Official Reviewer
Sep 08, 2022
Effect
Did you ever wonder why you never got the reactions to your performances compared to the magic product trailers? Did you ever question how you can get the same responses? If you did, then The S.T.E.M. System DVD set by Peter Turner might steer you in the right direction. The S.T.E.M. System is a mini course on the ins and outs of creating interesting and seemingly impromptu video for use on YouTube, Facebook and any other social media platforms where you are trying to promote yourself and your magic. The techniques discussed in this video can help you design and produce video for use on your website or to send to agents for potential bookings.Method
The methods discussed and illustrated covers topics such as how to identify and approach potential participants, how to heighten the reactions of the spectators to the performance and how to make the performance appear to be impromptu and not set-up or stooged. Additional topics include how to covertly obtain secret information and subtly pass it on as well as using linguistic subterfuge and dual reality to make the entire performance suspect free even if the participants see it replayed later. In addition, there is a discussion on the use of hypnosis and how powerful it appears on video. The DVDs are a mix between Peter Turner and David Penn of World Magic Shop having a discussion in a studio and cutting to real world performances filmed in a casino with random participants. After each point is discussed the video is cut to that particular time frame in the performance as an example to be broken down and analyzed. Throughout the video, Turner and Penn frame this DVD set as "a course" and it really is. A lot is discussed in these DVDs and they are not for casual watching. One must pause between talking points and take notes for future reference. You will refer to these DVDs time and time again.Product Quality
Time wise, the discussion between Turner and Penn dominate the DVD while the real world examples are only used to elucidate the concepts. All of DVD 1 is shot this way. On DVD 2 the first third follows the structure of DVD 1 but the last two thirds is a recorded Zoom call with Anthony Jacquin of Headhackers fame. If you don't who the Headhackers are, they were a troupe of hypnotists that would perform and teach street hypnosis. The segment with Anthony Jacquin discusses how to use hypnosis and the impact of how hypnosis looks on video. Overall the quality of the filming is good. I did have issues with the volume. I had to raise the volume up to 100 for me to clearly hear them talking. The recorded Zoom portion was not great as there is always that otherworld static(y) looking image you are watching but the message was still clear.Ad Copy Integrity
For the most part the ad copy is accurate. I consider just one small portion of the ad copy hyperbole and should not be taking literally. The sentence "This DVD set is not for novices or amateurs because the material here is so powerful, you will leave your participants' minds BLOWN!" The truth is that this material isn't for novices or amateurs because they normally will not be making magic videos to post on social media and normally do not walk around with a film crew trailing behind them.Suggestions
I realize that this DVD set is pretty expensive but I cannot think of anywhere else you could pick up the information that is doled out on this set. Keeping that in mind, if you were to get one job using the techniques taught the investment in the set would have paid off many times over. But, what if you never plan to make videos or market yourself via video, is it worth your time and money? If you are a hobbyist and have some expendable cash, then I think this would be a worthwhile investment. there is still a lot to glean from all the information provided to make even your casual set more impactful.
