THE BLURB:
The choice is yours.
. . . or is it?
The wait is over, and Max Maven�s Multiplicity is here.
In this remarkable dvd you will learn techniques and
subtleties involving equivoque and multiple outs, including
ideas revealed for the very first time, plus over two dozen
routines. Join Max and special guest Eugene Burger, for an
utterly irresistible combination of mystery, surprise and
insightful absurdity.
Free shipping in US & Canada
Running time 3 hours 15 minutes
Choose it. now.
MY COMMENTS:
So is Max Maven's DVD better than "Nothing"?
Ah, yeah, okay. Couldn't resist saying that. To be
serious, this disc seems to have become even more
controversial than Max's previous DVD, NOTHING, and the
book, THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF MAGIC. I do understand
much of the controversy and I'll discuss it as we go along.
The blurb states that this is an exploration of equivoque
and multiple outs. As many would correctly surmise, this is
a video expansion and update of the pamphlet about the
subject that Phil Goldstein (aka Max Maven) published in the
late 70s and which is still available. Eugene Burger is Max
Maven's co-host on this DVD and they are always engaging,
interesting, and fun to watch. That alone makes this
worthy.
The disc contains "over two dozen routines" on the subject.
After a couple of effects using equivoque, Maven discusses
the basic workings of equivoque in a section entitled "Zen
Archery." This is followed by "Tour de Force," which
comprises fourteen effects which are performed, but not
explained. After viewing the explanation of equivoque, it's
not necessary. The methods and techniques should be obvious
and they are solely to illustrate the versatility of
equivoque, the nuances of the timing involved, and the
script variations.
Finally, there are about ten effects that combine equivoque
with other principles. They are Neometric, Context, Future
Tense, Normal Mailer, A Small Fortune, Leap of Fake,
Schrodinger's Slot Machine, Locker, The Number of the Least,
and An Ending is in Order.
Since this is a fairly thorough video examination of the
topic there is little doubt that I will recommend this for
anyone new to mentalism or who has issues with successfully
performing verbal control. Many performers dismiss it
because they don't understand the pyschology of it and when
performed incorrectly, I do admit that it just doesn't work
well. But when done correctly, it's very strong. And this
disc should go along way for showing the correct way to
perform equivoque.
As for whether this is for working mentalists, there are
certainly some refresher points but working mentalists
should be familiar with most of the points and ideas. As
for the effects, Maven's thinking is always fascinating, at
least to me, though many of the effects may be considered by
some to be mental magic. Personally, I liked "Locker" and
"Leap of Fake."
Another consideration is that all of the effects presented
on this disc are close-up effects. Really, though, this is
a very minor consideration as Maven is teaching principles
that can be applied to effects used in any venue, including
stage. I should think that any professional can create
effects for the stage using this technique. However, if one
were buying this DVD looking for stage effects they can put
right into their act, then there may be disappointment.
Now, let's turn to the bigger issues, which have nothing to
with the merits or value of the product itself. The first
issue is the $75 suggested retail price. Were this released
six years ago, at a time when Marc Spelmann was getting
nearly $50 for each of four DVDS ($200 for the set!), then
this probably wouldn't be an issue.
Initially, when I found out that this is a single DVD and
priced at nearly double that of others, I thought it was
overpriced, too. However, the three hour and fifteen minute
running time means that it's like getting two DVDs in one.
If you figure that the going price for one DVD is $34.95
then this DVD has the value of $69.90. At $74.95, that
means that it is slightly overpriced, but only slightly.
The second big controversy is the video ad that you can see
on YouTube. On it there is an effect called Handout. It
involves two gift bags and Burger must make a choice. He's
told that whatever is in the bag will be dropped onto his
outstretched hand. Burger chooses one bag and the contents
are poured out onto it. It's a feather. Maven turns the
other bag over to show a brick dropping out.
On the DVD, it is played as a gag (the punch line, which
I'll not give away here, actually clues you in to the
method), but it's also a real effect. The catch is that
Maven only provides this punch line and the effect is
explained, though it's not explained directly. Maven lets
you think about all the ideas and principles presented on
the DVD and figure out which ones apply to Handout.
Incidentally, the previous effect to Handout, An Ending is
in Order, also is not directly explained.
To any magician who wishes to learn about equivoque and
multiple outs, this disc is ideal and highly recommended.
To the beginning mentalist who still has yet to master the
concept, or is unsure of how to use it, this disc is
strongly recommended. If you're a fan of Max Maven and
Eugene Burger, you've probably already ordered this and
don't need my recommendation. To the working mentalist, I
would not say that this a must-have disc, but Maven and
Burger are always enjoyable and you'll probably find a few
things you'll like and get you thinking, which is something
many DVDs and books rarely do these days.
The choice is yours.
. . . or is it?
The wait is over, and Max Maven�s Multiplicity is here.
In this remarkable dvd you will learn techniques and
subtleties involving equivoque and multiple outs, including
ideas revealed for the very first time, plus over two dozen
routines. Join Max and special guest Eugene Burger, for an
utterly irresistible combination of mystery, surprise and
insightful absurdity.
Free shipping in US & Canada
Running time 3 hours 15 minutes
Choose it. now.
MY COMMENTS:
So is Max Maven's DVD better than "Nothing"?
Ah, yeah, okay. Couldn't resist saying that. To be
serious, this disc seems to have become even more
controversial than Max's previous DVD, NOTHING, and the
book, THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF MAGIC. I do understand
much of the controversy and I'll discuss it as we go along.
The blurb states that this is an exploration of equivoque
and multiple outs. As many would correctly surmise, this is
a video expansion and update of the pamphlet about the
subject that Phil Goldstein (aka Max Maven) published in the
late 70s and which is still available. Eugene Burger is Max
Maven's co-host on this DVD and they are always engaging,
interesting, and fun to watch. That alone makes this
worthy.
The disc contains "over two dozen routines" on the subject.
After a couple of effects using equivoque, Maven discusses
the basic workings of equivoque in a section entitled "Zen
Archery." This is followed by "Tour de Force," which
comprises fourteen effects which are performed, but not
explained. After viewing the explanation of equivoque, it's
not necessary. The methods and techniques should be obvious
and they are solely to illustrate the versatility of
equivoque, the nuances of the timing involved, and the
script variations.
Finally, there are about ten effects that combine equivoque
with other principles. They are Neometric, Context, Future
Tense, Normal Mailer, A Small Fortune, Leap of Fake,
Schrodinger's Slot Machine, Locker, The Number of the Least,
and An Ending is in Order.
Since this is a fairly thorough video examination of the
topic there is little doubt that I will recommend this for
anyone new to mentalism or who has issues with successfully
performing verbal control. Many performers dismiss it
because they don't understand the pyschology of it and when
performed incorrectly, I do admit that it just doesn't work
well. But when done correctly, it's very strong. And this
disc should go along way for showing the correct way to
perform equivoque.
As for whether this is for working mentalists, there are
certainly some refresher points but working mentalists
should be familiar with most of the points and ideas. As
for the effects, Maven's thinking is always fascinating, at
least to me, though many of the effects may be considered by
some to be mental magic. Personally, I liked "Locker" and
"Leap of Fake."
Another consideration is that all of the effects presented
on this disc are close-up effects. Really, though, this is
a very minor consideration as Maven is teaching principles
that can be applied to effects used in any venue, including
stage. I should think that any professional can create
effects for the stage using this technique. However, if one
were buying this DVD looking for stage effects they can put
right into their act, then there may be disappointment.
Now, let's turn to the bigger issues, which have nothing to
with the merits or value of the product itself. The first
issue is the $75 suggested retail price. Were this released
six years ago, at a time when Marc Spelmann was getting
nearly $50 for each of four DVDS ($200 for the set!), then
this probably wouldn't be an issue.
Initially, when I found out that this is a single DVD and
priced at nearly double that of others, I thought it was
overpriced, too. However, the three hour and fifteen minute
running time means that it's like getting two DVDs in one.
If you figure that the going price for one DVD is $34.95
then this DVD has the value of $69.90. At $74.95, that
means that it is slightly overpriced, but only slightly.
The second big controversy is the video ad that you can see
on YouTube. On it there is an effect called Handout. It
involves two gift bags and Burger must make a choice. He's
told that whatever is in the bag will be dropped onto his
outstretched hand. Burger chooses one bag and the contents
are poured out onto it. It's a feather. Maven turns the
other bag over to show a brick dropping out.
On the DVD, it is played as a gag (the punch line, which
I'll not give away here, actually clues you in to the
method), but it's also a real effect. The catch is that
Maven only provides this punch line and the effect is
explained, though it's not explained directly. Maven lets
you think about all the ideas and principles presented on
the DVD and figure out which ones apply to Handout.
Incidentally, the previous effect to Handout, An Ending is
in Order, also is not directly explained.
To any magician who wishes to learn about equivoque and
multiple outs, this disc is ideal and highly recommended.
To the beginning mentalist who still has yet to master the
concept, or is unsure of how to use it, this disc is
strongly recommended. If you're a fan of Max Maven and
Eugene Burger, you've probably already ordered this and
don't need my recommendation. To the working mentalist, I
would not say that this a must-have disc, but Maven and
Burger are always enjoyable and you'll probably find a few
things you'll like and get you thinking, which is something
many DVDs and books rarely do these days.
Max Maven
MULTIPLICITY
$68
Suggested Retail Price $75