Magic Tricks

I got the streaming-version from Nongard's site (sorry Penguin!), but still wanted to leave a quick review here.

As other reviewers have said, this is a good introduction to hypnosis, specifically presented from a Performance point-of-view. Although it doesn't necessarily delve too deep into any specific portion of the process, it still gives a ton of information, both theoretical and practical, for the short 90-minute run time.

He does mention, at each stage of the video, that there are other in-depth videos & books available on those specific subjects, both from him & others, with little-to-no preferential treatment to his own products or web-store.

The video-production quality kind of sucked. It just looks like they put a consumer camcorder on a tripod, brought in some extra lamps from throughout the house/office, and let it roll. The 'editing' looks like it was done with the simple "Movie-Maker" included with his operating system.

His on-screen notes consisted of a Flip-Chart and Magic Markers, and his handwriting is poor. I know that even the most rudimentary video editors have the ability to put text on the screen. I think that was the bottom-of-the-barrel, as far as the review goes.

Overall, I think that the product is a bit overpriced at Nongard's site, where I bought the streaming version (only available directly from his site). Even at Penguin's price for the DVD, it's still a bit pricey. Even though it covers the basics very well, it still only scratches the surface, and left me wanting more. Plus, at that price, I'd at least expect the on-screen text to be CGI, not a flip-chart from the 1980s.

So, would I recommend it? From an Introductory/Informational point-of-view: Yes. From a Bang-for-your-Buck point-of-view: Probably not. But it's not really *that* expensive, so if you have a big curiosity about the subject and won't really miss the money too much, then go for it.