Books vs DVDs

[StevenLevitt]

Advantages, and dis-advantages from learning magic.

DVD's are great as you can see the magic in any angles you want now thanks to the technology. So you can see all the sneaky moves from behind etc. Which is good if you want to copy the move spot on.

Books are great as you sometimes do not learn the exact move as taught in the text, you put your own personality into the magic and you work on the move a lot more as you cannot visualise perfectly what the move should look like which alternative the move becomes more natural and your own, unless there is an illustration showing you the mirror image, but still, images can only help to a certain extent.

I feel the downside of DVD's are that a lot of magicians out there use them as a mirror, and copy words, movements and behaviour as the magician has taught. Therefore, the magician is not really in his own personality (if that make sense?).

Although books can be harder to learn moves, I feel they are good for putting your own self into the magic. A problem with books is when you are half way through reading and copying what it says... Then you need to turn the page with your hands full of sponge balls, cards and you have to wave the magic wand

I just wanted to hear your thoughts on learning magic, do you rather learn from books, DVD's, other magicians, or websites?

 

[praetoritevong]

Advantages, and dis-advantages from learning magic.

DVD's are great as you can see the magic in any angles you want now thanks to the technology. So you can see all the sneaky moves from behind etc. Which is good if you want to copy the move spot on.

Books are great as you sometimes do not learn the exact move as taught in the text, you put your own personality into the magic and you work on the move a lot more as you cannot visualise perfectly what the move should look like which alternative the move becomes more natural and your own, unless there is an illustration showing you the mirror image, but still, images can only help to a certain extent.

I feel the downside of DVD's are that a lot of magicians out there use them as a mirror, and copy words, movements and behaviour as the magician has taught. Therefore, the magician is not really in his own personality (if that make sense?).

Although books can be harder to learn moves, I feel they are good for putting your own self into the magic. A problem with books is when you are half way through reading and copying what it says... Then you need to turn the page with your hands full of sponge balls, cards and you have to wave the magic wand

I just wanted to hear your thoughts on learning magic, do you rather learn from books, DVD's, other magicians, or websites?

Yeah I agree... They all have their good points. Learning from books is great in that it lets you discover the move for yourself rather than copying it. I don't buy the visual learner excuse, but I would agree that it's much easier to teach poorly or to miss a detail with a book. And page turns can get awkward.

DVDs are great because it's often very helpful to see a move actually being performed to see what it looks like, especially after you've got the motions down. Then you get people running over here and asking why they're not getting the same reactions for Bad Influence. -.-'

Another advantage of DVD's is universal compatibility and ease of access. I can carry The Devil's Picturebook with me on my iPod on the train, or anywhere else, and it's easy to play it at my computer.

People in person are great because you can get tailored teachings.

Still, if you want to keep a gem hidden, put it in print. That's where lots of them hide.

 

[Flyspazz]

Just for a reference this was a Cerca Trova back in February.

When you learn from a book your use your imagination and put your own spin on a technique a little easier because you’re not pre-exposed to a patter or routine. It’s your imagination working it out alone. I also think overall books seem to be a better value. However, I can’t get away from DVD’s as personally I learn from them much better due to the visual aspect.

 

[StevenLevitt]

Eeep, just had a look there, the title is pretty much the same too. Thanks for the reference, I will have a quick read now

I agree with you both here too.

 

[filth0013]

i just hate that so many of the dvd's are for just one trick, which is a ripoff.

 

[Deechristopher]

I'd disagree on that note - I know of several ebooks on just one technique, let alone a routine which have gone for $1,000.

I do agree that some material that is released is pretty worthless, however, there are some incredible 'one trick DVDs' around.

I think Liquid metal is a great DVD, though it's essentially a one routine DVD, E.I. is great, Control is cool.

I did however have the displeasure of seeing a DVD called 'Transference' by Daryl Sato. 7 mins run time, filmed in his kitchen (Kitchen?!) and the 'effect' was incredibly poor. How's that for a review.

Anyway, I feel that it's very much case specific. I think that some of the best DVDs out are on single effects or techniques.

D.

 

[praetoritevong]

I'd disagree on that note - I know of several ebooks on just one technique, let alone a routine which have gone for $1,000.

I do agree that some material that is released is pretty worthless, however, there are some incredible 'one trick DVDs' around.

I think Liquid metal is a great DVD, though it's essentially a one routine DVD, E.I. is great, Control is cool.

I did however have the displeasure of seeing a DVD called 'Transference' by Daryl Sato. 7 mins run time, filmed in his kitchen (Kitchen?!) and the 'effect' was incredibly poor. How's that for a review.

Anyway, I feel that it's very much case specific. I think that some of the best DVDs out are on single effects or techniques.

D.

That's terrible, re: Transference! Sounds similar to what I've heard about his Neo Change DVD too... >.>

I'd agree with you on one trick DVD's though. Concepts, principles, moves and effects can be worthwhile despite being the only thing on the DVD - consider The Berglas Effect (is that what you were thinking of Dee?). Nonetheless, some, and perhaps even a majority, of one trick DVDs are not worth the price of the DVD itself, especially in comparison to compilation DVDs.

 

[Zeedub81]

I like both books and dvds, but books you can read anywhere and don't require a dvd player and/or a tv. Books also seem more uhh...permanent. Dvds can break, or get scratched, and then they're lost forever, but books are harder to destroy.(unless they get burned, hehe)
The downside to books is that they are hard to understand sometime, but I guess it just makes you use your imagination.
A plus side to dvds is performances (for real audiences). Not all dvds have them, but they help you see how the trick is performed.

Well, there's my input.

 

[RickEverhart]

Listen guys. For those of you who don't think that some people are visual learners, you are incorrect. I have been teaching 9 years and can tell you that not all children and people comprehend material in the same manner. Some people are visual and have to watch someone demonstrate a series of events right before their eyes. Others are auditory and have to hear the directions actually read to them via a CD or mp3. (That would be something new for magic) Others can simply skim over a book very quickly or slowly and grasp the knowledge quite effectively. Everyone is different so I don't want to hear people saying that DVD's are for lazy magicians because I for one am one of those visual learners. Another aspect is the hands on approach. Some students / adults need hands on-experience like a hands on magic lecture where an instructor is helping you get through the effect. I wish there were more lecture like this. Ed Ellis happens to be doing one of these hands on workshops for our IBM ring tomorrow night. I think it is great. Sorry for my little tangent but I thought I'd throw some of my educational background in there for you. I hope this helps clarify some points. Thanks for listening.

 

[Brad Henderson]

Let's try this again

 

[Brad Henderson]

As a teacher, then, you know that reading IS a visual media. In studying learning modalities you learned that visual learners do well with the written word.

The truth is that lazy magicians heard about 'visual learning' and were too - well, lazy - to learn what it really means. So they took what they thought it meant and used it as an excuse to justify either their laziness or illiteracy.

Brad (master's degree in education) Henderson

DEE:

What ebooks have actually SOLD for a thousand bucks. You said there are several on a single technique? I know of one pricey ebook in the works, but am not aware of others having sold at that price point.

Saw the review of your book in Genii. The one in Magic will be in the issue shipping now.

 

[Flyspazz]

As a teacher, then, you know that reading IS a visual media. In studying learning modalities you learned that visual learners do well with the written word.

Not always. I think it depends on the individual. I'm a visual learner and I dont do well with the written word. In fact, you can show me all day in the book and I might memorize it but if you show me or I do it I've got it forever. I can learn from books but I prefer by far to see it. I can absorb and comprehend it much better that way.

The truth is that lazy magicians heard about 'visual learning' and were too - well, lazy - to learn what it really means. So they took what they thought it meant and used it as an excuse to justify either their laziness or illiteracy.

So are you saying if you learn from a DVD your lazy or illiterate? I dont buy that and I dont think learning visually is lazy at all.

Maybe you learn better from books but everyones not like you. I know you know that people have different ways of comprehending so I'm surprised by your comments.

Brad (master's degree in education) Henderson

Thats a smart ass thing to say to try to show reverhart up. No one here asked for your resume.

 

[RickEverhart]

Brad,
I guess we see things differently and that is your opinion. I am not going to get into an education battle with you. I am glad that you have your master's degree as do I.
I am actually taking Special Education Law right to complete my Elementary Ed / Middle School principal's license. I am just stating that in my experience as a teacher I have found that not all children / adults learn the same way and that sometimes we have to deliver the information / instruction in various methods. That is all I am stating. Magicians, kids, and adults cannot and will not learn from a cookie cutter model. We are not widgets on an assembly line at a plant where everyone gets the same treatment.
For some people it takes a longer duration of time to master material, and others need intervention. You know this as well as I do.

 

[Brad Henderson]

The point is simple but often goes ignored because people's passions blind their brains.

There are many reasons why people may have difficulty reading. One of those reasons is physiological/psychological. Many people have diagnosed themselves as having that problem and use that self diagnosis to justify their difficulty reading. Unfortunately for them, they do not understand the condition they claim to have.

Visual learners BY DEFINITION are people who process visual media such as text more readily than other types of media. It's not about opinion. It's not about personal preference. It's about a conditional modality and how it is defined.

There are visual learners in the world and this should be taken into account by teachers.(Most people, for the record use all modalities but usually favor or disfavor one. The critical situation for educators to consider is when a student has no balance to speak of. Having said that, these modalities can be honed and improved with work.)

Here is the problem: people who claim they cannot learn from books BECAUSE they are visual learners are either ignorant or liars. In most cases I believe it is ignorance of the term. But that proves my point - they DON'T know what they are talking about and are using it as an excuse not because these issues have plagued and affected their life leading to a diagnoses of their condition, but because it sounds like an easy answer.

Have trouble reading? I respect that. But don't blame it on a condition which BY DEFINITION you do not have!

Don't like reading? That's cool. But don't blame it on a condition which by definition you do not have.

Rather watch magic on dvds because you just have more fun? Totally cool with that. But don't blame it on a condition that by definition you do not have.

Brad

 

[WilliamMckeehan]

Both, i dont see why you can not just do both it helps me alot!

 

[blahblah]

I love books, magic books the most. a whole book of hundreds of pages of the secrets of the people who make miracles happen! to me its just awsome.

 

[copperfield 14]

All the good stuff is in books but it's fun to watch the dvd since well you get to see what is going on. The whole copying what the magician says isn't such a big deal. Overall I like books.

 

[praetoritevong]

All the good stuff is in books but it's fun to watch the dvd since well you get to see what is going on. The whole copying what the magician says isn't such a big deal. Overall I like books.

Nah it's not a big deal - it's irritating though when someone asks why they can't get so and so reaction like x magician.

I agreed with Brad here, regardless of personal preference, which is essentially personal preference, the use of the term "visual learner" should be considered. Of course, visual learners exist; they're just not what you think they are. Visual learner does not refer to people who learn better from DVDs over books, text is an image...

 

[StevenLevitt]

Nice to see people discussing about the two, no need to be cocky or rude to others though.

I feel that learning visually is important somewhat, as it gives the magician a helping hand in knowing how to grip and move. We use mirrors, video cameras to review ourselves, and I feel this is how a DVD can help as we can see the different angles from your personal view on all sides.

This does not make you lazy, this is just an advantage which a visual image has and no one can dis-agree with that.

As for books, they stimulate the brain to think visually and for the reader to double check each grip and move. Yes it is slightly more complicated, but it doesn't mean it is better.

Both resources are extremely good to learn from, and people have their own opinions on both and their own preference.

 

[Bijlogg]

Both media have their advantages and disadvantages. I personally just buy the material I'm interested in, whether it's taught on a DVD or in a book never comes into it for me. As it happens I haven't bought a DVD in ages simply because nothing has interested me, and yet the next thing I have my eye on is a DVD. This isn't anything to do with it being a DVD, it's entirely based on me wanting to learn what I'm interested in rather than missing out on good material just because of the way it's been published.

Tom