talkmagic.co.uk

I thought i'd start this is a seperate thread, but what does everyone think of 'Performance Only' parts of DVD's?

I cant really decide, no doubt I would have bought the DVD for another effect, and so seeing some more magic by someone talented should be a good thing. On another hand, it does seem a bit 'look how good I am, I can do this and you can't', and especially if it is an amazing effect / routine, it may lead to people reverse engineering it to try it themselves.

The other time I could think it would be useful is if you were planning to release an effect as a stand alone item after the dvd, and could use the dvd as a marketing tool (as with Paul Stockman's 'Connected' DVD and 'Psyclock').

I just wondered what other TM'ers thought of this subject? I also realise there are people on this forum who have released DVD's themselves - is this something that you have considered?

If I buy a DVD which teaches routines and tricks, I appreciate seeing it performed as though to an audience just to see how the whole thing goes. Obviously the danger there is that viewers will subconsciously copy the performer's way of doing things but even so it can be very useful. I wouldn't take offence at any teaching DVD which includes performance only scenes.

As long as you're not being told in the ad copy that the routine is explained or if it is mentioned, that is not only performance, then I don't see a problem. I think it's nice to see some of the performer's personal routines being preserved.

I don't mind it, sometimes it's neat to see things unexpected like that. Though I do like how Michael Vincent kind of does it, the ad copy tells you what is performance only and what isn't. So you know what to expect.

Helder whatshisface caught a lot of flack for trying to make his Booklets and DVD's "performance only." as well as trying to put up some "warning" saying that you CAN'T perform the tricks for other people and that they are merely just for "learning".

I like to see performance-only sections that are not staged; are not intended to sell the effect (I have already bought it); and use real audiences in real situations.
I.e. showing some of the 'outs' in practice.

How often have you seen a demo of an effect where the spec conveniently chooses the most perfect scenario possible.

I can see nothing wrong with a 'performance only' effect. Do you really expect a performer to show you all he knows? Perhaps it's just a teaser to come back for more!

To be honest, I think if we have to have magic DVDs, they should all be performance only, and only performance only.

The problem with DVDs is that you pick up the mannerisms of the performer, their style. It's too easy just to copy them, and that's no good, because it's not you. At least if you have to come up with the method, then you are finding a handling that suits you.

Scratch that, maybe DVDs should be method only, and I mean just the basic moves, no presentation, no patter - you do this, then you do this, then you do this. DVDs should be for those awkward slights where it's good to have a view from several angles.

Scratch all that, just give me books.

Jing you are so right. DVDs are excellent for demonstrating moves, which are almost impossible to put describe in words. They are a wonderful aid but full performance does encourage the lazy to merely copy. However without the performance who would buy the trick in the first place?
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but it has its limits!

Here is the problem with the performance section of the DVD's, with the understanding that we are talking about realworld perfomances and not performances made to be on the DVD is, I think we would have far fewer DVD's, which may not be a bad thing.

Why would there be so many fewer DVD's? You ask so innocently.

Because I think most of the DVD's out there are geared towards the 'armchair' magicians. I think that most of the material on a DVD has not been audience tested.

I think the best teaching DVD's are the Card College type. Micheal Ammars coin and card series, Daryl's rope series etc. They teach the moves and the possibilities that go along with them. Perhaps a few routines so you can practice with an actual effect and not just practice a move. But they don't stand there and tell you how wonderful the effect is on an effect that they have never actually gone out and performed in front of a lay audience.

Jing you are so right.

I usually am,

However, bmat is also very right in what they say too.