Directly from magic cafe...
"Paul Harris' True Astonishments DVD set is finally coming to the finish line and will be available around the first month or two of 2009. I know there has been an incredibly long delay as the project was basically started over completely 3 different times. The good news is this has made the project so much better than when it first started a number of years ago. The production and the material is just SO much better than where this started. Paul set very strict standards on this project and was willing to keep pushing until it was exactly what he wanted and the level he wanted in both the production and in the material.
Initially (for about 4-6 months) the True Astonishment DVD set will only be released as an amazing collector's set. It consists of 9 DVDs in a beautiful custom made wooden box. The box alone is worth at least 50 bucks. There is a secret puzzle box aspect to this for opening the box. Would love your feedback as to if you want to discover the secret yourself or if you want the clue right up front.
Each of the 9 DVDs will come with a special prop in this collector's set.
This is the last big multi volume project that Paul will create. TA is truly the culmination of the highest level of Paul's creative powers. Al thought $300 is a lot of money, especially in today's economy, I believe that this is under priced at that and a real bargain. For those who invest in this I can assure you it will be one of the best purchases you will ever make in magic and probably one of the most important projects to have come out in magic in many years. The material is simply unbelievable. Paul and his production crew cut out anything that was not tested rock solid, A+,real world material...all with breakthrough methods and handlings that are truly astonishing.
As Paul has described some of the newer creations over the last several months I always find myself thinking "wow that is fantastic". In Art of Astonishments and some of Paul's other books there was an occasional pipe dream effect to get one's creative juices flowing. In True Astonishments the routines are all tested work horses and just super strong- some of the strongest magic to hit the market in a long time. And as with the best of Paul's material, the methods and theories behind these new pieces are as exciting as the effects themselves.
The 9 DVDs include performances and teaching by Bro Gilbert, Andrew Gerard, Wayne Houchin, and many others with Paul taking us through this journey. There are interviews between Paul and some of the top magicians in the world. There are a handful of weird pieces of strange that are really not magic but just cool things to enjoy. But going back to the main material... you could take a number of the items off this set, learn them, and never need to learn another effect again. Many of the creations represent THE PERFECT SOLUTION to classic PH effects. To name one, Paul's solution to changing a borrowed bill in a spectator's hand will simply stop you in your tracks. Wait until you see his new Vanishing Deck in a spectator's pocket.
Paul is not the same guy you saw on the old Stars of Magic videos/DVDs. He's still got that quirky/fun side but he's just more "solid". This is very reflective in the look/feel of the DVDs and quite frankly the whole project from production to material. You'll get a great idea of where Paul is if you watch the Reel Magic Quarterly # 1 interview I did with Paul or read the article Eric Mead wrote in Magic Magazine.
Over the next month I will be going through and discussing some of the highlights of all of the DVDs. This will be a little challenging for me because almost every effect is a highlight. It's hard though to express how strong these items are. I can assure you this is not hype. If you are concerned about that then you should not take my word but instead wait for some of the feedback from those who get this. It's a big investment so you should not take it lightly but those that get it will be absolutely delighted. Almost any effect in this set could have easily been released as a stand alone item.
This will undoubtedly be one of the most important releases to come along in years. More info to follow... just wanted to give everyone an update. -Tim Trono "
If anyone knows... will these have the effects from Art of Astonishment or will they be completely different effects? I had my eyes on the books for a while but hearing this is about to come out, I didn't want to get the book version if they video is going to come out only months from now... other than that... may the anticipation begin!
"Paul Harris' True Astonishments DVD set is finally coming to the finish line and will be available around the first month or two of 2009. I know there has been an incredibly long delay as the project was basically started over completely 3 different times. The good news is this has made the project so much better than when it first started a number of years ago. The production and the material is just SO much better than where this started. Paul set very strict standards on this project and was willing to keep pushing until it was exactly what he wanted and the level he wanted in both the production and in the material.
Initially (for about 4-6 months) the True Astonishment DVD set will only be released as an amazing collector's set. It consists of 9 DVDs in a beautiful custom made wooden box. The box alone is worth at least 50 bucks. There is a secret puzzle box aspect to this for opening the box. Would love your feedback as to if you want to discover the secret yourself or if you want the clue right up front.
Each of the 9 DVDs will come with a special prop in this collector's set.
This is the last big multi volume project that Paul will create. TA is truly the culmination of the highest level of Paul's creative powers. Al thought $300 is a lot of money, especially in today's economy, I believe that this is under priced at that and a real bargain. For those who invest in this I can assure you it will be one of the best purchases you will ever make in magic and probably one of the most important projects to have come out in magic in many years. The material is simply unbelievable. Paul and his production crew cut out anything that was not tested rock solid, A+,real world material...all with breakthrough methods and handlings that are truly astonishing.
As Paul has described some of the newer creations over the last several months I always find myself thinking "wow that is fantastic". In Art of Astonishments and some of Paul's other books there was an occasional pipe dream effect to get one's creative juices flowing. In True Astonishments the routines are all tested work horses and just super strong- some of the strongest magic to hit the market in a long time. And as with the best of Paul's material, the methods and theories behind these new pieces are as exciting as the effects themselves.
The 9 DVDs include performances and teaching by Bro Gilbert, Andrew Gerard, Wayne Houchin, and many others with Paul taking us through this journey. There are interviews between Paul and some of the top magicians in the world. There are a handful of weird pieces of strange that are really not magic but just cool things to enjoy. But going back to the main material... you could take a number of the items off this set, learn them, and never need to learn another effect again. Many of the creations represent THE PERFECT SOLUTION to classic PH effects. To name one, Paul's solution to changing a borrowed bill in a spectator's hand will simply stop you in your tracks. Wait until you see his new Vanishing Deck in a spectator's pocket.
Paul is not the same guy you saw on the old Stars of Magic videos/DVDs. He's still got that quirky/fun side but he's just more "solid". This is very reflective in the look/feel of the DVDs and quite frankly the whole project from production to material. You'll get a great idea of where Paul is if you watch the Reel Magic Quarterly # 1 interview I did with Paul or read the article Eric Mead wrote in Magic Magazine.
Over the next month I will be going through and discussing some of the highlights of all of the DVDs. This will be a little challenging for me because almost every effect is a highlight. It's hard though to express how strong these items are. I can assure you this is not hype. If you are concerned about that then you should not take my word but instead wait for some of the feedback from those who get this. It's a big investment so you should not take it lightly but those that get it will be absolutely delighted. Almost any effect in this set could have easily been released as a stand alone item.
This will undoubtedly be one of the most important releases to come along in years. More info to follow... just wanted to give everyone an update. -Tim Trono "
If anyone knows... will these have the effects from Art of Astonishment or will they be completely different effects? I had my eyes on the books for a while but hearing this is about to come out, I didn't want to get the book version if they video is going to come out only months from now... other than that... may the anticipation begin!
