595: George Schindler - What Da Dean Does

The Dean of the Society of American Magicians, George Schindler, has lived through many generations of magicians both celebrated and relatively unknown and he remembers them all. This week George shares many of his stories. George will be celebrating his 92nd birthday on March 31st this year and his memory of events is as clear as if they happened yesterday. He is an author, actor, performer, creator, lecturer, magic dealer, ventriloquist, comedy writer, and so much more. He regularly contributes to the M.U.M. magazine (the journal for the S.A.M.) with a monthly column and he maintains his relevancy by keeping current with the times and technology. He is a true treasure in our magic community and we owe him so much for what he has given us.

http://www.magicsam.com George Schindler is the Lifetime Dean of the Society of American Magicians, Past National President and Honorary Lifetime Member.

George Schindler is a magician, ventriloquist, author and the Dean of the Society of American Magicians.

George has known and worked with many top celebrity actors, directors and magicians. In this week’s episode, George shares stories about Woody Allen, Dai Vernon, Slydini, Ed Mishell, David Copperfield, Frank Garcia, Abe Hurowitz, Shari Lewis and many, many more. This is a delightful trip down memory lane from one of our community’s true treasures.

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594: Sean Bogunia - Accidentally Creative

During a recent trip from Houston, Texas, to Michigan, I had the opportunity to sit down for an in-depth conversation with one of magic’s creative thinkers, Sean Bogunia. Although he might be best known to you as the creator of the Ultimate Dancing Hank (in a Bottle), he prefers for that not to be his seminal legacy. He has many other creations to his credit that are in the working repertoires of professional magicians and he has even more that he is working on to bring to the magic community. He is a performer and creator who has consulted with many top magicians.

The no assistants need Dancing HankBy Sean Boguniahttps://www.ultimatemagicproductions.net/store/p50/Ultimate_Dancing_Hank.html

In this week’s episode, Sean talks about a pivotal moment in his life that led him to follow magic as a full time professional and never look back. He also tells many “behind the scenes” stories about some of his creations and the people he worked with and some of those whom he showed his ideas. A usually quiet and reserved person, Sean opened his heart and soul in this podcast unlike he had ever done before. In fact, he states that this is only the second interview that he has ever given. This episode contains perhaps more stories than any other that we have broadcast. I am certain that you will get a lot out of this week’s “longer than usual” episode.

Order your 2021 Magic Calendar from Amazon and help The Magic Word with your purchase through their affiliate program. Thank you.

409: Walter "Zaney" Blaney - Surprise 90th Birthday Party

This week we have a unique podcast. Join along with The Magic Word as we attend a Surprise Party (or rather Surpri"Z"e Party with the "Z" for "Zaney") held a week after his actual February 11th birthday. This was hosted in the home of one of his three daughters, Shannon, who lives across the street from Walter. Walter's eyesight is not what it used to be and he has to nearly be right up on you before he can recognize you.

We had a few surprises for the guests, too, including the presentation of an I.B.M. Presidential Certificate, a baritone horn performance by one of Walter's relatives, a couple of songs by his grand daughter, a banjo performance, and a Skype call by one of his admirers who couldn't make it...David Copperfield.

Several dozen of Walter's relatives and closest friends surprised him with a party one week after his actual birthday.

David Copperfield pays tribute to Walter "Zaney" Blaney at the dedication of the Walter Blaney Exhibit at the David Copperfield Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas. http://www.walterzaneyblaney.com

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:45 - Walter is surprised.

00:06:40 - David Hinkin presents Walter with a special Presidential Citation from Bob Patterson, International President of the I.B.M.

00:08:51 - Tim Drake and Daniel Summers talks about putting this together plus the special exhibit Tim created in David Copperfield's museum.

00:12:41 - Walter's daughter, Becky Blaney, invites us into the living room.

00:13:03 - Jeff Lanes talks about the S.A.M. awards that have been conferred on Walter.

00:14:50 - Walter "Zaney" Blaney talks about being surprised and enjoying the celebration

00:19:44 - David Copperfield joins us on Skype to pay homage to Walter.

00:30:28 - Scott Hollingsworth, Entertainment Director of the former Magic Island, talks about when Walter was in his "hey day" and the development of his Ladder Levitation.

00:35:24 - Walter's daughter and professional magician, Becky Blaney, talks about her dad and what it was like growing up with him.

00:40:03 - Mark Holstein chats about Walter being a pioneer in the trade show business with Marshall Brodein.

00:45:35 - Product Review - Project Swiss Army by Brandon David and Chris Turchi. A gimmicked deck of cards and card box does a variety of amazing thing. Recommended.

00:49:30 - Product Review - NeoMix by Jim Krenz. Specially printed cards used for the conclusion of an "Oil and Water" routine. Recommended.

00:53:34 - Starlight by Chris Perrotta. A beam of light from a borrowed mobile phone shines through a selected card and the card's value is seen as a spotlight through the card. Recommended.

Be sure to use the promo code of: themagicwordpodcast when registering and receive a #100 discount through February 28, 2018.