I absolutely love this series. It has to be the best $20 I've ever spent. The majority of the
information covers everything from pocket management, performing in professional venues, and street
performing. He goes over a variety of different storage options and instructs you on how to assemble
a street performing case. Now I am not mechanically inclined but,I was interested in building the
street performing case. Between the precise instructions he provides on the download and a few
emails to the man himself I was able to construct my own case for a fraction of the cost of a
case/table you would buy from a magic store.Tom also provides tips on networking and getting
clients.
Tom was a pleasure to deal with and I hope he has more projects like this video
series planned for the future.
9 of 9 magicians found this helpful.
loved this 2dvd download this is the type of info you wish all dvds had , since its not a trick or
gimmick tutorial it helps much more to a true performer and magician that wants to upscale their
act and look more profesional in a matter of how to look organized with tables,cases and gear,gives
you several and very,very detailed info on the options one has to use this thing depending on the
venue and your stile and hes own personal recomendations of thing he has been using trough his
carrer...would recommend if you want to make your presentation more PRo...because at the en d of the
day for a magician dosent matter how many tricks or gimmicks you have you wont get as much as an
inpact on youtr presentation if your not organize and this set of dvds will put you on the right
path to do so.
4 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
If you think maybe you should buy these download then....guess what? You do!
I have been a
professional street busker for the last 7 years in two countries.America where I am from and New
Zealand.The cities I have worked Portland Or, San Fran CA,and in NZ Wellington, ChristChurch,
Auckland and Tuaranga.
Point is even after 7 years and all those audiences,I still needed
to watch these lessons.I like to pack small because I have not been very organized in my life and I
think these lessons will help me to make it to the next plateau that I have had trouble reaching
because my lack of organization skills and disinterest in lugging around heavy pops or having too
many props.
I agree with all his thoughts,especially about having too many props in your
pockets.I loved all his thoughts about tables as well.
Simply put, Excellent and enjoyable
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
This product has given me tons of ideas of things to take my magic to the next level. Tom gives such
great ideas on storage and efficient use. I never considered the importance of these ideas until
viewing these videos. I hope to see much more of Tom in the future.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
My favorite Penguin Magic DVD. Tom Krzystof is a name you have probably never seen before, but
dont let that turn you away. Tom is a working professional who shares his time tested experience
with us. From organizing and caring for props and other accessories, to creating and buying tables,
to ideas for marketing and booking shows, Tom shares some priceless information. Oh, and he also
throws in a few presentation ideas. It is not the tricks you learn, its the presentation. This is
way more valuable that simply purchasing a trick. On top of all this, Tom frequents the private
Penguin discussion forum and answers all questions. I highly recommend this set. Tom is awesome.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
As someone who is contemplating going pro/full-time at performing both on the street (busking) and
for gigs/stage, this DVD download set was great! The advice he gives you are REAL and PRACTICAL. Not
surprisingly given how he's actually a performing worker himself.
As a non-magic tutorial
DVD, this is still something I'd say is a must-buy for beginners. Why? Simply because the advice and
topics he cover are all things that's worth considering. I've definitely learnt a lot from watching
this.
5/5!
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
These DVDs talk about organizing all of your performance props from walk around pocket management,
all the way up to transporting your stuff for a stage show. Tom also gives you tips on how to look
professional when meeting with prospective clients, promotional materials and even his presentations
on a few classic effects. It is well worth the investment if you are looking for organizational
info, and has some handy how-to tips for building a solid street case.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I unlike other magicians love how small my act is and big it plays. My ENTIRE act fits into one of
these cheap cases that Tom uses in this video series.
He lays out great ways of utilizing
the case and many ways to make it organized for any working pro.
Remember, it's not the
size of the prop, but how you use it. The most powerful thing in my act is done with something
small that fits in my wallet. Tom goes into great detail about everything you need to know about
organization... and I'm incredibly A.D.D. so this was great for me
1 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Very interesting, helpful and informative video. Liked it a lot.
The only downside to this product is some older quality video and the contemporary prices mentioned
in the video (Certainly not going to find many of the items mentioned here for the prices mentioned
here, but alas time passes and inflation inflates!)
The upsides on the other hand are
many. Tom has really put out a quality product here. Between the two DVDs you are getting about
three hours of content, split into three types.
You get a show-and-tell where Tom goes
into detail on different types of cases, ranging from small leather bags to carry a couple of
things, to a attaché or briefcase, all the way to full busking tables with utilities, gimmicks, and
little bits of business built right in. I doubt one could watch this and come away without an option
to meet their venue and budget.
There is also a sit down interview with Tom wherein he
discusses the ins and outs of being a professional magician. He impresses just how much "business"
there is in "showbusiness", and lays out the kind of work you will have to do if you want to be a
pro. Beyond just the qualifications, Tom imparts a wide array of tips and anecdotes that will help
you to build a strong, professional, and marketable reputation.
Lastly, there are the
performances. While this is not a DVD of a thousands tricks, there is some magic taught here. While
it is not likely anything long time performers will not have seen before, Tom has chosen a strong
collection of magic that exemplifies the type of effects one should be performing to come across as
masterful and professional.
While these three segments could have been shown one after the
other, instead they are well edited together, breaking up what would be a long look through dozens
of cases with some high energy performances or some sage professionalism tips.
Overall, if
it sounds like it may be the DVD for you, it probably is. You won't learn a thousands tricks, but if
you are thinking of going pro or need magic cases and tables, you likely already own a thousand
magic tricks. What you will learn are dozens of ways to store, transport, and display magic, how to
do it professionally, and how to go about getting paid to do it. Buy it. (Note: Like any magic
product this will not make you a professional on its own. Being a professional magician takes a wide
array of skills that you will need to learn in non-magic settings.)