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Mark Elsdon: Meridian Technique Review
Two DVDs, one concept, a ton of examples and discussion and live performances, three hours and $45 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect/Method/Ad Copy Integrity
What you're getting is a concept. It's a way to truly add value to your paid performances. The concept is based on the style of T.V. magic specials where there is a big trick at the end, but all throughout the T.V. show, the narrator teases the upcoming final big trick. It keeps people watching. Mark Elsdon has applied this to strolling magic at a restaurant. During his strolling sets, he teases a big event that will be happening at the end of his shift.
This concept adds huge value to the owner/manager of the venue and/or the person who hired you. At the end of the shift you have a huge crowd of 40 or so people gathered around for one last final effect. Read the ad copy, which is 100% accurate, to get a feel for the concept.
Product Quality
This concept was originally released as a booklet. For your $45 you get two DVDs and a PDF version of the original booklet.
DVD
The DVDs are well produced, well lit, well mic'd and easy to navigate.
The PDF looks great and covers the same concepts that are in the DVD as well as the same effects plus a couple more effects. I didn't read the whole thing. I just skimmed to see what information is covered.
Teaching
The teaching on the DVD is done extremely well. First, we're given a brief overview of the concept. Next we see several live clips of Mark Elsdon at the tables "teasing" the upcoming grand finale. Then we see the performance of the grand finale. Several different effects are used as the grand finale and there is live footage of most of them. This is to give you an idea of what kind of effect could be used as the grand finale. Obviously if you're working a venue on a regular basis, you'll want to change what the grand finale is each night you perform.
Some of the effects he uses for the grand finale are marketed effects. However, he covers the methods (with permission of the creators) of everything. You'll still need to purchase the effects if you decide to use them. However, this is not necessarily needed. In other words, you don't have to use the effects he does. He's teaching you a concept, and the chosen effects help to illustrate the point.
After watching this set of DVDs, you'll be able to decide what type of material works for you and your grand finale. Every detail about how to tease the finale, why to do it, where to do it, how to do it, who it benefits, etc., etc., etc. is covered in great depth.
Final Thoughts
If you're a working pro, this concept is a must-add to your repertoire. It will keep you employed longer. It will ensure that people (audience and booker) will remember you. It adds tangible value to your marketability and to the venue. If you do strolling magic at all, this is a must-have DVD.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
5 Comments
It seems odd that the ad copy specifically mentions his restaurant residency. As you mention, while a bar could be a place to do this since people might buy more (although I think even there it could be a bunch of people waiting around just for the final trick without buying anything else), at a restaurant, this would be the exact opposite of what the owner would want.
And yes, saying what he did about the smash effect is irresponsible. I don’t recommend doing this for the faint of heart, but there are videos which can be found of people seriously injuring themselves doing this trick.
@Bart – Yup . . . Regarding his restaurant residency, it’s a restaurant/bar, so it’s a happy medium in there. Plus he mentioned that oftentimes, people leave after their meal and come back to the bar just for the finale. He does a great job at building up the final effect.
In the UK, most restaurants have bars where people can gather. Indeed there are more restaurant residencies than purely in bars. Obviously, you need to pick a venue where you can collect that many people together, so it won’t suit everywhere.
Certainly got me thinking.
Does he teach Bob Cassidy’s Card Memory trick on the DVD?
@Zach – Yes sir. He does. He rushes through it pretty quickly, but if you watch it a couple of times, you’re good.