I am extremely disappointed in this DVD. Almost all of the "effects" performed and taught here are
below beginners grade. The majority is picked up in "stocking stuffer" stores around the world.
The "Spirit Table" is garbage (and I've seen some really bad ones) and seriously a waste of time.
The only thing that interested me in the slightest was the moment the DVD ended. I've written
reviews before and NONE of them would be as low as I really wanted to rate this one (unfortunately
the lowest was 1). Extreme waste of my hard earned money and none of which will give me anything in
returns. There's so much more to all of the things he "taught" (seems a bit extreme to use that
word with this item) in this DVD but it's basically the exact same garbage instructions printed in
black and white that comes WITH the items. Even Docc Hilford's $1000 Dollar Seance gave me more
and it's written in folded flyer paper! Aside from Dixie being extremely boring during the
performance I've found that there's even more of a REM Cycle Sleep while he's instructing what it
OBVIOUS to begin with.
I Really thought picking this up would give me new ideas with props I
learned when I was six years old but even DIXIE seemed to make my six year old self look like Criss
Angel.
If you're new to magic (I mean if you're 40 and for the first time have the urge to learn
illusions and NEVER seen any due to coma or seclusion on a deserted island) this may be for you; if
you've been performing for quite a while (or even a little while for that matter) I'd avoid the
wasting your money and pick up something else.
26 of 30 magicians found this helpful.
Although the production of this DVD was good, the material, which is what you're paying for, is
barely elementary. Dooley even seemed bored with the whole event...just "going through the
motions."
If you are looking for material with any depth - IT AIN'T HERE!
If you
are new to magic and looking for this kind of material; you could do better elsewhere!
Caveat Emptor - Let the Buyer Beware!
20 of 21 magicians found this helpful.
All of the things that appear in this DVD are old seance material or haunted effects. There is
nothing in this DVD that is has not been done before with the exception of the comedy seance. This
is even mildly original but it is fairly entertaining to watch. However if you have never seen
anything from a seance, this may be an OK place to start.
11 of 11 magicians found this helpful.
I would advise waiting until after Halloween to buy this, then if interested Get It!
Good
things about this DVD:
1. The Cover
2. The DVD Menu
3. This old Haunted house, How to
build your own table and spirit slates, great section as far as the information goes, however see
the following section for more information.
Room for Improvement:
1. I am over here,
hello!
the production obviously had more then one camera while filming however when edited the angle
selected was not first person, so Mr. Dooley ends up talking stage left most of the time and it
becomes almost annoying to watch.
2. Energy- excitement is not there, he seems almost board and
as if he was reading a script.
3. The first few effects are very basic, almost toy store magic
kit style.
4. I have to admit I bought this on impulse and its marketing.
If you are
interested in getting this, wait until after the Halloween season and then make up your mind. It
does have potential to inspire your own creativity and is an ok start for your own spirit magic. I
did enjoy the This old Haunted House section. If it was not for that I would have felt ripped off.
8 of 8 magicians found this helpful.
Him showing a Houdini artifact was the best part of the DVD - a spirit table. The material is way
too basic and offers nothing new. The instruction for what it does offer is not great and you have
to buy all the tricks anyway. All in all, it's a product that is homeless and all over the place. It
really doesn't accomplish anything well. As a $6 open box, it was OK.
7 of 7 magicians found this helpful.
I don't know where to buy half of the items. They don't sell them here, and I have googled some of
them and still can't find them.
Very good DVD, just wish i knew where to pick up the
effects!
6 of 9 magicians found this helpful.
This isn't going to be your favorite DVD if you are several years into your craft of performing
magic. But if you are still in the first several years or even just starting out, there will be
something on this DVD that you can learn from.
I have to say, the price on this is a bit
steep. I bought mine via the open box deal and got a great discount.
4 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
An excellent presentation of seance material to add to any parlor, stage or bizarre act. This is
fun to watch and gives plenty of practical information.
This DVD is for the magician who is
interested in PERFORMANCE, style, communication and appealing to the emotions and feelings of their
audience. It is not for the magician who focuses on extreme, "in your face" sleight of hand tricks
to amaze people with their fast skills. There is little application for the street magician
(although with a little imagination you could adapt some of the material).
As for
originality of content, it exists in the presentation rather than the technical information - as it
is intended to be. Seance magic is a very old form of magic and the techniques presented here are a
study in the old techniques.
Overall, this is an excellent addition to the library of the
magician interested in the deeper art of magic and performance. It lost one star with me simply
because I would like to have seen a bit more done with Houdini's spirit table, and perhaps a bit
more in-depth history.
I admit, I hesitated a few weeks on this purchase because of the few
bad reviews - after seeing this for myself, I recommend it highly - add to cart and broaden your
mind.
4 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
This video offers the skilled performer a chance to enter into the realm of bizzarist magic. With
complete instructions on how to build a haunted deck, a set of spirit slates, a spirit table, as
well as numerous other effects, Seance is a gold-mine of useful information!
Don't be
deceived! This video does not offer quick, flashy effects for use on the street (but nor does it
market itself as such.) Instead, what is presented is a list of suggestions for the seance room,
the parlor (commonly called a "den" nowadays), and the private dining room wherein a small group of
people may be entertained.
You can't learn much from this DVD if you're looking to take
these effects to school, to the office, or out to the street corner. Instead, if you're throwing a
Halloween party (or, better, if you know someone who is throwing a Halloween party and they're
willing to pay you) then this DVD is jam-packed with great ideas.
Not for card-enthusiasts,
coin workers, street magicians, or those who don't have an attention span greater than three minutes
in length. This DVD is for the SERIOUS and PATIENT magician who wants to create a truly
hair-raising experience that will be remembered for years to come!
4 of 7 magicians found this helpful.
The instructions for a floating table make the price of this dvd worth the money. That said , the
production value is not what i am use to from Penguin.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.