727: Behind the Camera at Masters of Illusion Season 9 - Part One

A lot goes into the production of a television show, especially where magic is involved. Producing a show with one magician is hard enough, but imagine coordinating the schedules of dozens of magicians from around the world to produce a multi-week series plus a Christmas special! Gay Blackstone is the Executive Producer of “Masters of Illusion” television series which airs in the U.S. on the CS network. This coming season number 9 will kick off with the Christmas Special airing Wednesday December 14th. The actual series won’t begin airing until February 2023. The Magic Word Podcast had exclusive, behind the scenes and behind the camera access to the filming of Season 9. This week and next we will broadcast conversations with some of those that made this show happen.

As we take our “magic carpet” to Burbank, California, we are excited about the unknown adventures that lie ahead for the filming of this year’s “Masters of Illusion” TV show. This week we chat with a variety of people behind the scenes beginning with a few people in the audience. Ever wonder where these audience members and volunteers come from? That is answered this along with our chats with some of the performers back stage, in the hallways and in their dressing rooms.

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178: Day 3 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Day three of the Get Together with a Magic Minster session at the local Methodist church followed by the stage competition. I was busy at the library putting together and uploaded Day Two's podcast so I missed the competition. But at 1:00 I hosted the cruise talk show version of "now You See It with Scott Wells" in the afternoon followed by the professional close-up show that was more than capably hosted by Ali Shelly. Performers included Kayla Dresher, John Shyrock, Joshua Jay and Shoot Ogawa. It was as strong of a close-up show as I have seen.

After the close-up show, it was time for tech rehearsal for the evening show which I compered. It was a night of firsts. All of the acts were performing at the Get Together for the first time. Also, the first act, Losander, received the first standing ovation of the convention. Of course the day concluded downtown at the Legion Hall and Clancy's.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:13- Enjoy breakfast with George and Nina Shindler, Losander, Marion and Ted Outerbridge, John Shyrock and my wife, Kathy as we share stories about problems encountered on the road.

00:15:14 - Enjoy a special edition of "Now You See It with Scott Wells" that featured a talk focused on the cruise ship industry with some of the busiest working pros at sea today. Guests include Fred & Bobbi Becker, John Shyrock, Chris Mitchell, Chris Blackmore, and Howard Mincone.

01:12:52 Joshua Jay brings us up to date on the upcoming conventions he is involved with producing including the Session, Magic-Fest and the Genii Bash.

01:16:56 - Underground magician and illustrator Tom Gagnon talks about how his creative process plus some of the books he has written and illustrated.

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175: Ground Zero - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Lots of stuff to do on the day before the official opening of the 77th Get Together. Upon my afternoon arrival , we headed over to Shipshewana, Indiana for an "all you can eat" chicken dinner that as fantastic. Fifty people joined the group that was arranged by Michael Mode. After dinner we went to the farm home of Merle and Marlene Hostetler who invited many of their Amish neighbors and families to enjoy a magic show that was put on by about ten magicians. After the show they gave us buggy rides and had cake, ice cream and lots of food for us to enjoy. I was going to head over to David Seebach's party, but by the time I got back to Colon, Michigan, it was a little late in the evening plus I needed to get this podcast edited and uploaded. If it wasn't for the nice hospitality of Losander's son, Timothy Cripe, then I wouldn't have had access to wi-fi tonight. Thanks, Tim.

This podcast is a little shorter than the usual one I post. To help put you in the mood, I think you will enjoy a video I found that I recorded 30 years ago when I first attended the Get Together. I brought along my video camera and recorded some of the sights and sounds of the city. I really didn't know too many people back then so unfortunately I didn't record any interviews with the attendees; however, I did get a personal tour of Abbott's from a very young Greg Bordner.

Enjoy a trip to the past as I walk down the streets of Colon, Michigan and record all the sights and sounds on the street, at the cemetery, and the Magic Carpet restaurant plus a guided tour of Abbott's Magic Company by Greg Bordner. See some of the street vendors as well as the dealers in the gymnasium.

The end of the film is the tech rehearsal for Rick Walker, my very good friend who was an illusionist from Dallas, TX.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:36 - Mike Miller talks about his experience in China and working with the recent touring magicians over there. Jania Taylor, a long time attendee, tells why she never misses this week.

00:07:22 - Ken Dumm and his son Austin tell us what is most important about the Get Together...Family.

00:16:38 - Local Amish farmer, Merle Hostetler opened his home to us for a delightful evening of food and buggy rides as many of us performed magic for his family and neighbors.

00:20:50 - Michael Mode was the one who put together this Amish magic show. He talks about how it can to be.

00:23:09 - Enjoy the last few minutes of my buggy ride as you hear the "clip clop" of horses hooves along the trail.