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johnpert Veteran user Ontario, Canada 322 Posts |
Hello,
Wondering what people's thoughts are on the DVD "Kids Love The Classics" (sold at Practical Magic: https://www.practical-magic.com/online-shop/latest-products/kids-love-the-classics-dvd-detail. ) I haven't been able to find any reviews or thoughts. Perhaps I haven't looked in the right places. Thanks, John |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I would guess that the title alone would be reason enough to buy it.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
I edited the DVD and I've always loved David's style, so I'm biased and therefore couldn't give a fair review.
So here is a review from Magic Mark that I found: Just wanted to give a heads up on the new kids love the classics DVD by David Oakley and available by practical magic, I ordered on Monday and received Tuesday morning! Now that's service for you! I ordered mainly because about a year ago I had the urge to take out all my "kids magic" and opt for what could be called "real magic" except for 2 routines I just couldn't bring myself to stop using! So I was intrigued as to what a fellow performer would bring to the table on this subject. First let me get a negative out of the way! David opens with what could be called "the rules" but this seemed to go on for quite a while causing my wife who was watching with me (a rarity indeed!) to comment that if she was a child in the school she would have fallen asleep by the end! Also why are so many of kids show DVDs filmed in a school? As we all know they are the easiest of audiences to entertain, (who wouldn't want to skip maths to watch a magic show!) I personally would like to see more filmed at a regular birthday party. That's the negative out of the way, the show itself is top class and includes classics such as, vanishing cane in news, misers dream, vanishing cd (ala die box), t&r newspaper, 20th century silks, egg bag, linking rings, and sympathetic silks, it also includes none classic but soon to be classic acrobatic knot and measel teasel wand. Stand out for me was David's linking ring routine, sympathetic silks, a unusual but great way to do 20th century silks and his paper tear as he opted for a slow reveal rather than the usual flash restoration, as the slow reveal made it look all the more magical! The show runs for 1 hour with the explanations running to 35 mins, the explanation section is really a run thro of effects and where to buy or research the method which I suppose is no bad thing, rather than being spoon fed a explanation you have to go and look thro some classic books on coins or silks etc. I personally would have preferred a interview with David Oakley regarding his philosophy on using this type of magic for children. In summary I really enjoyed this DVD and David comes across a very likeable person, and a consumat performer who certainly knows his stuff when it comes to entertaining children. 8/10
VISIT MY ONLINE STORE!: www.kimmomagicshop.com
NEW LECTURE NOTES - SHOW US YOUR TRIX NOW AVAILABLE AS AN INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD! Kimmo DVD available Now! Watch the promo here! Order your copy NOW! CLICK HERE! ENTERTAINER,MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST'S BLOG - DON'T READ THIS... |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Got to be honest, based on that review I would give this a skip. Long lecture before he begins - 35 minute explanation. You would get as much value watching youtube clips.
I could well be misjudging this, but that does not entice. When I buy a DVD I prefer less performance and more talk - that is where we can learn something new.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
My response was actually to the effect that there is no reason why kids should not enjoy the classics. The title is great. Deep down, kids now are no different than kids from the past. They will appreciate solid, fun magic. As for the DVD, I suspect it may be worthwhile in the sense that it wakes up some magicians to the fact that they don't always have to seek the "latest and greatest", and that classic magic is such for a reason. I cannot speak for the competency of the performer in the video. I have not seen it. If the video is largely performance-based, sadly that really makes it no different than the scads of other DVDs and books that I have no intention of buying. I lost interest in the routines of other magicians a long time ago, except in regard to their own show. I don't view them as fodder for my own show. I can come up with that by myself. If someone offers philosophy, tips, even anecdotal experience, I'll listen.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 7, 2014, Michael Baker wrote: My view exactly. I want to hear the thoughts of seasoned pros. That is where the learning is.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
EXACTLY! "Seasoned" pros is the key phrase. I've walked out on lectures being given by 18 year olds. Look for the old guys and offer to buy them a cup of coffee. It's amazing what you can learn.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
wwhokie1 Special user 512 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 8, 2014, Michael Baker wrote: Of course 18 year old's should give lectures, they know everything. It's amazing, the older I get the more I learn, and the less I know, or at least I realize how little I know. But I know a lot more than I did when I was 18, and back then I knew everything. It defies logic, at least for some. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 8, 2014, wwhokie1 wrote: They know everything except the fact that they don't.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yes!!!
Some great comments by some well qualified performers! I'm 82, retired from a lifetime of performing for young people (ages 4 to 18!)and, I've never done a "kid" show. I learned, as a teenager, the classics, and I'm still doing them (I'll keep doing them until I get 'em right --hee hee!) When I was 15, I had studied Tarbell and learned the mechanics of the classics. Ever since, I've been learning how to present them. I've always believed in the old proverb: "When you are through learning, you are through." I haven't seen the video in question, so I'll not comment on it, except to say that I've never had to "explain the rules"! I like to consider myself a ahowman not a disciplinarian! I do not do a "warm up". I do a show. Regarding 18 year old lecturers: There is a story of the young guy in the library of the Castle. An old timer dropped in, and the young guy had a pile of books on the table, and was making copious notes. The old guy asked, "Working on a trick for your act?" The young fellow replied, "No, I'm going on a lecture tour and need some tricks to teach!" --Nemo dat quod non habet! --No one can give what he does not have! (Experience!!!) Five years ago (egad!) Joh Racherbaumer kvetched me into writing a book. I asked, "About what?" He said, "There have been books about magicians who played legitimate theatres, auditoriums, and Chautauqua dramatic end tents. Some magicians specialized in 'spook shows'in movie theatres--even in drive in theatres! Harry Willard had his own dramatic end tent! But, nobody has ever written up Lyceum (school assembly) magicians!" Jon continued, "There are a lot of magicians who can only dream about doing what you did! They would like to 'run away and join the circus' but they have a wife, three kids, a mortgage,and a car payment. They would love to read about what you did!" So,I bought a computer and started writing (following Jon's advice). I chronicaled my life, and told about the magicians I met, and how they helped me grow as a performer. I tried to fill in stories about them. Then, again following Joh's lead, I wrote up anecdotes of things that happened 'on the road'. --Funny things, interesting things. sad things, 'educational' things,challenging things, etc. Then, I decided to write up some "technicals". Tips on how to produce a commercially practical show that can be presented anyplace for anybody. I wrote down my criteria which I used to develop my show. Finally, I decided to include presentations of most of the tricks and routines that I developed over my lifetime. Practical material! Frankly, I feel that any performer should develop his own presentations, but my material may providesomeinspiration. (None of my stuff will get anyone a Las Vegas contract!) If you've read any of my posts, you know that I "tell it like it is"! Dick Sneaky, underhanded, devious, and surreptitious itinerant mountebanc !
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
Re the question as to whether an 18 year old would be qualified to give a lecture... Levent was only 17 when he competed in the Gold Medal contest at the 1984 IBM convention in New Orleans, and much of his act at the age of 17 is the same one shown in this youtube video of one of his instructional DVDs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TthZn73C5ao The bit where he changes a candle to a billiard ball is one of the most visual, magical transformations I've ever seen. I would have loved to see him lecture on his act back in the 80's, and I'm glad that he eventually released an instructional video of it on DVD. I think, too, that Johnny Hart was still in his teens when he won the Young Magician of the Year award and then appeared for the first time on The Ed Sullivan Show. Granted, teen prodigies of the caliber of Levent and Johnny Hart may be rare. But if Johnny Hart had gone on a lecture tour right after winning the Magic Circle award, I would have been sitting in the front row. Again, I acknowledge that _qualified_ teen magicians who can lecture are rare. But I'm sure they do exist. ----- Sonny
----- Sonny Narvaez
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Sort of like the Zen story
Perhaps. I have known some 18 year old magicians that have been performing for over 10 years. I know that doesn't come close to Mr. O's experience. Sometimes one who doesn't know the rules and the expectations can create wonderful magic. Sometimes that's what happens when an interested person has no access to lectures, books or youtube. They develop what works for them, and learn from their audiences. I like the classics and sometimes the waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out there stuff. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Age doesn't matter, as long as experience can back it up. That actually applies to someone of any age. But regarding young magicians, there are very few prodigies in the world. I've seen young magicians giving lectures on material that they didn't even know where it came from, and on philosophy of performing and business, when it was apparent they were merely spouting off the first thought their brains had landed on, as if it were gospel.
Call me a curmudgeon, but it reminds me of when a magician buys three tricks and then prints business cards. Oh, really?!? If someone has something to offer, I'll gladly listen. But, I'd rather be in charge if my own time is to be wasted.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I have no opinion on the DVD as I have not seen it but I do like the premise....
http://themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic......forum=17
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I like the idea behind the dvd (but not the price).
I've already got CarrollBaker's Kidshow Basics that covers many of the idea and themes of using 'older' routines instead of always buying the newest items that a dealer releases. This suits my style and helps me stand out from all of the other magicians near to me. It's also interesting that two of the three items Practical Magic are releasing this week are classic tricks. Old but still funny and interactive with the kids.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I prettty much agree with the last five posts! Strike that: "pretty". Insert: "very"!
Like the congressmen (and women) do, I shall now "extend and revise" ~!~ Sonny~! Yes! Remember John Moehring on the Sullivan Show? If I remember, he was 18! Dam! If I had been THAT good when I was 18!!! I just told the Castle story, because it "fit" in the thread! Harris! Some very good points! --I didn't "quote" them here. (It's not hard to scroll up!)--Well, I especially liked the one about ME!!! Michael! Yes! I sat in a lecture for the Bakersfield CA Ring about 15 years ago. A young fellow (middle to late 20s) "lectured" on busking. YUK! I think he was able to book the date because he had had a write up in one of the magic magazines. My favorite statement aboutt when you may call yourself a professional::: Take a show on the road for a season, do 13 + shows a week, (all different age groups) Get good, (or excellent)comments from the clients, stay on the road despite various car problems, colds, etc., make all or at least most of the dates booked, come home with your health and sanity "intact", with money in your pocket, and READY TO GO OUT AGAIN, NEXT SEASON, then, you can put "professional" on your business cards! A year or so ago, a young fellow (17 or 18)from the Green Bay, WI area, asked for information on constructing a web site on a facebook page. He admitted to having done two shows (both freebies)! His vocabulary was about 50% four letter words. Frank! I like the premise, too. That's why I wrote that long post. themagicians...(We're on "first name" basis here! hee hee) It appears to me that you have the right idea! I also "stay" mostly with generic props, so even the props don't telegraph the effect. I don't get, "Seen it"! from kids~ 1`
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
Dick, I'm looking forward to the book!
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mikenewman Inner circle Kent Island, Maryland 1114 Posts |
I want to buy Dick and Michael a cup of coffee. That would be worth more than any DVD, Book, PDF, Blog......
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