I stummbled on this thread and I have to say when I read the comments about "Party Animal", I got completely turned off. I think Matthew Dowden is one the most creative, charismatic and engaging performers I've seen in years.

I was going to go into a high gear rant and am glad I kept reading as I saw that Matthew had contacted the poster.

Like I said, I only took a different stand point on one element of the DVD. Goodness, Mr. Dowden certainly is everything that you have said. It's just a matter of opinion. I am glad that he contacted me, as it made me review my initial comment.

Good man Chappo! Sometimes in these things you end up making a great friend. I'm sure you and Matthew are great mates by now.

I had a fellow call me an idiot onece in the Café. We exchanged PM's and became good friends.

Unfortunately, he got to know me better and relaized I was in fact a real idiot and he stopped talking to me.

Hi,
I got Mix 'n' mingle a while back (Blackpool), watched it, and loved 'Imagination' and 'Coldcut Transpo' (I also wasn't 100% accurate with catching my hotshot cut!). Since then I've revisited it, and there's just so much strong stuff on here.. I'm now using a 'Myopia' variant, and working on the coins across hole effect.
Compared to many of the Café members I'm undoubtedly not the most experienced, but I do think that this material is really practical for the real world, and as I've said in other threads: Buy it, you won't be sorry!
PS - No I'm not Russ Stevens & Shaun Mcree's love child (although I am available to review demos of future releases!!)

Hi Puggo,

Many thanks for your comments and I'm really glad that you enjoyed the DVDs. I think that Shaun has been slightly overlooked by some people, as nearly everyone that has bought this has nothing but good things to say about the project.

When we started to produce our DVDs, my one aim was to shoot magicians performing in real conditions, so that you the buyer can see just how strong the material plays. It gets boring watching someone doing material in a studio where the audience are more controlled. Call me cynical, but the only reason why people do that is because sometimes the material or even the performers themselves wouldn't stand up to "live" situations. Personally I think that's why some of the projects like Party Animal, Corporate Close-Up and Mix N' Mingle work so well. Our most recent project that is about to be released on the 14th July is "Menu of Miracles" with James Prince and this follows the same lines, in that we shot him on just one night performing at a restaurant doing his working material. Explanations were even shot afterwards upstairs, which made for a long evening, but at the end of the day I think that the viewer will get a real idea of just how well the effects play.

Best,
Russ

"Imagination" is a great effect!

Hi very interested in buying this set of DVDS. Could you tell me if all the sleights are shown and explained on this set?

Many thanks.

From what I remember, most if not all the sleights are explained clearly - but not in Ammar 'super practice' levels of details.
More importantly, the routines and sleights are not knuckle busting, but aimed at the practical worker.
This is a DVD set that has really stood the test of time, with clear instruction and a variety of material (nearly all from a shuffled deck as well).

Charlie

Highly recommended.

John

Thanks Guys I bought the set from RSVP a few days ago and yes what a great set of DVDs!!