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Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
Hi all,
I received my copy of Steve Santini's latest dvd, Too Deadly For Primetime. First off I should point out that I am in no way associated with Steve Santini, his escapes or Titanic Concepts. I bought the dvd from his website and I am going to give an honest review of the content as I see it. I'm not getting anything in return for it, nor have I been asked to write anything about it. I just thought that anyone here that hasn't seen it may be interested in it. You may or may not agree with it, you may have mixed feelings about Santini as a person. But please, since I've never met him in person or even spoken with him on the phone, can we leave all that at the door and just look at the dvd itself. Ok, I'll start at the beginning and work my way through. The DVD arrived well packaged in a padded envelope and was sent via airmail from Canada to the UK, which took about 10 days from the time of ordering to arrive. When opening the DVD I expected it to be in a professional DVD case, instead it was in the type of case that you get when you purchase DVDs to burn on your own computer. However, it does have a nice card insert that has been printed to a high standard. Plus Santini signed it for me (which is nice if, like me, you like that kind of thing). Ok, the content itself. First of all I was very surprised by the quality of the footage and the way in which the whole thing was shot, very professional. The whole thing is shot like a documentary and is based in a warehouse, which I felt really added to the concept Santini is trying to get across. So, the escapes. You get to see five of them, and I have to admit they are actually pretty extreme. Its not the usual rubbish that many escape artists try and pass off as dangerous, but stuff that is (certainly from what you see on the DVD) dangerous. The escapes all try and get rid of the mysterious props like milk cans and water torture cells (not that I’m saying these aren’t good escapes) and replace them with things that an audience can understand. You can see that Santini got his inspiration from movies like Saw, Saw 2 and Hostel. Personally I liked this approach and felt it made the escapes more accessible to younger, modern audiences. My personal favourite was the strangulation pole. I felt this was a good answer to a hanging escape question without having to actually be hanging. I liked it because it answered all the main points that, I think, make a good escape. It has a simple concept; i.e. escape or get strangled. It is extremely visual. The audience can understand what’s going on and the restraints used were ones that an audience could understand and have possibly seen before. Overall I felt that the escapes offered are a nice glimpse into the mind of someone that is trying to create something that is a different from the norm, and this can only be a good thing. Santini is trying, in his own way, to move the art of escape forwards. And for this he should only be applauded. Is his style for everybody? Definitely not. Just like the heavy rock bands that create the music he uses during the escapes, Santini’s style is aimed at a particular market, which is as far from the mainstream as you can currently get. And again I think this is a good thing. If you are looking for something to teach you methods, then DON’T buy this DVD. However, if you want some inspiration and to take a look at a slightly different direction on escapes then this IS the DVD for you. I hope this all makes sense and helps a little. Take care, Ros
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
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aggieman Loyal user galveston, tx 207 Posts |
Sounds cool, I might look into this dvd.
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KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
"The World's Most Extreme Escape Artist"-Ripleys
I will order mine soon when I get caught up on things.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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Cindi Loyal user Palm Bch, FL 285 Posts |
Sounds like a "must have" to Me. Thanks for the review Ros!
:ohyes: C |
Wolflock Inner circle South Africa 2257 Posts |
I thought it was quite interesting that I did not see anything about any escape artists on Ripleys web site, Maybe I am just stupid and cant find it (which is a big possiblity :o))
Nice review Ros, thank you. I would like to ask one question though. For someone like me who pays Way more than most people for any vid and DVD ordered from overseas, why would any DVD be purchased without the teachings of something. Would you think that is viable? Please understand, I am not flaming or anything, I would just rather order a DVD or book where I could learn from. Regards Wolflock
Wolflock
Pro Magician & Escapologist Member of JMC (Johannesburg Magic Circle) South Africa |
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
What you will learn from this DVD is how to take something that many escape artists do, say an sj escape for example, and turn it in to something more than just another sj escape.
If you want methods of how to escape from an sj, then obvously this DVD isn't for you. But if you want to see how someone has routined that escape in to something different, then it is definately for you. It all depends what you're after.
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter |
Wolflock Inner circle South Africa 2257 Posts |
Ah. Thanks Ros. Will check it out if I get the chance.
Regards Wolflock
Wolflock
Pro Magician & Escapologist Member of JMC (Johannesburg Magic Circle) South Africa |
aggieman Loyal user galveston, tx 207 Posts |
I should have done this the first time I saw this post, I guess I was afraid of what would happen to me.
But now I don't care. I own this dvd. Not long ago, I bought a very nice pair of Irish 8 cuffs from Steve, and to my surprise he sent me a copy of "Two Deadly for Prime Time." I have got to say the moment I put it in, I was hooked. I loved it, I watched it many times, showed my friends and family, who also thought it was pretty cool, a little weird and dark but cool. All the escapes are origianal, creative and crazy. Many times I felt scared, he came real close to dying or becomming badly injured. He has guts, and he has a very creative mind. Which is what it takes now and days to make it in this field. He really doenst teach any escapes, but watching it, gives you a sense of presntation and creativity. It gets the juices flowing. I hear there is going to be a second, that would be awesome to see. I recommend any escape artist to pick up a copy. |
KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-28 22:42, aggieman wrote: Agreed. Few of us actualy do this sort of real deal escapology. Up until now I do not know of an instance, of this sort of work being filmed and mastered to any media. I generaly tell people up front what sort of work I do, and if they are looking for a run of the mill show, to look elsewhere for a more traditional entertainer. I have to say the same for Steve's: Too Deadly for Prime Time. Cutting edge stuff. I will be on the list for II, III, and all the rest if they get made. Ripley's Believe it or Not: "The Worlds Most Extreme Escape Artist" (I think this is pretty obvious to anyone that watches the DVD)
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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bound4blades New user 8 Posts |
Escape or Die is coming out soon!! There are a couple previews and it tops the first by leaps and bounds!!
Here's a link to the posting on YouTube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjQf0C5vopg Here's the second... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OigZSktMyA |
Skeleton Veteran user Germany 318 Posts |
As this one is unfortunately sold out for a long time I am looking for someone who is willing to sell his copy (and also willing to ship to Germany), any help will be very much appreciated.
To infinity, and beyond!
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The Amazing Michael Veteran user 322 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-02-17 06:22, Skeleton wrote: I only have one copy otherwise I would be happy to help. You should contact Steve directly at bookings@thedarkmaster.com and ask if he has a copy he would be willing to sell. It is good to see interest in this DVD again.....I thought it was really neat and very different than what most people were doing in escapes at the time. Cheers, Mike D~C/
*CAUTION* Does NOT play well with others!
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John Cox Elite user Studio City, CA 494 Posts |
Sounds interesting. Thanks, Roslyn.
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Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
Thanks for bringing this topic back to the fore. Looks like Steve's been busy the past few years since I wrote this (can't believe that was in 2006!).
The YouTube clips are great and you get a little glimpse of a few of the escapes from Too Deadly. I always liked the last escape he did in the 2nd video. It always reminded me a little bit of The Doors of Death, and I mean that to be taken as a compliment. The fact that when Steve begins to escape this contraption the act of freeing himself actually brings him closer to being impaled. What a great concept! Talk about turning things on their head. I haven't watched this DVD for a long time, and after re-watching it 5 years on the escapes he does certainly haven't dated and they are still nothing like what anyone else does. A testament to Steve's creativity. I still recommend anyone interested in escapes to get a copy if they can. I can't remember if they were limited release or not. I'm looking forward to his new release and seeing what The Dark Master has come up with this past half decade. I'll certainly be grabbing a copy once it's released
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
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