What Do You Look For in a Martial Art DVD?

[Hawke]

Greetings Everyone,

Before you purchase a martial art DVD is there a criteria you want it to meet?

Do you look for clips on YouTube?

Read the reviews of the author or the DVD?

Some of things I for are:

Skillful and knowledgeable instructor.

Having all the ukes (demo dummy) be competent.

Easy to follow instructions (or a language I can clearly understand).

Concepts behind the moves.

The technique broken down then repeated at normal speed.

Easy to use menu to skip to any section.

Ability to change camera angle to see the technique done from a different point of view. If we had the technology a 360 camera would be awesome.

Picture in Picture to zoom in on wrist grabs, or feet locks.

If there's music, then have the music go with the culture.

How would you design your DVD if you're going to make one?

What do you look for when you're going to purchase one?

 

[Twin Fist]

special features, deleted scenes, blooper reels

hey, it works for movies, why not MA DVD's?

 

[FearlessFreep]

Jet Li, Jackie Chan for my A list.

Gary Daniels or Oliver Gruner if I'm looking cheap action entertainment

 

[punisher73]

Also, on my list is amount of material. I hate it when I get a DVD and it's 90 minutes, but they spend an inordinate amount of time showing the same thing OVER and OVER. That's what my rewind button and slow-mo is for.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

Truthfully for me the most important thing is the
content being covered. I buy a DVD to see
certain things. So the content is what is most
important!

 

[FieldDiscipline]

Many of the things you look for. A useful list, I will use it to critique potential purchases in future.

The main one for me though is the reputation of the instructor.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I look for pretty girls...

Honestly I look for technique.

You guys remember Jackie Chan's movie "Gorgious"? While a corny movie the footwork by Allen was just awsome. That movie became one of my training DVDs!

Deaf

 

[harlan]

1. Has to be topically specific to training, and have long term value.
2. Commentary has to be in English, or with subtitles...or need no commentary (mostly visual).
3. $20 or less.

Personally, I find old home videos of various sensei training in Okinawa, more interesting.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

1. Has to be topically specific to training, and have long term value.
2. Commentary has to be in English, or with subtitles...or need no commentary (mostly visual).
3. $20 or less.

Personally, I find old home videos of various sensei training in Okinawa, more interesting.

I am with you absolutely on old video footage being great!

 

[terryl965]

I look for a person that is making it for real life and not all the fantasie **** you see in alot of them. Just once I would like to see someone put in a multiple attracker video the truth. Like you are going to het your *** kick so do your best and get away as fasy as possible, not this **** when three people jump you can can defend them one at a time. In reall life being jump is by all and not them taking turns.

Just my bias opinion.

 

[tshadowchaser]

If it is a technical DVD that I want to learn from then the instructor and the material covered are what I look for. If it is a DVD for my entertainment then there are many different things I look for but the actor will be on the top of the list

 

[chinto01]

I agree with the people above who enjoy the old footage of the Okinawan Sensei's. Have you seen the Chibana Sensei dvd?

In the spirit of bushido!

Rob

 

[Hawke]

Hey guys,

Thanks for posting your response.

I agree that content is very important.

Is there a way to make the content more clear?

Better lighting? So you can actually see the moves done.

Better camera angles? Multiple angles for each technique?

Clear, concise explanation of the technique.

Variations of the same techniques for the "what if" scenarios to get a better understanding of the meaning behind the moves.

Nicely planned out menu.

Any other thoughts?

 

[tshadowchaser]

Hawke

I think your last post may be a good topic for a separate thread if you care to make one. If not seeing as you started this thread I see no reason why it can not be answered here. Your choice

sheldon