224: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Five

This one is a doozie. Lots of interesting people, diverse backgrounds, and wonderful stories. From one extreme to another. We talk with one of the servers who works at the Magic Castle, then one of the long time performers, then a couple Television personalities, comedians and authors. If you don't learn something from one, then you will from another. There is definitely something for everyone in this one.

Here are the timestamps for this podcast:

00:03:13 - Patrick Benneyworth is an actor who moonlights as a server at the Magic Castle...or is it the other way around? He talks about how he came to work at the Castle plus how he balances his acting career. I think his is an oft-heard story around Hollywood from aspiring actors.

00:09:46 - Rob Zabrecky talks about his work and his wife who he gives credit for as being the inspiration and creator of many of his ideas.

00:25:20 - Andrew Mayne is more than a magician. Here he talks about his upcoming mystery novel, "Name of the Devil", that will be released in July.

00:29:52 - Steve Valentine, Chris Philpott, Paul Vigil, and Alan Bursky are at the "Cary Grant" table during the Friday "Members' Lunch" as I sit in with my microphone and capture "lightening in a bottle". I'm glad I was in the right place at the right time. This short conversation is hilarious.

00:46:58 - Michael Perovich, author of "The Vernon Companion" talks about his time with Dai Vernon and the book that came as an outgrowth of spending a lot of time with "the Professor".

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click on the image above to see more information about Andrew Mayne's newest product, the "Trigger clip"

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Our special online documentary series on Naked Stages' ongoing production of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". Featuring Patrick Benneyworth Videography and Post-Production by Lauren Street

223: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Four

This week we again enter the Magic Castle and whisper "Open Sesame" into the ear of the owl on the bookcase, the sliding panel opens to where we greet and we talk with friends both old and new.

This week we sit down at the bar with one of the Magic Word listeners (and a "Friend of The Magic Word) and his wife to talk about magic in his life; a quick chat with Chris Philpott (creator of "The 100th Monkey"; a few reminisces with Milt Larsen, widely known as the "builder" of The Magic Castle; a stroll to breakfast with Paul Vigil; then another magician/mentalist named Paul from Salt Lake City, Paul Draper, talks about mentalism and showmanship; and, Christian Cagigal talks about his one man show and a new film project that is getting some traction around the U.S. You can view a "teaser trailer" of the film below.

NOW AND AT THE HOUR (Teaser Trailer) from Ersatz Film on Vimeo.

00:02:28 - Daniel WIll and his wife, Judy, are my first guests as we join them in the main bar, with "Irma the Invisible Piano Player" is playing in the background. He talks about his involvement in magic with the Boy Scouts organization.

00:07:09 - Chris Philpott, creator of the 100th Monkey effect, happened to walk by just as I completed my chat with Daniel and Judy Will. We talked about his product and its popularity. I was able to catch him with Steve Valentine for a quick "elevator conversation" before they had to rush to be seated for the show in the Palace.

00:09:04 - Milt Larsen talks about his radio broadcast on CRN "Hear Them Again" plus the building of the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts plus the recent changes in the name and usage of "The Magic Castle"

00:30:29 - Paul Vigil, talks about his most recent effect he is working on for his show, the "Q&A Act" and his thoughts on disclaimers.

00:39:38 - Paul Draper, talks about how to practice new routines and break them into your act.

01:04:30 - Christian Cagigal talks about his new documentary entitled "Now And At The Hour" chronicling his one-man magic show and how it was developed based on his life with his father who was a Viet Nam veteran with PTSD.

Click on the picture above to visit the Penguin Magic website for more information on this fantastic trick.

Steve Spill's new book was launched at The Academy of Magical Arts on May 12, 2015. Order your copy from Amazon (and support The Magic Word) by clicking on this graphic.

221: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part Two

It's Saturday morning and the Magic Castle swap meet is in full swing. Apparently they let in a lot of people from the general public because I heard several people talking about how crowded it was this year. I did have several people tell me that this was the first time they had ever been inside the Magic Castle since it is a private club and this was the only time they knew they could get in. I think something must have been posted on some social media that opened the doors to more than those who were supposed to have been allowed inside.

In this podcast we chat with several people who were in and around the swap meet like Joe Porper, Scott Jenkins, Terry Lunceford and Andrew Goldenhirsh. We also spend some time talking with Doc Eason who was performing for two weeks at the W.C. Fields bar. And we wrap up with a chat with a two time winner of the Magic Castle strolling magic award, Steven Himmel.

00:02:42 - Funny Eddie talks about what happened to Dean Dill's magic stuff.

00:04:22- Joe Porper talks about his life and beginnings as a craftsman

00:09:44 - Scott Jenkins is the marketing manager for all of Joe Porper's magic and he tells us where to find it plus a new marketing plan to bring down the prices a bit.

00:11:53 - Terry Lunceford has sold thousands of hand made snake baskets. How many? He tells us here.

00:16:29 - It's Andre Goldenhirsh's birthday. We wish him a happy birthday.

00:20:05 - Doc Eason tells us a lot about what he's been up to over the past several years plus a new project that he hopes to leave as a lasting legacy.

00:52:55 - Two time winner of the Magic Castle Strolling award, Steven Himmel chats about this contest.