370: My Week At The Magic Castle - 2017: Part Four

This episode wraps up my week of short conversations with "Knights of the Castle" who were either performing with me that week or passing through and agreed to chat for a few moments. There will be additional, longer episodes devoted to longer conversations with some people in and around the Los Angeles area in upcoming podcasts.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:12 - Carl Christman, local California mentalist talks about his craft.

00:17:03 - Simon Coronel and Armado Lucero back stage of the close-up Gallery share some laughs.

00:26:20 - Paul Green chats with Scott in the lobby of the Magic Castle

00:30:28 - Martin Cox, from the U.K., was the Master of Ceremonies in the Palace of the Castle all this week and talks about his experience.

00:44:40 - chats with Jack Goldfinger, Bruce Gold and Jon Armstrong

00:59:45 - a wrap of the whole week by Scott Wells from the airport

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345: Marcie Hume Documents Magicians - Life in the Impossible

Marcie Hume, co-director and co-producer of the recently released documentary, "Magicians - Life in the Impossible" visits us this week to talk about her new film. It follows the lives of four magicians over four years: Jon Armstrong, Brian Gillis, Jan Rouven, and David Minkin. After 18 months of editing, it was finally ready. As they say on the website:

MAGICIANS follows four very different professional magicians on stage and off, exploring how and why these characters so passionately dedicate their lives to the artistry and craft of illusion: from the most humbling of road gigs to the grandest performances on the biggest of stages; to finding love to terrible personal loss; and, most dramatically, to the prospect of losing everything for the one constant in their lives: magic.

As we come to understand why each is pursuing his own dream, we’ll discover the greatest secret that has been hidden right before our eyes all along: far more fascinating than the magic are the magicians themselves.

This was just released on Netflix on February 13, 20161 and available in many digital formats for viewing.

Equal parts awe-inspiring and heartbreaking, MAGICIANS captures the world of professional magic and the challenges that come with seeking illusory fame in a business where being sawed in half is the norm. The film follows four magicians on and off stage, exploring why they so passionately dedicate their lives to the craft of illusion.

In the first half of our chat, Marcie Hume talks about being a female mentalist, performances, developing her character, overcoming obstacles in a predominantly male performing art, and growing up and deciding to pursue mentalism rather than magic. In the second half of our chat, she discusses the selection process of who was going to be in the film, the way they decided to film the pieces, and a little about what wasn't said in the final cut. One of the things that we touched on but did not go into any detail was the fate of Jan Rouven which you can find here.

Earn FREE Magic with the Awards Program from The Great American Magic Company

Click the banner to visit the website and learn more about MAGICIANS - Life in the Impossible.

331: Mike Pisciotta - Magic Castle Mixologist and Mystifier

Mike Pisciotta defeated all odds and stiff competition to win the "Close-Up Magician of the Year" from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle). He regularly performs in the Hat and Hare Pub in the "dungeon" of the Castle where he mixes drinks and magic in equal measure. But from time to time, he also performs new material in the Close-Up Gallery.

I recognize that Mike may not be as well-known to the international magic community as he rarely travels or performs outside of Los Angeles, except for his recent Texas lecture tour. But this is one of magic's "jewels" who you need to meet and know.

Esquire Channel's Best Bars in America Episode on LA Speakeasies Featuring The Magic Castle with a special erformance by Mike Pisciotta.

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:02:11 - Mike Pisciotta talks about his surprise as being nominated for the AMA award and his further surprise win, his move from Colorado to Los Angeles and how he took over as the bar magician at the Castle, his inspirations to do bar magic, working with drunks at the bar, developing his act, his creative process, tips on getting TIPS, and more.

00:51:40 -Christopher Talbat's "Bowled Over" is a bowling ball production from a gift bag. A wonderful effect for birthday parties, parlor or stage. Recommended.

00:55:35 - Chris Philpott's "The End of My Rope Trick" is a great cut-and-restored rope trick that can be done impromptu or with gimmicks. This DVD teaches you how to do it both ways plus use other items like wire, string, crepe paper streamer, and even a string of pearls. Recommended.

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

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