Magic DVD Review – Cellini’s Art of Street Performance
This is a review of Cellini’s art of street performance DVD three-volume set.
Cellini Presents: The Art of Street Performance Volume 1
Format: DVD
Duration: 57 minutes
Publisher: Magicman1234 Productions
Cost: $59.95
Cellini Presents: The Art of Street Performance Volume 2
Format: DVD
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
Publisher: Magicman1234 Productions
Cost: $59.95
Cellini Presents: The Art of Street Performance Volume 3
From: DVD
Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes
Publisher: Magicman1234 Productions
Cost: $59.95
This DVD set is a constant source of consternation for me.
This is how Cellini speaks of Volume 1:
“This video will do much more than entertain you. It will enlighten and excite you. It may even change the course of your life. I have done everything possible to explain this illusory art. You will learn how to attract, build, keep and entertain an audience, while make a good living. Those I have influenced have been transformed by the experience in ways they never imagined. All the secrets are here… it’s up to you. It could change your life forever. It made mine!” -Cellini
From that blurb, I spent my hard-earned money to get the first volume. I was excited when I put the DVD in the player. He was going to see Cellini spill his guts about ALL the secrets he had learned from decades of street performance. I sat on my couch, popcorn in hand, ready to be influenced and transformed by Cellini’s sage advice.
Just 57 minutes later, I was stunned. At twice the cost and half the length of a regular Magical DVD, I mistakenly thought Cellini might act in this video. Mistaken. Cellini introduces various concepts of street performance, such as gathering a crowd. Other artists demonstrate the point that Cellini is making.
I was angry and felt cheated. I kept the DVD for months. However I went back to it. After watching it again, I changed my mind. The material is good.
Various important aspects of street performance are taught and demonstrated. DVD is expensive and short. However, if you’re considering performing street magic, you’ll get more than your money’s worth from the insights you’ll learn from this video. Volume 1 is not at all what I expected, but it’s good.
Volume 2 is everything I expected and more. I recommend this video to all magicians.
Cellini’s work on the tip of the thumb alone is worth the price of admission. This is how the tip of the thumb should be used. Get out your old thumb pad and start doing awesome magic. You could even fool other wizards!
You’ll also see classic, clean approaches to string magic and the cups and balls trick. This is exactly what I was hoping to see in Volume 1.
Volume 3 is directed at the art and craft of street performance. Very good material if yours is street magic. There are many tips and ideas given. Live performances are also good.
Recommendation:
Buy the complete set if you have any interest in the art and craft of street performance. It is expensive, but the material given is the real deal. It’s a bargain compared to the tuition at the School of Hard Knocks.
Every magician should buy and see Volume 2. This is a great example of what magic can and should be.
You can get the videos at your favorite magic dealer or directly from the publisher mentioned above.