretta. I got that DVD sometime ago. That's right, part of the handling for Torn was inspired from R&R. By the way, I understand that there is a Torn II in the market. Anyone any idea the differences between Torn & Torn II? Thanks!

[smartie_28]

Torn is a great effect. It's direct and the method is great. I've seen both the old VHS tape that was originally made as well as the DVD and I like the explanations on the DVD, especially with some of the additional handlings. I heard somewhere that Torn Too was a PDF released by Garcia but I haven't read it so I don't know if it has many differences.

[minderX]

yes torn is great and the easiest one you can do i think very powerful

[jokoymagicman]

this is probably the best TnR effect out there... It is a visual piece by piece restoration and in the end, you're left with a card with creases which gives a really good effect of the spots where the card was torn. The signature at the back of the card idea is also a plus. Most of the time, TnR's can't be signed or if the card can be signed, it's only at the front and sometimes, the restored cards aren't even examinable. This one defies all these Rules of TnR. This is an out of the box idea. No adhesives and what so ever! This is easy to master and this one leaves the audience spellbound. I recommend the magicians who get regular shows to get this one for their repertoir.

[wallas]

i dont like this trick because it is to dificult i think trick must be easy to do any time any there

[Bigken]

keep on with this tnr as I think it is the best there is. Ive been doing this for over a week now after watching the video. No public performances yet but just for family. They obviously know Im upto something as I always am but they cant figure it out. I find the most difficult part is when the card is returned to yourself and needs folded. Garcia does this part awsome.
Id like to see some more tnr routines if any available. The theory 11 one is good but the setup seems tricky and lots of duplicates are required.
Garcia rocks.