816: Protecting Secrets with David Sandy, Bill Smith and Mark Holstein

Over the last two weeks, we have presented two individuals who support and encourage magic exposure. This episode features three magicians who have vested interests in keeping magic secrets secret. David Sandy is a performer, producer and collector. Bill Smith is a builder, performer and collector. Mark Holstein is an attorney, performer and collector. What they all have in common is their passion for the keeping magic secrets from the prying public in order to keep our audiences amazed and mystified.

Each of our guests this week has a little different perspective on why we should protect the secrets of our craft. While agreeing that anything can be found online in an instant, it still takes time for someone to go to the effort of looking it up. They believe that magic secrets shouldn’t come across social feeds indiscriminately without the viewer requesting it. They believe that secrets are being shared with some people who would rather not know. The adage, “it’s fun to be fooled, but more fun to know,” is not what they believe. This week, they tell us why.

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815: Justin Flom - Justified?

Forbes magazine proclaimed Justin Flom as the “most viewed magician on the planet.” He has racked up 20 billion views since the pandemic started and was named the “No. 1 influencer” across all social platforms for Jan. 2022 according to Tubular Leaderboard, which tracks views and interactions. He launched his viral visibility with the exposure of the “deceptive base” used (mainly) by illusionists. He went on to expose more and more methods and tricks in magic before moving into other areas to increase and broaden his market and assure longer “watch time” for his videos that ultimately turn into big profits. He hasn’t performed magic professionally for the last four years and today known more as a spray paint artist.

This week Justin “preaches his gospel” of why magic exposure is good for our art.

“I love magic exposure. I think it’s good, right, moral and the future of magic.” - Justin Flom

This quote is the essence of this week’s episode as Justin Flom justifies his actions and has no moral nor ethical compunction about his actions. Moreover, he encourages others to do the same. You may leave your thoughts on this whether you agree or disagree in the comment section below this blog. Please be civil and devoid of vitriol on either side of this issue or your comment will be deleted.

814: Murray Sawchuck - Magic Exposure

The goals and objectives of The Magic Word Podcast is not to chase current news nor necessarily get involved in controversy. That being said, magic exposure is something that’s been going on since the inception of our craft as a performing art. Attention on “how we do it” rises and fades from time to time and several times within one generation. Magic exposure is a relevant topic of conversation and one that is often publicly discussed in committee meetings of international magic organizations and local clubs just as it is privately talked about among and between magicians.

Murray Sawchuck recently made a “splash” in the magic community with his exposure of a couple tricks that has some magicians buzzing. This week, Murray defends his position and talks about what he has done and why he did (does) it.

You decide if you want to watch this video, see magic exposed, and contribute to the number of views.

Murray is unapologetic in his “exposure” of magic and has reasons why what he does is not exposure, according to his definition. He has revealed “how tricks are done” on his social media and in his shows for many years. But now that he is an “influencer” and reached a level of success and notoriety in the magic community, what he does is seen by more people.