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Mark Ennis Inner circle Raleigh, NC 1031 Posts |
Scripted Insanity – Volumes 1& 2 – Larry Davidson
Although these DVD’s came out nearly one year ago, I wanted to share my reviews of these DVD’s with the rest of you guys that are looking for your next magic purchase. I have many magic DVD’s and videos in my collection – some are excellent and many are not so good. Fortunately Larry’s DVD’s are amongst the best magic DVD’s I own. Bob Kohler did an excellent job creating these DVD’s and he showcased one of my favorite magicians. I have had the good pleasure of seeing Larry perform years ago when I lived in Washington DC and he was one of those local guys that I always believed was just as good if not better than many of the magicians I had seen lecture. Although Larry is not a full time professional magician, he puts a ton of work and creativity into his craft. Everything he does is well thought out, calculated and perfected through countless performances over the 30+ years and it is evident in these DVD’s. His effects are crystal clear and his presentations are highly entertaining and very funny. He also selects only top notch material. He wouldn’t settle for anything less and neither would his audiences. Oh, yes. Larry has excellent chops (or “mad skills”). He doesn’t do a lot of flourishy stuff because it doesn’t’ fit his performing style but he absolutely could. His sleight of hand is very smooth. The DVD’s feature 8 effects each with full explanations including explanations of his scripts. Also, there are a couple of “essays” if you will that contain valuable information that you really should watch. On to the effects… Volume 1 Half & Hole – Half dollar and Chinese Coin change places multiple times in and out of the spectators hands. A very visual and convincing effect that is perfect any close up situation. I’m a card guy by heart but after seeing this effect I was thinking “maybe I could include some coin work.” Big Mystery – Spectator is handed a wooden box and then is asked to name any card in the deck. Spectator names any card (let’s say the seven of hearts) which is removed and signed across the face. The signed card is placed in the spectators other hand (the one not holding the wooden box). The signed card magically changes into the Ace of Spades and… well, the rest of the effect is a big mystery with a powerful climax. Money In Their Hand – This is a coins across routine in the spectators hand. Very nice and very clean. I’m a card guy at heart but after seeing this effect I was thinking “seriously, I need to add some coin work to my repertoire and this looks like a winner”. 808 – Larry attempts to locate three cards. The first card is revealed as if he were a gambler, the second as if he were a magician, the third as if he were a mind reader. Each phase opens with a joke (I tried not to laugh at the horse race joke, I really did, but I just couldn’t help it) and each revelation becomes increasingly more impossible. If you are looking for an effect that will absolutely floor your audiences, this is it. Square Dance/Translocation/Blown Away – Although each effect is performed separately on DVD, the three effects can be performed together (which I believe is how Larry normally performs them). Square Dance is a production and vanish of a single half dollar which eventually turns into 4 half dollars. Translocation is a version of a John Kennedy coins across routine with the coins on the table and Blown Away is a very quick and visual coins across. Now I used to be a card guy but…. Sponge Larry Round Pants – This is Larry’s sponge ball routine that uses a spectator, a magic wand and a lot of balls. A lot of working magicians perform a sponge ball routine because it still gets a great reaction and Larry’s routine is very entertaining and very magical. Essays Larry covers two topics on this DVD – Scripting and Rehearsal. Scripting is pretty much everything you say and do during the routine. The words you use, your body language, where you look, your facial expressions – everything. If you see Larry perform the routines in two different settings, you will hear and see practically the same things yet everything flows naturally – even his “ad lib” lines. Rehearsal is performing the effects the way you would perform them for real. Larry discusses the difference between practice and performance and the benefits of performance. These essays are excellent and will give you a good understanding of why Larry’s routines are as powerful as they are. Explanations Larry does an excellent job explaining the mechanics behind the tricks. As a bonus, he includes a performance of the effect with the script, stopping along the way to explain why he says what he says or does what he does at that point of the routine. I think this is an excellent feature which you will not see on many other magic DVD’s (mainly because the magician probably has no idea why he does or says certain things during their routines). ----- Scripted Insanity – Volume 2 Dad’s Deck – This is Larry’s handling of the classic haunted deck effect with a funny and kind of slightly dark humor presentation that fits perfectly. Larry gets in and out of this effect smoothly and I know this effect is devastating for a lay audience. Kitchen Sink – This is my favorite effect on the DVDs. Using two decks (one red and one blue) Larry finds spectator 1’s card in one of the decks by sleight of hand and he finds spectator 2’s card through magic with an ending that will cause what psychologists like to call a “full diaper”. If this trick doesn’t move ya, then you should probably check straight into the cemetery. Cut Above The Rest – Larry’s color changing knife routine. Like all of Larry’s effects, there are bits of business where he has fun with the spectator and the climax is excellent. Larry is from Baltimore so he probably refers to a pocket knife as an “ATM Card”. Relaxation Principle – Vanishing Deck and Carlyle Homing Card effect tied together very nicely. Larry makes a silly and impossible claim and makes good on it which is an excellent premise for any magic effect. Vapor – This is a vanish and reproduction of a half dollar (or a one coin flurry) with a surprise ending. Pearl The Poodle – String of pearls is shaped into a dog (like a balloon animal) and finds two selected cards. A very strong effect for the layfolk. Also, you have a neat little giveaway for your spectator. High Rise – Larry’s handling of the rising card in the spectator’s hand. An effect that looks like a lot of fun to perform and gets the powerful reactions that you want. Very cool. Nice Butt – Larry doesn’t smoke but performs a great version of the torn and restored cigarette here. You can’t do this with a menthol cigarette. Just kidding. Essay – Larry talks about motivation and gives great examples of why he is doing certain things in the routines. All of his essays are worth your attention but if you only have time for one essay, this is an excellent one. If more magicians actually looked for realistic motivation (as opposed to ‘because I can”) then I think the quality of magic would be on par with the magic you find on these DVDs. Explanations – Same as the first DVD. Crystal clear instructions with explanations of patter lines and all of the bits of business. There you have it. If you are still reading this then you can obviously tell how enthusiastic I am about these DVD’s. These effects are all winners and have worked extraordinarily well for Larry for many many years. Larry may not be on the cover of Genii magazine (because he is too good looking, like myself) but his contribution to magic with these DVDs should be the benchmark for other performers. If all magicians put half as much thought in their routine selection, presentation, performance and refinement as Larry does, then the quality of our art would increase ten fold. Highly recommended!!!!
ME
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Fast Eddie P. Veteran user Maryland 323 Posts |
Wow, great review, thanks!
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ryesteve Regular user 196 Posts |
Some of these effects sound really nice. In general, how sleight-heavy would you say these DVDs are?
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Mark Ennis Inner circle Raleigh, NC 1031 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-19 00:05, ryesteve wrote: There is a nice mixture of heavy and light sleight of hand but nothing that is so knuckle bustingly difficult that it would discourage anyone from attempting them. In reality, the sleights he uses are ones that should be in every magicians arsenal (cards - palm, mercury card fold; coins - retention vanish, shuttle pass, classic palm). Also, these effects have been audience tested which means that they can be done in practically every close up situation (restaurant, bar, etc.). In other words, you don't have to worry about too many angle problems.
ME
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Clark Special user 957 Posts |
Thanks for a great review Mark!
I don't buy into just any review, but I will say that I'll get these DVDs due to this review...and to the fact that Larry Davidson has dropped some real world advice here on the Café for years and in my opinion we should all support is kindness. As a side note; I have had the pleasure of seeing Mark Ennis perform as well and he has a wonderful mix of great chops, creativity, and a deep knowledge of magic. Due to this I know I can trust his opinion on a review for certian. Thanks again Mark for the review and I'm glad to know that there are now three of us too handsome to make the cover of Genii... Clark
“The key to creativity is in knowing how to hide your sources.”
Albert Einstein |
Mark Ennis Inner circle Raleigh, NC 1031 Posts |
Thanks for the kind words Clark. I am 100% certain you will enjoy Larry's DVDs. Since you are a worker, and a fan of great magic, Larry's effort should impress you tremendously.
ME
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Even the magic on the Scripted Insanity is some of the best worker material ever, the "philosophy" behind them about scrpting and rehearsal is pure gold. I feel this is a must have for any magician, whether you are performing for pay or not.
Larry's charismatic personality shine sthrough on the performances and in his teaching. They are must haves! Mark, thanks for the detailed review and brining these GEMS up again! Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
sleightofand Regular user London, UK 188 Posts |
Is there a link to these dvds
thanks |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-03-13 18:16, sleightofand wrote: You can order direct from The distributor ( Bob Kohler ): http://www.bobkohlermagic.com/vcom/produ......ts_id=97 or MJM Magic: http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/advanced_s......7cd1d8f3
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Mark,
Great review, thanks a lot for taking the time to share this with us. Andy
Cards never lie
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joseph Eternal Order Please ignore my 17407 Posts |
Where is Larry nowdays? Have not seen a post lately... ..
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." (Einstein)...
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