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Gary Fabjance New user 53 Posts |
Now available from your favorite magic dealer.
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
I like Front Row Frank. No matter how many times he's been in an L&L DVD
he always appears genuine and down to earth. I'm personally looking forward to getting this set.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
They shipped on Friday. Reviews should be posting soon.
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MaxfieldsMagic Inner circle Instead of practicing, I made 3009 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-02-01 14:25, motown wrote: Either he's a great actor or perhaps has only a very short term memory. No matter how many times the decks change color, cards turn over one at a time, rope is restored or sponges multiply in the hands, he's absolutely gobsmacked. God bless him. Reminds me of my son before he became cool.
Now appearing nightly in my basement.
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Dr. Magic Veteran user 355 Posts |
4 of my favorite Darwin treatments are on this set:
Jumping Gemini, Modern Jazz Aces, The Dream Card and Three-Card Monte. To watch how he does these classics today will be invaluable to me. I'm psyched to get all 3 volumes. |
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Quote: Darwin addresses this in a theory section of disc one. Why so many magicians are at odds with (and don't understand) audiences. And why you shouldn't be one of them.
On 2011-02-01 17:56, MaxfieldsMagic wrote: |
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Scott Fridinger Special user Gloucester Pt, VA 893 Posts |
I wanted to say thanks to Darwin for his insight. If the Theory material is new, then I would consider this a great benefit. I have the original VHS, and since he says there is no overlap from the more recent Scams, I might just have to pick this up in the next few months.
www.JustGreatMagic.com
Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind |
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oscarf Regular user 159 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-17 19:57, rawdawg wrote: Yes, this is a tragedy, and even though she is a regular in these audiences, she is genuinely astonished by most of what she sees, and that is worth paying attention to - and asking ourselves how often we get that in our own work. There are a lot of other "wow"'s and "no way"'s from the audience - and they're obviously for real. On a related note, I think I've seen Frank around as well, and amazingly enough, I remember him from the Steve Draun videos, where the women in the audience were truly memorable (upstaging Frank), to the point of pushing the limit of what I can watch when my wife's around. I just received the Darwin set a couple of days ago, and I agree, the performances are where the real education is. But more than that is just the privilege of having access to the mind of such a seasoned and dedicated professional. We can each learn what we need to just from watching how it's done right. Darwin describes himself somewhere in an explanation as "anal-compulsive" and it shows, in the best sense of the term His attention to detail is what makes his final product so great, and is why he gets that audience "wow" and "no way" when some of the rest of us get "interesting" "I think I know how you did that" and "lemme see those cards." For me, the inspiration I get from watching Darwin's professionalism is well worth the expenditure of this set. I can see how this might not be true for everyone. I have been a dedicated hobbyist with cards for almost five decades, but I am no pro, so I have more to learn than many Café members, but I heartily endorse this set, again, as much for the big picture as for the individual bits of info (this is assuming, as I must, that everyone already owns everything else Darwin has ever produced). |
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Dr. Climonds New user Boring, MD 31 Posts |
Great DVD set! It seems rarer and rarer of late to purchase a DVD set and have this much good material in it. Modern Jazz Aces, Mexican Poker, Unholy Three, Dream Card, Museum Piece, Darwin's Wild Card, Blind Aces, Supercharged 9 Card Location, etc... Just good solid card material.
If you're thinking of getting this, email Darwin directly (darwinortiz@aol.com). I emailed him about something else and found out he had a few copies to sell. And he ships fast! |
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michaelvincent V.I.P. 567 Posts |
Hello Gentlemen
I have just completed a written review of Darwin's new DVDs and will be positing it in the next few hours. Cheers Mike Vincent
Magic for the 21st Century
"Why be mediocre, when you have excellence as an option" Mastering Magic Elegant Decpetions Learning Tools The All Cards Blog The Vincent Academy of Magic |
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michaelvincent V.I.P. 567 Posts |
NOTHING BUT THE BEST- A REVIEW by Michael Vincent
Available from Darwin Ortiz It has been seven years since Darwin Ortiz released a triple DVD set to the marketplace. This new collection comes from L and L Publishing and it is fantastic. This new project is different to any of his previous releases for a number of reasons. Firstly, with the exception of five effects, all of the material has appeared previously on DVD and in book form; “Darwin Ortiz At the Card Table”, “Cardshark” and his last effort “Scams and Fantasies”. In the last five years, Darwin has released two additional DVDs, both shot and released by International Magic featuring material that appears on this new release. Only one item hasn’t been published yet. You may be wondering what sets this new project apart from Darwin’s previous DVD releases. With “Nothing But The Best”, Darwin has taken material he has been performing for well over thirty years and decided to revisit them in the DVD format, (shot in High Definition,) to showcase how he now performs for laypeople, illustrating many of the concepts he has written about in his ground-breaking books “Strong Magic” and “Designing Miracles”. This new project also features many new technical enhancements Darwin has added to his routines, which have appeared in print. Many of the effects have become classics and it is a real treat to see them again presented to a new and very appreciative audience. The collection of material represents some of his finest creations. Each DVD begins with what I personally consider to be the most important part of any DVD project and that is a live performance of the material. Not a single presentation of an effect and then the explanation, but a “show”. The performances are, quite frankly, wonderful and I believe this is where the real value of this DVD product will be found. On Disc One, Darwin opens with a routine from his first book “At The Card Table”, “The Vegas Shuffle”. I have used this effect since its first publication in 1988 and it is a powerful gambling routine that starts out as an impressive piece of card control and ends with an impossible climax. The next two items in this set features “The Psychotronic Card” and “Four To One”. The central piece in this act is the stunning “The Unholy Three”. This effect can’t really be followed because it is one of the most astonishing effects ever created. The remaining three items are Darwin’s wonderful creations “Museum Piece”, “Test Your luck” and a performance of a brand new item called “Best of The Best” which is not explained and is as yet unpublished. The last three items in this performance set are strong effects, which provide a perfect balance to the act due to the powerful impact of “The Unholy Three”; they allow the audience time to catch their emotional breath. The last item, “Best of The Best” is a perfect finish to the act because it brings the audience down to earth with a soft landing after the rollercoaster ride of card magic they have just witnessed. This is a very powerful lesson in act construction. I should also point out that during the explanations Darwin shares his latest technical developments of routines. For example, he has completely reworked the opening sequence of “Museum Piece”, which allows for a smoother handling and shows off a humorous dialogue between Darwin and an audience member. The routines are explained in Darwin’s excellent teaching style and as an added bonus, he provides many hints and tips in the theory section; topics relating to “The Magical Experience”, “The Audience is not The Enemy”, “Meaning”. Each Disc contains a Theory Section, which will provide useful information for all card men to consider. You can consider the Theory Section as Darwin’s verbal commentary from his books “Strong Magic” and “Designing Miracles”. On Disc Two, the material features “Beyond Collecting”, “Passing Through”, and “Hard Target” (which featured on a DVD Darwin made at an appearance for The International Magic Convention.) This is strong powerful card magic and the L and L crowed respond favourably. This set completes with Darwin’s long-standing effect “New Hitchcock Aces”, “The Marker,” “Darwin’s Wild Card” and “Supercharged Nine Card Location”, his brand-new interpretation of his routine. I believe Darwin’s routine for the ever-popular “Multiple Selection” is the first where the audience feel they have shuffled the deck prior to the revelations. The biggest problem with a routine of this type is the long drawn out selection procedure. Darwin shares his latest developments to overcome this dead time. The ideas and concept taught here are worth the price of the DVD and can be incorporated into any existing routine you may do. The Theory Section interspersed between the excellent teaching portion cover the “Conviction and Conditions”, “Causality” and “The Critical Interval”. The Third Disc continues in the same vein with a powerful performance set featuring, “Jumping Gemini”, “The Lucky Deck”, “Modern Jazz Aces”, “The Dream Card”, Darwin’s Three-Card Monte”, “The Ultimate Card Shark”, “Mexican Poker” and the outstanding “Blind Aces”. A note about Blind Aces: This routine is a classic example of maximum impact achieved through a very simple means. This routine is based on J.K Hartman’s “Upper Cut Aces” form CARD CRAFT. Darwin has taken a great production of the four aces and applied some audience psychology, a little sleight of hand and theatrical staging to create a memorable “happening”, all done with a borrowed deck; this routine is a postgraduate course in how to sell an idea. The audience’s psychology will do the rest. There is a lot to absorb here because there is so much going on in terms of the technical management of the act, the build up and balance of the routines and also, how each routine registers strongly without treading on each other. The balance of the act is a delicate thing and this performance in particular demonstrates how mastery in so many areas of a magical performance is critical for success. Part 3 of “Strong Magic”, along with this performance will give you a crash course in the construction and build up of an act. This DVD also represents a first in the Darwin Ortiz collection; this is the first time “The Ultimate Card Shark” has been explained. I would advise you to study this routine in conjunction with the written explanation on page 73 of “Darwin Ortiz At The Card Table”. Darwin’s explanation is deliberately terse due the technically advanced nature of the piece. He shares his thoughts on “The In-Transit Action, and “Pacing” and “Handling with Hecklers” to complete Disc Three. It has taken me a while to write this review because I feel this is an excellent product and was worthy of a detailed evaluation. I have watched all three Discs several times while writing this review and I believe all lovers of elegantly crafted card magic will gain a lot from this new DVD release. It was a brave move by Darwin to re-introduce his material to the market place in this way. It could be considered a “re-hash” of previously released material, which to some degree would be correct. However, to think in terms of a “re-hash” is to undermine the quality of the material and the underlying message not immediately apparent. Study between the lines, don’t be a passive observer. The value to be gained from this product will be different for each of us. The universal value will come from studying the performance set and the explanations with a fine observant eye, keeping some questions in mind. What can I learn from this? How can I use this to improve the quality of my own performance? What can I learn about act construction? What can I learn about identity-driven magic? What can I learn about audience rapport and connection? All of these questions will be answered and a lot more. If you own Darwin’s earlier DVDs and watch them in relationship to “Nothing But The Best”, I think you will find it revelatory, I did. The one thing I have taken away in watching these new DVDs is the process of personal growth an artist must go through to actualise one’s own potential and authentic self-expression. The Darwin Ortiz that appears on his first video “At The Card Table” is not the same individual appearing on “Nothing but The Best”. As an artist grows in his self-expression this must have a positive impact on his material and how he relates this to his audience. I believe this is what makes this an important contribution to card magic and magic as a craft. Highly Recommended.
Magic for the 21st Century
"Why be mediocre, when you have excellence as an option" Mastering Magic Elegant Decpetions Learning Tools The All Cards Blog The Vincent Academy of Magic |
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Dr. Magic Veteran user 355 Posts |
Mr. Vincent, thank you for taking the time to review this DVD set.
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Darwin Ortiz V.I.P. 486 Posts |
I would like to add my thanks to Michael Vincent for taking the time to write that in-depth review.
I also wanted to mention that I still have copies of the DVDs available. If anyone wants to order an autographed set directly from me, just send me an email. (My email address is in my signature.) Sincerely, Darwin Ortiz |
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Martino Special user Manchester, UK 928 Posts |
I bought my set direct from Darwin. Quick service and nice to be able to support the creator directly! Don't hesitate, snap these up!
"There's a difference between not knowing how something is done and knowing it can't be done!" - Simon Aronson
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mavericklancer Elite user Tustin, CA 448 Posts |
Thanks to Michael Vincent for a great review!
At the moment, I can only afford one DVD set. I'm working on getting Strong Magic on the theory side, but would like a good introduction to some of Ortiz's technical handlings as well. I'm thinking of getting a book with accompanying DVD (or DVD alone in the case of Nothing but the Best). Which do people generally like more: Cardshark, Scams and Fantasies, At the Card Table, or Nothing but the Best? |
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TKE Veteran user FL 346 Posts |
I would say get Strong Magic before any of the DVDs if you had to choose between one.
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mavericklancer Elite user Tustin, CA 448 Posts |
I'm getting strong magic regardless, but am also going to get one of the DVD sets/books.
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michaelvincent V.I.P. 567 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-02-27 19:10, mavericklancer wrote: You could start at the beginning with "Darwin Ortiz At The Card Table". This is a fantastic set of DVDs and compliments the book. In time, you will have the complete collection which you could purchase as a box set from L and L. Mike Vincent
Magic for the 21st Century
"Why be mediocre, when you have excellence as an option" Mastering Magic Elegant Decpetions Learning Tools The All Cards Blog The Vincent Academy of Magic |
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ragingcalm Elite user 428 Posts |
I have At the Card Table”, “Cardshark” and “Scams and Fantasies". Of all the material in these works, my favourite routines are the Unholy three (I'm surprised that this isn't used a closer on disc 1 and will be interested to see how the performance works with this sitting in the middle), Appointment in Samarra (for the beautiful introduction and premise, Scams and fantasies), and Beat the Devil (for the same reason as appointment in Samarra).
Darwin constructs and presents his magic beautifully. Despite already owning much of the material on these new DVDs, I plan to purchase the set. |
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rnaviaux Loyal user 287 Posts |
I made it through my first run through of these DVDs. Not much to add to what has already been said.
(I got a pretty big kick out of the Jumping Gemini PSA. Sorry but I don’t fit that classification so will not be donating the dollar to the cause.) Little details can make all the difference and that is what this set of DVDs give one if he is already familiar with Mr. Ortiz’s material. There were a couple points that I had discovered myself through my limited performing experience that Darwin covered. It was nice to get confirmation on those tibits. My goal is to be able to run into a spectator a year later and have them tell me they still have no idea how something was done. One would be hard pressed to find better material to live up to this standard. The most value for the card worker is the explanation of some principles with object lessons provided by the performances themselves. One could spend a lifetime learning and performing this material. Money well spent for sure. |
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