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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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262: Just One Thing with Bob Fitch

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Bob Fitch is well known among those who know him well. Of course that is meant to be tongue-in-cheek as of course Bob is a man of many hats...and he wears them all extremely well: actor, director, magician, singer and dancer. A show business legend himself, Bob has appeared in theatrical presentations including: "Funny Things Happened On The Way To The Forum", Will Roger's Follies, Annie, Mack & Mabel, Mame, and many more. He has worked or directed many of the famous celebrities including Liza Minnelli, Steve Martin, Carol Channing, Katherine Hepburn, Jerry Lewis, Mickey Rooney, Carol Burnette, Whoopi Goldberg, just to name a very few.

But among magicians, he is known for his series of three Topit videos and his work with the Fitch Kohler Hold-Out. But perhaps he is best known as someone who helps professionals take their game up another notch. As a director and coach in private workshops, Bob finds and focuses on one thing that will help make their performances achieve greatness. It could be something as simple as eliminating the walk between a volunteer and the performer's table by merely carrying the prop on your person, thus avoiding the lapse in time it takes to make the walk. Or it could be the opposite in which the performer adds that time by walking back and forth. Often times, whatever that "one thing" is turns out to be something that leads the performer to think about other aspects of his/her performance that could use the same kind of attention.

Bob Fitch has won many awards over the years including: Best Director - Nominated - New England Theatre Awards; Best Director & Best Actor - Nominated - Carbonelle Awards (Florida); Burns-Mantle Award (Broadway) for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Annie). And the S.A.M. Parent Assembly awarded Bob with the "Magician of the Year", and in 2009, the Academy of Magical Arts presented him with the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

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Bob Fitch was one of the featured lecturers and performers at this year's T.A.O.M. convention (let me say here again that I found it to be one of the top ten best conventions I have ever attended). In this podcast, Bob talks about several of the things he taught during his lecture plus some of the same stories that he related there, too. If you saw/heard/experienced that lecture, then you will enjoy hearing it again. It's like reading a book a second time and finding a passage you overlooked the first time. If you missed the lecture, then I know you will enjoy and learn at least "one thing" from our chat.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Tagged with Bob Fitch, acting workshop, T.A.O.M., Stephen Bargatze, Bob Sheets.

November 5, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • November 5, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Bob Fitch
  • acting workshop
  • T.A.O.M.
  • Stephen Bargatze
  • Bob Sheets
  • 2 Comments
2 Comments
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261: Project Alpha with Mike Edwards

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After viewing the highly acclaimed documentary, "An Honest Liar" about the career of James "The Amazing" Randi, I wanted to talk with Mike Edwards, the "psychic" who was "tested" along with Steve Shaw (Banachek) over a three year period in the late 70;s to the early 80;s. I have discussed Project Alpha with Banachek many times privately, on the podcast and on an L&L Video (Psi Series Volume 4 - Psychokenisis) but I had never met or spoken with, Mike Edwards, his partner on the project.

The stars aligned with my travel plans to Phoenix, Arizona and Mike's availability so we were able to find a relatively quiet corner in an otherwise busy restaurant and record this chat. It is a completely different perspective from the one I have heard from Banachek and the revelation during the last few minutes of our conversation figuratively "bowled me over". I was not expecting that news. You might be surprised and excited once you hear it, too.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

View fullsize A very young Steve Shaw, Michael Edwards and James "The Amazing" Randi
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Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Click on the banner to visit the page where you can buy "all things by Banachek".

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Order the DVD from Amazon and help support The Magic Word.

Rent the movie from Amazon and help support The Magic Word.

Tagged with Mike Edwards, Michael Edwards, Alpha Project, Banachek, Steve Shaw, James Randi, The Amazing Randi, An Honiest Liar.

October 29, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • October 29, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Mike Edwards
  • Michael Edwards
  • Alpha Project
  • Banachek
  • Steve Shaw
  • James Randi
  • The Amazing Randi
  • An Honiest Liar
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment

260: The Science of Magic with Tony Barnhart, Ph.D.

During the I.B.M. convention in Phoenix in 2013 I came across a flyer from Anthony Barnhart, Ph.D. soliciting subjects for a scientific study about magic. They were looking for magicians to come to the Arizona State University campus to help with a psychological experiment. Well, I was too busy to make it there, but I kept the flyer. Being the "hoarder" that I am (not unlike most magicians, I'm sure), I recently came across that flyer. I decided that it sounded like an interesting subject for the podcast.

Since that time, the Psychologist who was conducting the study has since moved on to another state. I was able to locate him (thank you, Google) and schedule a time for a Skype chat. Tony (as he likes to be called) is now in the Department of Psychological Science at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin and still continuing his study on the Science of Magic.

He references some articles he's published and you can find them here: The special issue of Frontiers in Psychology: http://journal.frontiersin.org/researchtopic/2464/the-psychology-of-magic-and-the-magic-of-psychology Hid blog, where he's written about some of this stuff in a more informal style is at: http://scienceofmagic.org/

You can follow Tony on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/magictony He is on Facebook, too at: http://facebook.com/magictony

His teaching conference (with a magical flare) can be found at: http://skepticalclassroom.com/

For more information, please visit http://www.AnthonyBarnhart.com. The speakers featured in this video include (in no particular order): James Randi (http://www.randi.org) D.J. Grothe (http://www.forgoodreason.org) Dr. Stephen Macknik, Barrow Neurological Institute (http://macknik.neuralcorrelate.com) Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde, Barrow Neurological Institute (http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com) Roland Sarlot & Susan Eyed (http://www.carnivalofillusion.com) Fr.

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View fullsize Tony Barnhart on Skype call

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Still don't have all of Banachek's books, CD's, and DVD's? Then click on the banner above for more information.

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For more information on the greatest video magazine in the whole magic world, click on the graphic above to learn more plus Tuesday Night Tricks (T.N.T.).

For more information on the greatest video magazine in the whole magic world, click on the graphic above to learn more plus Tuesday Night Tricks (T.N.T.).

The third novel in the Eli Marks, magician, mystery series is now available. John Gaspard has done it again and penned another great book that will appeal to magicians and mystery lovers alike. Order your copy now and help support The Magic Word, too, by clicking and ordering through this link. Just click on the graphic to be taken to Amazon.com to learn more and order your copy.

Tagged with Anthony Barnhart Ph.D., The Science of Magic, psychology of magic, Arizona State University, Carthage College, Joseph Jastrow, spiritualsm, NLP, Banachek.

October 22, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • October 22, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Anthony Barnhart Ph.D.
  • The Science of Magic
  • psychology of magic
  • Arizona State University
  • Carthage College
  • Joseph Jastrow
  • spiritualsm
  • NLP
  • Banachek
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

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Antony Gerard - Enigma - Tony talks about his many books, lecture tours, magic shop, remote control creations for Hollywood, archeology, martial arts, and...well, lots more, too. #enigma #archeology #martialarts #podcast #magicbooks #magicdealer
Trigg Watson - Staying Ahead of the Tech Curve - Technology is ever changing so Trigg Watson has to stay ahead of that leading edge to mystify and entertain his audiences. #technology #hightech #hightechmagic #triggwatson #mastersofillusion
Three professionals, three paths, one love for magic. Enjoy this week's episode with Bizzaro Cosy Fisher and Joan DuKore @smappdooda @codysfisher @joandukore
The season has begun. Merry Christmas, y'all.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Magic Word Podcast There will not be a podcast episode today as we take time to give thanks and enjoy conversations with our families. Enjoy your day and have safe travels. #thanksgiving #magicwordpod #magicpodcast #podcas
TRICS 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from Charlotte, NC, at the TRICS convention with talent, organizers, dealers, attendees, and more. #trics #charlottenc #magicconvention #magicwordpod
Tales From The Road 3 One of the popular features each year at Magic At The Beach in Myrtle Beach, is when the talent tells us some of their horror stories from the road. #talesfromtheroad #danadaniels #johnnythompson #bizzaro #codyfisher #charlesbac
Craig Diamond - Around the World in 50 Years - Craig Diamond is a name that may not be familiar to you...yet. That's because has been performing magic on cruise ships since the 1970's. But he is slowing down his cruise ship shows and starting to perf
Antony Gerard - Enigma - Tony talks about his many books, lecture tours, magic shop, remote control creations for Hollywood, archeology, martial arts, and...well, lots more, too. #enigma #archeology #martialarts #podcast #magicbooks #magicdealer Trigg Watson - Staying Ahead of the Tech Curve - Technology is ever changing so Trigg Watson has to stay ahead of that leading edge to mystify and entertain his audiences. #technology #hightech #hightechmagic #triggwatson #mastersofillusion Three professionals, three paths, one love for magic. Enjoy this week's episode with Bizzaro Cosy Fisher and Joan DuKore @smappdooda @codysfisher @joandukore The season has begun. Merry Christmas, y'all. Happy Thanksgiving from The Magic Word Podcast There will not be a podcast episode today as we take time to give thanks and enjoy conversations with our families. Enjoy your day and have safe travels. #thanksgiving #magicwordpod #magicpodcast #podcas TRICS 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from Charlotte, NC, at the TRICS convention with talent, organizers, dealers, attendees, and more. #trics #charlottenc #magicconvention #magicwordpod Tales From The Road 3 One of the popular features each year at Magic At The Beach in Myrtle Beach, is when the talent tells us some of their horror stories from the road. #talesfromtheroad #danadaniels #johnnythompson #bizzaro #codyfisher #charlesbac Craig Diamond - Around the World in 50 Years - Craig Diamond is a name that may not be familiar to you...yet. That's because has been performing magic on cruise ships since the 1970's. But he is slowing down his cruise ship shows and starting to perf

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