books or dvd

Struggling with an effect? Any tips (without giving too much away!) you'd like to share?

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books or dvd

Postby mathsgeek » Jul 20th, '07, 13:47



I'm fairy new to magic compared to anyone else on the forum and I have performed a search on this forum but I couldn't find the related article. I am wondering whether books or dvd will be a better medium to learn magic tricks? I know they are fairly different. Personally I think dvd is better because at least you see how the trick is done and some times in books it takes me quite a while before I actually find out how a trick is done.

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Postby seige » Jul 20th, '07, 13:49

I think the conclusion from the countless debates on this subject would seem to be that you should choose whatever is right for you... if you prefer seeing and learning along with a DVD, do it. Or, if you prefer read/practice/refer, choose books.

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Postby I.D » Jul 20th, '07, 13:59

Yes its pretty much a personal preference.

I love reading books, but there are just certain things I would not get as quickly unless I saw them. So I buy a mixture.

It really is down to you mate.

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Postby B0bbY_CaT » Jul 20th, '07, 14:03

I went for DVD's to begin with because I perceived I could be "performing magic" within an hour (or quickly after the DVD had ended).

not many good books can be read in less than an hour so assumed DVD's were the go. I have had great value out of most of the DVD's I own, however as I spend more and more time reading books, I find they "force" me to think more carefully about the "presentation" of the effect, and this tends to make me more inclined to develop my own style. I am forced to practice more and this helps make my perfomance better.

on balance, I believe both can be excellent tools and agree that it is very much up to YOU. I personally have found (recently) books offer more.

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Postby Replicant » Jul 20th, '07, 14:04

Personally, I prefer to learn from DVDs but I have numerous books that I also refer to. Being left-handed, it can sometimes be difficult to follow detailed instructions in books because they always assume the reader is right-handed. It just takes me a little longer to learn from a book, but I do prefer books as objects because they are so much more pleasing to own than a DVD. I would recommend you buy one or two of each to begin with and see how you get on.

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Postby Michael Jay » Jul 20th, '07, 14:43

Paul Daniels wrote:My advice, ALWAYS, is not easy but I do believe it to be the best. Read books. Read as many books as you can. Whilst you are reading the books keep your own notebooks with full descriptions of what you think is good, good ideas, and even what you think up for yourself whilst you are reading.

I know that DVDs are out there, I have even made a few myself, but when I do them I try to keep 'me' OUT of the tricks. There is a reason for this.

If you read a book (I know it is harder that watching DVDs) YOU will see YOU doing the magic. YOUR imagination will DREAM and add to the vision of YOU performing. If you go the easy route and ONLY watch DVDs you will copy the performance on the screen. Why be a clone?

Example: when we were making the TV series, I found some tricks in a book. I thought they were great and I put three of them into the shows. A couple of years later I watched the originator perform them on a tape and HE was dire. I would never have performed those great tricks if, in my mind's eye, I hadn't seen ME doing them!


I find it hard to disagree with Mr. Daniels.

Mike.

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Dancing with Yourself

Postby Amanda Angeli » Jul 20th, '07, 14:54

Hello,

I love both. Reading magic books, and taking extensive notes on them and outlining them is very much a part of me. And such a love can teach you imagination for sometimes in but a word that more or less has nothing to do with a "trick," you'll get an idea.

On the other hand, DVD's teach you about performance. You'll learn things like paciing, style, movement, speed, acting, and so on, and just like with books, instead of simply watching one, watch many and let the various ideas flow and develop within you.

You need, ultimately, to find your style. Which, interestingly enough, is a combination of who you are, who you think you are, and who the audience thinks you are.

Find some magicians and magic authors that you like, or, if you need help, just read these posts and all of us have oh so many opinions on this to help you, and then, read and watch and learn. And in time, you'll find you. In time, you'll find magic.

Love,

Amanda Angeli

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Re: Dancing with Yourself

Postby bananafish » Jul 20th, '07, 19:01

Amanda Angeli wrote:You need, ultimately, to find your style. Which, interestingly enough, is a combination of who you are, who you think you are, and who the audience thinks you are.
That's nicely put.

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Postby Replicant » Jul 22nd, '07, 14:01

Incidentally, if card tricks is your thing there are a number of SUPERB ones in Annemann's Card Magic. By the way, it's a book. :wink:

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Postby donkeylord » Jul 22nd, '07, 23:02

Although I have only one book and one DVD so far (Mark Wilson's complete course in magic and on the spot b Gregory Wilson.) I find the reading a book and learning the trick first then watching someone perform it helps. This allows you to see other people's way of doing it which can help to make your version better.

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