557: Mark Mason - Master Dealer

Mark Mason (JB Magic) always has the most people at his booth in the dealer room at magic conventions. I think that some convention organizers intentionally put him in the back of the room because they know people will be drawn through the room to get to his booth.

Mark Mason was to have been the Guest of Honor at this year’s F.F.F.F. 50th annual close-up convention. But that convention was canceled until next year. But had it occurred, then I would have recorded this episode “live and in person” with him in New York. As it happened, we used Skype for this conversation. This week we chat with Mark about his magical roots in Blackpool, England and what brought him across the pond to reside in rural Florida. We also talk about how he creates, designs and markets some of these ideas that become “must-haves” by every magician. He regularly consults with Bob Swadling who also moved from the U.K. and now resides within a 30 minute drive from Mark!

Solo probably Marks favourite J B effect.

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376: Day Three - 2017 MAGIC Live!

Day Three was the second full day of activities, and depending upon the color of your lanyard holding your badge, determined whether one attended the morning General Session or two of the three Focus Sessions. I had the red lanyard which meant that I attended the General Session in the morning which was again capably hosted by Jonathan Levitt and Julie Eng. Their guest were interesting and entertaining and included Jonathan Goodwin, Levent, David Williamson and Richard Turner.

The Focus Sessions were okay, too, but the evening show was first "In Concert with John Archer" who gave a one hour comedy performance then I finally got to see the Thayer 49 Puzzle Boxes. This is the hardest thing to describe in writing but was for me one of the highlights of the convention. And for those reading this blog who may still be at the convention, I don't want to spoil it for you but will tell more in tomorrow's report.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:17 - Mark Mason just arrived from holiday in Germany in order to be a dealer here at MAGIC Live!

00:03:31 - Everybody's funnyman, Bill Malone, is not part of the convention this year but just hanging out and he tells a funny story.

00:09:20 - John Bannon has a new fourth DVD coming out to complete his "Move Zero" series.

00:14:09 - We go into the dealer's room and chat with Erin Wimmer with Bicycle Cards and she tells us about some new cards coming out soon plus some decks that were made just for this convention.

00:19:46 - Gabe Fajuri has another auction this coming Saturday at Potter and Potter Auctions

00:23:11 - Master Payne is not performing this year so he is enjoying being a general registrant this week. He also talks about Mystery School and Eugene Burger.

00:28:26 - Brent Braun from Penquin tells us about the newest tricks available from Penguin plus talks about the Magic Expo.

00:32:09 - Levent talks about photography

00:35:15 - Richard Hatch tells us about the newest publication about "Expert at the Card Table"

367: Day Three - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2017

THURSDAY JULY 13 SCHEDULE
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Registration Opens - Registration Area
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Annual I.B.M. Business Meeting- Carrol Ford
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Dealers Open - Exhibit Hall
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - David Deeble - Grand Ballroom
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Stage Contest 2 - Grand Ballroom
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - David Ginn Lecture - Grand Ballroom
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - S.A.M. Life Member Reception - Presidential Suite
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM - World Stars of Magic - Whitney Hall (Ticketed Event)
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM - Jay Sankey Lecture - Grand Ballroom

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:16 - Dan Garrett, Past National President of the S.A.M. talks about the convention

00:11:10 - Mark Mason, JB Magic, talks about he latest creations and the many convention dates he makes each year around the world.

00:18:34 - Roger Nicot, Card Shark, recently moved from the U.S. to the U.K after marrying a Brit so he talks about working for Card Shark from abroad.

00:24:42 - Paul Richards, Paul Richards Magic, tells us about the Magic Expo tour that Penguin Magic takes on the road around the world.

00:34:47 - Stuart MacDonald was one of the competitors in the contest for the North American Championship which will award sponsorship to compete at FISM. Stuart tells us his secret to preparing for competition.

00:47:44 - Jim Nagel, Past International President of the I.B.M., talks about the current state of low attendance at magic conventions and his assessment why we are seeing such low numbers plus his outlook for the future of conventions.

01:02:46 - David Deeble recaps the lecture he gave us earlier in the day.

01: - Rick Heath gives a talk for the Life Members of the S.A.M. on his association with Cesareo Palaez and the core of their success..."togeherness". This talk runs about 40 minutes but is worth the time to listen and learn.

557: Mark Mason - Master Dealer

376: Day Three - 2017 MAGIC Live!

367: Day Three - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2017

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