If it's legit, then I highly doubt Penguin will survive long purely earning money through shipping. They would be giving away free tricks to EVERY KID with a camera (standard quality counts...just look at Sean Lo's "Inferno" video...not that epic camerawork).
Good thing I just got Artful Mentalism from them.
But can anybody tell me; What if I'm just performing one effect from an entire book? I mean, if I buy 13 Steps, would I have to perform all 13 steps for the camera? It would take around...2 months...every day. Will they refund me if I perform just one?
Thanks.
It only takes one effect from the book.
They won't be losing very much money...if you read the rules, they give you a gift certificate for the amount of your purchase. It's enticing in that it urges you to order additional items, or order more expensive items, since you're essentially getting part of the cost for free. While some may just stay within the bounds of the amount they are reimbursed, I am doubting that the majority would do that.
Either way, it's a small price to pay for the advertisement they'll be getting. Imagine the costs that would go into filming a performance for each project. Yeah, that would get expensive,
quickly. Very smart on their part, especially because people will see this as more positive for themselves than for Penguin.
As well, and more importantly, it's only one person per item. The only way you'll get reimbursed for an item is if yours is the first and/or the best performance submitted.
And that brings up one final point...you actually have to perform for real people. How many internet magicians can honestly say they perform for real people, outside of their family? And how many would consider themselves skilled enough to learn and perform a trick in front of real people within a few months?
The contest is really aimed at a select few, and will serve to increase sales in that they will be getting a mass amount of performance videos for their effects, from real people, for real people. Genius.