Magic Tricks

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Yeah it is a good enough effect that Rick did not have to "lie" and "cheat" doing the ditch off camera. That is deceptive and dishonest for those who buy "secrets" and do not know how it is done. However as a longtime professional of 37 years I do not buy "secrets" I buy magic that I know I will use, and that I know my audiences will love. That is why I like the old school demos, they show you EXACTLY what you get and EXACTLY how the trick looks in real life, no loud music, no editing, no screaming hot girls in empty parking lots, no BS. That is why I said many years ago that I can't stand these new demos today that sell "secrets" to unsuspecting beginners, and blatantly lie in the demo making an effect look cleaner that it is really is.

But luckily I am not fooled usually regardless, even if they use editing and misleading info. But I also know in the end that is what it will look like anyway if done correctly. But using a camera angle to your advantage to misrepresent how clean a trick is, is a scumbag move. But I know they cater to those mostly who buy secrets, beginners and amateurs usually and at least I already know what I am getting anyway as someone who has done "Gypsy Thread" and "Dragon Thread" for a long time.

In fact I do not even need to buy the trick, and I have seen this done before with dental floss as well long ago. Also with glow in the dark string tubing on World's Greatest Magic I believe back in the 90's. But I like to support creators also, but I am not sure who actually created this first, and I also do not like these deceiving demos that blatantly mislead beginners and even professionals. Rick Lax seems to make a habit of that. The trick is good enough though as it is so he did not have to "cheat" and misrepresent it. But it seems that the other demos by the "creator" were done in real time with no BS, so for that reason I may just purchase it for the ideas.

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Let me just add my support to your views on the current style of video demos. To Penguin Magic I would like to make it clear that the video demos result in my NOT buying an item more often than the other way around. As soon as I see the dodgy camera work and editing, I'm put off and usually just move on. And most of them DO use questionable production techniques.

I'm more likely to buy an item if the video demo is complete and honest, EVEN if it means that I can detect the basic working method. It's worth the price to me to get instruction on the fine points of handling, and the author's insights on making the trick effective. In fact, I would go further and say that if I don't have a good idea of the basic method from watching the video, I shy away because (although I'm no magical genius, I do have considerable experience) it leads me to suspect that something in the demo is misrepresenting the trick.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to tell Penguin how to do business. I'm just pointing out that IN MY CASE at least, the dodgy videos put me off buying most of the time. I would like to see them put up some clean demos like the ones you describe, and then evaluate whether or not it increases their sales of the demo items. I can't speak for others, and admit that it may not help, and may hurt their sales. But I bet it would mean that I end up buying more frequently.

I'll buy this one because I do Gypsy Thread fairly often, and if I can pick up even one or two useful ideas about it, it's worth the ten bucks to me. And if I don't get any good ideas from it, at least I will sleep at night not wondering whether or not I should have bought it.

That brings me back to my original idea: I looking for ideas on improving my work, and an honest demo video would help me judge how the purchase might help me with that. If key moves are cut out, I usually assume it's because the author doesn't have something special to say about them.

Best,
JS

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I have to wonder about the individuals who say that "you don't like the camera angles or an edit". Seriously guys do you think it is REAL MAGIC and you have to do nothing?

I understand if something is blatantly misrepresented and you are lied too. But come on. You are, after all magicians. You know you have to do SOMETHING. You really cannot make a live rabbit come out of a hat if you did not have the rabbit in the first place.

YOU CANNOT MAKE MAGIC. YOU CAN PERFORM MAGIC BY USING SLEIGHT OF HAND, MISDIRECTION, OR WITH THE AID OF GIMMICK. Sorry guys but you just can't make that coin appear out of thin air...if so, I would spend most of my day making coins.

Whether it requires sleight of hand or misdirection and or a gimmick you still have to be able to DO SOMETHING to make it magical. There is no FREE LUNCH.

So let me end by saying, "give fellow magicians and magic sellers a bit of a break". When they flagrantly lie call them out. But not because of a a camera angle...(ever hear of audience management)? Some effects cannot be performed in certain venues.

Getting off my soap box. YMMV.

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I totally agree with you but the third video has 3 live performances with minimal cuts. I think that video gives a much better idea on what to expect.