talkmagic.co.uk

A very well produced DVD from Ellusionist now available at a discounted price! was $59.95, i just bought it for $29.95 plus i get a FREE King Rising Levitation DVD.

how difficult?
it varies, there are great tricks of all types for all skill levels. something to get you started, something to "grow into".

Variety:
Coins, Cards, Vanishes, PK effects, in fact something for everyone. from totally impromptu "would you like to see a magic trick" stuff to tricks that take some prep, a great variety is shown.

Teaching quality:
Brad Christian is a very good teacher. he is passionate and really wants to make sure you understand every angle, option, important point, key diversion etc... almost to the point of "OK... i get it..." but then i see then next trick where i need his extra instruction so on balance it works.

Value for money:
US$30 for 2 hours + and a stack of great tricks plus the bonus levitation DVD... 10/10 for value!

Summary: if you dont already have this and want a jump start into magic, a heap of good tricks for all skill levels this DVD is really a must. great value, great content, well presented and entertaining.

buy it now before they put the price back up... i was watching eBay a week ago and second hand versions sold for more than $30!

I agree, this is definately a great video to begin with. The teaching is good and it exposes you to a few different types of magic. It is a good price and the inclusion of the King Rising DVD makes it even better. The only issue I have with this DVD is that it also teaches some more advanced sleights that really have no place on a DVD like this. If you are a beginner and you do decide to purchase this product my advice would be to follow it up with the Inside Magic DVD which has some very enjoyable real life performances.

i will look at the inside magic DVD as well. thanks for the tip.

what I love about dvd's that show difficult sleights, you actually have to PRACTICE it.

I have small wrists and thin long fingers, so some card manipulations are extrememly tough for me. But when I pull them off, they look that much better because it doesn't ever look like my hands ever completely cover the cards.

slinkey1981 wrote:what I love about dvd's that show difficult sleights, you actually have to PRACTICE it.

I have small wrists and thin long fingers, so some card manipulations are extrememly tough for me. But when I pull them off, they look that much better because it doesn't ever look like my hands ever completely cover the cards.

I totally agree with you. That is a good way of looking at things. Brad Christian mentions something on one of his DVDs (I can't remember which one it was) where he states that the famous magician Slydini's hands were so small that the cards were poking out of his hands when he tried to palm them. But because his misdirection was so good; none of his spectators would ever notice.

I'm going to play Devils Advocate here in that I don't understand a little something... like Why the hell everyone thinks being a street magician is such a great thing?

When I was young and dumb I did my fair share of busking along side Harry Anderson and several others, JUST SO WE COULD PAY THE RENT... it wasn't a goal it was a matter of necessity.

Now David the Lame has created some kind of idea in the mind of young aspirants that being a Street Performer is the ultimate trip, his lie being sustained by others who've seen a means by which to exploit this great misconception and get YOUR money out of your hands for books, videos and props supposedly applicable to said market e.g. for them the whole "street magic" thing is working -- THEY are readily getting YOUR money by selling you an image and idea that is not sound.

Most communities have strong ordnances against sidewalk performance of any kind while others allow only music. You are limited as to times and locations you can perform in most communities and must pay anywhere from $15.00 to over $150.00 a season for a performance permit.

I'm really not trying to create a "problem" here, I just don't understand it in that Street Busking has never been seen as the "pentacle" to one's career in most instances. Granted, there have been a few legendary buskers in our world, I won't deny that; Senator Crandle, Al Flosso even Vernon did work as a Barker more than a time or two. But the trend that's at hand simply alludes me as to why all of the sudden everyone thinks being a street hustler is a good thing when for so very long, it's been seen as the lowest form of performance mode?

Maybe it's a generation thing but I also don't personally rate street magic. To me it looks so contrived and fake.

I'll watch it if there's little else going on but I feel the least enteretained from this form of magic.

i had a guy stop me in the street and said "look i want to show you this, can i borrow a coin ?"
"sure" says i
i proceded to pull out a coin and sign it as asked but as went to hand it back i vanished it, he looked a little supprised and even more so when it appered on a can of coke in his hand
he walked off like someone had told him santa didnt exist (which he does if you want him to)

and it annoys me so i dont like it!

I see where your coming from Craig and I do not warm too much to the Street Magic profession either. I would feel more comfortable walking by a busker - who is generally more passive with their art and approach - than a street magician. But I applaud those who have the ability not to come across as hustlers or beggars but real performers. I would personally prefer to be a spectator of magic in a restaurant, a stage show or some organized gathering.

From the time I saw a magician, almost 30 years ago, perform at my primary school, I was inspired to buy books and start learning the art of magic. This magician I had the privelage to see was in his fifties and was a real class act from the old school - sporting a magician's top hat, he had the whole linking rings and ventriloquist thing going. I was completely blowm away by his show every time he came to my school to perform, which was once every two years or so. This is probably why I have the views that I have regarding street magic. But for younger magicians who are starting out; I guess David Blane and Chris Angel are more likely to be their insipirations so that style of performance is more likely to be what they aspire to.

i think it's david blaine's fault
i mean, he did bring street magic famous to both magicians and non-magicians. when ever you talk about magic to laymen, they either say david blaine or copperfield.

and then ellusionist, thinking about making money, used this chance to create a dvd so blaine lovers will buy the video hoping to be like blaine. marketing marketing marketing

the DVD is called "street magic"... i, like most people who buy it DONT do it on the "street". i do it for fun at BBQ's and restaurants. i go to the ellusionist web site, i find something i like that is good value (Ellusionist offer 100% refund if yr not satisfied on this DVD by the way) and i buy it. so far, based on the items i have chosen and the prices i have paid (they had a special offer, less than $30/17 pounds for BOTH HTDSM and King Rising).

why be anti marketing? would you prefer the DVD case had a hand drawn title? besides... without marketing, how could Nike get US$150 for a pair of shoes that costs them $6 - $7 to manufacture??? dont complain about it... get off yr dinger, invent a trick and market it the same way, heck... if it looks good and you package it well i may buy one.

David Blaine is very much a street performer and I mean that in so many different ways. Even with his name recognition, his mentality is that of a street urchant more than it falls within the more "traditional" confines of what people do in show biz upon getting a big break.

I applaud David for proving to the world that you can do one hell of a good show with less than a $1,000.00 tied up in props, no special stages, etc. and in so doing "Kick Copperfield in the shins." It was a wake-up call that Copperfield had been needing for some time and for this alone, I love David Blaine. BUT, I loathe the fact that he's not evolved and in not doing so, his example is misleading and guiding a lot of young people into a "rut" -- the delusion the being a street performer is the cream-dela-cream. Some so consumed by his ALLUSION that they believe he's garnered millions of dollars doing nothing but street magic... something that I can assure you he hasn't done and if he has, it's the result of running flim-flams and scams and I'm pretty certain the IRS would be interesting in taking a look at such.

The ART of Busking is something I believe needs to be preserved. I know from experience that it takes a very special kind of person and mind-set to do this kind of work and do it well. I've seen and worked with some of the best in way of Midway Barkers and Pitchmen and for many years I held my own when filling those shoes. But it is not an easy life and it is far from being a profitable life. It is merely something that's donw for the love and appreciation of the craft itself.

What I object to however, is this new "Shock Magic" approach in which the Busker more or less corners a group of people and forces his will and "skill" onto those he's managed to corral. These random "hit men" as they are being called by the laiety, are ruining the more legitimate sense of opportunity for those williing to work and play by the rules within their community when it comes to this style of performance. They are likewise giving the whole of magic a very bad name in that such rudness is simply unforgivable in the minds of those you intrude upon.

IF you can get permission and have a legally sanctioned location where you do your magic on a regular basis, I think Busking can be a very rewarding experience that won't only help you pull in a couple of extra dollars here and there, it will help you perfect your skills; not just the mechanics of your effects but in how you interact and communicate with the public. Just remember that it's exceptionally long hours (10--14 hours a day for most professional buskers) and the pay isn't the greatest, but it can open doors and prove to be one of the best learning experiences in the whole of your career.

But I do not encourage anyone to strive to be nothing but a Busker. You can use the "character" of the Hustler such as Harry Anderson had done for so long or Todd Robins, but learn to take that wise-guy personna into the more practical commercial realms allied with our trade. Otherwise you just may find yourself going hungry more often than not.

I have so many things going through my mind over all of this, but for now I'll just leave it be...

quoting Craig Browning: "I have so many things going through my mind over all of this, but for now I'll just leave it be..."

none the less... interesting post Craig. and i agree with what you say about the aggressive "grab a member of the public and humiliate them" style of busking... not at all clever.

what i like about "street magic" and perhaps we need to change the name of it away from "street" to "impromptu" or something... is tthe fact that i can be out with family or friends, and at a moments notice do something that is fun, entertaining and makes their jaw drop...

why? because it's FUN!

Craig Browning wrote: I think Busking can be a very rewarding experience that won't only help you pull in a couple of extra dollars here and there, it will help you perfect your skills; not just the mechanics of your effects but in how you interact and communicate with the public. Just remember that it's exceptionally long hours (10--14 hours a day for most professional buskers) and the pay isn't the greatest, but it can open doors and prove to be one of the best learning experiences in the whole of your career.

I have to agree with pretty much all that you've said Craig, but I think the statement that I've quoted above pretty much sums up my experience best. It can be soul destroying if it's not paying much to be on the street performing for many hours at full tilt, but it can be a great teacher and can open doors.

..im lucky working near Covent Garden, lots of good and sometimes notso good buskers....well ok, angry drunks shouting at passers-by for loose-change...

...my favourite is in fact the opera singer that occasionally scales the little enclaves as he sings and the tight-rope walker that lets me photograph him...(shame its not a beautiful woman in a mini-skirt but there you go)...

...and there's a magic stall right next to it all too...