428: Will Fern Brings It!

Will Fern is the life of any party. I have said it to his face and behind his back, he is my favorite close-up magician. He may not be as creative as Johnny Thompson nor have the manipulative skills of Lennart Green, but for my money, he always knows how to make people laugh in any situation. That's why he "brings it". I know this sounds like a promotional endorsement, but it's not intended to be. It's just that I love watching his audience. His enthusiasm in infectious and his quick wit is a compliment to his personality.

Will refers to himself as a "40 miler" meaning that he generally performs in a small radius from his home. That's good news for the rest of us because if others outside his New Jersey home saw him, then there would be less work for the rest of us!

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:08:41 - In this week's podcast, Will Fern talks about working at restaurants and strolling, corporate events. He has great advice on preparing to entertain and HOW to entertain by keeping the focus on the guests (volunteers) rather than on the magician's tricks.

01:16:24 - Product Review: Pierce by Jibrizy Taylor from SansMinds. A "straw-through-cap" of water bottle. Somewhat "angley" but for the street performer and someone wanting to make a good YouTube video and get good reactions, this one is recommended with reservations.

01:20:33 - Product Review: Untouched by Ryuhei Nakamura from SansMinds. Again, this one is for the street performer and could look great on YouTube videos. All in Japanese with English subtitles, this is the real work on hook-up of your ITR in full light. Recommended with reservations.

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427: Geoff Williams - The Man Behind The Hand

Geoff Williams is a funny guy. Many of the best comedians are "naturally" funny, or so it would seem. Geoff seems to me to have that quality. As to the title of this week's podcast it comes from the many pictures I have seen of Geoff with someone's hand waving in front of his face. But Geoff is the funny man behind the waving hands. He also posts daily puns on his Facebook page which is worth visiting each day just to start your day with a smile.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:48 - Geoff Williams talks about writing his daily puns and how he creates/writes comedy by using "mind mapping", and he tells about his YouTube videos called "Brain Candy" that is worth watching. Along the ways he gives some good tips on creativity.

00:57:57 - Product Review: "Signs" by Manuel Llaser from Vernet Magic. You are able to decode "doodles" on business cards that shows your prediction of selected cards. Recommended.

01:02:09 - Product Review: "Survival Kit" from SansMinds. Five tricks are taught how to make when you are otherwise unprepared to perform in an impromptu situation. Not recommended.

426: Adrian Vega - From Spain With Love

Spanish Close-Up Winner, Adrian Vega, has a passion for magic. His love and respect for the art of magic (and cards in particular) shows through with his performance. And his engaging and charismatic personality is the same off stage as it is on stage. At the young age of 28 years old, Adrian has accomplished a lot including touring with Criss Angel's show "The Supernaturalists". Adrian is a graduate of Juan Tamariz' school of magic in Madrid, Spain and now is a visiting "professor" there from time to time.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:07:15 - Adrian Vega talks about Juan Tamariz' magic school in Madrid and how the classes are structured. He also chats about first meeting Criss Angel and working in his "The Supernaturalists" tour

01:13:17 - Product Review: "Imagination Box" by Olivier. In one effect, a small object (i.e. candy) is drawn on the card box then with a "magic pass", it turns into a real piece of candy. Not recommended.

01:18:05 - Product Review: "Card Clone" by Big Blind Media. An updated version of "Color Monte" using facsimiles of credit cards. Clever and recommended.

428: Will Fern Brings It!

427: Geoff Williams - The Man Behind The Hand

426: Adrian Vega - From Spain With Love

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