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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » I'm a real boy! » » Tom Crowls DVD (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

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Neale Bacon
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Inner circle
Burnaby BC Canada
1775 Posts

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Just got my copy in the mail today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tom does a great job and I am becoming a big fan of Dangerous Duck! If he was a pig, he would be a ham.

Tom took a risk in putting together a show and DVD and he pulled it off well!

I assured him I won't be stealing very many of the jokes because it is definitely more PG-13 than my show, but very funny none the less.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC
Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist
www.baconandfriends.com
Wanlu
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Inner circle
Manila, Philippines
3058 Posts

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Mine is on the way Smile

I mean my copy of Tom's DVD is on the way Smile

My DVD will take several more months of planning...and dreaming Smile
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org

Wanlu's Affordable Puppets
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Wanlu and his Puppets
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tacrowl
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Inner circle
Maryland
1633 Posts

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Thanks Neale,
I created the DVD for BOR sales. I knew it was time to tape one because people started asking if I had any.

Rented an intimate theater in my hometown, hired a camera crew (4 pro - 1 pro-consumer camera) and taped two shows. The second was the program we ended up using.

I owe a huge thanks to Ken Groves, Ian Varella, Darren Carr and David Crone for their advice and help. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Glad you enjoyed it!
Tom

Wanlu - your DVD is on the way! Thanks!
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Royston South
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Regular user
Jersey Channel Islands
137 Posts

Profile of Royston South
Hi Tom,

Brilliant, loved the DVD “cooking with ---- !" Just great might have to pinch that one if that’s OK!!!if Neale Bacon does not use it.

Great work,

Royston.
tacrowl
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Inner circle
Maryland
1633 Posts

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Royston,
Thanks, glad you liked the DVD.

Unfortunately the "Cooking With..." joke isn't mine to offer an OK on. I purchased the base bit from another comedian. I saw him use the line in 2005 and loved the premise, so when I wrote that script I contacted him for permission. He agreed to sell me the rights to use it in my show.

Highly doubt that would end up in Neale's show though - I think it is a bit closer to the line than he'd prefer to go!
Tom
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Royston South
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Jersey Channel Islands
137 Posts

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Tom no problem I respect that. It’s just great to see you guys working.

Just one question did you start in magic before you got into vent?

Royston.
tacrowl
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Inner circle
Maryland
1633 Posts

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Yes. Loved vent as a kid, but followed in the footsteps of Marshall Brodien, Mark Wilson, Doug Henning and David Copperfield. Went full time in 1984. When I got married in 1991, my wife joined the show and we had a good run as a comedy illusion act. When she decided to join the corporate world I opted to stop carrying the heavy props and switched to vent with the help of Ken Groves.

Turned out to be a good move and I'm having a blast with it.
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Ony Carcamo
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Manila, PHILIPPINES
607 Posts

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Quote:
On 2009-01-16 14:01, tacrowl wrote:


Unfortunately the "Cooking With..." joke isn't mine to offer an OK on. I purchased the base bit from another comedian. I saw him use the line in 2005 and loved the premise, so when I wrote that script I contacted him for permission. He agreed to sell me the rights to use it in my show.




Tom,
You're a real pro! Asking permission and even paying for the script rights (and in your case--paying for A LINE!) for your own use. A lot of performers around the world don't even ask permission from their source--and just steal the bits and use them and make their audience believe they're originals. Of course, I'm referring to "stealing" original bits and not the public or "street" jokes.
Congratulations!
Ony Carcamo
PHILIPPINES

www.onycarcamo.com
Neale Bacon
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Inner circle
Burnaby BC Canada
1775 Posts

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Royston,
I make it a practice not to steal from my fellow performers.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC
Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist
www.baconandfriends.com
Royston South
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Jersey Channel Islands
137 Posts

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That's great to hear, I wish more acts thought like you guys!

Putting out a DVD is a great way to keep your act yours, because the world is a small place it soon gets around if some one is ripping some ones act.

All the best,

Royston
Wanlu
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Manila, Philippines
3058 Posts

Profile of Wanlu
So excited to get Tom's DVD soon Smile

Stealing is NEVER correct. People who steal will end up getting ripped off in the future Smile You don't expect to steal and get away with it specially if you plan to use it in a DVD or a public performance.

I think Tom is a class act all the way...and I can say that even without watching his DVD yet because of the way he transacts with his peers not just his clients. He has helped me in a lot of ways, from pictures at the VentHaven...shipping items for me...giving sound advice...and most importantly, getting lots of orders from him Smile

God bless you Tom Smile

Wanlu
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org

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Wanlu
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Manila, Philippines
3058 Posts

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Got the DVD Smile

Thank you very much Tom for including us in the end credits Smile

Wanlu
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org

Wanlu's Affordable Puppets
http://wanlu.net/ventpuppets.html

Wanlu and his Puppets
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tacrowl
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Inner circle
Maryland
1633 Posts

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Quote:
On 2009-01-16 18:37, Ony Carcamo wrote:
Asking permission and even paying for the script rights (and in your case--paying for A LINE!) for your own use. A lot of performers around the world don't even ask permission from their source--and just steal the bits and use them and make their audience believe they're originals. Of course, I'm referring to "stealing" original bits and not the public or "street" jokes.


Buying a line or two is not that expensive. I've also traded jokes with plenty of acts. Back when I did magic, I wrote a line that Ken Groves borrowed, re-worked for his act and made ten times funnier. I mentioned on the DVD thread that Darren Carr's DVD inspired me to re-work a bit I wanted to use in my show. When I contacted Darren to ask for permission, he was floored I had even bothered. (It is on the DVD.) Same with Eric's "Cooking with..." joke above. Most people don't ask.

I'm not saying I've been able to cover all the bases - but I've tried. My biggest regret at this point is not being able to reach Ronn Lucas after several tries. Ronn owns the performance rights to the masks - which I understand are not cheap. Still, I'd like to work out an agreement with him.

And Wanlu - you are welcome. I love the masks. (That's why I own 4 of them!)
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AC Vent
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New user
New Mexico, USA
67 Posts

Profile of AC Vent
<<<<<<<I'm not saying I've been able to cover all the bases - but I've tried. My biggest regret at this point is not being able to reach Ronn Lucas after several tries. Ronn owns the performance rights to the masks - which I understand are not cheap. Still, I'd like to work out an agreement with him.>>>>>>>>>>


Hi all, allow me to jump in here - I know this is a touchy issue, but I was wondering what is the current, latest info about the mask legality issue? I have heard different things, from different people over the years...I have debated putting a mask bit in my act, but just didn't want the potential legal hassles....??

Did Ronn Lucas ever actually go after anyone, or was it all just veiled threats?

I was just wondering what the current status and general opinion of this is...

Also would love to hear a detailed review/comparison of the different types of masks currently available......

Thanks in advance for any responses!

AC
(I apologize for not knowing how to properly use the darn quoting system here yet!)
tacrowl
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Inner circle
Maryland
1633 Posts

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AC,
You will hear all kinds of stories about the masks - but it is the legal paper trail that is important in court.

The mask routine was originally developed by Joel Hodgson of MST3K fame. Ronn purchased ownership from him - I understand it wasn't cheap. This transferred full rights to him. Terry Fator purchased rights to use the masks in his show from Ronn. If a case went to court - Ronn would win. He has the legal documentation to prove he owns the rights. It really won't matter who claims what as long as Ronn has the paperwork to document his case.

Has anyone been sued? We would have probably heard about it - although Ronn has issued various warnings over the years. My guess is, there isn't enough money to be obtained in most cases. Still, he does have that option or could issue a cease and desist order.

In my case, I have tried to contact Ronn several times and gotten no response. I'm not sure I could afford the rights - but I would certainly like to have legal permission to use them. In the meantime, I'm just hoping I'm small enough that he won't worry about me. I'm seriously no competition for him!

As for comparisons, they are discussed on other threads in this forum.
Tom Crowl - Comedy Ventriloquist

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AC Vent
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New user
New Mexico, USA
67 Posts

Profile of AC Vent
Hi Tom,

Thanks for your reply and your view/opinion - very interesting info, it seems every working vent has a different take on this perplexing situation, where the facts are sometimes "masked"... ; )

I have searched the forums here, but have yet to find an exact detailed comparison of all the available masks, but I will keep searching, I probably just missed it... Tons of great info here!

AC
Gerry Walkowski
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Inner circle
1450 Posts

Profile of Gerry Walkowski
Just curious about this mask bit.

If someone is using this without proper permission, isn't this much like ripping off a Steinmeyer illusion? I mean some hack illusionist could say, "Well the next time I see Jim I'll talk to him about getting permission to use this rip-off illusion copy with his blessing."

The thing is, ETHICALLY you DON'T have permission to use this and until you do you shouldn't have this effect in your current program.

Am I missing something here?

If so, could someone fill me in? I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm just trying to understand the mindset here.

Years ago I saw a performer do something that I thought was VERY FUNNY. Although the performer is now dead, he sold his act to another entertainer. As much as I thought about lifting this, morally I just couldn't do it.

Again, if I'm missing something here I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Gerry
Wanlu
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Inner circle
Manila, Philippines
3058 Posts

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I have Tom's DVD and I love it...that's the topic.

Maybe someone can post another thread if you want to discuss the mask bit again...
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org

Wanlu's Affordable Puppets
http://wanlu.net/ventpuppets.html

Wanlu and his Puppets
http://wanlu.net
AC Vent
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New user
New Mexico, USA
67 Posts

Profile of AC Vent
Oops, sorry for starting a masking mask situation where it didn't belong... I'm asking for masking forgiveness... ; )

AC
tacrowl
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Inner circle
Maryland
1633 Posts

Profile of tacrowl
Gerry,
I've PM'd you...
Tom
Tom Crowl - Comedy Ventriloquist

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