239: I.B.M. 2015 Convention - Day Two

Day two in Jacksonville had the second day of stage contests plus the beginning of the "Big Three" shows. The "Big Three" shows are when the registrants are broken up into three separate, color-coded groups and see one of the three events each day. On one day a group will see the David & Leeman show. On the second day, that group will see the David Cox show. And on the third day that group will see the close-up show that features Michael Dardant, Dan Garrett, Paul Cummins, Suzanne, Boris Wild and Chad Long. The other groups will see alternate shows each day. I think you get the idea.

The evening show at the Florida Theater had excitement as patrons entered the theater with Kozmo performing in the lobby. The evening stage show, "Shenanigans", featured Eric Buss along with John & Lari Lynn Shyrock, Ivan Pecel and Greg Shibley.

Context Chairman, Oscar Munoz, announced the six stage finalists who will appear in the Friday Night Show:

From New Hampshire: David Chandler

From Japan: Hannah

From Florida: David Hernandez

From Illinois: Trent James

From Michigan: Stuart McDonald

From Nevada: Chris Randall

The late night lecture back at the hotel was the always hilarious, Tom Mullica!

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:01:32 - Ted and Marian Outerbridge, illusionists from Canada, talk about touring with a big illusion show.

00:13:33 - Incoming International President of the I.B.M., Joe Turner, talks about his vision and goals for the organization in the upcoming year.

00:28:03 - David & Leeman talk about their experience on America's Got Talent TV show, their cooperative union on-stage personalities and how they interact with each other.

0043:35: - Lion Fludd talks about his mentalism contest show, preparing for a contest, his one-man show in Las Vegas and his road from magic to mentalism

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.

#187 - Kevin James, The Inventor

Kevin James has been called many things, performer, creator, manufacturer, world traveler, author, lecturer, producer and all around great guy. But what he's perhaps best known for is his moniker he has been tagged with for The Illusionists world tour: Inventor.

Certainly Kevin has had his share of inventing original, commercial tricks he has released like "Living Hand", "Floating Rose", "Snow" and "Bowl-A-Rama", among many others. He has won the "Parlour Magician of the Year" from the Academy of Magical Arts and competed in the second season of "America's Got Talent" (sic) where he advanced to the semi-finals. Kevin was also on CBS TV on "World's Greatest Magicians at the Magic Castle". He had a three year run in Paris' Crazy Horse, a multi-year contracts in Las Vegas with the Riviera in "Splash" and at the Greek Isles Casino "The World's Greatest Magic Show".

In this podcast, I caught up with Kevin before his tech rehearsal for his performance at the 2014 Texas Association of Magicians convention in Ft. Worth, Texas. We sat in the quiet theatre before the construction and hub-bub started and talked about The Illusionists world tour, his creations and his process for creating and his association with Gaeton Bloom, his experience on "America's Got Talent" (sic) and advice for others considering an audition. He also talked about some of his performances around the world and his early upbringing and association with the Long Beach Mystics.

This is a very insightful and thorough look at Kevin's magical world and career. Join us as we look through the eyeglasses of Kevin James.

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. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Can't get enough magic podcasts? Why eat alone? Enjoy these irregular podcasts as I take my microphone along and record conversations over lunch, dinner or drinks. It's raw, unedited, something different and fun! Enjoy "Meals with Magicians".

160: Leon Etienne Has Talent

Leon Etienne and Romy Low finished in lucky number 13th place in Season Eight of "America's Got Talent". Their road to fame didn't come overnight. It took two years from the first contact until they appeared on AGT. Leon talks on this podcast about a lot of stuff people might like to know whether or not you have aspirations to ever appear as a "reality" show contestant.

You won't believe your eyes when illusionist Leon Etienne and Romy Low perform one of their illusions on the America's Got Talent stage.

While I was at the 2014 F.F.F.F. convention, I sat down with Leon to chat about getting on AGT, why he wanted to do it, why others should try it, behind the scenes, reality show contracts, doors opened by his appearance on this show, and more. He also talked about creating illusions, his future plans, and four-walling in Las Vegas among other topics. We covered a lot of ground during this podcast that runs just a little over a half hour.

Not all contestants have the same experience or stories to tell as we hear from Leon. If you are interested in what you might expect, then you will be interested in reviewing the contract that people who audition must sign. You can view that contract here: http://www.performers.net/junk/agreement.pdf

As reported in the New York Post, "Once a person is chosen for the show, they are required to allow producers to shape their personal background however they want, even if the stories they present to the public are not true, according to the contract. Producers are also allowed to “trick, exploit and embarrass” contestants during the course of the show, without fear of the contestants being able to sue them. In addition, the contestants are put on a “Talent Hold” for one year after the show, which forbids them from trying to get new publicity or endorsement deals from anyone but NBC."

Among the more onerous provisions of the contract, you will find:

Producers or NBC can force a contestant to participate in an additional reality show for up to one year after they appear on ‘AGT.’ Contestants may not go on any other reality show for a year after taping ends.
If an act is disqualified, “Producer and the Network may make any explanation or announcement, on-air or otherwise…as to the reason why.” (So basically, they can say tell the public whatever they want about why the act was disqualified…even if it’s not true.)
Camera crews from the show can follow contestants anywhere they want– even into the bathroom! Contestants must agree to allow cameras into “any other area in which a person under other circumstances might have a reasonable expectation of privacy.”
If the voting system “fails,” producers get to decide which contestants advance and which ones get sent home. Contestants may not challenge the producers’ decision.
Producers may disqualify a contestant for “no reason at all.” Producers can also disqualify them if they decline to sign any other documents that the producers may come up with at a later date.
Contestants are not allowed to take any personal photos during the show without getting permission from the producers.

So just be aware of what you are doing, what your signing and why you are agreeing to audition. As Leon (and others say), you should have a plan and an end game in mind as to why you want to get the notoriety. Just keep in mind that the notoriety that you receive might not always be good!

Magic & Martinis' Thursday

239: I.B.M. 2015 Convention - Day Two

#187 - Kevin James, The Inventor

160: Leon Etienne Has Talent

Magic & Martinis' Thursday

The Magic Word