Draven Reviews: Stand Up Magic by Tom Wright

Title: Stand Up Magic
Artist: Tom Wright
Producers: World Magic Shop
Retail Price: $48.80 USD
Learning Difficulty: Medium
Length of DVD:  Disk 1: 57 minutes    Disk 2: about 2 hour 10 minutes
Notes: This DVD is for the working professional.  Hobbyists will not find this as useful.

 
Features Disk 1:
•    Play All
•    Full Live Performances
•    Studio Performances
◦    Bottle Production
◦    Card In Mouth
◦    Chop Cup
◦    Bottle Thru Table
◦    Ring On Rope

Features Disk 2:
•    Play All
•    Introduction and Benefits
◦    Cards Out of Mouth
◦    Bottle Production
◦    Bottle Thru Table
◦    Card In Mouth
◦    Chop Cup
◦    Ring on Rope
◦    Final words

Every so often something comes down the pipeline in magic that is so unexpected that after you’ve seen or read whatever it is it changes your world.  Stand Up Magic by Tom Wright is exactly one of those somethings.

Stand Up Magic is more than just a two disk DVD set that explains how to do some strolling magic tricks that are idea for dinner parties, corporate gigs, weddings, banquits, etc.  It’s an entire lesson in performance theory behind Tom’s amazing concept of what “Stand Up” magic really is.

Tom’s concept for Stand Up magic is one of those things that after you hear him explain it you smack yourself in the forehead and wonder why you didn’t think of it first because it makes so much sense.  It is something that not only works, but does so because it’s so psychologically motivated.  I can guarantee you that if you apply the concepts that Tom teaches to your strolling shows not only will you get better reactions from the tables you perform for, but you’ll see more re-bookings and better client testimonials.  This stuff is quite profound.

All that being said this DVD really is more for the working professional than the weekend warrior.  Hobbyists, collectors, and amateurs will enjoy the tricks that are taught in the second half of disk two, and their performances will benefit from Tom’s concepts but really to get the full benefit from the information in this DVD you need to be in a position to be doing shows in a walk around or table hopping venue.  Hey restaurant workers… THIS IS FOR YOU!

The tricks Tom teaches you how to do are nothing that hasn’t been around before.  The bottle production, ring on rope, card from mouth, bottle thru table, card IN mouth, and chop cup routine are all staples of magic.  What is worth taking note though is his presentations.  He’s got such a command over his audience.  They really seem to enjoy his work.  I personally loved the Chop Cup game show kind of idea.

The first disk in the set is all live and studio performances.  I would actually recommend watching the first disk second after you’ve had a chance to learn about Tom’s Stand Up magic concept.  Because once you know what’s going on in his head, watching the live performances is a whole different experience.

The entire two disk set is nothing but a gem mine rich with ideas and routines that could really enhance your career if you pay attention to what Tom has to say.  Audience tested, and material that has been actually performed out there in the trenches this DVD is nothing but practical real world magic that works.  You’re going to get standing ovations, you’re going to better reactions, and you’re going to use what Tom teaches every single time you go out to do a gig.  I highly recommend you pick up Stand Up Magic by Tom Wright, because… wait for it…  if it’s Wright… it can’t be wrong!
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When I give my product scores below I am measuring them on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 Being absolute the worst score possible, and 10 being the absolute best, making a score of five average. The four points that I grade upon is Product Quality, Teaching Quality, Sound & Video Quality and Overall Quality.

Product Quality: 9
Two DVD’s for less than $50 bucks, and it’s solid working material too.  You can’t go wrong.

Teaching Quality: 9
Bang on solid.  Tom’s funny to watch and easy to learn from.

Video & Sound Quality: 7
The sound had a couple of level issues in both disks and the live performances in disk 1 weren’t the best in video quality, but I don’t think you really lose anything for it.  You can still enjoy and learn from the DVD’s.

Overall Quality: 9
You need this DVD.  You won’t be sorry.  I highly recommend Stand Up Magic!

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