The Mark Leveridge Magic Podcast: Recent Episodes
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- 4Fs 2025 reflections
- why you don’t need to worry about getting a refusal at a table
- the British Ring convention 2025 is going ahead!
- the advantages of having a measured performance pace
- sticky palms
- using self-deprecating humour
- Simplex ACAAN and ESPeriment join E-Club Pro Select
- how do you decide which spectator to use as a helper in your show?
- Advice Centre question on knowing which tables you’ve done
- not everyone loves magic
- FISM's new competition initiative
- the three main triggers for creativity
- Advice Centre question on dealing with children at weddings
- is magic held in low esteem by other art forms?
- the value of keeping ideas notebooks
- info on the latest E-Club Pro Select routines
- using spectators out of the audience
- buying magic has changed so much over the last 40 years
- the benefits of widening your interest in magic
- the rise of the intimate performance space for commercial close up
- The Session - virtual registration v live attendance
- making show fees sound appealing
- Angelo Carbone's fascinating animated classic magic posters
- news of E-Club Pro Select new releases
- becoming the local expert to promote your magic skills
- when pragmatism decides the tricks you do
- table hoppers and strolling magicians are often a sort of side show
- the importance of a marketing strategy and budget for show promotion
- the gradual demise of the British Ring Convention considered*
- the elements that go to make up a show fee level
- should you only perform tricks that you like?
- the benefits of both live and Zoom lectures
- details of the latest E-Club Pro Select releases
- the day I met Tommy Cooper
- why it's difficult to do more than just fool spectators with magic
- how to encourage bookings from businesses
***Since publishing this podcast it has been brought to my attention that the British Ring will be having a convention in 2025, details of which will be released when finalised. It is likely to be a one day event. I would like to apologise to the British Ring committee and members for inadvertently misleading listeners, my information having come from a trusted source
- Why it's OK to be a hobbyist magician
- defining magic the Dan Harlan way
- distractions are the enemy of magical progress
- if it can go wrong, it will!
- the variety of magic offered by E-Club Pro Select
- making sense of magic props
- memories of Junior Showtime from 1969
- where to get access to some interesting blog newsletters
- assessing the best way to learn magic
- Should a performer ever offer a fee refund?
- Wayne Slater's book Staged is worth a read
- how to increase your magical creativity
- the day only four people turned up at a strolling gig
- how having your act on YouTube can be detrimental for live work
- three common table hopping mistakes
- the mystery of how spectators view us as performers
- why do magicians have to prove themselves?
- understanding how to take the 'sting' out of magic
- discussing just what magic really is
- the allure and draw of 4Fs in the United States
- how social media can make huge money for some magicians
- the importance of using spectators' names
- introducing the E-Club Pro Gold Pass
- adapting to your changing magical needs and aims
- the trust issues inherent in trick review comments
- the reduction in attendance numbers at many live magic events is a concern
- the art of keeping the attention of distracted spectators
- Considering the potential impact of ChatGPT on magic content creation
- why most magic competitions do not create a level playing field
- when honesty does not always seem to be the best policy
- the Brendan Rodrigues Blackpool vlog captures the essence of the convention
- are the days where one magician dominates the general public's attention now gone?
- Jim Sisti reveals how to keep your magic reputation in tact
- MLM Select routines highlighted
- kids' show performers need control over their audience before they can entertain
- the joy of sharing magic ideas in a trusted group
- a practical commercial use for quick eye candy magic
- reflections on The Session 2024 convention
- why strolling and table hopping magicians should be more happy with their 'lot'
- working out the method for a new trick is not the hardest part
- how to identify if you have any verbal tics and why you need to get rid of them
- 'confusion isn't magic' - taking a look at the truth behind Vernon's sage remark
- how to avoid putting right what isn't actually wrong!
- is your show marketing speaking to the right people?
- making your act consistent with your performing personality
- the fine line with truth in marketed trick publicity
why trick hype is not just marketingthe challenge of stopping mobile spectators in order to entertain themthe joy that is Totterdown Tricky Thursdays
dealing with the dreaded "look kids, here's the magician for you"
Andy and Preston Nyman, putting the fun back into magic
news on the third volume in the Four-midable Magic Series
how to get the benefits of post show analysis
why Jay Fortune's Dream Maker's Manifesto could be useful for you
how to deal with loud background music when working tables
- new Magic Circle president Marvin Berglas could be the right person to re-focus the club and its aims
- Richard Young re-ignites the flame under the Magicians' Podcast
- some fun definitions of what magic actually is
- how restricting the kid show space can be beneficial
- the increase in magic pay-per-view websites
- do we all have a personal ceiling for our magic improvement?
- reflecting on the huge changes in magic show marketing
- ageism can affect how people view you as a magician
- so much to gain from reading magic books
- the Magic Circle looks at its degree system
- it's not more tricks we need, but better info about how to present the ones we've got
- has hyperbole in show publicity gone a bit too far?
- volume 2 of the Four-midable Magic Series is released
- the reasons why magicians are often impressed by tricks which lay people may dismiss
- listen to a fun story from the It Could Only Happen Live archive
- UK currency is so poor for magic use
- for the first time, a podcast competition!
- show enquiries, where speed of response matters
- why I travel 3000 miles to attend a magic convention
- attention to detail brings its rewards in trick creation
- the importance of rhythm and pacing with moves
- wise words from Jon Armstrong
- avoiding performing on auto pilot is key with repetitive performing
- how books on tricks can be unexpectedly inspiring
- replies to three interesting questions posed at the Commercial Close Up Refresher Zoom Session
- beware of misunderstanding definitions of amateur and professional
- the key to good magic for lay people
- Paul Brook explains how to accentuate the difference between strolling mentalism and walkabout magic
- patter lines and on-stage behaviours that change to comply with modern sensibilities
- altering tricks to suit reduced capabilities
- the rise in popularity of audio learning
- letting new effects break into your established playlists
- inspirational magical moments
- introducing a crash course in strolling and table hopping magic
- finding new material in unusual places
- Reflections on The Session 2023
- should a reviewer have to apologise for his opinions?
- children's entertainers more than ever need to consider whether they offer value for money
- an evening discussing bringing magic to the marketplace
- being self-contained for shows proves to be a real boon
- the importance of 'flight time' in honing an act
- announcing the Four-midable Magic Series of e-books
- a brave move for one of the world's biggest magic dealers
- why lecturing is a skill in its own right
- Retiring from Magicseen but not MLM
- FISM competition acts are uniquely designed for their end purpose of winning
- a lecture invitation that comes from an extremely unlikely place
- are we using a narrower range of objects in the magic that we present?
- defining the different types of spectator we encounter when performing
- magic in the theatre
- strolling magicians need to be aware of their performance surroundings
- coping with the rigours of December bookings
- what makes for a great convention?
- performing for famous people doesn't make you a better magician
- the hazards of becoming a semi-pro entertainer
- Paul Anthony's epic magic task
- the magic club pecking order
- when it comes to magical fame, be careful what you wish for
- there are not many commercial close up tricks
- dip into some of the contents from E-Club Pro
- let's ask the question (again!) about whether card tricks are boring!
- Changes are afoot for MLM updates
- technology and magic - finding the balance
- taking a look at Andi Gladwin's theory about incremental changes leading to new magic
- PR can be a great way to promote your shows if done correctly
- discussing whether show deposits are worth the hassle
- when stage names might be a good idea
- the importance of good eye contact for performers
- how to stop nerves by countering all your worries
- Contemplating what is likely to be the next big thing for magic
- does street magic really actually exist as an entertainment format?
- the importance of self-evaluation in magic
- defining at what moment a prop, move or idea can be classed as 'public domain'
- Marc Paul's Masterclass - an exercise in total professionalism
- analysing the unofficial magic contract between you and your audience
- The Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the UK could be good news for magicians, or might not!
- magic 'shedding' is a necessary task that most of us try to avoid
- is it time for your image and look to have a re-vamp?
- Tony Nicholson's new book poses interesting questions about magical honesty
- if you missed the chance to attend the Inner Circle Zoom Card Session, help is at hand
- customer benefit advertising copy can help to sell your shows
- Analysing how magic can be made strong in different ways
- Craig Petty's MagicTV scrapes the barrel with one of his recent interviewees(!)
- news of an upcoming Zoom event
- is it OK to wear sunglasses when working outside in bright sunlight?
- the dangers of using livestock for magic
- the power of independent comments
- time can be of the essence when doing shows
- It's not just our audiences who need protecting from COVID at gigs
- the danger that lots of online show enquiries can produce a response fatigue
- lay people may struggle to see your show fee as anything more than an arbitrary figure
- info on two great value e-book bundles
- the importance of reacting sensitively to an audience's mood or attitude
- understanding that anything that can go wrong, at some point probably will
- You and your magic may get frozen in time, but that's OK!
- are you brave enough to accept and use the evidence offered by video of your practice?
- the pros and cons of magic collaboration
- I reveal who the biggest exposers of magic actually are
- my top three TV and film cliches
- children's shows provide an important service for the future of magic
- The challenges you face as a magician the older you become
- getting props examined might make the trick less convincing
- why most of us keep those ancient useless magic props that we store at home
- Blackpool defies the odds
- how to avoid 'site rage' (!) with your website
- creativity often relies on a vivid imagination
- Reflections on how different the magic world was when I turned pro 40 years ago
- be wary of allowing comedy to overshadow the magic
- has COVID forced the demise of some traditional entertainment agencies?
- listen to a true story of a show mix up taken from E-Club Pro's It Could Only Happen Live archive
- I discuss the assumption that a good act can never comprise of a succession of disconnected tricks
- Leveridge Legerdemain is now launched and available for magic clubs to book
- procrastination is a bad habit!
- are the public nervous about arranging events this Xmas?
- the conundrum facing the magic product reviewer
- announcing the Zoom premiere of Leveridge Legerdemain, my new lecture
- taking advantage of unexpected situations can lead to truly memorable moments in shows
- if you want to invent a new trick, create a context for it first
- why sleight of hand may not be fooling lay people as much as you think
- What effect is Brexit having on the magic world?
- after a long show lay off it's a surprise what elements of the performance are slow to return
- why Zoom lectures should still be offered alongside live events
- E-Club Pro Select offering cherry picked routines for individual non-member sales
- when it comes to magic projects - carpe diem!
- strolling magicians have to be good at getting and keeping attention because their audiences don't have to stay and watch them
Ready for you to enjoy in October.....
- I've missed the funny things that spectators say at live gigs
- magic at the drop of a hat is not for me
- top performers can create an impression as much by HOW they perform as by WHAT they perform
- Megan Swann's rise to President of the Magic Circle should be more about her abilities than the fact she is the first female to hold the office
- a life of writing is recognised
- sleight of hand or self working? - a choice that can define our interest in magic
- seeing magic through the eyes of my grandchildren
Here is the September line up:
- even when performing live you can't always judge how well your act is being appreciated
- a definition that explains why strolling magic is often so memorable for lay people
- details of how to join the E-Club Pro Live Open Event taking place this month
- six reasons why you may not have got that booking - and price isn't necessarily the main one
- David Regal believes effect is always more important than method
- assessing how much performers need to still consider COVID protection measures is not straightforward
Here is the selection of topics for this month:
- children's feelings can be hurt if our trick presentations are not targeted properly
- there is an art to reading product reviews in magic magazines
- routines regularly used in gigs may still need some rehearsal following the COVID lay off
- a story from E-Club Pro's It Could Only Happen Live on my close brush with disaster with a brand new idea
- Jamy Ian Swiss maintains that magicians are 'honest liars'
- if you want to use topical gags/material, make sure everything is genuinely current and not out-of-date
Here is the July line up
- Zoom events can be more than just a poor substitute for a live show
- why we shouldn’t let fascination with moves cloud our judgement about what looks natural to an audience
- should you change tricks to suit the audience or the performing situation?
- post-pandemic show fee levels may need adjusting to reflect the uncertainty still felt by many bookers
- fantastic value to be had from E-Club Pro Select
- ‘carbon dating’ magic and magicians
- a couple of chuckles
Relax and enjoy the following topics
- humble beginnings are often the starting place for greatness
- the destructive side of social media affects magic too
- the different types of spectators we have to deal with when performing
- what does the impression your website gives say about you?
- access to marketed magic is so easy these days
- magic is more powerful than we sometimes realise
Podcast Special - The 6 Things To Get Ready After Lockdown This month, rather than selecting a random mix of topics to discuss, I am having a theme for the podcast. With the UK coming out of lockdown and with the strong possibility that entertainers will very soon be able to work live again, I identify and then discuss six areas of our work that we might want to look at in advance of performing again in order to ensure that we hit the ground running from the first booking.
The April line up contains the following topics:
- plot and effect - the difference as explained by Doug Dyment
- announcing the arrival of E-Club Pro Select
- hybrid conventions may be the way forward for some magic event organisers
- the secret to finding a receptive audience for your magic as you grow older
- details of an online session in which the attendees decide the content
- how to harness one of magic's most potent performance weapons
Here's the line up of topics for March
- I consider Marc Oberon's assertion that there's an art to being helped when you ask for advice from your magical peers
- the many different types of trick endings that we can use for our magic
- age relevant lines and patter themes are strong when used correctly
- announcement of a new Premier E-Routine
- COVID has changed the relationship that we have with our audiences
- it's easy to lose the will to respond to show enquiries at the moment
- A lack of magic knowledge can hinder progress
- live performance is a catalyst for stimulus in other areas of our magic lives
- listen in to the audio track from an episode of E-Club Pro's It Could Only Happen Live
- why the opening few words of your act can have a big impact
- Zoom has enabled magic groups to continue to function
- if you were a REAL magician, would you still do card tricks?
A New Year and a new set of topics:
- New Year magic planning may be almost impossible, but there are some positives
- children's entertainers are not always given proper credit for what they do so well
- announcing the E-Club Pro Live Open Event
- the four 'E's of entertainment that make for a good performance
- what you wear at gigs says something about you as a performer
- "mentalism is the last frontier of magic where some people believe that it is real" says Marc Paul
In your festive podcast I gift wrap the following topics:
- unearthing the treasures that reside in a magic book case
- analysing the diverse elements that go to make up humour
- printed advertising is an important part of your online promotional push
- reflections on the presentation of my first Zoom lecture
- if your magic life was to be rebooted, what would you do differently?
- I reflect on what a world in which magic is not that interesting to anyone would be like!
It's dark, cold and wet - but here is a little sunshine!
- Reflections on the first 'virtual' Magic Circle Young Magicians' Club J-Day
- have magicians these days become too impatient in their magic lives?
- Eric Eswin suggests that magic clubs should not be so strict about preventing their members from revealing secrets to the public
- Zoom magic is rapidly becoming a recognised sub section of general magic
- lay people's view of magic can be very revealing
- this December will be unlike any other for us magicians!
Here's what you can expect in October's offering:
- A round up of how magic continues to deal with the coronavirus epidemic
- how necessary is it to change tricks in your act or repertoire?
- the importance of getting the balance right between promotional costs and benefits
- positive role models can provide a real boost to your magical progress
- magic guilt can lead to 'over-proving'
- are you world class at getting ready?
Here's what you can expect to hear in the September podcast
- If social distancing restrictions continue, will this lead to smaller events, and if so will it have an impact on the size of fees we can command?
- Dave Jones' epic Facebook rant strikes a chord with some and upsets others
- patter acts should sometimes learn when NOT to speak
- why September would be a great time to join E-Club Pro
- when magic was not a good fit for street performance
- the importance of getting yourself in the right frame of mind before a close up show
The August round up of magic themed topics contains the following:
- We are all having to get used to different ways of working when entertaining via Zoom
- the top magicians are those who learn how to relax and pause when performing says Christopher Barnes
- why we shouldn't care about what people say about our show
- when having a disaster is actually very lucky
- are digital magic magazines more acceptable than digital books?
- Dani DaOrtiz reverses an old magic adage that says you should never tell the audience in advance what you are going to do
A summer collection of advice and opinion which contains the following topics:
- The lockdown aftermath may initially change the tricks that we can do in close up
- Morgan and West contend that the strolling magician has to fight for the attention of his audiences
- enjoy the tale of my brush with the law extracted from E-Club Pro's It Could Only Happen Live
- female magicians have to try that much harder to succeed in magic it seems
- the rise of the podcast shows an increase in the popularity of audio information
- your magic fan base changes as you progress through your magic 'career'
These are the topics we get stuck into this time:
- The British Ring online 'Nonvention' seeks to fill the gap left by the cancellation of their regular event
- I reflect on Lance Burton's assertion that performing is like Groundhog Day - you keep repeating the same act until you get it perfect
- redundant phrases and useless messages - a round up of my 'favourites'
- will you be fooled by The Tube Of Wonder?
- blogs are good to do as long as you know who you are writing for
- the question is not whether a printed book is better than a digital one, surely it's the quality of the content that counts
'May' I interest you in the following topics?
- Magic steps up and produces a number of projects to keep magicians in lockdown interested
- taking away the 'parachute' helps to raise levels of perseverance for pro magicians
- formulating a sort of magic risk assessment can help in dealing with performance glitches
- learning how to control all aspects of your performance life can pay big dividends
- Richard Young's Magicians' Podcast and Dynamo's Beyond Belief provide some welcome magical distraction
- creativity is better when it is driven by plot more than method
Here's a run down of the subjects for April
- What the coronavirus means to us magicians
- do table hopping magicians always have the right to interrupt people and insist that they watch some magic?
- Tony Middleton suggests how you can get a hotel residency, and I wonder whether this is good practice for all entertainers
- we need to lead bookers to the right type of booking conditions, not just accept what they think that they want
- I announce a new Video E-Book Release featuring coins and purses
- there is no substitute for the live performance as a means to refine new magic
The discussion topics for March are:
- The pressure of walking around the Blackpool dealers' halls
- I reflect on Simon Caine's assertion that mind readers shouldn't make predictions
- has the CineMental trailer set a new standard for online video dems?
- E-Club Pro is in its 10th year and is a formidable online magic resource
- I present an argument that magic exposure is not only necessary, but is in any case an outmoded concept that's not worth worrying about
- going 'old school' and dealing with all show enquiries by telephone might be an advantage
Here is the February line up of topics:
- Reflections on the Session 2020 and anticipating the Blackpool Convention
- how to avoid spectators challenging you when you perform
- are you guilty of using redundant phrases, words or patter in your act?
- a discussion on crediting ideas properly and thoughts on Andi Gladwin's 'open source' concept applied to magic
- Magicseen sets off on its 16th year of publication and goes from strength to strength
- taking a step back to evaluate your act or technique can be very beneficial
Your New Year podcast line up covers the following topics:
- I chat about what makes December a unique month for shows
- Ian Brennan learns a lesson regarding lecturing for young magicians which raises some interesting points
- if all magic can be categorised as a puzzle, or as a trick, or as an extraordinary moment, as suggested by Ken Weber in Maximum Entertainment, then should we all be working towards more extraordinary moments?
- let's make 2020 the year in which we commit to supporting a live magic event
- adopting strategies to help with remembering trick sequences gets more important as you get older
- since most modern marketed magic comes with little or no props of any quality or note, what are magic collectors going to be seeking out in a hundred years time?
Your festive selection of magic topics for this time are:
- The changing nature of magic conventions means that the most successful and sustainable events are those which are focused in terms of their theme or content
- how do you decide how many tricks to carry when performing strolling magic?
- audio books are a great learning tool for those who say they don't read books any more
- a good performing style or personality can help dictate the type of magic you choose for your act
- the decline of general theatrical agents has removed a quality control mechanism
- manage your bookers' expectations if you want to avoid them being disappointed with you
Plenty of fireworks in the November Podcast line up:
- the dilemma that mentalists face when seeking to make their shows entertaining to the lay public
- organising your performance workspace can be key to putting on a good show
- the brand new E-Club Pro Live lecture for 2020/21 is ready to book
- it's surprising how hackneyed the responses can be to magic and magicians
- David Regal claims that there is a need to fail in order to achieve great things, but is this universally true?
- a New Release is announced of a classic effect for stand up or for a close up show
- your magic bookshelf can reveal a lot about your magic pathway
Sit back and relax while listening to the following topics:
- magical chat in different environments keeps things fresh for the four of us in the CCC
- if magic takes place in the minds of the spectators, does it mean there's no magic when no one is watching?
- a month into the life of the new MLM website it seems to be finding favour with many customers
- three types of magical exposure are considered
- how to free up time to be consistently magically creative
- I break patter down into half a dozen different types
- does the 'magician in trouble, then comes good' plot still have any relevance?
The September line up of podcast topics is as follows:
- Tommy Cooper provides a great definition of the difference between pro and amateur magicians
- examples of how magic leaves a uniquely long lasting impression with spectators
- the Real Magic Roadshow is coming to a town near you
- charity and awards night dinners create special circumstances for table hopping magicians
- themed costumes are usually impractical and a total liability for us
- should on stage helpers be required to stand or sit during their time with you?
Your summertime listen from Mark Leveridge covers the following topics:
- I consider how big a factor performance risk can be when considering trick methods
- predicting how magic will be sold in the future is put into context by a blog article I wrote way back in 1995
- the new MLM site is scheduled to launch at the end of this month and I give an insight into what it has taken to make it happen
- magic is pretty unique in the way it can be used to put across messages or help others in a variety of ways
- if the effect is everything, does it matter at all what the method is, or will literally anything be suitable?
- the key question to ask if considering turning full time pro
Podcast Gold
Each year I like to put together a special 'reprise' edition of the Podcast in which I look back over the previous 12 months or so and select half a dozen of my favourite topics to create a special compilation. If you are a regular listener, you will hopefully enjoy hearing the chosen tracks again, and if you are coming fresh to the Podcast, it should give you a good flavour for what it is like. Here are my chosen topics:
- I discuss whether social media ever really delivers in terms of creating actual bookings or whether we are simply deluding ourselves
- cancellation clauses in performance contracts can cause more problems than they solve
- do you feel a bit uncomfortable performing for people who know you very well, such as family and friends? I look at why this might be
- when creating new magic, should you start with the effect or the method?
- is getting to the magic 'moment' as quickly as possible, always the right way to go?
- online booking agencies make for lazy enquiries and encourage potentially unfair price comparisons
Here is the line up of topics for sunny June!
- Magic that is designed to be filmed for social media use may not always be suitable for real world performance
- it pays to be aware that lay people assistants may misinterpret your instructions because they are intimidated by being up on a stage
- magic that impresses us can often be seen completely differently by lay people
- when people retire from their real job it provides the opportunity to do more magic and to become 'professional' - but what do the magic pros do?
- when is it advisable to work for free in order to put yourself in front of the right people?
- online agencies have created a race to the bottom in terms of fees leaving most of the good entertainers with no bookings
'May' I offer you the following topics of magical interest?
- does Uri Geller really still need to make wild claims in the media?
- if your spectators have paid specifically to see you perform there is perhaps more pressure on you to deliver than if you are just the 'hired help'
- getting started at a gig as a strolling magician can be tricky to know the exact right moment to jump in
- I consider the assertion by Dr. Kuhn that magic is an enjoyable sensation because the audience knows that magic is not real
- Anthony Owen's demise is a real shock and a huge loss to magic
- the second hand magic market is surely going to be affected by the lack of physical trick instructions
- I anticipate my annual trip to the marvellous 4Fs close up magic convention in the US
Here is the April shower of topics:
- The show fee debate rages on, but I make the case that all fee amounts have equal validity
- if you never perform magic for the lay public, does that mean you should have no involvement with magic at all?
- we are all guilty sometimes of performing tricks that we like and not necessarily ones that our audiences like
- musicians can teach magicians much about dedication
- if you could create the perfect magic convention, what would it look like?
- lay people are sometimes impressed simply because they do not know the secret rather than by the skills that brought about the magic
The line up of topics for March is as follows:
- Blackpool is over for another year and I give some observations, including comments on those gold wrist bands!
- Morgan and West show the way to look at classics and create something better
- Ian Brennan reveals a singular way to get your name remembered by spectators
- Judging Arrival Times - an audio advice track extracted from a recent Mark's Monthly Message
- is getting to the magic 'moment' as quickly as possible, always the right way to go?
- the variety of dealers at Blackpool is even more diverse than ever
The February 2019 Podcast offers the following content:
- Reflections on The Event and The Session from last month
- do mentalists have a more difficult job than magicians presenting their effects as strolling entertainers?
- if you want to work your magic for local businesses, get involved in your local business community
- why face-to-face conversation will stimulate and progress your magic quicker than anything else
- when creating new magic, should you start with the effect or the method?
- the biggest challenge for busy performers is maintaining a freshness and spontaneity of presentation
Get your New Year off to a flying start by listening to the following topics:
- The launch of the new Mark Leveridge Magic website is getting closer and I give an update about what it will be like
- I reflect on the latest Magic Clips get together and compare it to the traditional magic convention
- why do some spectators think it is OK to rummage through the magician's clothing if they want to find out how a trick is done?
- the sophistication of some modern dealers is amazing when compared to 30 years ago
- if a spectator can come up with even a simplistic and inaccurate explanation for your magic, it diminishes the impact of it in their eyes
- the true story of the lady spectator who found a way to get maximum value for money
The final Podcast of 2018 has the following topics:
- How do you define the difference between a close up competition and a stand up magic competition?
- changes in the average attention span of spectators can have an effect on the type of magic we need to present
- it seems that some people are suffering from magic fatigue
- I really enjoy spending some time with Paul Gordon putting the magic world to rights
- is the Christmas rush still a rush?
- I consider the John Bannon assertion that maybe the stereotypical close up worker may need to change what he does in order to remain bookable
Dark nights are brightened by the November Podcast contents which feature the following topics:
- The CCC rebrands as the OCCC but the meeting provides the same great stimulus as always
- online booking agencies make for lazy enquiries and encourage potentially unfair price comparisons
- does it matter that explanations of many of our tricks are openly available on YouTube?
- magicians sometimes get too hung up on moves and procedure and can easily forget what is far more important
- online video instructions provide both the best and the worst type of trick explanation
- do you feel a bit uncomfortable performing for people who know you very well, such as family and friends? I look at why this might be
An OctoberFest of magic opinion and comment featuring the following topics:
- I reflect that it's not easy as a self employed business person to clear the desks before going on holiday
- Wittus Witt asks whether close up magic really has any place at modern large conventions
- creativity is all about making choices, but this can present you with a dilemma
- Shin Lim brings a theatrical importance to his visual close up miracles in America's Got Talent
- how much do you value magical advice?
- cancellation clauses in performance contracts can cause more problems than they solve
The September Podcast will entertain you and get you thinking with the following topics:
- I get the opportunity to experience Noel Britten's Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk, and it's awesome!
- what are the best and worst parts of being a magician?
- the show format that helped me to gain invaluable performing experience in the early days of my magic career
- I discuss whether social media ever really delivers in terms of creating actual bookings or whether we are simply deluding ourselves
- the importance of how we respond to show enquiries is illustrated when my wife and I try to book some entertainment for our own party
The summery August Podcast contains the following topics:
- Why on earth do so many of us get involved in magic in the first place? I suggest a whole load of reasons why we might get involved in the art
- Duncan Trillo launches an interesting new initiative in which he invites fans of his MagicWeek website to become a MagicWeek Backer
- the football World Cup is over, but maybe there are some lessons to be learned about how not to jump on a bandwagon when it comes to publicity
- I finally release the 4th volume of my popular card magic series of E-Books
- there are many things to cope with as a table hopping magician, and none of them are anything to do with the magic itself
- download instructions are now all pervasive, a situation that has almost sneaked up on us all
A varied selection of topics this month looks like this:
- Richy Roy suggests that most of us are charging far too little for our shows and I discuss whether he is right or not
- I prove that no matter how long you have been in the magic business, there can still be things which happen to you which have never happened before
- "Strolling magic is not an art, it's a service" says Paul Brook - but is he correct?
- news of a new MLM release that is a terrific, practical version of a classic plot
- the mobile phone has changed the way spectators want to experience our magic
- why do lay people still fall back on cliched explanations for the magic that we do?
The early summer 2018 podcast has the following topics:
- I reflect on my recent US lecture tour which included some dodgy weather and a traffic violation!
- talking of lectures, I consider what magicians expect to get from a lecture that they attend
- magical fame and fortune may not always be all it is cracked up to be
- the Mark Leveridge Magic website is being re-designed and I give you some early teaser information about what it might be like when it launches later in the year
- I reflect on why it can be difficult sometimes to entertain the people who have actually booked you
- why offering advice to an inexperienced magician may not be the best thing to do
- why does magic seem to attract such high levels of incompetence!?
Podcast Gold
Here are six of my favourite Podcast articles which I have collected together from Podcasts released over the last year. I hope you enjoy hearing them again, or if you missed them, for the first time!
- Fee negotiation - do you allow your rates to be a subject of discussion with a potential booker?
- I offer a theory about when you should hand write a prediction and when it is OK to have it pre-printed
- I explain why I think going back to tables more than once is not a good idea
- comedy is as much about consistently selecting appropriate lines to suit our performing personality as it is about the lines themselves
- your credibility as a magician is important for potential bookers, so here's a way to ensure you get some
- card to wallet - is it better to go down the palm-and-load route, or are the no-palm versions just as valid?
The April edition of Mark Leveridge's magical musings covers the following:
- Richard Kaufman has a 'pop' at Magicseen
- your magic competitors may actually be your allies
- hyphens and underscores make difficult to decipher email addresses even worse
- GDPR is on its way, but will it matter to us magicians?
- a spectator accurately observes and gives a fascinating insight into the processes that we strolling magicians go through when we entertain at tables
- if you appear to be an expert at what you do, you are more likely to get the show enquiry/booking
The March miscellany of magic comments offers you....
- Walking round the dealers at Blackpool reveals that many of the stands and much of the product packaging is so much more professional than it used to be
- what makes for the best type of subject for a major headline prediction?
- The Sacred Riana - proving on Asia's Got Talent that presentation will always elevate magic irrespective of how strong the magic itself may be
- the world is awash with information and if you want to be heard you need to play the long game with your publicity
- you can find new magic for your act by looking outside the normal magic categories that you might consider
- how do you evaluate the value of a marketed trick?
- the goalposts seem to have moved for children's entertainers
This is what the February edition has in store for you
- I attended The Session last month and I offer my observations about the annual close up convention organised by Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin
- "If someone asks you to perform, you are not obliged to do so" - I explain why I agree with this assertion from Roberto Giobbi
- Mike Close reveals how to take the sting out of strong magic to make it more acceptable to lay people
- here's an important piece of advice that could make sure you get more enquiries from your website
- listen to a Mark's Monthly Message Audio File on Developing A Performing Personality
- Facebook gives you even less opportunity to get your message across via your posts
The first Podcast of a new year offers you the following topics:
- I reflect on how the Podcast has developed since its inception in January 2013
- what makes for the perfect opening trick? The current issue of Magicseen gives the views of 10 top pro close up magicians
- how to turn yourself into a Business Magician and thus open up countless new working opportunities
- attending a concert by the Bootleg Beatles leads me to wonder whether you could have 'tribute magicians' in the same way as the music industry has 'tribute bands'
- never try to second guess what fee a potential booker can afford
- with so many people wanting to get magic ideas marketed, what's the best way to get a product out there?
- how to know whether your 2018 magical resolutions are likely to actually come about
The festive edition of the Podcast has the following topics:
- I explain why presenting live club lectures is one of my favourite things to do
- pros should give semi-pros a lot of respect
- don't automatically assume that the method supplied with a marketed product is the best one possible
- why using a logo could be a good thing for magicians
- instant gratification with online purchases has changed the landscape for buying magic
- card to wallet - is it better to go down the palm-and-load route, or are the no-palm versions just as valid?
The November Podcast covers the following topics:
- I reflect on the mini explosion of magic online learning opportunities
- have you noticed whether your regularly used props have become tatty?
- I reveal my favourite way to create new magic
- we all have to deal with the pressures of audience scrutiny every time that we perform
- comedy is as much about consistently selecting appropriate lines to suit our performing personality as it is about the lines themselves
- Safety Catch is back as a Premier E-Routine download
- most magicians ignore one of the best ways to get corporate work
What can you expect from the October Podcast? Here's a run down
- The stresses and strains of moving house and relocating two businesses
- is it best to quote all inclusive show fees, or is it better to have a lower headline price and then go for added extras?
- the latest annual Cumbrian Conjurers Collective session provides tangible help and advice
- I highlight one of the most important aspects of performance that some entertainers tend to forget
- a new online show agency gets my vote over Bark
- take the online video tour of E-Club Pro and see exactly what benefits members receive
- I explain why I think going back to tables more than once is not a good idea
The September Podcast covers the following topics:
- I ponder on whether it is good for magic when celebrities are shown doing magic on TV
- should children's entertainers be displaying their magic props to make an impression on the kids and on the booker?
- one of my favourite parlour or large close up table tricks is reintroduced
- things that you can do to help older people in your audience to fully appreciate what you do
- the market for good magic books is not redundant, despite what some may say
- do hecklers still exist and would you know one if you met one?
- I discuss whether people still practise magic in the way magicians used to
The topics in the August podcast are:
- Fee negotiation - do you allow your rates to be a subject of discussion with a potential booker?
- TV magicians such as Troy and Dynamo are attracting a young crowd to magic
- the magic business card is still one of the best and most used publicity tools
- a new Premier E-Routine is released this month and is a fun effect for children's entertainers
- when you present different types of shows, you need to be able to adapt your performance skills to suit each of them
- does performing tricks repeatedly lead to a reduction in the quality of your technique, especially in bright lighting conditions?
- we all have a performance mode which we need to be able to turn on or off at will
Here are the podcast topics to get you through the lazy days of summer
- The power that Derren Brown brings to his performances bucks the accepted modern trend of how we should entertain lay people
- I offer a theory about when you should hand write a prediction and when it is OK to have it pre-printed
- nobody knows everything in magic, so surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people can be a huge help
- most performers spend more time on the show than they do on the business of promoting that show
- Mark Leveridge Magic does not sell fish, despite what UPS may think!
- coming second on BGT could be a good thing for Issy Simpson
- not getting a booking may be nothing to do with the fee
The early summer Podcast offers you the following topics:
- Summer seems to have arrived, yet I for one am not that thrilled!
- what constitutes a good trick? I look at some options
- there are three different types of show enquiry that you may be getting and I explain how you might categorise them and what they each mean
- lectures have changed in nature but my latest offering is more like they used to be
- how music can be a real asset for a close up performer
- your credibility as a magician is important for potential bookers, so here's a way to ensure you get some
For May we have a Podcast Special:
I like to ring the changes once a year with the Podcast content and so this edition features three Audio Files extracted from Mark's Monthly Message video presentations which were originally given to E-Club Pro members. Here you can listen to audio tracks which cover topics on how to approach a table, ways to get great reactions from spectators at those tables, and finally, how to judge the right length to stay at any given table.
The April Podcast covers the following topics:
- Putting yourself in the shoes of your close up spectators can be revealing
- the Magic Circle ups the ante with its Dealers Day
- protecting your website from the 'bad guys' is an ongoing problem
- lay people often have misconceptions about the magic world
- MLM has now officially become a digital magic hub
- what does it mean if you claim to be a 'professional' magician?
- long experience can be a double edged sword
- the unique attribute that magic has
The March miscellany of musings from Mark include...
- Does cramped dealer space reduce sales?
- tracking where show enquiries come from and whether they turn into bookings is vital
- what do you do when a trick goes wrong? - why this is really an unimportant question
- no, not retiring, just a change of the way MLM products are delivered
- a reflection on the 'explosion' of lecturers doing the rounds on the UK magic club circuit
- why Bark are causing show fees to be pushed down
- early influences can shape our magic future
This month I discuss the following topics:
- Reflections on the January 2017 Session Convention in London
- Jamie Raven scores well with some radio magic and gives us all something to learn from the way he did it
- how ill do you have to be before you will consider backing out of a show booking?
- teaching total beginners magic skills in the MLM Academy makes me realise how basic the initial information may need to be
- a magic conundrum for commercial close uppers at dinners is revealed
- when is the right time to put up your show fees?
Start the new year with the following podcast topics:
- Being a performer means we work when others aren't and prevents us from enjoying our own social lives
- having the confidence to change your performing environment can be important to the success of your show
- I reflect on the number of magical podcasts that are now available
- where will the hand crafted wooden magic props come from in the future?
- sometimes we can be unaware of how loud our music or voice amp needs to be
- audio books provide an interesting way to learn
- are the days of the general theatrical agent numbered as the internet provides bookers with all the info they need?
The festive Podcast features discussion on the following topics:
- I reflect that this completes exactly 4 years of the Podcast
- December's shows put a strain on us and our props in a way that virtually no other month usually does
- having used PR earlier this year, I consider whether it is a good way to handle self promotion
- Deciding How Long To Perform For - listen for free to this marketed Mark's Monthly Message Audio File
- I ponder on how it can take a long time often to become an 'overnight' success
- what's the ideal time to arrive at a gig?
The November bag of topics includes: * Email or 'phone - which is your preferred method to receive show enquiries? I look at the pros and cons of both * I ponder on whether the very young and very old get a disproportionate amount of credit for the magic that they do * life on the road - I get a glimpse of what real itinerant performers have to cope with * MLM will be turning completely digital next year * the importance of video on magic websites cannot be underestimated * Dominic Reyes extols the virtues of correct methods of practice and I discuss why he's right to do so
Your October fest of comment and chat this month covers the following: * The Cumbrian Conjurers Collective meets again * a month proves a long time in magic for Stan Allen and Magic Magazine * barking up the wrong tree? - I discuss the merits or otherwise of an online magic 'agency' * putting new magic into your act may be nerve wracking sometimes but is it also hugely beneficial? * I consider whether live over-the-counter product dems have much importance in this online age * how to decide which group or table to approach first at a gig * observations on how exhibitors interract with potential customers at a wedding fair
The new magic season podcast contains the following: * Reflections on the new magic season * magicians tend to try to do everything in their magic lives rather than getting professionals to help with key areas of promotion and advertising * the end of Magic Magazine causes shock waves * what is your USP that will help you to get a good conversion rate of enquiries to bookings? * Dynamo's transition from the small TV screen to big arenas * I offer a sample recording of one of my It Could Only Happen Live stories * news of the release of a further six Audio File Downloads
This is what you can expect in the August edition...
- Why we should all embrace the age we are and concentrate some of our marketing directly on those bookers who are attracted to performers of our particular age
- how I have continued to cope with being a Jeremy Corbyn lookalike
- I discuss a new event aimed at those who want to learn how to get to grips with marketing themselves
- Public Domain - how do you define which tricks fall into this category and who makes the decision about it in the first place?
- some Mark's Monthly Messages are now being made available as downloadable audio files
- constant performance makes everything the performer does so slick that the way the magician handles his props can be as appealing as the magic itself
- a lay person asks me why there aren't more women in magic
In July I am looking at the following topics: * I consider the luck involved in getting show bookings and how it is hard to predict when they will come along * here's a theory for why Richard Jones came first on BGT, and Jamie Raven only achieved a second place * being a creature of habit helps me to achieve long running features for magicians * I ask the question of whether, if the fee was right, you would take on any type of show? * crowdfunding - the future of magic project capitalisation? * sometimes we need perhaps to put the brakes on when performing to avoid putting our foot in it! * necessity is the mother of invention, especially for creative magicians
Here's what you'll find in the June offering: * I look back at my recent tour of the USA and reflect on what it was like * do you tend to get more shows at a distance from where you live rather than very locally, and if so, why do think that is? * I talk about a brand new release that I am excited about * I look at why pro performers are often so slick in the way that they perform * the problems that summer heat or general weather conditions can cause for you and your props * how we can harness lay people's perception of our magic to our benefit * exactly what is it that makes comedy funny? - I discuss the factors that need to come together for comedy to work
This month I have put together a 'gold' version of the Podcast in which I have collected together a selection of extracts from Podcasts that have been published over the last year or so. This is your chance to catch some of the discussions which you may have missed.....
- how to get cost effective Public Liability Insurance and why you may need it
- some of your spectators may suffer from Rhabdophobia - do you know what this is?
- where have all the dedicated magic book suppliers gone?
- how to turn business cards you collect into a truly valuable resource
- do less magicians buy at conventions because they are buying all the time online?
- having a sense of your own performance value helps when quoting show fees
You'd be an April Fool not to listen to the latest Podcast which covers...
- I look ahead to my latest trip to the USA in April and anticipate the lectures and conventions that I will be present at
- the demise of Paul Daniels leaves a huge gaping hole in the magic scene
- my daughter experiences first hand an issue that table magicians have to contend with
- I explain why it is impossible to ever organise the perfect magic event
- announcing the latest release in the Classic Leveridge Range
- have you ever considered just how important the event at which you are entertaining is for those present, or is it just your latest gig?
- what is it that makes you buy a new magic trick, and do you need to be fooled by it first?
The March melange of magical musings includes.... * How I managed to make the Blackpool Convention relaxing! * the challenges of performing close up for two blind people * Magicseen is in its 12th year and now has a huge body of work to offer * does it bother you when spectators are constantly fiddling with their phones while you are trying to entertain them? * the advantages of getting most show enquiries by email * the E-Club Pro 30 Day Pass * what is acceptable as performance clothing and does it really matter?
Inside this month's audio treat.... * The Blackpool Convention awaits but will have one small thing missing this year * do you adapt your presentation style according to who is in your audience? * why magicians are SO lucky to be able to involve spectators in their acts * I look at a number of reasons that may prevent you adding fresh material to your show * new release Six Appeal has got off to a strong start * the inhibiting factor for close up of the quiet, small performance room * I consider a response to one of the questions most commonly asked by spectators * I reveal my favourite type of booking and explain why it is so great
Your New Year edition offers the following:* How looking back over 2015 can help you to plan and evaluate what you'd like or need to do in 2016 * if you pass a booking you can't do to a magic colleague, do you expect to get a cut of the fee? * creativity for the long haul needs a managed approach * new beginner magic workshops in 2016 at the Mark Leveridge Magic Academy * reflections on the current healthy state of live magic in the UK * show and self promotion requires constant attention these days * do you ever fall into the Charity trap?
Lined up for your listening pleasure in this month's Podcast you will find:* Cancelled bookings - how do you deal with them? * Craig Petty makes some interesting assertions about what bookers should look for in a good close up worker * I contend that there is a lot of value in getting stimulus and ideas from outside the magic world * physical printed books can often have a 'history' that E-Books simply can't match * does being an older magician mean you are less likely to get bookings for young peoples' events? * why having a mike and amplifier should be seen as essential for many types of show
November's Podcast offers you the following: * The MLM Podcast gets over 5000 plays since last December * getting the balance right between fee levels and number of bookings * the pressures on Dynamo as his big live shows get underway * are magicians getting more tolerant of their performances being filmed by the public? * E-Club Pro passes the 500 pages of content mark * the fundamental difference between working at dinner functions and at mix and mingle events * magicians who do business talks have the advantage * from information scarcity to information overload
Included in this edition of the Podcast...* I report on the latest meeting of the Cumbrian Conjurers Collective * when is a lecture NOT a lecture? * I am surprised to discover that I have become the leader of the Labour party (!) * learning from watching top presenter Steve Head at the Entrepreneurs Circle national event * new release DC's Rope Routine proves a great success * why is it that performers seem to remember the bad shows more readily than the good ones? * a special birthday celebration trip means the MLM office will be closed for two weeks in October * when the hardest people to entertain at a gig are the ones who have booked you * I reflect on the positive influence magic can have on your life
In the September edition you will find:* September lecture schedule * the quantum leap from just 'doing' tricks to 'presenting' tricks * I grapple with the simple task of getting a passport renewed * why we sometimes go blank when performing certain effects * news on the MLM Academy * the single best way to prevent any problems with getting show fees * how to increase the chances of your spectators remembering who you are
Topics covered in this summer issue are:* Juan Mayoral's extraordinary comments from the stage at FISM in Rimini * I get first hand evidence that children's magic is as popular as ever * news about a new release in the Professional Worker Series of informational E-Books * are telephone quotes for shows better than those sent via email? - I consider the pros and cons of both formats * the funny things that kids say at shows * Pat Fallon's article in the Magic Circular on the problems that illness can cause performers leads me to consider what it is that protects us from 'bugs' * the MLM Academy training room is now built and almost ready for use * does your magic technique stand up to close scrutiny in bright sunlight?
The July Podcast covers the following:* I report on an evening spent watching Paul Daniel's new Intimate Magic Show * it seems that magic tricks happen in the minds of our spectators even when we don't intend it * preparations for the MLM Academy are well advanced * Jamie Raven is beaten by a dog - how fair is a competition where that is possible? * having a sense of your own performance value helps when quoting show fees * experts help Magicseen to aid performers to improve their act
In the June Podcast you will find: USA tour de-brief in briefdo less magicians buy at conventions because they are buying all the time online?summer turns up the heat on performersannouncing the launch of the MLM Academyshould ANY topic be out of bounds for comedy?the MLM audio books now available as downloads toothe problems of eating when performing or travelling falls over meal timesJamie Raven proves it's not what you do...
Podcast Special In this special edition of the Podcast I take a look at three of the biggest issues facing any entertainer who is considering turning full time pro. Ever wondered what it's like earning your living from magic? Listen to this Podcast and much will be revealed!
The April 2015 Podcast covers the following topics:* The importance of being open to learning from all types of magic * looking forward to my US lecture tour and Penguin Live lecture * a plea for help with a Facebook problem * discussing magic with lay people can be most revealing * the prevalence of eye-candy magic rather than routined effects * how to turn business cards you collect into a truly valuable resource * do you do things in the way you do, simply because that is how you have ALWAYS done them?
In this edition of the Podcast you will find the following topics covered:* Blackpool Convention as seen from the Dealers' Hall * how would you define exactly what a magic show really is? * New Releases update * performing shows is a strong catalyst for invention * where have all the dedicated magic book suppliers gone? * products with online instructions - the thin end of the wedge? * Magicseen celebrates 10 years * taking a critical look at our performance props is a good idea * the huge jump in the standards shown by the top performers
The February 2015 Podcast includes:* looking forward to Blackpool 2015 * the dilemma of absentees at tables you are trying to entertain * are you part of the 1%, 9% or 90% of magical inventors? * keeping a sensible work, life, magic balance * some of your spectators may suffer from Rhabdophobia - do you know what this is? * the never ending attraction of card magic * strolling magicians should learn to educate their bookers
The January 2015 Podcast includes:* Christmas 2014 show reflections * do magicians value the content of printed magic books more than the E-Book equivalent? * hats off to Duncan Trillo and MagicWeek * what criteria do you use to evaluate if a new trick will make it into your act? * responsive magic websites - time for a change? * how to get cost effective Public Liability Insurance and why you may need it * E-Club Pro starts its fifth year and now has almost 500 video files for members to access * the Costa Coffee effect and why it could lead you to put up your show fees
The December 2014 Mark Leveridge Magic podcast contains:* Getting ready for Xmas shows - are you prepared? * the importance of tracking where your show enquiries come from * memories of Bobby Bernard * what is it that makes some tricks so memorable to lay people? * solving your Xmas problems with a MLM Gift Voucher * discussing the issue of how to avoid making tables you entertain last feel undervalued * help for those who suffer from performance nerves * the children's show enquiry that involved six hours of driving * reflections on 2014