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dcullen30 Regular user 103 Posts |
Do some of these effects on people, then you will discover the art of astonishment.
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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Dcullen,
I've been doing some of Harris's material for over 20 years, and I certainly understand the effect some of it can have on spectators (and even magicians) when performed properly -- and granted that "properly" can cover a huge range of performing styles. However, this particular tape teaches nothing at all about the proper way to use the material to maximize its impact (this is where the "Art" in "Art of Astonishment" should come in); in fact, if anything, it only demonstrates ways to use the material to MINIMIZE its impact: look bored, sound bored, and act as if you'd rather be somewhere else. In other words, there is no discussion of technique on this tape, just a discussion of the mechanics. On the other hand, if you're arguing that the material is "magician-proof" in that it will "astonish" no matter HOW it's presented as long as the mechanics are performed properly, then I would simply have to disagree. --Josh |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Paul is a creative genius, I think we'd all agree on that. Also, he's complicated. And he tests himself. At one point in his life he would deliberately nager his audience and then see if he could get them back on his side.
I admit, I did not like this when it was released on video. But, I'm not the same person or magician I was back then ( I hope I've grown in both areas ). If there is only one idea that you can get from a book or video, it makes it worth it. I can't beleive that there isn't a hidden gem on this video ( now on DVD ). So...I'm going to sell a couple of things and buy it. I have to see for myself. Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Chris,
As dcullen pointed out to me in a private IM conversation later, this tape/DVD was never intended to be a standalone product, it was meant for purchasers of the book who also needed to see the effects demonstrated. So it seems unlikely that you'll find much on it of use if you already have the books. --Josh |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Josh, thank you very much for sharing that info. It's very helpful!!!
I do remember being impressed with "Zen & The Art of Boomerang" on the video, but at the time I just could not do it and passed over it. It would be fun to revisit it today. I think I'm going to have to get this. Yes, I'm a Paul Harris fanatic. Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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michaangelo Regular user 184 Posts |
I was fortunate to meet Paul Harris at the last two LVMI conferences and he is certainly enigmatic! With that said, I found him to be genuine and very giving of his time and thoughts. It was amazing to see he, Michael Ammar and Daryl together and just think what it must have been like back in the day!!!
I am really looking forward to the new stuff he has coming! |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I'm looking around for it now. Ebay might have it.
Chris Posted: Oct 9, 2006 7:56pm OK, I ordered it. I had to. I'm going to view it and report back. Chris Posted: Oct 15, 2006 1:23pm I got the DVD yesterday and started watching it and I am loving the DVD. I hadn't seen the video since it first came out so it was interesting to start watching it. I can understand why I didn't care for it when it first came out. 1) I didn't understand Paul Harris's sense of humor or his thinking. Sure, I did Paul Harris "tricks" and loved his books, I just didn’t get him. 2) I didn’t like where a group of lay people sat and talked about the magic they just saw. When it was first released it was on VHS, so you had to fast forward through that and it was time consuming. On DVD you can go right by it if you don’t care for it. Here’s what I’m excited about right now: • Unshuffling Rebecca - An in-the-hands, self-working Triumph. Triumph's next evolution. OK, when I first saw this on video I didn’t like it. Why? I don’t remember. I think I just don’t understand it. I watched it last night and got excited about it. There’s a move in TIUMPH that Paul’s effect has, but in a different way and it fooled me and I had to rewind to get it. The routine is clever. Of course I always want to change things to suit me, so I’m not using the guarantee joker and still want a signed card. I worked on it today and am adding this to what I do. If you have basic card handling knowledge, there isn’t really anything to learn. It’s just a different way to do TRIUMPH. I think you can do it alone or even add it to whatever TRIUMPH version you do. • Zen & The Art of Boomerang - Toss a card high in the air, catch it in the deck and it splits its mate! I HATED this when I first saw it on video. Why? Because I couldn’t do it. Isn’t that a good reason? Well…I’m going to use this and see what reactions I get. I can’t do it the way Paul does, so here’s what I’m doing: Lose their card in the deck ( it’s controlled to the top ) split the deck in 2, do the charlier with the left portion as I do the long distance spinner with the right. I could do it right away with my method and I think my way looks more magical ( I know blasphemy ). Just for these two effects, it was worth getting the DVD. It’s not a DVD for beginners. And if you didn't like it when it first came out on video and haven’t seen it again all these years later, I really think you should take another look. Concentrate on the magic being done. You can change the presentation if it doesn’t suit you. There’s lots more on the DVD and I’ll report back what I find. Chris Posted: Oct 15, 2006 8:33pm Well, the two effects I mentioned wouldn't be for beginers, but there are some that are quite simple: Fizz Mster, Shape of Astomishment, even Angel Case and Impromtu Nightshades. Angel Case is a super clever use of your Card Box that Eric Mead came up with. It's a brilliant idea. On the DVD Paul does a spirit writing effect with a tic tac. I would use that. I'd use a a priec of lead or small pencil. I think a torn and restored card would be awesome. They can examine the case when you're done and will see nothing. I'm making one today. Unshuffling Rebecca, Zen & The Art of Boomerang and Angel Case are my picks as “workers”. I’m really glad I bought the DVD. I hate getting burned as much as anyone and am quite picky as to what I like. Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Chris,
Aren't these effects in the books? And how did you feel about the WAY these effects were presented and taught? --Josh |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-10-15 20:56, Josho wrote: Josh, I don't know if they are in the books. As far as the presentation goes, Paul has a very different style. You either like it or don't. I admit, until I knew more about him as a person, I didn't get his style. I didn't care for the audience gathered and discussing the effects. If it was really catching people being amazed, that would be different. But it had a very "staged" scripted feel and wasn't for me. Paul teaches some effects in a group setting and I liked that. The handlings were very well taught. Unshuffling Rebecca is a fooler and I think did advance the TRIUMPH effect. There's no extra shuffling. Cards are shuffled face up/face down and the face up cards are 'pushed" through and turn face down. Very clever!! Angel Case could have been released as a marketed effect. I made one and the gimmick is hidden. I want to do a spirit writing to reveal a card ( forced on them ) and also a torn and restored card transpo. The 3 effects I think stood out are really strong and worth serious consideration. Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Hi, Chris,
Ah, I had assumed that as a major Paul Harris fan, you'd be able to quote chapter and verse from AoA. If you like Harris on this tape, I suspect you'd REALLY like him on the Stars of Magic tapes/DVDs. The teaching is better, and the energy is several notches higher...which, to me, makes a great deal of difference. The humor that's present in the books (all his books, of course) works far better when it's delivered with energy and timing that I don't think are nearly as evident in the AoA tape/DVD. I am, though, really looking forward to the new set. --Josh |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-10-15 23:28, Josho wrote: Hey Josh!!! Really glad you're posting here. Well, I am a huge Paul Harris fan. I'm a bit dyslexic and have trouble learning from print. So...in the past I've relied on people that I trust to lead me to an effect that would be worth my time learning. So, as much as I have loved Paul's work, I have to research his books and I'm not great at that. Can anyone help here? I had a couple of Stars Of Magic videos and there were gems on it, but I didn’t get Paul’s performing style at all. In fact, he kind of annoyed me. Well.. over the summer I got the Stars of Magic DVD set and it had all of Paul’s videos on DVD, including ones I hadn’t seen. Well. There are interview segments were Paul is being himself about magic. His thoughts on “the moment of astonishment“ went through me like a blow torch through butter. It literally changed my life. I’ve started looking not just magic, but everything differently. ( I also have a friend on the Café that wrote me over the summer with some advice and had a huge impact on my life ). I think that’s why I’m able to see this DVD, which was a video that I did not like, and see the gold in it. I don’t see Paul as an inventor that I don’t understand, but an incredible “spiritual” person that is real, honest, open and sharing. So I can look past what annoyed me in the 90’s when this came out and see some magic that is breathtaking. Tonight I stopped off at my little pub where I try out new effects. I don’t get paid and I’m not doing it for free so to speak. It’s where I go and feel comfortable sitting at the bar with my cards or coins. I used Angel Case for a spirit writing effect. I made sure to do it when I planned on leaving because I knew I’d have to do it for as long as I was there. It Killed. They shake the box, they remove the paper. It carries the power of magic in their hands. Eric Mead and Paul could have released this, as I said earlier, as a marketed effect. Everyone should get the DVD just for this. I don’t think using Paul’s idea with a tic tac is the way to go. There’s no way a tic tac could do this. Of course there’s no way a piece of a led pencil could do it, but…it is plausible. I then did card to wallet with the card ( thank you Tony Miller for releasing Triple Threat ) and…I left the card box and cards at the bar. There is no way they will find the gaff. I just wanted to mess with them a bit. I didn’t want this to be a trick, but a magical effect. I believe I achieved that goal. Th reactions to the spirit writing were over the top. I think if you did this for magicians and the fact that they could exmaine the box, they'd be fooled. Chris Posted: Oct 19, 2006 11:18am I have an effect for Angel Case that has dropped jaws. I'm going to write it up in the secret section when I get a chance. How could I have missed this when I first watched the video? Chris Posted: Oct 24, 2006 10:59pm Has anyone gotten this DVD yet? Chris Quote:
On 2006-10-19 11:18, MagicChris wrote: I don't think it needs to go in the scret sessions as I won't tip too much. I posted this elsewhere and I'll do a copy/paste: "I've also been using it to do a short version of David Williamson't torn and restored transpo. I have a duplicate in the box. But...I score the duplicae with an exacto knife, front and back. I put the torn pieces in the box, give them the box to shake. The box makes noise and I tell them you can hear the pieces ( they don't know what the pieces should sound like ). I then wave my hand and suggest "you scan start to hear only one one piece". When the open the box and pull out the restored card their fingers immediately feel the scoring. I don't even have to point it out. The reactions have been fantastic. I then have them sign the card and I do card to wallet or anything else with a signd card. And they keep an incredible memento". Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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magicjack1977 Loyal user Louisville, KY 213 Posts |
Should be a great disc. I would also recommend the 2 dvd Stars of Magic set featuring Paul Harris. It has a lot of great stuff and really lets people into the eccentric genius' work.
PLEASE NOTE: this dvd WOULD NOT be an alternative to Paul's AOA books. Think of it as a companion only. For those who have not read them- stop what your doing right now and go out and buy them!!! You can get the 3 volume hardcover set for around $100 and it would be the best investment you ever made in your magic. Paul is a genius in the art of magic and these books are the greatest insight into Paul's imagination. |
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munkywrench Loyal user Conway, SC 298 Posts |
What he said.
Family Biz. https://www.facebook.com/dreamweaverconway/
Disciple of the Close-Up Kinda Guy PH. Balloon Blast Video Show junkie. Supporter of http://www.myrtlebeachmagician.com/ Retired Demo Dude IBM #334 supporter |
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scrapdizzy Regular user 162 Posts |
Just got this. The video and audio quality is awful but the tricks taught are very good to me.
I am working on the unshuffling rebecca right now, that's just so simple and yet powerful. Great effect. I agree the groups of people sitting around talking about it etc is just lame and the tricks being taught on the floor sitting Pretzel style is as well. My biggest complaint is the audio being so muffled sounding. I still like the info though. |
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scrapdizzy Regular user 162 Posts |
Ill add on to that post.
The entire video has the feeling of a 1984 porno. You really cant help but feel like someone is about to start going at it at any point. Maybe its the big haired girls? Also in my opinion Paul Harris has the worst presentation with the LEAST wowing effect out of any DVD I have purchased. However as I said before, there are some good tricks on the video. |
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bugjack Inner circle New York, New York 1624 Posts |
I agree -- it's a strange tape. Frankly, I am not the hugest Paul Harris fan. I have volumes one and two of AOA and probably do less from these books than from other sources. I was looking forward to seeing some of these effects performed because sometimes when you see something done by the creator that you've only read about its true value is revealed. Not here... and you're right about the porno vibe (although I'd place it in the 70s). Many of the spectators are obviously drunk and the scripted interludes in which people discuss the trick they've just seen are quite painful.
All of that said, just by virtue of its oddness this DVD is more interesting than most magic disks... just don't go expecting much true astonishment. |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Try Angel Case on someone as I've described. IT's very powerful.
Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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magicjack1977 Loyal user Louisville, KY 213 Posts |
I would agree that Pauls presentation of his effects on the dvd's isn't very strong, as he seems to be joking around much of the time, but his presentation methods are not what you are trying to learn. His effects, if performed correctly and under the right circumstances can absolutely kill an audience. Nevermind the dvd's production quality and Harris' seemingly VERY laid back attitude, the potentially devestating impact of his effects are well worth the effort.
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-03 12:55, magicjack1977 wrote: Exactly!! as I said, when the video first came out, I hated it. But after getting to know Paul's kick back style more, I decided to give the DVD release another chance. And...there are killer effects on it. Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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BobGreaves Regular user London, UK 152 Posts |
I had heard so much about the AOA books that I wanted to understand more about PH before spending a lot. A UK magic seller was getting rid of their old VHS stuff cheaply so I bought this tape. As a stand-alone I don't think it is great, but as a complement to the books I think it makes sense.
I was initially put off by the lay audience that he brought in to witness the tricks. I don't want to be disparaging or snooty about them, but if you judge PH by his friends (which I assume they were) you could be put off for life. |
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