DVD's
 

So lets talk about DVD's Most in the market place are a one of trick which costs anywhere from 10-50 sometimes even more than that. These dvd's are usually one trick with many forms and variations of the same effect. I myself put out a DVD with a off brand company... What you will find out in the world of magic is that many times the gimmicks that come with the DVD is really what you are paying for more times than not. You must realize that you will not just be performing this new illusion once or twice but instead you will do it hundreads of time just practicing and then possibly thousands of times in work and in play. The items need to be made to last. There are very well known companies that have been around for years that still make high quality products. There are also versions of the same porducts, but made very cheaply and stop you from wanting to perform based on that one fact alone.

What I have learned over the years is to go to the books... There are a ton of great book here on the site which are the old school reads. This is where many people who we today find to be great have found there inspiration for many of the new effects that are coming out till this day!

If you are looking for some Good DVD's

I would say one of them and this is a begginers list would be and this is for card manipulation

is the series from Jeff Mcbride called card manipulation 1-4
It is simply an amazing amount of information. There are also some great slights you can learn virtually over night!

The next would be my own... lol what I had too.

Mentally Hyp(nosis) is a beginers guide into the world of mental magic and hypnosis technques.

For the 10 - 15 dollars you will spend in it there are a ton of magic tricks you can perform quite quickly and with a minimal amount of understanding of the art of stage and illusion.

I do like a lot of Andrew Maynes books which he imparts some great knowledge and understanding. His DVD's range from umbrellas in your head, to having a fist come out of your chest and so much more. He is a devilish genius!


Paul Carpenter
www.mentallyhyp.com

I agree. Head to well known books that will teach the fundamentals. Develop a tool kit. Then you can decide what "power tools" you'd like to purchase.

I couldn't agree more. If you can also find a group of magicians around your town. i.e. IBM or SAM group. These are the best your gonna get now that the brick and mortar shops really no longer exist. There is something to be said for those shops that are still open. Most of the guys in the shops just love to do what they do! As well there is no substitution for seeing magic live be it close up or a really good stage show like Believe, or David Copperfield, or what Lance used to do!... here is a link to some Mazzini live performances both stage and street!

http://www.youtube.com/user/illvsi0ns


Enjoy!