553: Jonathan Goodwin - What Could Go Wrong?

Just before we came under the cloud of the novel Coronavirus pandemic, one of the last touring magic shows I saw was The Illusionists featuring David Williamson (The Trickster), Chris Cox (The Mentalist), Hyun Joon Kim (The Manipulator), Valentin Azema (The Elusive), and Jonathan Goodwin (The Daredevil). I did not try to sit down with the entire cast, though I suggest that you go back to hear one I did in 2015 with the cast back then (including David Williamson who was just coming in to fill in for Jeff Hobson for a few dates).. This week we limited our time and our talk with just one of the cast. We have not featured an in-depth conversation with an escape artist on this podcast. But thanks to my U.K. friend, Martin Cox, I was connected with Jonathan Goodwin who opened up this whole new world to me.

Escapes have been an integral part of magic for centuries with Harry Houdini being the foremost proponent and well-known escape artist, of course. Though many have tried to replicate Harry’s daring escapes, I found it fascinating that Jonathan goes his own direction and understands what the audience “believes” and “accepts” as far as danger and “jeopardy”. He has updated escapes and brought the are to another level that resonates with audiences around the world.

U.K. Escape Artist, Jonathan Goodwin got a new tattoo for his 40th birthday honoring a quote by Harry Houdini.

See more from Britain's Got Talent at http://itv.com/talent Jonathan Goodwin put his life on the line for our entertainment again and again. Take a look back...

Jonathan Goodwin from The Illusionists escapes...

Jonathan talks about what level of danger and harm to his body he is willing to accept, then he works backwards from that to construct the escape. He also talks about the importance of having the audience care for you and their level of empathy. His tips are a real lesson on how to develop your character when you have little little time before you get into your act.

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552: Daniel Summers - Zig Zag in a Suitcase

The name of Daniel Summers has come up on more than one occasion on this podcast. So, I thought it is time that we talk with this person who started as a ventriloquist, then became a cruise ship performer, college entertainer, hypnotist, “phone room” marketer, creator and builder. Dan is all of these plus a pretty nice guy and friends to many in the magic world. His original illusions are performed all over the world by all of the top illusionists including David Copperfield, Greg Gleason, Hans Klok and others. He has had feature articles published about him in VANISH Magazine and in MAGIC Magazine, but it is high time that you get to hear his voice.

compressed illusion Daniel Summers performed by Papa Chico

Greg Gleason performing Daniel Summers “Cutting Edge” illusion on Masters of Illusion television show.

Lou Dupont, a ventriloquist who lived and performed in Las Vegas inspired Daniel Summers. (viewer discretion advised)

Dan talks with us this week about how his career could have taken a different turn had he decided to take the job of Cruise Ship Director. He also talks about his life on cruise ships in the early years, his work in theme parks, creating illusions, building illusions, telemarketing “phone rooms”, and helping Joanie Spina in her final days.

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551: Coronavirus - Impact on Magicians

We are at the beginning of a “new normal” for an undetermined period. This pandemic is affecting the whole world and in particular, impacting our magic community in a serious way. Groups are postponing or canceling events where we were booked and then, almost literally overnight, many of our bookings over the next few months have dried up. Businesses and schools have closed or reduced their hours, people are asked not to congregate, and international travel has been banned.

This episode is intended to keep us connected and to let each of you know that you are not alone as we are all feeling the pain. The assortment of guests on this week was random but includes performers from various backgrounds from cruise ships to corporate and birthday parties to trade shows. It is uncertain how long this trip will be and where it will take us, make us, or break us. Hopefully, it will be short and we can all return to doing what we love…entertaining people with magic!

In this episode, Jamie Salinas discusses the cancellation of shows during this Pandemic.

A link is mentioned on the podcast that refers you to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Here is the link for all of the State Departments in the U.S.: https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html

Johns Hopkins has an excellent website with regular updates and news on the virus. Click Here to visit their website.

Recommendations from The Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) regarding the novel coronavirus:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

* Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

* To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places—elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

* Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

* Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

* Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and cell phones).

* Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

And, in addition, do NOT shake hands, hug, or kiss anyone on the cheek! Elbow bumps are the order of the day.

Timestamps for this episode:

00:13:00 - Fred and Bobbi Becker talk about how their cruise ship performances are being effected.

00:34:24 - Jessica Jane Peterson just received word that her cruise bookings have been canceled though at the time of our conversation, she had not officially had her contracts canceled by the cruise company.

00:48:38 - David Corsaro has some really great ideas on how magicians should spend this “down time”, some do’s and don’ts.

01:01:45 - Jamie Salinas suggests how he has altered his show and how he handles children in his birthday parties and school shows.

01:14:22 - From Sweden, Love Melander, talks about the effect on our overseas friends and the impact on trade show performers.

01:23:05 - Murray Sawchuck gives us a perspective of what’s happening in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the U.S.

Congratulations to Michael Bochert, the winner of the recent contest hosted by our sponsor, The Magic Book Shop. He won a copy of “Daryl’s Ambitious Card Omnibus”. Check their website often to see new contests.

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