shaping DVD'S??

i want to expand and start to shape…repairs and glassing i know…shaping i dont… i have several friends who are famous shapers and i hang in there bay and talk story and pick up a few tid bits here and there…but i dont want to be running back and forth asking question after question as i labor over my first blank…there seems to be some shaping DVD’s out there any recomendations.??..also what do i look for when purcasing a blank …i plan on a longboard… traditional regular rocker…50/50 rails…squash tail…concave nose…my plan is just …to do a knock -off of a board in my quiver …MAHALO