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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548: Jamie Allan - the iMagician

Jamie Allen is known as the iMagician and the “High Tech Houdini” who brings magic into today’s age using modern technology. His stage show is unlike traditional magic shows and even some of the classics in magic (i.e. sawing in half, sub trunk, and the zig-zag) have all been updated with original twists and video introductions that give some entertaining and historical background on some of those effects. He also uses Augmented Reality (A/R) to perform some of his close-up effects that are projected on the big overhead screens.

Jamie talks about what it’s like performing magic in today’s age with interest in high-tech and how he develops magic for today’s world and today’s audiences. He also talks about the “stigma” associated with performing on cruise ships ,traveling with a stage show, the changes in venues and audience’s tastes in the U.K. He also talks about the changes in the cruise ship industry as it affects magicians.

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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.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.