Xtreme Beginners - The DVD

Bought a trick? Let us know what you think!
About to buy a trick? Be sure to read our Archived user reviews here and in the three new sections above before buying!

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

Xtreme Beginners - The DVD

Postby mark_c1975 » Aug 15th, '05, 18:26



Xtreme Beginners - The DVD
Handlordz Publishing
Running time - Approx 4 Hours!!


$39.95 (plus p&p)
This is for a limited time only... I believe it is going up to $44.95 in September. It is available from the Ellusionist website.

Difficulty: 3-5
(1=easy to do, 2=a few hours practise, 3=a few days practise,
4=a few weeks practise, 5=months of practise to get perfect)

Review

Before I go any further, click the below link and scroll down a bit for the full content listing of this massive 2 disc set.

http://www.ellusionist.com/order/Devo/D ... er-DVD.htm

I'm sure you're aware of the hype that has been surrounding this much-anticipated release from the pioneer of XCM, De'vo Vom Schattenreich. I ordered my copy last Wednesday from Team Ellusionist, and was lucky to be in the first 100 to win a Black Tiger Ace of Spade, signed by non other than Jerry Cestkowski and De'vo themselves! It was delivered today, which I know seems fast from the US, but I paid for the express postage, which was about $20.

When you buy the DVD, you get exclusive access to a protected forum at the Ellusionist website. This is strictly for those who have bought this DVD. In it, there is a sticky from De'vo, suggesting you just sit back and watch it for your first run, which is what I have done today.

All I can say is... WOW! This DVD is packed with so much stuff I had to have a break between DVD's as I was having trouble absorbing it all. DVD one contains chapters 1, 2 & 4. DVD 2 has chapters 3 & 5. It makes sense when you see it.

I watched DVD 2 first. This is the DVD with an hour-long fanning workshop with Jerry C. He teaches differently from De'vo... he talks you through everything. His fans are unbelievable, and he is a big advocater of fanning powder. I've never been a fan myself, but I may give it a go after this. Already I have made some improvements to my pressure fan, though my thumb fan still needs a lot of work. Jerry also takes you through twin fans, giant fans, closing the fans, and more.

DVD 2 also contains the Q section. The XCM Team took a total novice to cards, 'Q', and trained him up over 4 weeks in some basic, and advanced, card moves. This section follows his progress all the way through, from start to finish. Q gives a constant commentary, plus his handling tips, which I found very useful, as these are things that someone proficient in XCM may overlook.

DVD 1 contains most of the teaching material, and it's done in typical De'vo style. It's just hands on screen, no speaking when De'vo teaches, and you definately don't get to see De'vo's face anywhere on this DVD.

The 'Things To Know' chapter was interesting, taking you through the different types of cards available, what not to use, picking up cards when you drop them (always useful), and even manicures on your fingers. Greg Irwin has some finger fitness exercises on here too, which I already knew from his website.

You can see from the contents list the amount of stuff De'vo teaches you on here, taking you from the basic Charlier cut, which forms the basis of many XCM moves, right through to De'vo's Flash Drei and Impossible Stack closers. I been practising a couple of things already, and my fingers are already feeling the pinch.

Daryl, Jeff McBride and Greg Irwin provide some extra input. Daryl teaches his Hot Shot Cut, which I think he skips over quickly unfortunately, but then it's also taught on his own DVD's. That is my only minor gripe, but it doesn't deter from my score below.

Overall

This gets a 10 out of 10 easily. $40 for this much material is ridiculously cheap, especially if you're over here in the UK. With the exchange rate the way it is, that's just over £20, plus p&p, making this well worth the investment.

The production on the DVD is fantastic. It's mostly shot and edited by De'vo, and he provided all the music throughout. There are even bloopers included for a comedy element.

Be prepared to drop lots of cards! Be prepared for aching fingers! But more importantly, be prepared to learn some killer XCM!

Last edited by mark_c1975 on Aug 17th, '05, 21:13, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
mark_c1975
Senior Member
 
Posts: 450
Joined: Jul 24th, '05, 11:48
Location: Horsham, UK (44:AH)

Postby Nox » Aug 15th, '05, 18:46

Gha!

My wallet will definatley not like this one...but I feel an urge to get it...but have to wait until end of month before i get the money from my job...:S

Glad to hear that this was a good dvd ;)

How long did it take from your order until you got it?

Nox
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 179
Joined: May 3rd, '05, 19:59
Location: Umeå, Sweden (EN:21)

Postby mark_c1975 » Aug 15th, '05, 18:57

5 days, but like I said, I paid for the express postage, which was about $20 on top of the cost of the DVD.

I only paid the extra as I'd won a signed Ace, and wanted it guaranteed delivery, with tracking, as I didn't want it to go missing.

You won't be disappointed my friend.

User avatar
mark_c1975
Senior Member
 
Posts: 450
Joined: Jul 24th, '05, 11:48
Location: Horsham, UK (44:AH)

Postby Nox » Aug 15th, '05, 19:04

Just wondering how much that postage can cost to sweden...

And is the dvd regional? Don't want to order a dvd I can't play on my computer :P

Nox
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 179
Joined: May 3rd, '05, 19:59
Location: Umeå, Sweden (EN:21)

Postby trickyricky » Aug 15th, '05, 20:12

Ok, im convinced, i need to get two viper decks too because one of them is free! Yeah!! Ok, thats the main reason i have a £1000 overdraft and maxed out credit card! DAMN YOU ELLUSIONIST!! Im sorry, i didnt mean that!

User avatar
trickyricky
Senior Member
 
Posts: 911
Joined: Aug 10th, '05, 00:21
Location: Cannock! (22:AH)

Postby mark_c1975 » Aug 15th, '05, 21:08

I think the postage is the same for everywhere outside the US. You pay a standard, world postage fee I think.

As for the DVD's, they are multi-regional, and will play on any DVD player, computer or otherwise. I was reading about the DVD in the forum, and they have tested it on as many systems as possible to ensure it plays on anything.

My fingers are hurting now... been practising for about 6 hours straight. Going to give it a rest for the time being, start again tomorrow!

:lol:

User avatar
mark_c1975
Senior Member
 
Posts: 450
Joined: Jul 24th, '05, 11:48
Location: Horsham, UK (44:AH)

Postby mark_c1975 » Aug 15th, '05, 22:48

By the way, here's the proof of the signed Ace

'http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=8/22616451095.jpg&s=x1'

You'll have to cut and paste the link into a browser to view, as I'm having probs getting the image to display here.

How do I get an image from my PC to display here in the forums? I tried putting the location between brackets, but it didn't work?

Cheers,

[img]C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Mark\My%20Documents\My%20Pictures\My%20Logitech%20Pictures\Pictures%20and%20Videos\AOS%20Xtreme.gif[/img]

Last edited by mark_c1975 on Aug 16th, '05, 08:21, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
mark_c1975
Senior Member
 
Posts: 450
Joined: Jul 24th, '05, 11:48
Location: Horsham, UK (44:AH)

Postby Uriel Valmont » Aug 16th, '05, 01:48

I ordered it last Wednesday too (but I don't think I'll get the signed Ace), with express postage, and I'm craving this DVD like blood... hope it arrives soon.

Uriel

Uriel Valmont
Junior Member
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Jul 6th, '05, 23:20
Location: Italy (27:AH)

Postby katrielalex » Aug 16th, '05, 01:48

w00t - lucky guy!

If you want to put an image in, you enclose it in tags, thusly:

[img]http://imageurl.gif[/img]

Remember that you need to put a link to the actual image, instead of the Putfile page which displays it. However, you're not supposed to 'hotlink' to images or video in Putfile...

Kati

In hibernation but half awake - will stick my nose in every so often!
User avatar
katrielalex
Elite Member
 
Posts: 2545
Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 22:32
Location: 16:AH (in hibernation! will try to check up here every so often though)

Postby mark_c1975 » Aug 16th, '05, 07:55

Kati,

OK, I edited my post, and put the exact URL of the picture on my HDD between the [img] brackets as suggested, but it isn't displaying.

Can you tell me what I am doing wrong? Anything wrong with that link? I try to ad it as an attachment, but I get an error saying I have reached my attachment limit.

Feel free to PM me, as it's probably something simple and obvious that I'm doing wrong... save my blushes :oops: And I call myself an IT Analyst!

Is it because the picture is on my local machine, and it isn't actually uploaded to the forums? Any suggestions for websites to host pictures, instead of using putfile?

Many thanks for your help,

User avatar
mark_c1975
Senior Member
 
Posts: 450
Joined: Jul 24th, '05, 11:48
Location: Horsham, UK (44:AH)

Postby trickyricky » Aug 16th, '05, 12:10

When i need to upload photos to forums such as this, I tend to use photobucket. Ive never tried it here but it works fine on other sites, maybe it would be worth trying that! Let me know how you get along because I may need to use it someday!

User avatar
trickyricky
Senior Member
 
Posts: 911
Joined: Aug 10th, '05, 00:21
Location: Cannock! (22:AH)

Postby wingman04 » Aug 16th, '05, 16:27

What nationality is Jerry Cestkowski?

wingman04
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 261
Joined: Jul 31st, '05, 01:19
Location: New York City [EN:15]

Postby stevebo » Aug 16th, '05, 17:21

You lucky guy... I ordered mine on Sunday and it got dispatched today. I used the normal international shipping so it'll probably take a while *sighs*. Envy!!!

One question though: does De'vo talk in the Q section?

StEvEbO!

User avatar
stevebo
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1311
Joined: Jun 2nd, '05, 11:23
Location: London/Essex, UK, (22:SH)

Postby FlipBack » Aug 17th, '05, 00:29

If you want it don't wait to long to order it De'vo was saying that they are running out and will have to publish another run before they even get to the official second edition.

User avatar
FlipBack
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 132
Joined: Jul 18th, '05, 19:05
Location: Canada

Postby mark_c1975 » Aug 17th, '05, 10:17

Nope... no talking from De'vo, and nothing but his hands showing.

Jerry C talks, Daryl talks, Jeff McBride talks, Greg Irwin talks, Q talks you though his whole section, but all De' does is show you how to get started in XCM.

I think Jerry C is American. His fans are flawless, every time. The way he just pops them out, making them look so easy, is superb. Then I try and do it, and end up popping cards everywhere!

I have decided to concentrate on one thing at a time from the DVD's. At the moment I am working on my one-handed fan. I figure I'll work on each move until I have it down solid.

When you get it, just watch it through. Don't get your deck of cards until the second viewing. That's my advice...

User avatar
mark_c1975
Senior Member
 
Posts: 450
Joined: Jul 24th, '05, 11:48
Location: Horsham, UK (44:AH)

Next

Return to Archived Reviews - now closed

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests