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.

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298: Mike Robinson - Just Venting

Mike Robinson is one of the busiest and most successful acts that you have probably never heard of. More than just a ventriloquist, Mike Robinson prefers to be introduced as "The Unique Comedy of Mike Robinson" so his vent act comes as a surprise. He does magic, stand-up comedy, music, juggling, as well as ventriloquism. But his interests include martial arts, playing music, family, and taking advantage of his spare time.

Mike talks about some of his favorite podcasts he listens to; questions he is often asked by his audience; carrying his dummy through TSA and what people ask to see; filling a full show with one vent character versus having several dummies (if the audience doesn't like one character, then they might like the next one); the importance of having additional strong material in reserve either for cruise ships or for corporate shows; his roots in magic, comedy and ventriloquism; his “old school” way of scripting using pen and paper; the importance of mentorship and finding a mentor to help your act; his influences on his career; how he learned ventriloquism; tips and suggestions to those who are interested in learning to be a vent; and much, much more.

Perhaps his best advice for those wanting to learn ventriloquism is to buy a dummy/puppet later, but first learn to be a ventriloquist. Ventriloquism is the skill, the puppet is the act. He suggests the best book for inspiring him and pointing him in the right direction is "Magic: Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions" by Albert A, Hopkins. Pages 164-170 is where you will find the info about ventriloquism (thanks, Salvadore Calderon).

Click on the banner above to visit the Magic Store on The Magic Word to see all the products available for sale.00:54:03 - Time stamp for the product review of "Chapswitch" — Click on the banner above to visit the Magic Store on The Magic Word to see all the products available for sale.
00:54:03 - Time stamp for the product review of "Chapswitch"

Click on the graphic above to view a video demonstration of "Chapswitch"

The book that included some of the best advice on ventriloquism that inspired Mike Robinson. Pages 164-170 address ventriloquism.

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.