The Brick Pass: A Masterclass by Alex Pandrea
The Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39: A Review
If you are a card magician who wants to learn a powerful and invisible pass technique, you might have heard of the Brick Pass by Alex Pandrea. This is a video tutorial that teaches you how to perform a pass that is fast, smooth, and undetectable. But what exactly is the Brick Pass, and who is Alex Pandrea? Is this video tutorial worth your time and money? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will review the Brick Pass by Alex Pandrea 39 in detail, covering its history, benefits, applications, variations, content, quality, price, and value. We will also give you some tips on how to learn and perform this amazing move. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether the Brick Pass by Alex Pandrea 39 is right for you.
The Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39
What is the Brick Pass?
The pass is one of the most fundamental and versatile moves in card magic. It allows you to secretly bring a selected card from the middle of the deck to the top or bottom, or vice versa. It can be used for countless effects, such as transpositions, transformations, revelations, controls, forces, switches, and more. However, the pass is also one of the most difficult and challenging moves to master. It requires a lot of practice, timing, misdirection, and finesse to execute it without being noticed by the spectators.
The Brick Pass is a variation of the classic pass that was developed by Alex Pandrea. It is named after the brick-like shape that the deck makes during the move. The Brick Pass is different from other passes in several ways:
The history and origin of the Brick Pass
The Brick Pass was first introduced by Alex Pandrea in his DVD "The Blue Crown Card Magic" in 2011. He later released a more in-depth video tutorial called "The Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39" in 2019. This video tutorial is an updated and improved version of his original DVD.
Alex Pandrea claims that he invented the Brick Pass by accident when he was practicing the classic pass in front of a mirror. He noticed that his pass looked more natural and invisible when he tilted the deck slightly sideways instead of keeping it flat. He also realized that this tilt allowed him to use less finger pressure and movement to complete the pass.
He decided to refine and polish his discovery and share it with other magicians. He named it the Brick Pass because he thought that it looked like a brick falling from one hand to another.
The benefits and drawbacks of the Brick Pass
The Brick Pass has several advantages over other passes:
It is faster and smoother than most passes because it uses less finger pressure and movement.
It is more invisible than most passes because it creates less noise, flash, and angle issues.
It is more natural than most passes because it mimics the action of squaring the deck.
It is more versatile than most passes because it can be done with any grip, any deck condition, and any speed.
However, the Brick Pass also has some drawbacks:
It is harder to learn than most passes because it requires a lot of muscle memory and coordination.
It is more risky than most passes because it exposes more of the deck during the move.
It is less adaptable than most passes because it works best with a specific deck size and thickness.
The applications and variations of the Brick Pass
The Brick Pass can be used for the same purposes as any other pass. You can use it to control, force, switch, or reveal a card. You can also use it to perform various effects, such as:
Ambitious Card: You can use the Brick Pass to bring a signed card from the middle of the deck to the top repeatedly.
Triumph: You can use the Brick Pass to secretly reverse half of the deck before shuffling it face-up and face-down.
Color Change: You can use the Brick Pass to change the color of the top card of the deck.
Transposition: You can use the Brick Pass to switch the positions of two cards in different locations.
The Brick Pass can also be modified and combined with other moves to create different variations. Some of these variations are:
The Turnover Pass: You can use the Brick Pass to turn over the top card of the deck while bringing a selected card to the top.
The Riffle Pass: You can use the Brick Pass to simulate a riffle shuffle while bringing a selected card to the top or bottom.
The Spread Pass: You can use the Brick Pass to spread the deck on the table while bringing a selected card to the top or bottom.
The Cover Pass: You can use the Brick Pass to cover the deck with your other hand while bringing a selected card to the top or bottom.
Who is Alex Pandrea?
Alex Pandrea is a professional magician, teacher, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his elegant and minimalist style of card magic. He is also the founder and owner of The Blue Crown, a company that produces and sells high-quality magic products and services.
His background and achievements in magic
Alex Pandrea was born in Romania in 1988. He moved to New York when he was 10 years old. He started learning magic when he was 14 years old after watching David Blaine on TV. He became obsessed with card magic and practiced every day for hours. He soon developed his own techniques and routines that impressed his friends and family.
He started performing professionally when he was 18 years old. He performed at various venues, such as restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, casinos, and private events. He also competed in several magic contests and won many awards, such as:
The International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) Gold Medal in 2008
The Society of American Magicians (SAM) Close-Up Magic Championship in 2009
The World Magic Seminar (WMS) Close-Up Magic Championship in 2010
His style and philosophy of card magic
Alex Pandrea's style of card magic is characterized by simplicity, elegance, and subtlety. He believes that less is more when it comes to magic. He prefers to use simple methods and minimal props to create powerful effects. He avoids using gimmicks, gaffs, or complicated sleights that might compromise the naturalness and clarity of his magic. He focuses on presentation, timing, misdirection, and psychology to enhance his magic.
Alex Pandrea's philosophy of card magic is based on three principles:
Learn from the masters: He studies and respects the works of the great magicians who came before him, such as Dai Vernon, Ed Marlo, Larry Jennings, Michael Ammar, David Williamson, etc. He tries to understand their thinking and reasoning behind their magic.
Create your own style: He experiments and innovates with his own ideas and techniques. He tries to find his own voice and expression in his magic. He does not copy or imitate other magicians blindly.
Share your knowledge: He teaches and mentors other magicians who want to learn from him. He publishes and sells his own books, DVDs, downloads, and online courses. He also organizes and hosts live lectures, workshops, and conventions for magicians.
His products and services for magicians
Alex Pandrea is not only a performer and a teacher, but also a producer and a seller of magic products and services. He is the founder and owner of The Blue Crown, a company that he started in 2010. The Blue Crown is a platform that offers high-quality magic products and services for magicians of all levels and styles.
Some of the products and services that The Blue Crown provides are:
Magic DVDs and downloads: The Blue Crown produces and sells original and exclusive magic DVDs and downloads that feature Alex Pandrea and other renowned magicians. Some of the titles include The Brick Pass, NOC Playing Cards, Coin Waltz, Trap, Arson, etc.
Magic books and magazines: The Blue Crown publishes and sells original and exclusive magic books and magazines that cover various topics and aspects of magic. Some of the titles include The NOC Book, The Blue Crown Magazine, The Expert at the Card Table, etc.
Magic cards and accessories: The Blue Crown designs and sells original and exclusive magic cards and accessories that are specially made for magicians. Some of the items include NOC Playing Cards, NOC Out Deck, NOC Gaff Deck, NOC Wallet, etc.
Magic lectures and workshops: The Blue Crown organizes and hosts live and online lectures and workshops that feature Alex Pandrea and other renowned magicians. These events are designed to teach and inspire magicians with practical and powerful magic.
Magic conventions and festivals: The Blue Crown organizes and hosts live and online conventions and festivals that feature Alex Pandrea and other renowned magicians. These events are designed to entertain and connect magicians with amazing shows and sessions.
What is the Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39?
The Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39 is a video tutorial that teaches you how to perform the Brick Pass, a variation of the classic pass that was developed by Alex Pandrea. It is an updated and improved version of his original DVD that was released in 2011.
The content and format of the video tutorial
The video tutorial is divided into four sections:
Introduction: In this section, Alex Pandrea introduces himself and explains what the Brick Pass is, how he discovered it, why he named it, and what makes it different from other passes.
Basics: In this section, Alex Pandrea teaches you the basic mechanics and handling of the Brick Pass. He shows you how to grip the deck, how to tilt the deck, how to split the deck, how to move the packets, how to square the deck, etc.
Advanced: In this section, Alex Pandrea teaches you some advanced tips and techniques to improve your Brick Pass. He shows you how to adjust the speed, pressure, angle, timing, misdirection, etc. He also shows you some variations of the Brick Pass, such as the Turnover Pass, the Riffle Pass, the Spread Pass, etc.
Applications: In this section, Alex Pandrea teaches you some applications of the Brick Pass in various effects. He shows you how to use the Brick Pass for controls, forces, switches, revelations, etc. He also shows you some routines that use the Brick Pass, such as Ambitious Card, Triumph, Color Change, Transposition, etc.
The video tutorial is about 39 minutes long (hence the name). It is filmed in high-definition with multiple camera angles. It has clear audio and subtitles in English. It has a simple and elegant design with a blue background.
The features and quality of the video production
The video production of the Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39 is very professional and high-quality. It has several features that make it easy to watch and learn from:
Menu: The video has a menu that allows you to navigate through the different sections easily.
Slow motion: The video has slow motion shots that allow you to see the details of the move clearly.
Close up: The video has close up shots that allow you to see the finger positions and movements precisely.
Overhead: The video has overhead shots that allow you to see the deck from above.
Side view: The video has side view shots that allow you to see the deck from the side.
Front view: The video has front view shots that allow you to see the deck from the spectator's perspective.
Explanation: The video has verbal and written explanations that accompany the visual demonstrations. Alex Pandrea explains every aspect of the move in a clear and concise way.
Examples: The video has examples of the move in action in different situations and effects. Alex Pandrea shows you how to apply the move in real-world scenarios.
The price and value of the video tutorial
The video tutorial is available for purchase on The Blue Crown website for $39. This is a reasonable price considering the quality and quantity of the content. You get a lot of value for your money:
You get to learn a powerful and invisible pass technique that can be used for many effects.
You get to learn from a master magician who has years of experience and expertise in card magic.
You get to access a high-quality video production that is easy to watch and learn from.
You get to enjoy a lifetime access to the video tutorial that you can watch anytime and anywhere.
How to learn and perform the Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39?
The Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39 is a great video tutorial that teaches you how to perform the Brick Pass, a variation of the classic pass that was developed by Alex Pandrea. However, learning and performing the Brick Pass is not easy. It requires a lot of practice, patience, and perseverance. Here are some tips on how to learn and perform the Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39:
The prerequisites and tips for learning the Brick Pass
Before you start learning the Brick Pass, you should have some prerequisites:
You should have a basic knowledge and skill of card magic. You should know how to handle, shuffle, cut, deal, spread, fan, etc. cards.
You should have a basic understanding and familiarity of the classic pass. You should know what it is, how it works, why it is useful, etc.
You should have a standard deck of 52 playing cards. You should use a deck that is not too new or too old, not too thick or too thin, not too stiff or too soft, etc.
When you start learning the Brick Pass, you should follow these tips:
Watch the video tutorial carefully and attentively. Pay attention to every detail and explanation that Alex Pandrea gives. Take notes if necessary.
Practice along with the video tutorial. Pause and rewind the video as needed. Try to mimic Alex Pandrea's movements and actions as closely as possible.
Practice in front of a mirror or a camera. Check your angles and your movements. Look for any flaws or mistakes that might expose your move.
Practice slowly and smoothly. Do not rush or force your move. Focus on accuracy and consistency rather than speed and efficiency.
Practice regularly and frequently. Do not give up or get frustrated. Be patient and persistent with your practice.
The steps and details for performing the Brick Pass
When you are ready to perform the Brick Pass, you should follow these steps:
Grip the deck in your left hand in mechanic's grip. This is a natural grip where your thumb is on the left side, your index finger is on the front edge, your middle, ring, and pinky fingers are on the right side, and your palm is on the bottom of the deck.
Tilt the deck slightly sideways to your right with your left thumb. This will create a small gap between the left side of the deck and your left palm. This will also make the right side of the deck more visible to you and less visible to the spectators.
Insert your right thumb into the gap at the back edge of the deck. Use your right thumb to lift up about half of the deck from the back edge. This will create two packets: an upper packet held by your right thumb and a lower packet held by your left hand.
Move your right hand over your left hand. Use your right fingers to cover the front edge of the upper packet. Use your left fingers to cover the right side of the lower packet. This will conceal the separation between the two packets.
Move both packets simultaneously with your right thumb and left fingers. Use your right thumb to push down the upper packet onto your left palm. Use your left fingers to pull up the lower packet onto your right fingers. This will switch the positions of the two packets.
your right fingers to press the front edge of both packets together. Use your right thumb to press the back edge of both packets together. Use your right palm to press the bottom of both packets together. This will make the deck look like a solid block.
Adjust the deck in your left hand with your right hand. Use your right hand to slide the deck slightly to the left and slightly forward in your left hand. This will make the deck look more natural and comfortable in your left hand.
These are the basic steps for performing the Brick Pass. However, you should also pay attention to these details:
The tilt: The tilt of the deck should be subtle and slight. It should not be too obvious or exaggerated. It should look like you are casually squaring the deck.
The gap: The gap between the two packets should be small and tight. It should not be too wide or loose. It should be barely visible to you and invisible to the spectators.
The movement: The movement of both packets should be fast and smooth. It should not be too slow or jerky. It should look like a single motion.
The cover: The cover of both packets should be complete and consistent. It should not be partial or uneven. It should hide any signs of separation or movement.
The angle: The angle of the deck should be favorable and optimal. It should not be unfavorable or suboptimal. It should avoid any flashes or exposures.
The timing: The timing of the move should be appropriate and logical. It should not be inappropriate or illogical. It should coincide with a moment of misdirection or distraction.
The common mistakes and solutions for the Brick Pass
When you are practicing or performing the Brick Pass, you might encounter some common mistakes that might ruin your move. Here are some of these mistakes and how to avoid or fix them:
The noise: The noise is the sound that the cards make when they rub against each other during the move. It might alert the spectators that something is happening with the deck.
The solution: The solution is to reduce the friction and pressure between the cards. You can do this by using a softer touch, a smoother deck, a lighter grip, etc.
The flash: The flash is the glimpse that the spectators might catch of the separation or movement of the packets during the move. It might reveal that you are doing something with the deck.
The solution: The solution is to increase the cover and concealment of the packets. You can do this by using a larger hand, a smaller deck, a better angle, etc.
The break: The break is the gap that might form between the two packets after you complete the move. It might show that you have switched the positions of the packets.
The solution: The solution is to eliminate or minimize the break as soon as possible. You can do this by using a firmer touch, a squarer deck, a quicker adjustment, etc.
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, the Brick Pass By Alex Pandrea 39 is a video tutorial that teaches you how to perform the Brick Pass, a variation of the classic pass that was developed by Alex Pandrea. It is an updated and improved version of his original DVD that was released in 2011.
The Brick Pass is a fast, smooth, and invisible pass technique that can be used for many effects. It has several benefits and drawbacks compared to other passes. It has many applications and variations that can enhance your card magic.
the founder and owner of The Blue Crown, a company that produces and sells high-quality magic products and services for magicians of all levels and styles.
The video