Discourse in Magic

Jonah Babins interviews the world’s top magicians getting the best advice in performance, business, and all things magic. Topics like practice, scripting, learning, morality, creativity, getting started, adding comedy, originality, and getting booked. All to provide you with the advice and resources you need to become a better magician, get yourself out there, and enjoy this amazing art we’re a part of...all without buying any more tricks.

Public Magic Shows 07/18/2024

Jandro's Magical Evolution 07/11/2024

Jandro's Magical Evolution Discover the remarkable journey of Spanish magician in this captivating episode of Discourse in Magic. Inspired by the legendary , Jandro recounts his serendipitous discovery of a local magician's academy in Valencia and his evolution into a renowned magician and TV personality. With anecdotes from his 15-year tenure on a Spanish late-night show, where he performed magic and wrote comedy for celebrities like Will Smith and Taylor Swift, this episode offers an enthralling peek behind the curtain into the world of magic and entertainment. Creativity and Technique in MagicWe explore the importance of joke writing and daily practice in honing one's craft, whether it's magic or comedy. Jandro shares experiences from working on a magic TV show, emphasising the need for creativity when resources are limited. He recounts how rigorous practice with card techniques gave way to innovative, intuitive performance styles when working on live TV. We also discuss the concept of using jokes and situational techniques as alternatives to traditional magic methods, highlighting the blend of technical skill and creative thinking in successful magic performances. Fooling Penn and TellerJandro shares an amusing anecdote about wanting to perform a "car trick" on , playing on language misunderstandings and breaking assumptions. We explore how the use of unexpected elements, such as shooting in a remote landscape with a printed background and utilising a drone instead of a webcam, enhances the performance. Additionally, the concept of integrating deeper messages into tricks is discussed, exemplified by a routine involving the consequences of lying, where each falsehood results in a cat's "explosion." The chapter concludes with insights into the strategies used to consistently fool seasoned magicians like Penn and Teller by always thinking ahead and presenting tricks designed specifically for one-time performances on the show. Magical Masters and Creative InfluencesWe discuss the joy and growth that comes from collaborating with iconic figures like Penn and Teller, and how their innovative ideas elevate each other's work. The conversation highlights the profound impact of Spanish magicians like Juan Tamariz and his mentors, including and , on the art of magic. We emphasise the importance of understanding the deep psychological and philosophical aspects behind magical performances, as well as the legacy left by these masters. The discussion also touches on the evolution of magic through the contributions of newer magicians who continue to build on the foundations laid by their predecessors, stressing the necessity of studying the masters to truly appreciate and advance the craft. Endless Chain Links /episode/index/show/discourseinmagic/id/32087577

My Top 3 Magic Projects 07/04/2024

My Top 3 Magic Projects Unlock the secrets to making your magic performances more natural and convincing. Join Jonah Babins as he reveals his three favorite magic projects that have profoundly influenced his approach to magic and performance. From magic theory to practical techniques, these projects have reshaped his understanding and execution of the craft. Whether you're a seasoned magician or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical tips and theoretical gems that will inspire you to rethink and refine your magical chops! Dani DaOrtiz’s Utopia We start with ’s groundbreaking . Learn the transformative lessons contained in this four-DVD collection, produced by . Dani’s emphasis on clarity and naturalness has reshaped his approach to close-up card magic, and why replacing suspicious maneuvers with straightforward actions can make your tricks more believable. Discover how these priceless insights have not only enhanced Jonah's performances but can also revolutionize your own magic acts. Whether you're a seasoned magician or just starting out, these DVD’s are packed with practical tips and theoretical gems that will inspire you to rethink and refine your magical craft. Asi Win’s Repertoire presents an extensive collection of repertoire that stretches over the last two decades. Asi's style of performance has led him to devise magic that seems as fair as it gets and magic almost happens by itself. These routines that have been kept under wraps for many years are laid out here for the first time in great detail. Asi also revisits several routines he published in the past and brings them up to date with added details and features that he developed over the years while performing them. Magic Rainbow by Juan Tamariz is the fruit of more than forty years of thought, study and analysis by , considered a genius of magic the world over. In 1988, Tamariz published The Magic Way, which became an immediate classic. In it he revealed a brilliant system for making the secret methods of magic effects impossible to detect. In The Magic Rainbow, Tamariz takes his readers and their audiences farther up The Magic Way until they are delivered to the ultimate destination, where logical analysis is abandoned to emotions of amazement, fascination and wonder; where the feeling of magic becomes, for a while, an impossibility firmly rooted in reality. MentionsDani DaOrtiz’s Asi Win’s by Juan Tamariz /episode/index/show/discourseinmagic/id/32004382

Reimagining Magic with Gaetan Bloom 06/27/2024

Reimagining Magic with Gaetan Bloom Legendary magician joins us to share his journey from a curious child to becoming an iconic figure in the world of magic. Throughout our conversation, Gaetan opens up about the pivotal mentors who shaped his path and how these relationships inspired his most famous tricks. He discusses his innovative approach to magic, which involves transforming everyday objects through curiosity and problem-solving. Whether you're an aspiring magician or simply enchanted by the art of illusion, Gaetan's insights are sure to captivate and inspire. Magical Beginnings and Creative Insights Explore the fascinating journey of Gaetan Bloom, an incredible magician and creator. We discuss how he got started in magic, inspired by a magician he saw at a hotel show as a child. Gaetan shares his early experiences, including his first magic kit and his discovery of the legendary Mayette magic shop in Paris. He recounts his unwavering passion for magic despite his parents' conventional careers and the influence of a well-known lawyer whose passion for magic helped Gaetan's parents support his magical aspirations. Influential Mentors and Creative Insight We discuss how Gaetan proactively became known in magic clubs as a teenager and formed significant relationships with influential figures like and . These mentors played crucial roles in advancing his career. Notable highlights include his interactions with prominent magicians and the development of his famous standing card trick. We also touch on the impactful guidance from mentors such as , , and , each contributing uniquely to his growth and success in the world of magic. The Magic of Object Presentation We learn about the fascinating interplay between magic and objects, with a focus on the creativity involved in incorporating unusual props like boxing gloves. We discuss the inspiration behind using such unconventional items, tracing back to a comedic performance by the French entertainer , who played the violin with boxing gloves. We consider the approach to scripting and rehearsing, emphasizing the organic development of dialogue and presentation in magic routines. Simplicity in Magical Inventions We explore the balance between originality and tradition in magic. I share my passion for fooling magicians by reinventing standard effects with new methods, emphasizing the importance of personal creativity over instant solutions available online. We touch upon the early inspiration from the , where Gaetan challenged himself to develop unique methods for existing tricks. Endless Chain Mentions Links /episode/index/show/discourseinmagic/id/31902607