Derren is certainly a interesting guy. The reason I'm writing this review is to make sure people
understand this is not a lecture. It's an interview. There are no tricks or methodology even
though Dan did his best to get Derren to go down that road. I was expecting a lecture so I was
somewhat disappointed but I'm sure Derren Brown fans will enjoy aspects of the interview.
This was advertised as being purely a talk and there was even avideo showing exactly that since it wasn't "live". How could you possibly claim Penguin misled you?
lethal_tender Because many of us bought the product immediately once it was available for pre-order. At that time there was no demo video. Because it was originally advertised as a lecture back in October, we assumed it would be fairly similar to any other penguin lecture.
I totally agree with JarJarJared. I bought a package on the strength of the advertisement of Derren Brown's appearance and am bitterly disappointed at both the sycophantic tone of the interview and the complete lack of any value whatever. This was both a total waste of time and money. I come to this site for instruction, not philosophy. Wake up Penguin - you shot yourselves in the foot with this one.
i agree this was BS i subscribe for magic lectures not interviews
i DO expect tricks,methoods,etc that's the point of tuning in.
Same here. I purchased the package thinking derren brown was going to release some methods Kept forwarding the interview to see when the lecture was going to start. Waste of time.
I agree with just about everyone here. This was a total waste of three hours and money. I learned nothing and actually during the time I watched the lecture I went from looking up to Darren Brown to not liking him. I feel very misled, and I bought this lecture right when it came out too. If penguin wanted to sell this, it should have been for a greatly reduced price in a completely different category. Selling an interview as a lecture is wrong.
This should be a lesson for you guys. The more famous magicians penguin gets, the less tricks and more business and philosophy you'll get. Shimshi is a Vegas headliner and talked about business, Mac King taught some tricks (none that he uses in the act) but the value was in the interview. The same went for Derren Brown. This will also go for Teller if penguin gets him and any other big name. Why would you want to know Derrens material? All people would ever see is a Darren Brown Copy. Now his secrets at success and philosophy are priceless. I understand that there are many amateurs here who want to see cheap tricks but there are also professionals who want to expand their show. I make my living on magic and love hearing philosophy and career advise for the pro. Sorry you guys thought penguin had the money to convince Darren Brown to reveal his act, that's never going to happen with any of the big names penguin gets. I suggest waiting until the promo video comes out to buy your lectures so you don't feel ripped off next time.
I'm a pro and still want to see some effects. I have studied the psych, philosophy, etc. of magic for years, I just didn't find a lot of value in his lecture. Nobody should be pigeon holed for not liking this lecture - amateur (just the cheap trick ones or all amateurs?) and pros. I agree with the other post about the sycophantic tone of the interview. If you want some real insight read the Dariel Fitzkee Trilogy, that material still stands up. We have had some very heavy hitters share their effects in Penguin lectures, it may not be their present material but some great stuff, I don't think Derren is above that...
Completely agree with almost everyone. I complained in writing and cancelled my subscription. Interview is not a lecture and definitely not what i signed up for. I urge you all to complain so this farce does not happen again.
That couldn't be further from the truth Lethal Tender. There have been many top shelf magicians who have shared illusions and methods in their Penguin lectures. Unfortunately there have been a few like Brown, Shimshi and others who feel above that apparently and think their insights are worth the outlay. While it may be worth it to a few, the overall value for most purchasers both pro and amateur is negligible, obvious from the underwhelming reviews.
I haven't bought the "lecture yet" because I wanted to see the reviews of it. I asked personally at Penguin what it will be like and by then they didn't know.
I feel a bit sorry that it was such a secret thing at what it will be about to finally find out it will be an 3 hour interview. Personally I feel that it can and definitely is valuable to some. Because frankly I have tons of lectures where i didn't really learn any new things or new methods or any effects, but learned something different, got some inspiration or heard 2 sentences that gave me a lot.
I just know that I will not be buying this lecture for now, because I am not a pro. I am just kind of being here and collecting bits and pieces about magic. I want to know different things even if I don't use them. I just love magic and want to be around it, but that doesn't mean I will be performing it.
I have plenty of effects and I keep buying some here and there. Sometimes I use it just a once because the situation is just suitable. I keep myself educated in the field just so that i can keep up.
i know there will be time when i will dive into magic more. i know it will never be something i will do for living but as a hobby.
so i understand that the first timers must be pretty disappointed because they didn't know what it will be about. but at the same time as i mentioned, i believe i will get the lecture when i have extra 30 bucks and know that one day i will be glad i have it in my shelf.
Agreed with everyone but "lethal_tender". I already put in my review. Just don't know what to say because everyone else said it all. Wish it was CLEAR that you were paying to watch an interview....
Sadly I have to agree. I also preorder before the demo video thinking that this was a one-time oportunity. At least in other interviews he usually perform some effect, this time not even that. You can get much much more from any of his books or his actual lecture.
I was disappointed with this interview. I was really looking forward to learning something concerning NLP, or something. Lethal_tender yes "Shimshi is a Vegas headliner and talked about business" but he also went into detail about several tricks which I thought were fantastic. A balance of both is what I'm looking for, leaning towards tricks and methods as I'm not a stage performer. Derren's insights were good and interesting but don't buy this if you are looking for tricks or methods.
Derren is the most succesful illusionist alive, you have got 3 hours with him and you expect to get tricks and methods?
that is the LEAST important part of his TV and theater shows, all the tricks he does are documented in one way or another, the value of the lecture is the insight he gave about performance and how he got where he is now.
I did not even watch the lecture...
We didn't expect 3.5 hours of talking about himself, and his shows, etc..... We expected and wanted methods, theory, and a smaller interview.
"Reserve your seat anyway. Within 24 hours of ending, you'll be able to download and/or watch the full lecture on-demand, and go over all the GREAT ROUTINES AND SUBTLETIES as many times as you want. It'll be waiting for you in your MyPenguinMagic area.
Magicians flock to see workers give talks. Why? Because these guys see and learn things that you won't find in any book or DVD. Yes, you'll BE LEARNING SOME INCREDIBLE A-MATERIAL, but the INVALUABLE stuff will be the insight you learn along the way.
This lecture is for everyone, from the beginner to the professional and for magicians and mentalists alike. Dont miss it!"
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Interview not a lecture
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