Price$100.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedOct 24, 2006
Nothing
Max Maven
L&L Publishing
(Based on 2 reviews)
NO Pre-Show Work
NO Stooges
NO Clipboards
NO Nailwriters
NO Playing Cards
NO ESP Cards
NO Billets
NO Wallets
NO Gaffs
NO Gimmicks
NO Special Materials
NO Muscle Reading
NO Hypnotism
NO Threads
NO Mirrors
NO Electronics
NO Rough & Smooth
NO Gilbreath Principle
NO Filler
in fact,NOTHING but solid mentalism and great entertainment.
Let's be clear. This is not a cluster of "substitute" stuff to make up for having lost your props. It is a full-length show of top-notch real world material, much of it revealed for the very first time. The complete work, including variations and options, plus discussion of performance structure, scripting segues, audience management, blocking, timing - everything thoroughly explained with an unprecedented degree of detail.
Included is the rare "Para-Sight" routine, out of print for over 25 years; copies of the original limited-release manuscript have sold for as much as $400. And that's something!
A two-DVD set (with as much content as most three-DVD sets). Running time: 230 minutes, plus Easter Eggs and bonus material.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Often, he came across to the audience as rude and even insulting. Much of the material played a little flat and the show was very dry and even felt a bit unrehearsed as thought Maven was sort of wingin' it . . . well he was.
So right now, there are people reading this who are livid with my words thus far probably claiming that I didn't "get" the purpose of the DVD. Oh no . . . I got it. In fact I "get" it so much that I scared away those who didn't "hear me out." Trust me . . . that's a good thing.
So what's the purpose of Nothing? My understanding is that is more a project for Maven to sort of give himself a challenge. Can I show up at a gig with no props . . . go to a local drug store and put together a 45 minute show with only 2 tools in my belt: 1) whatever I can find at the Drugstore with my eyeglasses (a joke for the mentalists - wow . . . no laughs . . . it's like a Graveyard around here. I guess I'll go back to my Television) and 2) whatever I know about mentalism principles and concepts.
Of course some stuff fell flat. It was unrehearsed. Of course the show was unrehearsed. As part of the challenge, he invented the show a few hours before he performed it. As for the comments about Maven appearing rude or insulting, it was mostly playful stuff where the spectator's weren't quite keeping up with him. However, this point I will challenge. It's the only true criticism I have. I would have preferred to see someone with as much experience as Maven more smoothly handle his audience without implying that they were or making them feel like they were stupid.
Other than that criticism, there's not much negative to say - ironically - about a DVD titled with such a negative meaning word as Nothing. The entire show was shot with no cuts, so you saw some elements of the show where Maven took risks. In some cases they failed, whereas others, they paid of in spades. Also, he was able to string together a small handful of effects with his scavenger-hunted items that built to more and more impossible-seeming effects. They also all center around a them of coincidence, which is a nice hook for a mentalism show.
You got to some situations where Maven got lucky and you were able to see a pro play the cards he was dealt. There were many moments of beauty throughout. You will also be treated to lessons of a pro when things fail. How does Maven handle that? You'll see.
So that's disk one . . . the show plus an excellent post-show conversation with Michael Weber. Disk two is an in depth description and discussion of each effect with Eugene Burger and a few other friends of Mr. Maven. To me, this is the most valuable section of the set. You learn the thinking behind each effect. You learn what went right and what went wrong in the show, how he handled each scenario and so much more. As Maven points out, this entire show is not one the even he would necessarily do himself nor does he expect you to watch this set to add a new show or routine to your repertoire. It was about the journey, not the destination. Along the way, many great things are taught and learned. I don't know that I learned any new principles. But I definitely learned some great subtleties, some excellent tips on handling luck in a show and misfortune in a show, some excellent ideas in general and so much more.
It was very enlightening to follow Maven on this journey. If - and that's a big fat if - you've truly never heard of Max Maven, don't buy this set. Rather, buy his Videomind video series . . . all three disks. Once you've watched that and you've got some performing experience in your bag of tricks, then consider this Nothing DVD.
This is for people who want to grow mostly on a philosophical level in their magic with a fair seasoning of practical growth in their magic. The price of $100 is a little steep in my opinion, but it is, after all, Max Maven, but I still think it's a bit steep.
If you decide to get this, just keep in mind that this DVD is not about teaching you some new tricks or material to add to your repertoire. It's about getting you to think and challenge yourself, but it's also just about witnessing a seasoned veteran like Maven take a small journey while you observe. If you're looking for new tricks, don't get it; you'll be disappointed. But as long as you understand the purpose of the DVD all will be well. Think of it this way: it's kind of like watching the TV show "The Biggest Loser." Sure, you'll get some ideas about losing weight and staying in shape, but you're really there to witness the journey that the contestants are on.
All in all, I'd say this is about a 3.5 star DVD with a Stone rating of Gem.
(Top ▲)
Nothing is an interesting DVD set. I bought it in hopes to find ways to do some excellent mentalism without a lot of props. Did is meet my expectations? Yes and No.
Max Maven is an amazing personality. His depth of knowledge on magic history and who invented what effects is 2nd to none. This I find fascinating. Watching a Max Maven DVD is like living a history lesson. In this I would give 5 stars.
This DVD does not have a lot of effects. For $100, you could buy his Video Mind series and acquire many more effects and for about the same money. There are only 7 effects on this DVD set with one being a throw away type effect and really would be a 1/2 effect. So if your buying this DVD set for the effects you will feel a let down. I would give 2 stars. But for the quality of effects I would give them 4 stars overall. And this DVD set is not only the effects, but does offer something most DVD's don't and that is a whole DVD with theory and explanations.
The type of effects range from very simple to complex.
1. Disposable Color is an effect that is a throw away type effect. It may not work and if it doesn't then just move on like it didn't happen. Rated Extremely simple.
2. Nile Derivation is also a simple mathematical prediction. It is somewhat clever but simple to do. Rated 2 stars.
3. Synchrostic is a do as I do type effect using watches. I think one could build on this effect to make it greater much like Richard Osterlind's watch effect. But as presented quite simple. Rated 3 stars.
3. Astrologous is more clever and more complex. It uses the astrological signs of your birth and had much more impact to the audience. It is not hard to do but does take some pre-setup type work. I especially like how he sets it up with the previous spectator. Rated 4 stars.
5. Just Chintz is a form of bank night and can use a gimmick or not. Max explains both ways in the DVD. I think these type of effects always plays well with the audience and I would rate this as 4.5 stars.
6. Psychmeiter is a pure mentalism effect and can use up 12 objects to guess which one goes to which spectator. You could use cold reading skills too with this effect or make it a simple revelation effect. I liked this effect the best as it shows some higher level of skills with the performer. Max has a great twist with the last 2 revelations by using a blindfold and it is a gimmick blindfold. But do you really ever need a gimmick blindfold? I would rate this 5 stars.
7. ParaSight is a great magazine test using 4 magazines. This effect would take the most study on the performer's part and plays very well. I found this effect to be well thought out and plays very well. Rated 5 stars.
The 2nd DVD has no effects and is a table type discussion on couches. Max has invited 5 guests to join him to discuss the effects and reveal how they are accomplished. I have mix opinions on this DVD. On one hand I found it very informative and very thorough in explaining the effects, presentations, and history. I have most of the mentalism type DVD's and Max does this the best. On the other hand, I was wondering why he invited so many people when he monopolized the conversation and they hardly said anything or "added" anything. So the benefit of having some great and knowledgeable assistants didn't benefit the DVD set much at all. I was hoping for more of a discussion and that would have made the tape much more valuable. I would rate this as 3.5 stars.
So overall, I would give this a 3.5 star rating as there is some good things on the DVD's but not enough meat to warrant a higher rating.
Max Maven is an amazing personality. His depth of knowledge on magic history and who invented what effects is 2nd to none. This I find fascinating. Watching a Max Maven DVD is like living a history lesson. In this I would give 5 stars.
This DVD does not have a lot of effects. For $100, you could buy his Video Mind series and acquire many more effects and for about the same money. There are only 7 effects on this DVD set with one being a throw away type effect and really would be a 1/2 effect. So if your buying this DVD set for the effects you will feel a let down. I would give 2 stars. But for the quality of effects I would give them 4 stars overall. And this DVD set is not only the effects, but does offer something most DVD's don't and that is a whole DVD with theory and explanations.
The type of effects range from very simple to complex.
1. Disposable Color is an effect that is a throw away type effect. It may not work and if it doesn't then just move on like it didn't happen. Rated Extremely simple.
2. Nile Derivation is also a simple mathematical prediction. It is somewhat clever but simple to do. Rated 2 stars.
3. Synchrostic is a do as I do type effect using watches. I think one could build on this effect to make it greater much like Richard Osterlind's watch effect. But as presented quite simple. Rated 3 stars.
3. Astrologous is more clever and more complex. It uses the astrological signs of your birth and had much more impact to the audience. It is not hard to do but does take some pre-setup type work. I especially like how he sets it up with the previous spectator. Rated 4 stars.
5. Just Chintz is a form of bank night and can use a gimmick or not. Max explains both ways in the DVD. I think these type of effects always plays well with the audience and I would rate this as 4.5 stars.
6. Psychmeiter is a pure mentalism effect and can use up 12 objects to guess which one goes to which spectator. You could use cold reading skills too with this effect or make it a simple revelation effect. I liked this effect the best as it shows some higher level of skills with the performer. Max has a great twist with the last 2 revelations by using a blindfold and it is a gimmick blindfold. But do you really ever need a gimmick blindfold? I would rate this 5 stars.
7. ParaSight is a great magazine test using 4 magazines. This effect would take the most study on the performer's part and plays very well. I found this effect to be well thought out and plays very well. Rated 5 stars.
The 2nd DVD has no effects and is a table type discussion on couches. Max has invited 5 guests to join him to discuss the effects and reveal how they are accomplished. I have mix opinions on this DVD. On one hand I found it very informative and very thorough in explaining the effects, presentations, and history. I have most of the mentalism type DVD's and Max does this the best. On the other hand, I was wondering why he invited so many people when he monopolized the conversation and they hardly said anything or "added" anything. So the benefit of having some great and knowledgeable assistants didn't benefit the DVD set much at all. I was hoping for more of a discussion and that would have made the tape much more valuable. I would rate this as 3.5 stars.
So overall, I would give this a 3.5 star rating as there is some good things on the DVD's but not enough meat to warrant a higher rating.