What do you think of the movie "Paul Wilson-the resteraunt act"? I am buying it and wonder what others think of it

Solid pracical restaurant magic. Check this out http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=111

Chappelly

I'm actually not a huge fan of The Restaurant Act, but I loved Knock 'Em Dead. I think it's probably mostly a matter of taste.

That Chop Cup routine will never fly in the real world.
Other tables can see exactly what Your up to.

Working in restaurants can be a bit like working the street : you're surrounded and spectators sometimes can see a ditch, etc.

It may not be Paul wilson's best release but at least he spelled "restaurant" correctly. No offense !!!

Wayne - years ago I saw Paul do his Chop cup routine many times in the restaurant he worked at. In total I think I saw it at least 30 or 40 times in anger, and it _always_ got a good reaction. At one point he performed it for my sister and several years later, despite forgetting his name, she would still tell people about the 'lemon trick'.

I also spoke with the wait staff at the restaurant (we would hang out there a lot) and all but one of them never saw the loads. The one who did had deliberately watched carefully from behind. She then said how dissappointed she was that she knew the secret.

Notwithstanding the originality of the rest of the tape, Lean Chop is an excellent working routine, which I saw evolve over time. I recommend you give it a go.

Take care, Ian

Too little variation in effects. Almost only secret transfers. Cards, coins, sponges etc are invisibly jumping around, into hands, wallets, from there to there etc. Very well done, but to the specs it is the same effect over and over again, but with different objects of cource, so that is a kind of variation. I think it is a good idea to vary types of effects more...

I personally enjoyed his theory behind working in restaurants.

Some of his material also gives insight as to what works well in the real world and what doesn't.

The STRUCTURE of his act is something to be studied as it allows you, the magician, to cater to each individual table accordingly. Also note that in his structuring he has made it such that he is reset for the next table after completing his act!

If you don't buy it for the effects, buy it for the knowledge.

Take care guys,

Logan

Logan is correct . It is a case study on how to successfully structure a Restaurant Act.

I think it was ok in its day. Some descent ideas regarding routining, prop management, etc. I was glad I got it and would sell it without guilt.

Today, if you compare it to Kozmo's Jailhouse, it's probably not worth getting anymore.

It is different in that it focuses more on prop management and routining through an entire set.

The Jailhouse is far superior. If asked, that's what I'd recommend.

I think the restaurant act DVD suffers from not including more of his truly live footage (not the studio shoot). They play a few seconds at the begginning and end of the DVD and I think that would have been good to add

Agreed.

For what it was at the time, it was good. I still enjoy watching it today.

Compared to Kozmo's DVDs I think this is outdated. Dan Tong's stuff is really strong, and it is all done for real customers.

I have not seen Jailhouse, buy I know it is excellent.

Kozmo's stuff is the best.
James

I recieved the video's today! I wathced it all the way through. I thought it was'nt that bad.

Magicchris, when I'm working the streets you don't see anything I was once a street performer...and I STILL AM!

thanks for the kind owrds on the jaihouse

koz