800: Jack Goldfinger - Yoda Man!

We have reached another important milestone with this episode #800. And as we often do with these milestones, we feature someone who is a major mover and shaker in our community. Jack “Goldfinger” Vaughan fits the bill perfectly as the Director of Entertainment for the Academy of Magical Arts, the Magic Castle. Prior to taking on that role, he and his lovely wife, Dove, have performed around the world on some of the greatest stages and on screen. He is sought out for his advice and wisdom in life lessons, not unlike “Yoda” from the epic movie saga, Star Wars.

This week, Jack shares some of his “Jack-isms” that are true gems that makes you really think. He talks about his predecessor, Max Maven, as well as some of those who have influenced his career along the way.

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588: Stuart MacDonald - What a Character

Multiple award winner, Stuart Macdonald continues to reinvent himself. From a nine to five job in the corporate world, he developed a contest act that won awards after awards that took him around the world. Along the way, he performed magic on the college circuit and spent many years producing a haunted house that had thousands of visitors annually with a staff of over 50 employees. He developed a character (Richard Presto) for the digital age regularly performing on Zoom meetings with his hip, 1960’s persona.

Cryogenically frozen in 1962 Richard Preston was the greatest entertainer and magician of his generation. Stuart MacDonald, magician / actor www.stuartmacdonald.com

Richard Preston is the first entertainer to be cryogenically frozen in 1962 and was unthawed to bring the world back together. He was the greatest entertainer in history up to 1962 and now he's proving it again with a revival of his 2020 Christmas Capers Holiday Magic Show.

In this week’s episode, Stuart talks about his magical journey from the corporate world to the full time performances as a magician. Alon the way he also fooled Penn & Teller on their television show plus he is in demand giving keynote speeches to corporate audiences. This “chameleon” of a man is constantly reinventing his act and himself to keep up with the times by finding what his audience wants and needs at the time when they want and need it.

547: Hannibal - Making a Connection

Hannibal is another magician who got into magic later in life. He was 26 when he decided to make it a career. In this episode, he talks about being creative, finding his character, developing his unique act after he was forced to improvise. He also talks about scripting versus “Jazz magic”, performing in theatres vs. intimate venues, the benefits of street performing, and his Renaissance character as Hannibal the Liar. He also discusses what “Magic” is to him. We even have a little workshop on creativity and “not stopping too soon” when thinking about your act or a routine. The main point of this episode is inspiring you create a memorable moment in your act that your audience will take home and keep forever.

He also has a blog entitled, “The Truth Is…” which you can find by Clicking Here.

A fun little effect performed at the Magic Castle. Enjoy! Thank you for watching,

This week, Hannibal talks about how (out of necessity) he developed a new close-up act, how he developed his character, the progress of developing his act, and he even holds a little workshop on how to think beyond what you believe is “finished.” It’s almost like a mini-lecture, all tied up neatly in this week’s episode.

800: Jack Goldfinger - Yoda Man!

588: Stuart MacDonald - What a Character

547: Hannibal - Making a Connection

The Magic Word