This was really a ride. Awful at the beginning and great at the end.

Let's start with the great. The three tree/plant productions contained a lot of good material, e.g., making a tree using the appearing plot method, another tree made with a somewhat common object that is cleverly used and looks great for this, and a more traditional approach but implemented through a well gimmicked table.

OK. The Chinese Lantern Production was technically fine, and good metal shop pointers, but it's just not fooling, which while not per se because of Dan still feels hollow.

Balloon and silks: Meh.

But one stare for Dan's cringe worthy rendition of "Tarbell's Mysterious Firecrackers." The "sausage" story was inappropriate (kids buy these videos), and the spectator looked very uncomfortable. Even for an adult audience, I believe this went over line -- because it involved a female spectator. Perhaps the humor itself was OK, but then it should have been done only by the performer.

Wow, what a lesson! I believe this is what Dan had in mind when we wanted to update and modernize the Tarbell course. He has taken a lesson that was out-dated and completely brought it up to date and within the grasp of most performers. It is more likely than not that you won’t be adding any of these pieces as presented in your show; however, the construction and building techniques were enlightening. Below are just a few highlights from this lesson.

- The Firecracker trick all though not my taste was a fun exercise in adapting the text to fit different objects. I’m sure someone will see this adapt it and create a killer routine.
- The Balloon and Silk effect is a fresh pop to the classic silk reproduction. It is within the grasp of the starting magi but could also go in the act of a working professional. It’s simple, direct and is worth trying.
- The Chinese Lantern Production is a production box stage performers should revisit. It’s innocent looking and Dan walks you through every step of the construction process.
- Dan shows you the best way to cut sheet metal using handheld power tools.
- Dan’s production trees are the best I’ve seen
- The production palm tree is the real winner of this lesson. I’m making one! It's visual, something no one has seen and uses a device that magicians, myself included, have overlooked

If you are a creative magician who loves to learn and try something new I would recommend getting this lesson. If you like the trailer and the effects described it’s well worth taking a look

Interesting lesson with different types of effects. Dan revamped the first trick in this lesson to be a tranposition between crackers and salami with the appearance of cheese in a can and a very clever appearance of many items from a box that can be shown empty prior to all productions.

Highly recommended

This was really a ride. Awful at the beginning and great at the end.

Let's start with the great. The three tree/plant productions contained a lot of good material, e.g., making a tree using the appearing plot method, another tree made with a somewhat common object that is cleverly used and looks great for this, and a more traditional approach but implemented through a well gimmicked table.

OK. The Chinese Lantern Production was technically fine, and good metal shop pointers, but it's just not fooling, which while not per se because of Dan still feels hollow.

Balloon and silks: Meh.

But one stare for Dan's cringe worthy rendition of "Tarbell's Mysterious Firecrackers." The "sausage" story was inappropriate (kids buy these videos), and the spectator looked very uncomfortable. Even for an adult audience, I believe this went over line -- because it involved a female spectator. Perhaps the humor itself was OK, but then it should have been done only by the performer.

Love my Tarbell, very good collection to have and Dan does a great job as usual.

The Mango tree growth trick is still performed in streets of India. I am writing this because Dan Harlan seems to be a bit skeptical about this trick. There are few street magicians in India who still perform this trick and it is a true miracle.

Thanks

Wow! Interesting ideas and mega-stars for all the construction. The flowers/bushes look great!