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REVIEWS

Juggler's World Video Review

Videos -'Jugglercise" (Ages 5 and above, 30 minutes); 'Juggling Star" (Ages 7 and above, 30 minutes); 'Juggler's Jam" (Ages 9 and above, 30 minutes); 'Juggling for Success at Hazel Dell School" (15 minutes); 'Juggling Step-by-Step" (Youth to Adult, Two hours). All produced by Jugglebug or the Juggling Institute, Seattle, WA.

These videos are follow-up to the "JuggleTime" video reviewed previously. Taken as a whole, they cover a wide range of teaching situations, from beginners to intermediate, and children to adults. Jugglebug Productions continues to demonstrate an energetic interest in taking the joy of juggling to ever-greater audiences.

"Jugglercise" concentrates solely on scarf juggling, not only as a pastime in itself, but also as an adjunct to an exercise program. Through 12 different music videos (many also in the 'Juggle Time" video) that constantly change musical styles, the viewer's heartbeat can definitely rise. Although the kind of exercise the video demonstrates is not, strictly speaking, "aerobic," it is fun and easy to take. Dave Finnigan uses a number of different people with different body types: a nice attempt at modeling for a wide range of audiences. I suspect that any music exercise video gets old after repeated hearings, but at least after this tape, the viewer can go on to other music and still keep juggling.

"Juggling Star" contains 12 short music videos that lead the viewer through juggling with three or four balls or beanbags. Finnigan stabilizes the basic cascade through a number of clever devices (juggling in an imaginary phone booth can help prevent you from walking forward, for instance), but he doesn't stop there. Reverse cascade, bouncing patterns, four balls, and even creating your own tricks are all covered. If I could only give one video to a beginning child juggler who had no live teacher to consult, this would be it.

"Juggler's Jam" gamely attempts to teach rings, clubs, cigar boxes, diabolo, devil stick, ball spinning and five balls in the space of 30 minutes and 12 videos. There may be too much covered in such a short video as this; I felt that there really needed to be some "chunking down" with some of the props into more easily assimilated pieces (rather than just hearing a singer zip through key points).

There are, however, some fine models of prop juggling in this video. Simply watching competent young jugglers do basic patterns may be all many children need to get started.

"Juggling for Success at Hazel Dell School" is an intriguing 15-minute documentary that showcases a classroom-based juggling program instituted in Washington state. There are many examples of student juggling sessions, interviews with teachers and the principal. As a tool for developing self-esteem, studentto-student teaching skills, and self-confidence, Finnigan's program for school children is a wonderful attempt to develop kinestheticallybased learning (something sadly lacking in many American educational programs) without the expense and competitive aspects of traditional physical education classes. I recommend this video to all teachers in school systems anywhere who are looking for more creative ways to engage students' enthusiasm, self-respect and discipline.

"Juggling Step-by-Step" may be the best overview of the widest variety of juggling skills yet to appear on video. Patterned on Finnigan's popular book by the same name, this video is structured in four units: Unit 1 covers the fundamentals of scarves, beanbags, balls, rings and clubs. Unit 2 deals with cigar boxes, devil stick, diabolo, hats, passing balls. Unit 3 is advanced club juggling, passing 6,7 and 8 rings and clubs. Unit 4 explores the intricacies of 4, 5, 6 and 7 balls, club swinging, and torches.

Using slow motion to re-cap more complex patterns, occasional close-ups on hand or foot action, as well as clear and friendly voice-over by Finnigan, this is an inspiring piece of work. Numerous experts in the various specialties dazzle the viewer with their skills. I cannot imagine a juggling teacher or aficionado who would want to be without such a smoothlyproduced and wide-ranging example of so many specialties.

- by Craig Turner

The Contract Book. By Jim Kleefeld. Contemporary Magic; Avon OH. 48 pages, spiral bound. $13.50, postage paid.

While the title of this work is rather dry and uninspiring, the philosophy and content are anything but. The author is a professional magician in the Cleveland area and has been a regular contributor to several magic and entertainment magazines for several years. In The Contract Book, Kleefeld has compiled several years of experience about the business end of entertaining and put them into a highly usable form. While slightly slanted toward magic and magicians, the books is aimed directly at anyone who entertains for a fee on a freelance basis.

The first section of the book details the reasons for using contracts in an entertainment business. Kleefeld clearly outlines the pros and cons of requiring a contract as part of booking a show. He does not promise that having a contract will solve every problem an entertainer will have with a client. Rather, when properly used, a contract will help prevent most problems before they happen. The client will know that you are dependable and prepared and that you expect to be promptly paid for your services. But, requiring a formal contract may scare off a casual client and the contract is no iron-clad guarantee of payment. Also covered are the areas of show cancellation, video taping, cover letters and performer liability.

The second section of the book outlines the performer's options for printing and using a contract form. A full range of methods for tailoring and printing, from the home computer with a good-quality printer to having them professionally printed on letterhead bond, are presented. The up and down sides, convenience and cost, are plainly given. Kleefeld provides solid advice on how and when to mail and sign the contract plus how to keep records of the entire transaction from the first phone call to the deposited payment.

The final section of the book is made up of a dozen formatted contract blanks, two forms of booking sheets, plus an example of a cover letter. The contract forms cover a very wide range of applications. The most informal is written for a child's birthday party and the most formal could be used for a show at the American Bar Association's annual picnic. The formats can be photocopied and used straight from the book (permission is provided for this on the copyright page) or adapted for the specific needs of any situation.