talkmagic.co.uk

I'd like to "scoop" something out of the SinBin and post as a new thread.

I think that Brad Christian is propably one of the best teachers in Magic, ever. He explains very thoroughly each and every move, he shows complicated moves again, and again, from different views. The Ellusionist DVDs that I have bought with him, compared to a few from other tutors, are created in a very professional manner.

I had some complaints towards Ellusionist last year, when there was an inconsistancy in an order I got shipped from them. I complained and Mr. Christian wrote back to me and actually solved the problem in a very professional manner. Instead of leaving me unhappy he left me satisfied, resulting in that I have ordered from them a few time since then. So he's professional on cam and off cam

I know he's not the same "joker" as Jay Sankey, when it comes to creating DVDs and teaching tricks. Jay has been a stand up comic and he's created this goofy, funny caracter. Brad is more serious, more "down to earth" and both are good magicians, doing different approach.

So to conclude my rambling: I was going to reply to the thread, when it was moved into the SinBin. I support seige's desicion to flush the above mentioned thread to the SinBin, but I would like my statement about Brad Christian to stand in the spotlight.

I agree to an extent.

I started off magic from Ellusionist and the teaching is very good. I wouldnt go as far as saying its the best source out there but you do learn a lot, shuffles, cuts, DL's, palming, the glimpse, etc etc. You learn all the basics. Then you can move onto more advanced techniques. I consider Brad a master of the pass. He doesnt teach this is extraordinary detail, but you learn enough to be able to do the moves effectively, the rest is practice.

Anyway, the only gripe I have with Ellusionist is the marketing technique. While it does work, in that they make a lot of money, it is foused towards a 'target audience'. They do repackage old effects and sell them as brand new. That bugs me a little. But Brad Christian as a teacher is certainly someone i respect as a magician and a businessman.

I.D wrote:I wouldnt go as far as saying its the best source out there...

Yes, true. That's why I said: "propably one of the best"

Don't you have the Carlsberg beer ads in UK? Where they say:
Carlsberg, probably the best beer in the world!

But setting Ellusionist aside, I find Brad Christian's teaching methode excellent, IMHO.

- - -

PS. Actually I prefer Harp or Stella Artois

Indeed Brad Christian is one the best instructors in magic, probably the best.

I also like his serious way of teaching, although I personally dislike Jay Sankey's way of teaching. I like his improvisations and contributions in magic but just not like his teaching style.
Comedy is good when used with magic but not while teaching magic.

He really teaches in a very good manner. Showing what to do, how to do, what not to do & how not to do.
Also mentioning all the pitfalls you may fall into and how to get past it.

Firstly, what a great idea of 'scooping' something from the Sinbin and discussing it properly. Well done that man!

Anyway - back to the topic in hand.

I think that I will also agree that he's a very good teacher indeed. Not necesarily the best but very good none the less.

He always looks as if he's wearing too much make up on his DVD's though - particularly around the eyes or is it me that only thinks this?

Heh, he does! It's not just you

I like his serious way of teaching. And how he explains things slowly, I wouldn't say the best, but his definately not the worst.

Personally I'm not a fan of Jay Sankeys style, sure his tricks are great and he has a great mind that thinks it. But his too.."OTT" I think.

K

I'm with you on the Sankey thing. His style (or lack of it ) REALLY grates me.

With all of the Ellusionisy hype I wonder how long it will be before someone does a Max Factor advert.

" Hi, I'm the make up artist for the Ellusionist DVD range and Brad and I always recommend Max Factor eye liner and mascara"

This reminds me of when I first bought an instructional DVD from Greg Wilson. I was expecting to be fanisated by his illusions, but instead I felt greatly dis-satisfied when he wizzed right through all his tricks. I found his teaching ver poor. One his his explanations was so terrible that I went out and bought the trick from Penguin (ouch) to get a better guide through.

i love watching grey wilson, but his teaching method is bad. He tends to rush into things.

anyway, back to ellusionist and brad. I've always like E product. They have an excellent service, quality product, and friendly staffs.

i dont mind what they said about E and Brad. As long as they have quality products and services, they can do what ever they want.

Finally a group of people who know something and that arent single minded.

i post at penguin, and man many of those kids think penguin is the only store. And are always bashing E. Its disrespectful.

I too have enjoyed Brads teaching, i really care less that he is wearing make up, thats his choice, it doesnt effect me in any way.

He works through everything in his teaching , whih is very nice.

hmmmm...i did dabble with a couple of his dvds...all very slick, im still rather annoyed that he teaches a kind of ambitious card routine, and thinks it's ok to reveal "the pass" to the group he's performing to, just to "misdirect"...

its up to him if he wants to wear eyeliner and tight t-shirts, that's his problem, not mine...

yeah, revealing the pass - shocking behaviour...

his teaching? probably as clear as Sankeys'...but the plus point for Brad is that he doesn't think himself "wild and crazy" or indeed "wacky"...but Brad does oversell it all i think...

for card magic, i would probably just recommend Sankeys Revolutionary Card magic dvd, (which is very good, but not revolutionary), and Brad's Ninja 1, just for a very deceptive alternative pass he teaches...

meh, overall though, i don't have to like the people who teach, as long as they are good teachers...they're both ok-ish...if only Sadowitz would do a teach-in...

abraxus wrote:if only Sadowitz would do a teach-in...

There's more chance of him appearing on Celebrity Come Dancing.

abraxus wrote:if only Sadowitz would do a teach-in...

It would be interesting to see the lecture notes - every second word would probably start with 'F' - and I don't mean 'Flourish' .

he should though, his books are superb...it would be nice to have something of his on dvd, even it's just performance only...

i hear he's doing some more shows soon...can't wait...

him and walton should get together to release something...that would be good..

In an email conversation I had with him about the oop International Magic video he claimed he had plans to reshoot it and also reprint stuff like the Marenzel Reverse. Good news if it's true but probably more likely he was just taking the p out of me given his contempt for videos DVDs, magicians in videos, the internet, magicians on the internet and magicians. Having said that, he can't really mean a lot of the stuff he comes out with or he wouldn't spend so much time at IM.