It's hard to rewind or forward while streaming, but downloads should be easy to navigate.

Joaquin, have you actually downloaded the video to a file which sits on your computer, or are you watching it streaming right there on the Penguin webpage?

I've gotten something from every lecture. Sometimes I really enjoy the performer, but won't use the effects and vice versa. Peter Turner has probably been my favorite followed by Colin McLeod, but haven't been disappointed by any. There are about 10 more I'd like to order. Best value ever, especially the 5 for $100 deal.

I liked Colin McLeod but I think that there was a little too much emphasis on effects that required other items. One of the items is very expensive - used in which hand - you will know what I mean if you have watched it. The other item, pad of paper, was about $30.

I have nothing against having to buy props and items. The lecture gave me some good ideas. However, I feel that out of the whole lecture, there was little that I could or would want to go and perform straight away.

On the other hand, Rowland was fantastic. However, I didn't care much for thetalia but it's not really my style.

Still to watch Bob Cassidy but it is a given it will be excellent.

For those of you looking forward to a Marc Salem lecture, live or otherwise (Penguin), I would lower your expectations. I know Marc is a highly successful, well-respected member of the Mentalism community and I don't know him personally. But I saw him lecture a few nights ago with two dear friends and we were all very surprised by how "out of it" Marc was. He took about one hour to cover the first effect. After he performed it and explained it, he felt it necessary to show us a video of him doing it again before a live audience via an Ipod video projector, which he had trouble getting to work. There were four or five effects and they were explained just fine, but he seemed to be quite incoherent most of the time, repeating jokes, forgetting where he was, etc. He welcomed questions but then seemed to become annoyed by anyone who questioned the logic behind the routining. He gave us his credentials several times and seemed to get facts mixed up. For instance, "seven Broadway shows" became "eight Broadway shows" by the end of the lecture. He was also, shockingly, unkept. He's let the back of his hair grow very long, his beard and mustache aren't trimmed, his nails were long and he's very overweight. He wore natty black jeans with a suit coat that didn't quite fit. This is not the picture of the man in the last decade who was neat and polished and a top-notch performer. I do want to say that Marc was generally very nice and generous. He even provided his home number in case we had questions about the routines later. The overwhelming feeling as we left that lecture was one of great sadness. Perhaps those of you who know Marc or are close to him might shed some light on his recent state. I don't regret going and I have no ill will towards Marc. I was just expecting something grander.

Huge Max Maven fan. I had not heard this was happenning, but wouldn't want to miss it.

For those who do not know, save this link to quickly learn who will be on upcoming lectures:

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/3104

I'm just popping in here to say thank you to those who've said nice things about my lecture. We live in a world where sometimes it seems people only speak up when they DIS-like something or want to have a moan (not that that ever happens in the world of magic, of course). So I appreciate the very positive tone of this thread.

I'm sure all the lecturers mentioned have plenty of good stuff to offer.

FWIW, my own favourite item, from the Penguin mentalism lectures I've seen, is 'Infinite End' by Patrick Redford. I dearly wish I had created this, but I know I would never have had the creative ingenuity and intellectual firepower needed to complete all the different 'paths' through the routine. I think it's a work of genius, personally.

Thanks for your recommandation, I didn't know about this effect and it does looks great indeed!

I've got to say, Ian Rowland's lecture was in my top three that I've seen so far. I've seen him perform at Magic Live twice, and it was great being able to download his lecture from Penguin so that I can view it at will. For those who don't subscribe to Magic Magazine, Ian also has a column on mentalism every month that is just top notch! Big fan here, Ian!

-Mark

+1 for Ian Rowland's lecture

Peter Turner hands down the best I've watched so far.

Yes, very excited about the Marc Salem lecture as well! If you Google 'Marc Salem 60 minutes' there's a nice performance video worth 15 minutes of your time.

I just found out about Max a few days ago and I'm thrilled. He was the one person who I hoped would eventually come to Penguin.

In his audio column in the March digital/online issue of Genii (available to subscribers), Max speaks about his upcoming Penguin lecture: some things he's found lacking in prior Penguin lectures, and some things he's going to focus on.

Thinking of Colin McLeod and Marc Spelmann - nads down! Can't wait for the Max Maven's lecture!

Just watched the osterlind pocket mentalism lecture brilliant, loved the soap boxing worth every penny!

Bob Cassidy has a new one on Penguin focusing on Billets! Also, Bob's downloads for Q&A as well as remote viewing are very much worth the $$$.

I liked Peter Turners lecture a lot. His approach is very interesting and I got many ideas from it.

Just curious how Marc Salem's Penguin lecture was last night? Any reviews?

I wrote the following in another thread...

I have to be honest and say this fell way short of my expectations. I don't want to be hurtful but want to post my honest evaluation... FWIW!

Let me start by saying there are some nice ideas you can take and run with (you can refine to your liking), however, outside of "the gift" the lecture seemed to be mostly a compilation of effects that had some clever thinking but were flawed in some way (either in logic or handling or wow factor) In fact at the beginning of the lecture he states something along the lines of... these are not the methods or presentations I use in my shows. That's cool.

Here are some of the things I didn't particularly care for...

Bank Night
Don't exchange the last envelopes like that kids. Think about it just a little and you'll come up with a more logical and transparent (less awkward) way to do it. I believe however with a little thought this could be a powerful handling. (seems as though that little extra thought was missing from the lecture)

S****
Very surprised to see how (I hate to say it) amateurish this was executed. Plus, I use that type of ******k and would hardly call it the "worst." Try them all out and practice with whatever feels best to you. The key is to make it look natural. PRACTICE with one hand then two hands. Add gestures. Make it natural. But put the time in.

50/50 *********n
Would you really tear an en****** almost in ***f?

Humor???
I'm sure Marc's a nice guy, but I didn't find myself laughing too much.
Felt bad for the poor guy with the "hood" comment btw.

Swaying and rocking made me kinda sea sick. (surprised to see that)

Anyway, I've never seen Marc perform but have heard a lot about him. I'm sure his show is great but unfortunately you wouldn't know it from watching the lecture. Sorry again if this is hurtful in any way. I wanted to post my honest opinion as I appreciate the honesty of others when I'm evaluating a potential purchase. Please remember, this is just my opinion!

Again, there are some ideas here you can run with. But then again, there are a TON of ideas you can run with in Annemann for $12.00.