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CoCoN_16 New user 10 Posts |
I hope I picked right forum. Since I'm not considering myself a beginner anymore, Books, Pamphlets & Lecture Notes is for reviews only so I post it there on street magic forum, because I usually perform on the streets.
Although I rarely perform on a gig, I mostly do street magic and recently started making money from it. Mostly I want to make my effects stronger. Other things like how to approach, how to get gigs etc don't bother be so much right now. My question is - which one of these books should I buy (only one for now): Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz The Approach by Jamie D. Grant I've read tons of reviews, so I know all these three are superb, but I want to pick only one for now. The approach is pricy for me, but if it's far better than the other two I'll take it. |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I would strongly recommend that your first "investment" should be Ken Weber's "MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT"
Don't just read it, STUDY IT. Ken knows what he is talking about. To use an old cliche: "I wish this book had been available when I was starting out.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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CoCoN_16 New user 10 Posts |
I just ordered it. Thanks for the reply
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龚凯 New user 5 Posts |
Strong magic is good.The theory in this book suits close-up magicians.
我爱魔术
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Jamie D Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2292 Posts |
I feel that Maximum Entertainment is a must if you're serious about performing. As was mentioned, it's a book that needs to be studied and will take your performances to the next level if you work hard and take the advice given. For me, it's one of those books I read often rather than just once and park it on the shelf.
You won't be dissapointed.
Twitter @darjames
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gtx magic Special user United Kingdom England 954 Posts |
This video is fantastic viewing. A street magician doing is every day entertaining,but with a bit of computer technology "CGI" added and edited in,this makes it thoroughly outstanding as a promotion to the art of magic. How great it would be if you could do this. Very enjoyable to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh0CMcLiRkw Graham.
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
OK! My second choice, when finances allow,would be "THE APPROACH" (by "some guy from Ontario")eh!
It was a difficult decision for me to recommend Weber's book for your first investment over Jamie D.'s--because they both have very worthwhile material. I think that you are very wise to buy BOOKS! Such an investment will surely "pay off", in the long run. As soon as you can, start reading Tarbell (you can get it free, I underatand it is free in pdf (whatever that is!) The "patter" is antiquated. Ignore it! Tarbell is a COURSE. You will benefit more than you can imagine.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Jamie D. Grant V.I.P. as seen in Ripley's Believe It or Not! Twice! 2413 Posts |
That is so kind to consider my work, guys! Thanks!
Dick, I'm actually westcoast- Vancouver! My wife is from Oakville, though, if that helps my case! And, without question, Maximum Entertainment should be in everyone's library! The earlier in your career, the better!
TRICK OF THE YEAR: Industrial Revelation, BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Approach, The AIP Bottle, and my new book Scenic 52, can all be found over here: SendWonder.com
Kindness takes practice. My TEDx talk |
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
The Tarbell Course is free, since when? It shouldn't be as they still sell it for $200 and I bought them multiple times. The PDF is also not free on Lybrary.com it is $24.50. The only place that I would imagine it is free is on a pirated download site. It might be public domain but it is still being sold. One my favorite sets and still is the "Bible of magic" period. I have bought multiple sets over the last 34 years. Back in the day I paid $400 for a set at a magic shop and it was well worth it then even.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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David Fillary Special user 662 Posts |
Sirbrad,
The ORIGINAL Tarbell Course is free as a pdf, ie. the correspondence course. The Tarbell books sold by volume are not and contain more material. |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Thanks David! I should have been more clear in my comment. --This "pdf stuff" is a bit "technical" for me!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Thanks David! I should have been more clear in my comment. --This "pdf stuff" is a bit "technical" for me!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
OK I see, yeah I now remember downloading the PDF on a site one time but I forget who had it, maybe it was The Learned Pig not sure. But I already had the big book.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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jackbr New user 21 Posts |
Hello All, how do you do ? If this is not the right place to ask, sorry. I would like to buy the book "Maximum Entertainment". From Amazon, they say that the book has a DVD. I asked PenguinMagic and they told me that the book doesn't have a DVD. Does anybody already has the book ? Do the book comes with any DVD ?
Thanks Jack |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Jack! OOOOPS~! Saying THAT could get one in big trouble if one is in an airplane!
I bought two copies of Ken Weber's book about 7 or 8 years ago. -- One for the road, and one for my library. Ken writes clearly and no dvd is needed! (There "aint no tricks in it") It's all about PRESENTATION, SHOWMANSHIP (and "stuff like that") I'm retired from almost 50 years on the road with my show, and I found some "new things" in Ken's book. It's about $40.00, and THAT'S AN INVESTMENT!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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jackbr New user 21 Posts |
Hello Dick Oslund. Thank you for your reply. I will buy it ! I heard lot of good things about this book !!! Thank you again !
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Zlwin Chew Elite user Malaysian Magician with 437 Posts |
Quote:
On May 19, 2015, Dick Oslund wrote: This is the funniest comment in this thread. Hahahahah! |
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EndersGame Inner circle Reviewer EndersGame 2196 Posts |
I have Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz, and have listened to the audiobook version of Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber. Darwin Ortiz's book is perhaps more useful when it comes to giving attention to the small details of organizing and structuring a particular effect in order to make it more magical, and his focus on card magic will especially appeal to the close-up magician. But Ken Weber's book is undoubtedly the very best there is on the overall subject of showmanship and performance, also because of the wide range of details that he gives attention to.
What I love about Maximum Entertainment is how Ken Weber really makes you think about every aspect of a performance, and it is by giving attention to all the small details he covers that you really can raise your level. There's a wealth of material, tips, and advice, and it comes from someone who has solid experience with magic as a craft, and sincerely wants to help his colleagues improve and grow. This book is an absolute must read for anyone performing, and deserves to be re-read many times. Almost every magician will find ideas here that will help them polish their performance, and increase the entertainment value of what they do. I just read the book for the first time this year (actually, I listened to the audio book), and despite first appearing more than a decade ago, it still feels current. Throughout the book Ken makes extensive reference to popular magical acts and magicians like David Copperfield, David Blaine, Mac King, Kreskin, Michael Ammar, Criss Angel, Siegfried and Roy, and others, giving helpful real life examples of specific effects and performances, and most of us today have probably seen these guys perform on TV or online. So the book still has a fairly up-to-date feel, even though a couple of his comments on recording and audio equipment are slightly dated. Overall this is a work that still speaks strongly to the current generation of magicians. It's worth mentioning that Maximum Entertainment is now also available as an audio book, via a digital download from Vanishing Inc Magic (here) for half the price of the book. The reader is Kent Axell, who is a working magician himself, and does a fantastic job with the reading. As an extra bonus, the audio book includes a terrific hour long interview that Kent has with the author Ken Weber, which was recorded in 2017. In this interview Ken makes further comments on the material and content of the book, clarifying and expanding on numerous points, and this was very helpful and worthwhile listening to as well. Highly, highly recommended! For more thoughts, see the detailed review about the book and audio book that I posted elsewhere on The Magic Café here: Ender's Review: Maximum Entertainment (Ken Weber) - An essential book about getting maximum entertainment from every aspect of magic http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......c=661266 |
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Although I concur with the titles mentioned, I'm a little surprised that no one has recommended the "Fitzgee Trilogy." I kind of think it's indispensable.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Adam Meier Regular user 135 Posts |
Quote:
On May 22, 2018, daffydoug wrote: I have never heard about this book. I have "Maximum Entertainment", and that is one of the best books I have read on the subject. I will order "Fitzgee Trilogy" right away. Thank you very much for the tip. |
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