I have watched through the lesson, but there is so much content that we “magicians” typically don’t pay attention to, I thought it wise to go over this one multiple times. To make this easy I decided to convert the lesson into an mp3 where I can listen to it over and over again. I refer to this lesson as my therapy for being a magician.

This lesson brings so many elements together to create the moment, the effect. I sometimes forget about the importance of the why because I’m so interested in the how. Man is it cooler to have the entire package instead of the battery that runs the machine. I mean, a battery is cool and important but that’s not why the gadget is cool. Just as the method is incredibly interesting it’s not nearly as interesting if there is a wonderful reason for the effect besides “check me out”. Don’t get me wrong, I want to be “checked out” (so to speak) if it’s positive attention. But I would rather have the moment be more magical then just “see how cool I am”. This lesson really drives that home for me. Hence the repeated listening in my car time and time again.

Dan Harlan is a genius, truly a genius. Subscribe to this if you want help in learning how to be a better magician. I saw one review where a gentleman had mentioned he thought one particular lesson had so much preparation that it wasn’t worth performing the effects. I 100 percent disagree with that review. I feel that in the last few years going through these lessons that I’m just now learning what it takes to truly be a magician. The fun that goes into the work, that goes into the understanding and the pride when you have a finished a piece of magic is so much more rewarding. It’s as though my relationship with magic is deeper due to the extra dedication that I put into it. Dan Harlan is my couples counselor and magic is my mistress (it’s okay, my wife knows).

This is a must for any performer. Information given in this lecture is as important as the working of any effect. This will take your magic from just a trick to entertainment. If you are interested becoming an extraordinary Entertainer here is step one!

This course started off by differentiating someone who does tricks and someone who is a magician. This lesson is essential for magicians.

I learned the basics of lighting - I went from knowing nothing to knowing something. I learned how to handle different types of stages. I learned how to avoid dead time. Surprisingly, I learned a really good tip on standing still. There is a conceptual portion near the end that I'll be revisiting. All of the advice is made up-to-date, and it notes the changes since the book was written. The lesson is mainly about stage performances but there are lots of things that apply to all forms of magic.

Problems? There is some material repeated from earlier trick-less lessons. There is nothing on sound effects.

It is entertainingly put together and a joy to watch. Dan Harlan clearly put a lot of effort into this one.

This lesson doesn't contain tricks but true magic is more than tricks or selights or effects. Dan completely understands this and takes you through the finer theatrical points of magic. Dan teaches each segment with the detail and humor you've become accustomed to while at the same time delivering hard hitting information. This lesson was enjoyable to watch from start to finish and is a must for all performers as I'm sure everyone can take away something from this lesson.

I would have loved to see Dan explore small travel savvy options for lighting, backdrops, music systems etc for the performer who wants to present their show in different venues (banquet halls, house parties, etc), but over all the lesson is a wonderful class on magic theatre. In a world where tricks reign supreme it's refreshing to see someone focus on the art of theatre.

I enjoyed this detailed
Dan explained so many thinks about stage. I recommend this lecture to people who are not doing stage too

BUT it ended suddenly when dan was explaining practice and rehearsal

I have been a subscriber to the Tarbell series since it started and have watched them all. Some of them are really good and others are great. This one is beyond great! If you are looking for a new double lift or some new slant on the pass, look earlier in the series.
However, if you are looking for "real secrets" that can take your entertainment to the next level, this is the one you want. To say that Dan knows his way around the entertainment world is an understatement an all of this shows up very clearly in this lesson. The information here far, far exceeds the price. No one should pass this up. It is GOLD!

Love all the material in this series

This is another video from Dan Harlan in the Tarbell series where traditional magic isn't being taught but the lesson(s) are just as important as a move. This is easily one of the best magic/non-magic downloads you can buy (along with lesson 34 - Routining a Show). I learned a LOT more and found the information to be insanely useful. You don't have to be a traditional magician to have these - if you're a walk around magician, a mentalist or just know a couple of card tricks - if you take this information and use it, you could be performing amazing and engaging magic.

I was a theater major... many, many decades ago. I loved getting this refresher course from Dan. It brings back so many memories. I even learned some stuff because the technology today is so much more advanced. I wish I had some of these new gadgets and toys at my disposal in my days.

Loved the whole thing!

I was a theater major... many, many decades ago. I loved getting this refresher course from Dan. It brings back so many memories. I even learned some stuff because the technology today is so much more advanced. I wish I had some of these new gadgets and toys at my disposal in my days.

Loved the whole thing!