In looking for packet trick or Nick Trost material at various online shops, I always find loads of Aldo Colombini DVDs listed. Though I usually prefer books to video, the prices are so attractive that I am going to add one to my next order. Any suggestions on where to start in his huge catalog? Anyone have a favorite?

Thanks for the guidance.

All are very good. One of my favorites is the first Trost DVD. An excellent start for you, IMHO.

Paul Hallas discusses Wild Colombini DVDs at some length in Still Small, Still Deadly. If you expect to spend a lot of money on packet tricks over the years, then I recommend you purchase that book (available as ebook on lybrary, maybe other places), and its predecessor Small But Deadly, which I think can still be found in hardcover. SBD is more a historical discussion of packet trick plots, and SSSD is more a survey of the current lay of the land. They will help you focus your thinking, and improve the quality of what you buy.

Thanks for the input. I have read so many good opinions of the Hallas books that I will have to push them higher on my list. For now I guess I will take Atom's suggestion and just start at the beginning...after all, why would they name it "volume 1" if they wanted you to start somewhere else?

Joey, You have a great attitude!

I would suggest buying the dvds from Aldo's site. I'm sure his wife Rachel would appreciate it. You'll find the best selection there.

Two I would recommend are:
-Packet Trick Treasures
-Packet Trick Picks

: www.WildColombini.com

Packet trick or Nick Trost material and you prefer to read? Aaron gave excellent advice, but you could also look here for the Nick Trost books. Each volume contains a chapter explaining some of his packet effects.

http://www.magicbookshop.com/advanced_se......=11&y=11

Each of the Aldo DVD's contains 10 effects. AS for the Trost books, without counting effects in the books on his work I'd say each contains maybe 50 effects so price per effect is comparable. Aldo's DVD's ARE great value against other DVD's, though the DVD production is basic and I find them better watching on the computer. Aldo taught the effects well on his DVD's.

Nick and his packet effects are discussed in a chapter in "Small but Deadly" and whilst Aldo's packet trick DVD's are discussed in the follow up book "Still Small, Still Deadly" that chapter will not contain all as he was producing the DVD's so rapidly and no doubt there will be some came out among his many other DVD's after the book was published.

Personally, Trik Kards and Razzle Dazzle are my two favorites of Nick's packet trick work.

Best wishes,
Paul

Regarding Packet Tricks, I've only seen Packet Mania volume 1 by Cameron Francis.
Indeed, there's only a few effects on there, but the DVD's don't cost a lot. Most DVD's that will teach this kind of material will be more expensive.
And, I have to say, I really liked Troublemakers and Printing Aces. If it didn't say Cameron Francis on the cover, you'd swear it had come from John Bannon.
Also High Caliber by Bannon is an amazing read.

(I know this is not what you asked for, but still, could be helpful?)

The Aldo and Rachel Colombini Penguin Lecture is a good place to start, so you get a general idea of his style