Price$24.95
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedMay 26, 2010
Oddballs
Strange, Scott
ScottStrange
(Based on 1 review)
This DVD will NOT teach you how to put together funny routines or how to be entertaining. What it will teach you are some advanced visual sleights for spongeballs that you can use to put together an original act.
Included are pre-made routines that you can modify for your own use as well as a variety of new sleights for spongeballs. They require serious practice and deliver amazing results. These sleights are versatile and visually stunning when given the care and attention they require.
These effects are not self working.
Contents:
- Strange Change (plus 3 variants)
- Goshman Nipple Pinch
- Oddballs
- Eye, balls
- OC Transpo
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Anyway, Odd Balls is the perfect title for this DVD. It's not a "complete works" or "full routine" type of a DVD. It, first off all, assumes that you have some sponge ball knowledge and some performing experience. Basically you will be taught a handful of "odd ball" moves that Mr. Pivenbaum has come up with. Additionally, you'll be shown how to put some of those moves in action as he demonstrates a few routines.
It's a pretty short DVD at 25 minutes. It's well shot, and right from the beginning it's entertaining . . . you'll see when the DVD menu shows up. These odd ball moves are clever and can generate some solid magic moments. I will say, however that the teaching segments were a little disorienting . . . on the left of the screen is Jer-chael basically talking about the moves, while on the left are images, video footage and clips with graphics and text to "aide" in the instructions. Additionally, the oral explanations where a bit rushed and definitely assumed that you're not a beginner.
It's not a complaint, just a warning. If you're a beginner, this is likely not for you. However, if you're a sponge guy and you're looking for some new ideas, I think you'll find some cool stuff on here.
Though the experience needed to watch is not a complaint, I do have a couple of items that are complaints.
First, the title routine, Odd Balls was extremely confusing and didn't feel like magic. It was just . . . confusing. Mr. Strange (a.k.a. Jer-chael Pivenbaum) claims that the effect is just for magicians. I think he meant that it was just for magicians named Scott Strange who have created a DVD called Odd Balls. A case of magical masturbation if ever there was one. Other than that effect, the rest were pretty solid. Eye Balls does require quite a few props, but it's probably worth it . . . it has a lot of magical moments.
My second complaint is more like me offering Mr. Strange some advice about maturity. I'm all about having fun and goofin' around, etc . . . as you'll know if you've seen my DVDs or read my books. However, as a "bonus" we're treated (?) to a gag real of Mr. Strange repeatedly cursing and dropping "F-bombs." Of course, he thinks he's hilarious when he does this. My advice, though unsolicited and maybe even unwanted, is grow up. Have some dignity. Up until that point, I really liked him and his material. After that section, I still like his magic, and I still liked him, but not quite as much as I did a moment ago.
That could merely mean that I'm judgemental, shallow, and "don't get it." I'm ok with that. I just never have found hearing the f-word repeated over and over to be funny, entertaining or anything but evidence of someone's lack of vocabulary and maturity.
Jeff Steps Off of His Soapbox
That being said, it doesn't change the fact that I think Scott Strange is a really nice guy with some good moves, effects and enough respect for the magic community to give credit and do research. Considering that you get a few really good moves, a couple of solid routines, and you're only out $25.00 bucks, it's worth it.
3.5 stars with a Stone Status of Gem.