On Jul 25, 2014, Mike.Hankins wrote:
TCB,

Glad to know you are happy! I think the lectures are only getting better, as we are trying to really dig deeper with the artist to provide as strong of content as we can. BUT I think we are adding more energy, more fun and definitely more magic. (The last 2 lectures were over 2 hours)...

On Oct 8, 2014, Joe Roberts wrote:
You may have addressed some of these issues, but I'm right in the middle of the Dan Hauss lecture where some of these are pretty egregious.

1. Your cameras are misplaced. You should have two primary cameras that are almost directly head on to the performer. One that catches everything from the waist up. And another for close-ups that is angled the same way a spectator's eyes would be (so slightly downward for close up magic and more dead-on for parlor magic). For right handed performers, the close-up camera should be to the left of the primary camera, the opposite for left-handed performers. As of now it seems you have one primary camera and then another one at some weird angle, off to the right at table-top level. It's not good. It's a bad angle and level for performances and unnecessary for explanations.

2. More with the cameras. I've watched a number of these and the performers are constantly talking about the cameras. "Should I look at this camera or this camera? Which camera am I on?" They should be told to perform out front (where you should have your two cameras now). If, during an explanation, something needs to be seen from a side angle, then the performer can turn himself to the proper angle to the cameras at the front. (Instead of the performer remaining stationary and having a camera on the side get the correct angle by luck. The performer should never be concerned with the camera angle (except in unusual moments of explanation for a trick). Just have them perform outward.

3. The performer should be directly behind the table with Mike at the side. They should not be sharing it equally at 10 and 2 like this is Regis and Kelly. This staging is what causes most of your camera issues.

4. Whoever is choosing the shots needs to settle down. Especially during the performances. There is never a need for a flat, table-level shot during a performance (unless you're hoping to expose everything). There is rarely a need for an overhead shot during a performance, unless someone is doing shadow coins or something.

5. The volume on voices is very low and needs to be louder in the mix. I've adjusted the audio both on the file itself and on the device I'm playing it on and if I'm in a place with background noise it's still sometimes hard to hear.

6. Mike, turn your mic off if you're not in on the discussion. Or at least do not clap directly in front of the mic. I have all the sound turned up so I can hear the voices and then I have the sound of clapping blasting out my eardrums.

7. Again, Mike, I recognize this is the result of a lifetime of social etiquette, but do not bury your head in your chest when you cough or sneeze. You're doing it directly into the microphone. Turn your head away or turn your mic off.

I'm not saying this as someone who likes to complain, I'm saying it as someone who recently purchased the VIP membership and want to see the product get better.