Zoom Magician - Bringing a Little Magic to Your Next Virtual Event

If you're planning an event and don't want it to be just another boring Zoom call, then you should consider hiring a Zoom magician! A Zoom magician can bring an extra dose of fun and excitement to any virtual event. From mind-reading tricks to interactive illusions, a Zoom magician will have your guests mesmerized with their amazing abilities and captivating showmanship.

What is a Zoom Magician?

A Zoom magician is someone who specializes in performing magic tricks over video conferencing platforms like Zoom. These magicians are experts at engaging their audience through the screen and creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. By making the most of the technology available to them, they can perform all sorts of incredible feats that will leave your guests asking "how did they do that?"

Types of Tricks Performed by a Zoom Magician

A good zoom magician will have a wide variety of tricks up their sleeve. Some popular types of tricks performed by these magicians include mind-reading, card tricks, coin magic, money magic, signature transformations, time travel illusions, levitations, and more. No matter what type of trick the magician performs or how they do it, the goal is always to keep the audience guessing and entertained throughout the entire show.

Benefits of Hiring a Zoom Magician

The biggest benefit of hiring a zoom magician for your next virtual event is that it will add some much-needed energy and entertainment to your gathering. Whether you're hosting an online birthday party or corporate meeting, having someone perform amazing illusions over video chat can make your event stand out from all the rest. Plus, it's sure to be something that everyone talks about for days after!

Conclusion:

All in all, if you’re looking for something unique and special for your next virtual event then consider hiring a zoom magician! They offer an array of varied tricks that can liven up any gathering – from birthday parties to corporate meetings – with spectacular feats that’ll leave everyone talking about it long after it’s over. So why not give yourself and your guests something special this time around? Get in touch with a zoom magician today!

The Strolling Magician - Amazing Entertainment on the Go!

If you’ve ever wanted to bring a little extra magic and mystery to your event, but don’t want the hassle of setting up a stage show, then you need to meet the strolling magician. This unique form of entertainment offers something truly special – an amazing performance that can move seamlessly between guests and groups while creating unforgettable memories!

What is a Strolling Magician?

A strolling magician is a type of professional entertainer who specializes in close-up magic. This means they perform small-scale feats of wonder right in front of your eyes – no stage required! The magician might use coins, cards, or other objects for their tricks, and the audience is usually encouraged to participate in some way. It’s an interactive experience that will leave everyone spellbound.

Why Hire a Strolling Magician?

Hiring a strolling magician is perfect for any event where you want entertainment that’s memorable and engaging. It can be used for corporate events, birthday parties, weddings, festivals, or any other occasion where you want something special. A great strolling magician will know how to read the room and adjust their performance accordingly – from big shows for large crowds to more intimate performances with smaller groups. Plus they can move around so they’re always entertaining people when they need it most.

How Can I Find the Right Strolling Magician?

The key is finding someone who is experienced and professional – someone who knows how to keep your guests entertained without being too overbearing or intrusive. You should look for reviews online or ask friends and family if they have recommendations. You can also look at websites such as GigMasters or Thumbtack which list local magicians in your area so you can compare different performers before making your decision.

Conclusion:

A strolling magician can be just what you need to make your next event extraordinary. These talented performers offer an interactive experience that will amaze everyone present – no matter their age! So why not think about hiring one for your next occasion? With their help, you’ll be sure to create some magical memories that will last long after the show is over.

How to Make your Wedding Memorable with a Wedding Magician

Have you ever been to a wedding that had something extra special? Something so unique, it made the entire event memorable? If you have, chances are there was wedding magic involved! Imagine walking into the wedding reception to see a wedding magician entertaining the guests! This is just one of the many ways wedding magicians can add an extra sparkle of enchantment to your special day.

What can wedding magicians do to add the extra sparkle to your wedding?:

A wedding magician will bring a different level of entertainment to your special day, leaving you with cherished memories that last a lifetime! From close-up card tricks and mind-bending illusions to interactive walk around performances, there is something for everyone at a wedding with a magician! They are sure to leave an unforgettable impression on all your guests.

Hiring Professional wedding magicians – what to look out for:

When it comes to wedding magic, one of the most important considerations is finding a wedding magician who fits your wedding style. Be sure to do your research and find someone who has experience performing wedding magic. It’s also important to make sure they have a good track record with other clients and come highly recommended.

Tips and tricks on how to make wedding magic truly magical:

To ensure that your wedding magic creates an amazing impression on all guests, keep in mind the following tips:

• Give wedding magicians plenty of space – this allows them to move around freely and interact more with guests

• If possible, book multiple wedding magicians so there is always something going on

• Ask wedding magicians to perform interactive tricks that involve guests

• Book wedding magicians for the wedding reception, not the wedding ceremony

Conclusion:

Wedding magic can add a special touch of enchantment to your wedding. With professional wedding magicians, you have the opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime. Do your research and find wedding magicians who are experienced in performing wedding magic and come highly recommended. Remember these tips when it comes time to book wedding magicians – give them plenty of space, book multiple performers if possible, and ask them to do interactive tricks involving guests. With wedding magic, your special day will be truly magical!

Book your Wedding Magician

Tips for Booking a Virtual Show Over the Phone and Beyond! (For Magicians)

   Have you ever dreaded talking to a potential client on the phone about virtual magic shows? I have. In fact the customer service and communication parts of the job used to be my least favorite. Maybe this is familiar. I avoided talking to clients at all costs. I would send generic canned email responses to quotes. I’d even go as far as to hire a virtual assistant from the Philippines (on Upwork.com) to message clients on Gigmasters and Gigsalad for me. I would never follow up with potential clients after I didn’t hear back. If I did ever chat with them I never knew what to say or how to sell my show. Luckily for me at the beginning of my career I mainly worked with children’s party event planners and agents (I rarely had to talk to clients directly). But when you’re a virtual magician at least some of the time you have to be your own agent and these basic customer service and business skills are extremely important to learn. 

Nowadays I book the majority of the events I quote for and the two biggest reasons for booking me that the clients mention are these: 

1. “You were the only magician I contacted who actually called and talked to me.” 

2. “You have the best website.”

This article isn’t about web design. However I will say this: Be sure your website readily displays all the information potential clients  need in an unambiguous manner and has a simple “Get a Quote” form. Make sure the quote form requires the client to provide an  email address and phone number.  Also, since many factors influence pricing it may be best to avoid including prices on your website.

One you get a quote request, call the prospective client right away. Don’t wait a day or two. Most people are browsing around and reaching out to several magicians. Often the first magician to respond gets the gig so don’t hesitate. That being said, don’t forget to have a work/life balance. If someone asks for  a quote after  7 p.m., even if I see the email, I wait until the next day (after 9 a.m.) to respond.  If the gig has been taken by then that’s ok because self care, boundaries, and sanity are more important for me. It’s crucial to set clear boundaries for yourself when you’re self employed.

It's helpful to be in a good mood and in the "work zone" when you make the call. You want to have all your ducks in a row, have energy, enthusiasm, and  all of your pricing and packages at the ready so that you can offer them the best options for their event without fumbling or hesitation.  I won’t share my entire script but let’s walk through the basics of this process to book events and some of the reasons behind my choices.

\To start, always have the client talk first. Ask questions about their event. I do this for two reasons, First, people love talking about themselves. Second, it also helps provide more information for a personalized quote. I don’t quote the same price for a private virtual magic show for families VS a corporate holiday party for Amazon with 200 employees; I strongly recommend that you tailor your quotes to each individual event. You’ll be surprised how much more you will make if you adjust your prices for the specifics of each show and audience. I know I was surprised when it started to happen to me. Plus, getting a personalized quote helps the client feel unique and people like to feel fancy and special. 

You should always ask what platform the client wants their virtual magic show to be on, how many logins there will be, what the occasion is, etc. When it’s a celebration discussing the event can get the prospective client in a good mood from the start. Make it extremely, extremely easy to choose you. Be friendly, genuine and a good listener. This may seem obvious but try not to give the appearance of being desperate. You can establish yourself as an expert by commenting in a positive and helpful way on the client’s information as they speak and adding tips or advice.

If perhaps you don’t offer what they want or have a problem with some or all of the client’s requests, don't decline the gig automatically. See if you can change the client’s perspective or goal. For example, if a client wants to have a virtual show on Cisco Webex and I’d rather have them do it on Zoom I’ll tackle the problem as an expert and frame the change as if I’m giving them polite advice instead of saying no or asking them to change their plan.  

“Webex is wonderful but as someone who does multiple shows weekly on a variety of platforms I recommend Zoom the most because it has more tools and options for having an interactive show. I can perform on any platform you like but I recommend Zoom for the best and smoothest audience experience.”

If the prospective client says they want their magic show on Zoom from the start I compliment them on their choice and use practically the same line to support my compliment. Little things like that are important from the get go even if you offer what they want. Compliment them on their choices. It’s important to establish yourself as a professional and the authority on the subject. When you throw in your two cents it shows you’ve been listening. It’s best to establish yourself as an expert before you even explain to them your packages and rates. 

When talking to clients YOU ARE THE EXPERT. You’ve done this a million times. Even if you haven’t, tell them you have. Most average people have never booked a virtual magician in their life before. Doing five magic shows makes you five times more of an expert than the average person so own it and be confident about it. 

When you quote on the phone you want to keep it simple. Have you ever heard of the paradox of choice? The idea is that if someone has too many options to choose from they can be overwhelmed and end up not choosing anything at all. Make it simple to book you by giving them limited choices when quoting. A good rule of thumb for pricing and packages is to have three options for each category of magic you offer. If you’re doing a stage show try to have something like a minimal option (perhaps a 30 minute show), a medium option (45 minutes with an add on?), and a fancy super expensive option (60 minute show with add-ons of the client’s choice). This way if you have a large budget client then they can choose the high end option but you also don’t have to price yourself out from getting the gig if you have a more modest client. It’s the best of both worlds. 

There is in fact such a thing as too much information. Don’t provide too many choices or info. Often I’ll do some research and put in a fake event request in my neighborhood to see what my competition is doing. Most of the time the other magicians don’t call.  Instead they send a giant emailed canned response with 5-15 options.  Most of which don’t make sense or don’t seem appropriate to my event. It’s extremely clear they put zero effort in. They expect the client to read a lengthy essay and pick out the tiny little bit of information that pertains to the client’s event. It’s a huge turn off.

If you have different types of virtual magician offerings such as corporate team building magic workshops, short mini meeting shows, or virtual holiday party performances or anything else then you can have your three tiered packages written down somewhere along with price ranges for each option so you don’t forget. That way after you get info from the client on what type of magic they need you can pick which type of magic performance style to recommend and within that category pitch your three packages to offer. Having three relevant options is personalized and keeps it simple for them to make a choice.

Trust me . . . I get it, quoting is hard . . . I used to hate it. But that little added extra detail of talking on the phone and having slightly more tailored responses for each type of virtual magic you offer and the audience for which you will be performing goes a long way. For your clients it’s so important to simplify. Simplify. Simplify. You will be greatly rewarded for your effort.

When you have finished quoting the client, be sure to email them a summary of what you discussed. Clients love it when I say “Now before I quote you I just want to let you know that I’m going to send all this information to you in an email so you don’t have to write any numbers down or remember any math.” That sentence always gets a relieved sigh or laugh every single time. - Feel free to steal that line.

Before sending the email summary remember to narrow down the options and prices for the client. This sounds harder than it is, but I’ll walk you through it. You can have three different canned emails you write down ahead of time and just copy/paste and personalize as needed. I personally have pre-written emails for: (1) Virtual Magic Lessons (2) Family and kids shows, and  (3) My corporate show.

Within these three canned emails you can have three options or a base show with two add-ons for the client to choose from as well as descriptions, photos and videos of each thing. I include spaces in the prewritten text where I can personalize each quote by having such things as the client’s name in the introduction. That way it doesn’t seem to be a canned document. You can also change the price to the one you quoted for their specific event. Having an email with everything you discussed for the client is wonderful because then the client doesn’t have to remember anything at all and you also don’t have to remember the details of your conversation. It’s a win-win for everyone. That way when the client calls to book the event you know exactly what you quoted because there’s concrete documentation.

After you send the summary email if you don’t hear back in three to five  days don’t forget to do a follow up message. I always inquire with a simple paragraph such as: 

“Checking in! Please let me know if you have any more questions or need anything at all.”

Often that will get a response that the client wants to book, or perhaps has a special request or question and that starts dialogue again between you and the customer.

To summarize all of that - just make it a no-brainer to book you. Think about your client’s experience. Is it nice? Is it easy? From the beginning of your quote process, to your website, to the quote form, to the end of your client’s experience after your call with the email summary, photos and follow up email: Think about every moment.

Think about every single step and the client’s experience. See if there is a way to make something smoother and simpler for them to get the information they need to make their decision. Spoon feed it to them. If you do that you will stand out from the crowd and see the bookings rolling in. 

Don’t forget to think of ways to problem solve and make the process easier on yourself as well. Have notes, prices, and packages written down so it’s easy to give clients that information right away. Create pre-written responses so you can copy/paste. Have systems for things so you don’t have loose ends or forget details. Have a work/life balance. Make it easy on everyone (including yourself) to book many virtual magician gigs and trust me, you will!

Make Your Event Extraordinary with a Virtual Magician!

It’s time to take your event to the next level - and what better way to do that than with a virtual magician? Whether you’re hosting an online event or gathering around the Zoom table, there’s nothing quite like having a virtual magician liven up the occasion. From mind-blowing tricks and interactive illusions to hilarious comedy and audience participation, your guests will be talking about this experience for days!

The Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Magician

When it comes to entertainment, there’s no substitute for a virtual magician. Not only are they highly skilled in the art of magic, but they also offer an excellent opportunity for interactive entertainment. With their unique blend of humor and showmanship, these magicians will keep your guests engaged, entertained, and thoroughly amazed. From card tricks and sleight-of-hand illusions to mentalism and comedy routines, these performers have something for everyone.

Another great thing about hiring a virtual magician is that they can be customized to fit any type of event or budget. If you’re looking for something truly special, some magicians even offer custom experiences tailored specifically to your event. You can choose from short five-minute acts or full hour-long performances depending on your needs. No matter what type of event you’re hosting - corporate events, birthday parties, fundraising galas - having a virtual magician is sure to make it one for the books!

Conclusion:

Ready to make your event extraordinary? Then why not hire a virtual magician? These talented performers will bring fun and excitement to any online gathering with their amazing magic tricks and interactive illusions. Plus, since they can be customized to fit any type of budget or event need, you can find one that’s perfect for your special occasion! So if you want to add some extra sparkle to your next virtual gathering, then look no further than a virtual magician!

Elevate Your Virtual Event with a Virtual Magician

Blog Introduction: With the proliferation of virtual events, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of sameness. But don’t worry—we have just the thing to help you stand out! Hiring a virtual magician is an excellent way to give your event that extra bit of sparkle and dazzle. Let’s break down why hiring a virtual magician is worth your time and effort.

The Impact of Magic on Your Audience

As humans, we love to be surprised. That feeling of being taken aback by something unexpected can really elevate an event from good to great. By using a virtual magician as part of your event, you can leverage that feeling for yourself! An experienced magician will be able to perform their tricks seamlessly, no matter what platform you’re using for your event. They should also have the confidence and skill necessary to engage with your audience and keep them entertained throughout their performance.

The Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Magician

First and foremost, hiring a virtual magician is cost-effective. You won’t have to worry about airfare or hotel costs like you would if you were bringing someone in physically—all they need is an internet connection! Furthermore, magicians are incredibly versatile performers; they can adapt their show for any kind of occasion, from corporate events to children’s birthday parties. So regardless of what type of event you’re hosting, there's no doubt that adding some magic will really make it special!

Customizable Experiences

When it comes to hiring a virtual magician, rest assured that there are plenty of options available. You can customize the length and content of the show depending on your budget and needs—whether it's an intimate gathering or larger celebration—so that everyone in attendance gets something out of it! Magicians typically offer packages ranging from 20-minute shows all the way up to two hours or more—whatever works best for your particular event! And because magicians perform virtually, they can reach audiences all over the world without any hassle or additional cost involved.

Conclusion:

Hiring a virtual magician is definitely worth considering if you want to make your next virtual event truly memorable. Not only are these performances cost-effective but they also provide customizable experiences so that everyone attending has something unique and special waiting for them at the end of their journey through cyberspace! So go ahead and take advantage of this amazing opportunity today—it might just be the key ingredient needed for your next digital creation!

Zoom Magic: It's Magical!

The world has gone virtual and so has entertainment. Zoom magic is the trend that’s here to stay, and it's no wonder why. Zoom magician shows bring the fun of a live show directly into your living room. With this approach, you don't have to worry about getting dressed up or making reservations - just open the link with your friends and get ready for an amazing time!

What is a Zoom Magician?

Simply put, a zoom magician is a performer who brings their show to you through an online platform like Zoom or Skype. Through video chat, they can entertain you in real-time from any location, allowing them to perform their tricks all over the world. During these interactive shows, magicians use digital tools like screen share and augmented reality to make sure that everyone can see what’s going on even if they’re not in the same room.

Amazing Tricks for All Occasions

Whether you’re looking for something for adults or kids, zoom magicians will be sure to amaze with mind-boggling illusions and interactive tricks that will leave you and your guests speechless. From close-up sleight of hand to grand illusions involving fire (all digitally of course!), these performers can make anything happen right before your eyes. Plus, since these shows are happening via video chat, there are no limits on audience size – so feel free to invite as many people as you want!

Conclusion:

Zoom magic isn't just a great way to add some extra fun into your next gathering - it's also perfect for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. So if you're looking for something new and exciting that everyone can enjoy from afar, look no further than a zoom magician! With their amazing tricks and interactive elements, they'll be sure to bring out the kid in all of us by creating magical experiences that we won't soon forget.

Make Your Event Magical with a Strolling Magician!

Strolling magicians are the perfect addition to any event! Whether you’re throwing a birthday party, hosting a corporate event, or planning an outdoor festival, hiring a strolling magician will take your gathering to the next level of fun and entertainment. Let’s break it down and find out what makes strolling magicians such great entertainers.

Where There's Magic, There's Fun!

A strolling magician is more than just a performer—they’re an experience! This type of entertainment is ideal for events where guests are mingling around because unlike traditional magic shows where everyone sits and watches, these magicians move around and get up close to their audience. They work the room like no other entertainer can by getting right into the middle of all the action. Their close-up magic tricks are designed to be performed one-on-one and they often involve objects that can be borrowed from the audience. This creates fun interactions between the performer and guests that can make for some truly magical moments.

Creating Memorable Moments

Strolling magicians are also great for creating lasting memories at events. Not only do their unique tricks help capture people’s attention, but their personable nature allows them to connect with guests on a personal level too. For example, if you’re hosting a wedding reception, your strolling magician could perform special tricks for each couple in attendance as part of their marriage celebration! No matter what type of event you’re throwing, having a strolling magician there will guarantee that it won't soon be forgotten.

The Power of Professionalism

When it comes to hiring any type of entertainer, professionalism should always be considered an important factor because it saves time and provides peace of mind that things will go smoothly—no matter what kind of curveballs come up on the day. A professional strolling magician will have years of experience in performing live shows which means they know how to keep guests engaged without distracting from other aspects of your event like speeches or awards presentations. Plus, they'll likely have a variety of different tricks up their sleeves ready for any situation so you don't have to worry about being stuck with stale material if something unexpected occurs!

Conclusion:

Strolling magicians offer something unique when compared to other forms of entertainment—they provide interactive experiences that leave audiences with unforgettable memories! With their expertise and professionalism guaranteeing smooth sailing during your event, why not make your next gathering magical by hiring a strolling magician? You won't regret it; after all—where there's magic, there's fun!

Volunteering in Brazil with Magicians Without Borders

It’s my sixth day here in Brazil and I wanted to update you all on my amazing experience volunteering with Magicians Without Borders!

I have had such a rewarding and exhilarating experience so far. It’s very busy and exhausting. Everyday we wake up at 6am to do shows and every night we get back late then I do a few hours of time sensitive work like emails and calling clients in the United States and then I go to bed at 1-2am. So I feel like a sleep deprived zombie (A happy zombie though bu! M) hahaha

We have performed three shows in São Paulo but over the next week in Campinas we will be doing 2-3 shows per day. (That’s a lot of shows).

We have an awesome Brazilian guide named Alejandro who is very kind and not only a great interpreter but he is an extremely talented magician. He placed in FISM doing mentalism (which is like the worlds largest magic competition). I feel so lucky to have a few Portuguese speakers with us otherwise I would be so lost. My little bit of Spanish has not been very helpful.

Our first shows were in two different orphanages and children’s homes and one was for homeless and very impoverished families in an old part of town where the San Paulo “city hall” was first located.

The most heart warming thing to happen to me so far was at our first magic show at an orphanage. I was sitting on the ground prepping my act beforehand and out of nowhere this little girl ran up and jumped into my lap and gave me the tightest hug. She looked up at me with giant saucers of eyes and hurriedly spoke Portuguese while petting my hair. I didn’t know what she was saying but our interpreter translated “You look like a princess.” I told her that she looked like one too (of course) which pleased her very much.

She was so excited about me that throughout the show when I wasn’t on stage she sat in my lap the entire time. It was so cute and funny because she would run and jump into my lap without warning or anything. It alarmed one of the other magicians who almost tripped over her a few times while she ran to me. It was overwhelming how much love she had to give to a complete stranger and it made me reflect on how many children in the world need love and to be cared for and yet so few people adopt. They choose to have a “mini version” of them instead. Which I can understand but as someone who was adopted myself I also can see it as a bit selfish to make a “mini you” when there are already so many kids who need homes. I wish the process was easier and cheaper for adoption but I also understand some of the reasons why it isn’t. It is important to also keep the children safe and make sure they go to the correct homes. It is unfortunately a complicated issue.

After the show many girls from ages 6-16 came up to take photos with me and ask if my hair was real (red is not a common color in Brazil). One of our group organizers came up to me and said “You see the reactions from these girls? Seeing you do magic as a woman means they can do it too. You do see the impact that you have right?”. It was very thoughtful of them to point that out to me and I was very moved. It was sad to say goodbye to the little girl who sat in my lap for so long.

I took a few photos with her in my lap because I thought it was so unexpected, funny and cute. I also got a few other photos of our shows and our experience so far so I wanted to share that with you all. I hope you enjoy getting a small peek into our experience.

Thank you to all of my wonderful and amazingly supportive friends that donated to help my trip and also to my Patreon peeps who make volunteering like this possible for me to do. Because of you these families and children in underprivileged parts of Brazil can have a magic added to their lives that they will never forget.

Making Virtual Birthday Parties Magical With Virtual Magic Shows

Celebrating our children’s birthdays is something we all love to do, but this year has been a bit different. Virtual birthday parties are the new normal and parents everywhere are looking for ways to make them memorable and fun. Virtual magic shows offer an exciting, interactive way to liven up your child’s birthday party while making sure everyone is safe!

What Is A Virtual Magic Show?

A virtual magic show is the perfect way to keep kids entertained at their birthday celebration! It involves a magician performing interactive tricks over video call that can be seen by all the guests. Virtual magicians are experienced in making their shows interactive and engaging for children of all ages.

Benefits of Having a Virtual Magician at Your Child's Virtual Birthday Party:

Virtual magicians provide a safe, cost effective way to entertain kids virtually. They also offer an opportunity to engage with the audience during the show, allowing them to become part of the act! Kids will love watching these virtual magic shows and parents can rest assured knowing that everyone is having fun without risking their health or safety.

Tips For Picking The Right Virtual Magician For Your Child's Virtual Birthday Party:

When looking for a virtual magician for your child’s virtual birthday celebration, it is important to do some research. Look into the magician’s experience and read reviews from other customers. Also make sure that they have a good reputation and are willing to work with you to customize the show according to your child’s interests.

Conclusion:

Virtual magic shows offer an exciting way to celebrate your child’s virtual birthday party! Virtual magicians can provide fun and interactive entertainment for kids of all ages in a safe environment. With proper research, parents can find the perfect virtual magician for their child’s special day and create an unforgettable experience for them and their friends. Virtual magic shows are sure to be the highlight of any virtual birthday celebration!

No matter how far apart your guests are, Virtual Magic Shows will make the party come alive. Invite a Virtual Magician to entertain the children of all ages and add some sparkle to their virtual birthday celebration!

Magic and Virtual Team Building: A Winning Combination

If you’re stuck in the same old virtual team building routine, why not try something new? Hiring a magician for your next virtual team building event is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Magicians can create unique experiences that will bring out the best in your team and make them laugh, learn, and bond together. Here’s what you should know about virtual team building with a magician.

The Benefits of Virtual Team Building with a Magician

Virtual team building events are becoming increasingly popular as companies look for novel ways to keep their employees engaged and connected while working remotely. But why hire a magician? Magicians are professionals who specialize in creating interactive experiences that will engage everyone at the event. They can also provide mental stimulation, spark conversations, and help your employees bond with each other in a fun way. Plus, magicians can tailor their performances to suit your company’s needs—so you can get exactly what you’re looking for from your virtual team building event.

Why It's Important to Choose the Right Magician

Hiring an experienced magician is key when it comes to ensuring that your virtual team building event is successful. Experienced magicians have years of practice perfecting their craft, so they know how to captivate audiences and keep them entertained throughout the performance. They also understand how to tailor their shows to fit different audiences and events—so whether your group is composed of young up-and-comers or seasoned veterans, a good magician will be able to find an act that suits them perfectly.

Making Sure Everyone Has Fun

When it comes down to it, having fun is what really matters at any virtual team building event—and this is where hiring a magician really pays off! An experienced magician knows how to read an audience and craft performances that keep people laughing and engaged throughout the show. What’s more, by keeping everyone entertained throughout the performance, he or she can ensure that everyone gets involved in the show and has a great time!

Conclusion:

Overall, hiring a professional magician for your next virtual team building event is sure to be an unforgettable experience! With years of experience crafting engaging performances tailored specifically for different audiences, magicians are qualified professionals who understand exactly how to make sure everyone has fun during the show. So why not try something new? Hire a professional magician for your next virtual team building event today—you won't regret it!

5 Tips for Live Virtual Magic Shows (For Magicians)

We live in a very challenging time and though many in person shows have stopped, the new world of virtual shows has come to the forefront. Here are some important and helpful nuggets of knowledge I have gathered doing a variety of virtual magic shows over the last three months on various platforms. You’re probably wondering why you should even care about virtual shows. I’m sorry to break the news to you: unfortunately -- like it or not -- virtual shows are here to stay. 

Yes, someday we will be able to return to the tables, stages, trade shows, and cruise ships we used to perform on. We will have live audiences again (even if new social distancing rules are in place) *but* our vocations and avocations will have been forever changed by the events that have taken place in the last few months. One of the repercussions of the pandemic is that a medium to share magic has now blossomed: Virtual Shows. The cork cannot be put back in that bottle. 

Virtual Magic Shows are the New “Wild West” of Magic 

It’s scary, beautiful and amazing when you think about it. We are living in the middle of history being made. The steps we take as a community now to adapt to social distancing and safety will forever shape how laymen and audiences think of magicians. We need to embrace this change. It can be a little off-putting, especially for a community so enriched by our history and entrenched in tradition but I believe we can adapt: by adding virtual magic offerings as an alternative to live shows you not only provide more options for your clients but also enhance the opportunity to fatten your wallet. 

I am not an expert, but in the last few months I have done my fair share of public  shows and private events. I recently won a magic contest at the online convention AbraCORNdabra. Since this pandemic began I have failed more times than I can count, but have continued to improve. I hope the following tips will not only educate but also help you learn from my mistakes so you don’t repeat them. 

1. Know your platform as a virtual magician

Just as you would arrive early to a gig or research the venue ahead of time - virtual magic is no different. Whether you’re performing on a lawn in the backyard or a stage with many stagehands, you need to be prepared for how the logistics of your show will run. Video platforms are the same in that sense but also extremely different. 

Zoom is one of the most flexible applications to use for virtual magic shows because neither Facebook Live or Youtube Live have the high level of interaction available in video chat that exists on Zoom. The number of people who can join a “meeting” on Zoom is also higher than in Facebook Messenger or Google Hangouts. Zoom also has many wonderful built-in features: you can mute everyone in the audience, unmute specific volunteers, pin a video, share normal audio or even just computer audio to play music but not pick up background sounds. One of the best features is the ability to “spotlight” yourself so that even with the audience’s sound on your camera still remains the main focus. This is wonderful if you like hearing the direct feedback of a live audience so you can know in real-time if a magic moment or joke landed. This is great for small audiences but can be rather difficult when you have more people on the call.

 Whenever you do a show on a new platform you should offer a test call to the client so you can demonstrate the ins and outs of the program and make the client comfortable. You should discuss the technical details before the show as well.You can discuss making the client the co-host or adding you as the co-host to the meeting. A good option can be to start as host and then hand the meeting over to the client when your magic show finishes, log out and let the client finish having their event. Many people who throw private parties or corporate meetings might not know all the ins and outs of the programs, so offering this special attention and educating them free of charge will really make you stand out as a thoughtful and professional performer. The key is to be very comfortable with the video platforms you are using for your virtual magic show and do your research so you don’t make any mistakes. You don’t want to assume all of the platforms are alike because they are not. 

For example, a few weeks ago I performed on Instagram Live doing magic on a client’s site while talking up their product. Due to the fact that I had multiple roles: being the trade show magician, combining magic with selling the client’s product, as well as the stress of being on a new platform, I didn’t want to also have to worry about plugging myself or what I do. So I simplified by making a sign with my website. But I made the mistake of thinking all virtual magic show platforms were the same. 

I didn’t realize that Instagram Live flips your video backwards as it records whereas Zoom shows things to your audience as they would look if you were in the same room. This difference is critical when changing platforms. If you have your name, website or logo on your backdrop or your Instagram handle written out on your table it could become unreadable to your audience if you don’t allow for the differences in display on the viewer’s screen. 

Fortunately, I was aware of this platform quirk ahead of time, spelled my name backwards and printed the sign out with my name reversed. Unfortunately, the individual letters of my name weren’t also reversed and my name was still illegible. 

That didn’t turn out well. Don’t be like me. Be better than me. Make sure you understand how the platform operates. 

Fortunately the client didn’t notice. But I lost the valuable opportunity to promote myself to their 50k followers. Since then I have discovered this amazing tool an instagram user invented to flip your image and you can use it as well to avoid the same fate: https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=236000317751197 

It is even more vital to know the differences for each platform if you are doing a prediction or writing something out that moves your act forward so that the magic doesn’t look backwards to the audience! There are many other differences such as how audio is handled, the size of the cropped frame, audience interaction (is it via chat or video) to consider when using a new platform. I can’t discuss all of the options because they vary so much from each platform. The key is to make sure you have done several tests with the platform your show will use so you can be the expert for your client and make the client feel comfortable and safe when hiring you. Doing so will also ensure that you get the most out of your virtual magic show. 

2. Lighting is Everything for your virtual magic show

You and your props need to be seen by your audience! Add this phrase to your vocabulary: Three Point Lighting. 

Three point lighting is a way to light a subject and diminish shadows around the subject so it is focused within the frame. Instead of one direct light on yourself you have three. This doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of new and expensive equipment. 

Standard three point lighting set up 

All you need is one main light or “key” light. It can be as simple as a desk lamp or ring light. This main light shines on you directly and you should set it preferably behind or next to the camera in front of you. Then you have two “fill” lights which you put to your left and right so that there aren’t any shadows behind you to distract the audience from your magic (which is a topic for another day). 

Make sure to also test the lighting on your props as well as yourself by making a short recording. Watch that recording and determine whether you end up underexposed or overexposed and need to dim or brighten the lighting. This process is different for every person. For example, if I make my light too bright and frame myself against a black backdrop my cards (which are mostly white) and my skin (also extremely white) will be washed out and impossible to see. Play with positioning the lights and the wattage of the light and you can get just the right effect for your set up. 

This three point standard style of lighting is commonly used in TV, film, and even by actors doing self-tapes and now magicians! You may need to play with the angles and brightness of your lights to completely get rid of shadows and be clear but this little lighting trick can make a massive impact on your show and really take it to the next level. 

3. Frame Yourself as a virtual magician

No, not for a crime. I mean for your video, silly. Your virtual magic show framing, camera angles, and background should be thought of as the set for a play or a real live performance. There are no hard or fast rules to how to frame yourself or what to put in the background. Many Virtual magicians use green screens, sheets that have been ironed and clipped up, curtains, or even just their bookshelves in their own home. The key detail is that all of these choices are clear and deliberate. There should not be any garbage, random furniture, unrelated magic tricks, or dirty socks in the background (unless your magician character would have these in their home). Everything on screen should be character driven or relate to your performance. 

If you’re not sure what to do, at the very least you can keep it simple and use a backdrop so that your background doesn’t distract the viewer from your magic. On the other hand, you could also use this unique opportunity to get creative with your set and use what’s around. If I wanted to do a comedic magic performance as a character whose life is a mess, I might film my set on the bathroom floor (probably not for a corporate show, though). Who knows? That’s one of the exciting things about this new magic frontier!

If you want to step up your virtual magician game even more you can use a more advanced application such as ManyCam (https://manycam.com) which allows you to stream to Facebook and YouTube, add a picture within a picture (such as a close up shot of your face in the corner of a larger shot of your hands and the actual magic happening). One of the most useful features of ManyCam is the opportunity to use multiple video sources. They make it easy to effortlessly switch from a parlor view to a close-up camera to even a shot of your audience reacting. This allows you to pick volunteers and engage with them smoothly and be able to perform many different types of magic. The idea of having many different cameras to switch between may sound overly complicated or expensive but it doesn’t have to be. You can use any extra smartphone you have and connect it to your WiFi or any other way to access the internet. Just make sure the camera with the best video quality is the one you use for your main establishing shots. This setup can be a little more complicated to get going, but if you have the time and the will you can do it. (Note: ManyCam does require a little bit of technical know-how to make it work with Zoom or other platforms. [But Google is your friend.]). 

Simple framing and backdrop with one video source 

4. Visual vs. Interactive: What’s Better for Virtual Platforms? 

Trick Question! Both are extremely important. I’ve heard many magicians in the last few months say that they are changing their entire stage act to have zero audience participation or saying it’s impossible with the virtual platforms to have a live audience. But that simply is not true. The audience is there and they love live interactive tricks. Many professional magicians are mailing props to their clients to use from home, sending them printable cards or tokens to follow along with that the viewers can print from home, or simply using normal things that can be found in viewers’ homes to get them physically involved. 

That being said, there are some platforms like Tik Tok Live and Instagram Live where you can do a live show with an audience but the chat may lag 20-30 seconds and it may not be smart to wait for the audio to catch up because doing so can ruin the flow of your show and you have to fill time between. In that case you may want to experiment with more visual and storytelling magic. I personally think you need a good combination of both tricks that involve audience participation and which are also visual and passive for your audience. Many of the options we had before to interact with 

viewers are no longer viable, but these new restrictions will hopefully force us as magicians to be more creative in how we engage our audiences. 

There are many positives to virtual shows as well because we can now offer a close up experience and stage magic in the same show for a larger audience. We can control many aspects we couldn’t before more closely such as angles and we should really be taking advantage of these new perks!

5. Don’t be afraid to go back to the basics. 

“The simplest tricks are often the most mystifying and never lose their charm.” -Tarbell Course in Magic 

If you are a working magician you shouldn’t be afraid to do simple classics that may fit this virtual medium better than the overly complicated slight you love (but looks terrible on Zoom). When performing for laymen you’re not trying to show off your giant elaborate magic vocabulary. You are being paid to bring people joy and make them believe in the impossible. Often the more simple a trick is, the more impossible it seems. 

I know some people may disagree. Please don’t misunderstand, it’s wonderful to be inventive but we shouldn’t be performing something that doesn't work for our audiences just because as magicians we like its complexity. This problem can often be seen in live shows and it’s amplified with virtual shows. 

Magicians shouldn’t be afraid to do magic that fits the platform even if the tricks are simple like invisible decks. Despite Ambitious being more involved, the invisible deck never ceases to be the highlight... it always seems to get a bigger reaction in virtual shows because it’s a card the viewer chose off of the top of his or her head freely from home. It may be annoyingly simple to the magician but it is really powerful to the audience. It’s the same with swami writing and predicting a volunteer’s number. Both of these effects are pretty easy and we magicians often forget how powerful and interactive they are because we would rather show off or do something challenging for ourselves. 

At the end of the day it’s important that we remember we are creating magic and wonder for others. It’s a joy to perform but we are also trying to craft a specific experience for the audience. We are performing for them. 

This new “frontier” we are exploring is a confusing, cruel and exciting mistress and It will take everyone some time to fully master this new world. But with these simple guidelines I hope I have given you some new things to think about and tools to help improve your future virtual shows. 

Zoom Magician - Your Guide to Virtual Magic

If you've been on Zoom lately, chances are you've seen a virtual magician take the stage. With just a few clicks of the mouse and some sleight of hand, these magicians have been able to amaze and entertain audiences around the world with their amazing illusions. But what exactly do they do? How can you become one? Let's take a closer look at zoom magicians!

The Basics of Being a Zoom Magician

A zoom magician is someone who takes the art of magic and applies it to the digital realm. These performers rely on sleight-of-hand techniques, as well as special effects and digital tools, to bring their illusions to life in an online setting. The goal is to create an entertaining show that will keep people engaged even though they’re watching from behind their computer screens.

In order to be successful as a zoom magician, you need to know your audience. It’s important that your show is tailored specifically for them so that they don’t get bored or lose interest. You should also be familiar with various video editing software so that you can add special effects and enhance your tricks. Finally, it’s important that you practice your routines before performing them so that you can perfect them and make sure they run smoothly.

Creating an Amazing Show

A good zoom magician knows how to put on an amazing show for their audience. This means creating interesting illusions that keep people guessing throughout the performance. They also need to stay on top of trends in the industry so that they can incorporate new ideas into their shows. Additionally, it’s important for them to understand how technology works in order to take advantage of all of its features during their performances.

Conclusion:

If you're looking for a unique way to entertain your friends or colleagues, then hiring a zoom magician may be just what you need! These amazing performers use sleight-of-hand techniques, special effects, and digital tools to create captivating shows that will leave audiences amazed and entertained no matter where they are watching from! So if you want an unforgettable experience for your next event, consider hiring a zoom magician today!

Add a Little Magic to Your Wedding Day with a Wedding Magician

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want everything to be perfect. You've spent months (or maybe even years) planning every last detail, from the dress to the flowers to the menu. But have you given any thought to wedding entertainment? If you're looking for something unique and memorable, why not hire a wedding magician? Here's why a wedding magician is the perfect addition to your big day.

Wedding Magicians are Entertaining and Memorable

Your wedding day and wedding entertainment should be one that you and your guests remember for years to come. A wedding magician will add an element of fun and excitement that will make your wedding stand out. Guests of all ages will be entertained by jaw-dropping illusions and sleight of hand tricks. And because every performance is customized to fit the happy couple, your guests will be talking about your wedding long after it's over.

Wedding Magicians are Affordable

When compared to other forms of entertainment, hiring a wedding magician is very affordable. You won't have to worry about renting equipment or paying for additional staff. And because most magicians work solo, you won't have to worry about coordinating schedules or managing multiple contracts.

Wedding Magicians are Flexible

No two weddings are alike, which is why it's important to find an entertainer who can adapt to any situation. A good wedding magician will be able to adjust their act on the fly based on the number of guests, the size of the venue, and even the age group in attendance. Whether you're having an intimate gathering or a large formal affair, a wedding magician will make sure your wedding guests are entertained throughout the wedding night.

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want everything to be perfect. Adding a wedding magician to your big day is a great way to entertain your guests and create lasting memories. With their affordable rates and flexible act, a wedding magician is the perfect addition to any wedding celebration.

5 tips for booking a Virtual Magic Show

When it comes to booking a virtual magic show, there are several factors to consider. Here are five tips that can help make your event magical!

1. Choose the right virtual magician:

Do a bit of research and find out who the best virtual magicians are in your area. Ask to watch videos of their performances and read reviews from past customers before making a decision. You want to make sure you pick someone with enough experience and enthusiasm for the job!

2. Ensure tech capabilities for your virtual magic show:

Make sure that both you and your virtual magician have all the correct technology necessary for a successful virtual show, such as reliable internet connection, good audio equipment, and strong video streaming software. It's also important to set up a private space and keep disruptions to a minimum.

3. Set clear expectations for your virtual magic show:

Before booking any virtual magic show, talk to your magician about what type of performance they can provide. Are you looking for close-up or stage magic? Do you require custom illusions and interactive activities? Clarifying these details beforehand will help ensure that everyone is on the same page.

4. Have an open dialogue with your virtual magician:

Don’t be afraid to have an open dialogue with your virtual magician throughout your event planning process! This will give them an opportunity to get creative with their ideas while also ensuring they understand exactly what it is that you are looking for from them as the performer.

5. Get ready to be amazed by your virtual magician:

Once all of the above is covered, the only thing left to do is sit back and enjoy the show! With all the hard work you put into planning your virtual magic show, you can be sure that your guests will leave feeling thoroughly entertained. So get ready for some magical moments – it’s time to have some fun!

Following these simple tips will help make your virtual magic show booking process a breeze. A good virtual magician can turn any event into an unforgettable experience – so what are you waiting for? Book one today and let the miracles begin!

For Magicians: Questions to Ask Yourself When Adapting Your Magic for Virtual Magic Shows to In Person Magic Shows (or Vice Versa)

Hello wonderful readers, it is such an honor to be returning to my blog with a monthly column on virtual magic. It is especially auspicious that this particular article will be coming out the same month that my Penguin Live Lecture on virtual magic is being released. Thank you for reading, and if you enjoy my content here, I hope you’ll give my Penguin Lecture a watch as well. This month I’d like to discuss a few questions you can ask yourself when adapting your magic to work for both live and virtual audiences. Whether you are one of the magicians that dove into performing virtual shows at the height of the pandemic or you are someone who has never signed on to a zoom meeting in your life, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to modify your magic to suit a new platform. I hope that some of the questions you can ponder below will be able to aid you in doing so. 

Many virtual entertainers like Helder Guimarães, Carissa Hendrix, Tim Ellis, and Ben Seidman have worked extremely hard and have created amazingly engaging and original virtual magic shows. Like diamonds, these virtual magic shows have been tirelessly shaped and molded under pressure.  

However, now that the world is opening up again, virtual magicians are getting inquiries for live shows, and if you’re like me, you probably don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The last thing you want to do after working on material is discarding those diamonds you’ve made and starting all over from scratch. Alternatively, if you’re late to join the virtual party, you may be pleased to know how you can modify the wonderful things that you already perform in a live show to work for a virtual audience. So let’s jump right in!

Ask Yourself: Is the effect possible in this environment? If not, what’s lacking? What do I need to alter to make it possible for a virtual magic show?

These are important questions to ask because when you break down your virtual magic show and tricks into their fundamental parts, you may notice that in fact only one or two concepts need to change for your effect to work in a different environment. This also helps you narrow down the issues so you can focus on more bite-sized and actionable problems like coming up with different ways to force a card without the audience touching the deck or finding a new way to make something disappear when you are no longer sitting in front of your computer and can’t just casually lap something below the camera’s view. 

You can often keep your entire script, jokes, and premise but change one or two little details and your effect could be perfect for a virtual show or in person affair. For example, say you have a virtual magic trick with a music prediction that needs to be adapted for a stage performance. First you force a song using a SvenPad and have a spectator call out stop as you flip through the pages. Once the song is freely chosen, you then reveal that you have predicted the randomly chosen song all along when you added a link into the group chat before the trick began. Everyone in the video chat can then click the link themselves and the music video for that particular song pops up on all of their computers at home. That’s pretty interactive and gets everyone involved in the show as they all get to click the link and see the reveal on their own laptops. However, that wouldn’t be ideal for an in person audience, so you’d need to change parts of it to make it more powerful.

The problem here isn’t the trick itself, the script, or even the method for forcing the song in the beginning. If you break down all the elements in this specific piece, the reveal of the prediction is what needs to be changed. You could fix this a number of ways, perhaps texting the link to a volunteer and having them come up to the stage and hold their phone to a microphone so everyone could hear the song together. Or, why not show your personality and love of vinyl by having a record player on stage the entire time that is set to play only one song (their randomly chosen one). You could even be extremely extravagant and have a giant cardboard cutout of the singer revealed on stage with confetti cannons while their chosen song is playing over the speaker system. The possibilities are literally endless. But you can’t brainstorm solutions until you ask yourself what’s not working, break it down, and isolate the part of your magic trick that needs to be changed.

What do I need from my volunteers and audience as a virtual magician? Is there a way to make this effect more interactive in this version?

What if you want to adapt an in person magic trick to a virtual magician show? You may need to change up how you’re having your audience members participate. If you need to have a volunteer make a choice like picking a card or grabbing something you can modify your presentation in a number of ways to make it work virtually. For one of my tricks I’ve adapted my audience participation to work for virtual by changing the pieces of paper in my force bag to be multiple colors (10 different colors) instead of all the same shade of white. For this trick, first you would get suggestions from the audience, then quickly write their answers down on the colored pieces of paper, put them in a switch bag, mix them up and empty the bag onto your table with the forced item written on all of the colored papers. You can then ask a volunteer on screen to pick a specific paper by picking a color and then you can open that colored piece of paper to reveal the forced item. This works as a great alternative to having them literally reach into the bag. They are still making a completely free choice because out of all the colors, they are choosing a specific paper. 

Maybe your effect is more passive to watch and you don’t need your audience directly influencing the magic. It still might be fun to think of ways you can get them involved during a virtual magician performance, such as having them wiggle their fingers at the screen or you could ask a volunteer to share their favorite magical word that you then use to create the magic. The more you can engage the audience and get them involved, the better.

I hope that these examples, questions and effects have given you new ideas to get inspired and think of ways you can mix up your own material and create adaptable tricks that are appropriate for any situation whether it be on stage or online. Thanks for reading and see you next month!

The Most Important Things You Need for Virtual Magic Shows

(So you wanna know what’s the least amount of equipment needed to do a virtual show?)

-FOR MAGICIANS-

Recently I’ve heard from many people who want to perform virtually and do virtual magic shows but are intimidated by the tech that’s involved. It’s true that when doing online magic the technology is extremely important. No matter how engaging and amazing your magic is, it doesn’t matter if your audience has trouble seeing or hearing you. Additionally, there are many magicians who are already performing online who want the flexibility to be able to travel while maintaining the ability to perform virtual magic shows wherever they are. This is what I’ve faced for almost a year and I believe the freedom to travel is one of the most amazing benefits you have when performing virtual magic. When I went to Columbus, Ohio to give my Penguin Live Lecture I also had to do a virtual show in my hotel room right before the lecture; I was able to do this only because I brought everything I needed in a small case. Today I’m going to talk about the minimum equipment and technology needed to perform a virtual magic show so that if you’ve never done it before you can dip your toes into making your own online show or take it on the road. By the end of this article you will have both the confidence and knowledge necessary to perform your virtual show while traveling.

1. For a Virtual Magic Show you need a Laptop computer with a good graphics card

The most important thing you’ll need is a good computer. Unfortunately, you can’t really perform and control the tech during a virtual show with just a phone or tablet. A laptop or desktop computer is needed, but for travel (or just moving your virtual studio around your house) I definitely recommend a laptop due to its portability/ease of transport. As your virtual magic show grows you may want a computer with a higher quality graphics card and lots of processing power. Gaming laptops and computers work best because they are designed to process graphics quickly. This is needed so that your screen doesn't freeze when you’re in the middle of a show. A gaming laptop can cost thousands of dollars, but don’t let that scare you from starting with virtual magic. If all you have is a Macbook that can work  as long as you’re not doing anything too complicated: use less demanding software and your less capable computer won’t freeze. As you perform virtual shows you may find that you love them and want to perform more demanding tricks, with more complicated effects. You can always upgrade your hardware and begin using more taxing software like OBS Studio, which is a free and open-source software suite for recording and live streaming.  It’s just one of many programs that can help you design and build scenes for virtual shows. However, these programs will definitely over heat a low-end computer. That’s why you may want to upgrade sooner than later if you decide to expand your repertoire. Don’t be intimidated though, when you are beginning all you need is a normal computer to be a virtual magician.

2. Camera for a virtual magic show

Most computers come with a built-in camera. They are rarely of the highest quality; your images will appear grainy and suffer as a result. But, never fear!  For only $70-$100 more you can get a very high-quality computer camera/webcam to ramp up the quality of your virtual shows. This is an extremely important component for performing virtual magic shows.  Consider it crucial that your audience be able to clearly see your act.  I recommend the Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam (pictured above). It’s compact (and easy to travel with). The video quality is amazing and many magicians use that webcam with great success. The only thing that would be better in terms of image clarity would be a handheld (or tripod mounted) camera that connects to your computer, but that option is more expensive, more complicated, and bulkier too. Although many virtual magicians like to be fancy, with multiple camera angles, when starting you can easily do a 45-minute show with just one camera and one frame. If you’re doing close up virtual magician tricks it’s best to have the camera positioned above you and your table so you can perform while making sure the audience also sees your face clearly. It’s best if you are starting to perform with only one camera to keep your face and hands in frame the entire show. It makes the magic seem more impossible.

Here is an example of framing a performance using one camera:

3. You need a wireless mouse for your virtual magic show

When performing virtual magic shows you’ll need to be in control of the online meeting and be able to do your own tech simultaneously. This sounds daunting, but it’s the same as using your pocket remote to control your sound cues in a live show, or performing sleights while you crack jokes. As magicians we are always having to perform as tech, director, and actor all at the same time. We multitask. When you get comfortable with your tech you will find yourself using your setup seamlessly clicking on people to choose volunteers, spotlighting yourself, or muting/unmuting viewers as necessary. 

In a short amount of time these actions become second nature as a virtual magician. But to do all of these things smoothly you need a mouse. A corded mouse doesn’t usually cut it because to perform magic with one camera you need the computer to be farther away from you than it normally would be to keep your hands and face within the camera frame. I recommend using a wireless mouse and having it on the edge of your table so that you can easily switch between controlling your tech and doing sleights. With a wireless mouse you can be further away from the computer than you normally are, but still be in complete control. A Macbook works with the Apple wireless mouse, with my Razer laptop I now use the wireless option below. All of them are also easy to install; most simply require one USB port free in order to plug in the receiver/transmitter plug that connects the mouse to connect to the computer. 

Other things to think about for your virtual magic show:

These three items are by no means the only ingredients for a virtual show, they are simply some of the essentials if you wish to craft a portable virtual show. Lights, tables, and a good background are important as well, but you don’t have to buy new items or even bring those things with you when you are just starting out (or traveling) to make a visually appealing virtual show. They can easily be improvised using items you already have. Lamps can be moved to create 3-point lighting and depth. Your background can be changed depending on the location. When traveling you can bring a thin cloth and two clamps or small tripods to create a consistent background. Once my car broke down enroute and I had to fly to my live gig and perform a virtual show the next day, as well. All I could do was bring a carry-on (containing the three items I’ve discussed and my close up magic bag) and was still able to do my in-person and virtual shows. In extreme emergency situations you can just take the same things and perform virtually without a hitch on the road. 

I hope these ideas will help inspire you to create a virtual magic show or perhaps experiment with a minimalist approach so you can travel and perform online. 

4 Tips to be interactive and Connect More with Your Virtual Magic Shows Audience (for magicians)

One of the most difficult challenges magicians face when performing virtual magic shows is keeping their audience’s attention and finding ways to connect through a computer screen. Many prestidigitators dislike virtual magic because they feel that energy and audience interaction is lacking. Perhaps you’ve experienced this; it can sometimes feel less like a conversation or exchange and more like you’re doing magic AT your audience instead of FOR or WITH them. It becomes a two-dimensional, one-way experience for you and the participants. Fortunately, this can easily be remedied. There are a few simple effective tips and tricks you can implement in your virtual show to increase the interactions, audience connection and impromptu feel of your show. This will make your virtual magic more enjoyable for both your audience and you.

Controlled Chaos and Group Interactive Moments in your virtual magic show

Asking your participants in a virtual magic show to use the mute and unmute button is a no-brainer when doing virtual performances, but you may also consider sprinkling moments of group vocal participation or what I call “controlled chaos” throughout your show. For example, you might say “On the count of three unmute yourselves and shout your favorite magic word” or “shout your favorite TV show.” Once they’ve all spoken for a few seconds hit the mute all button, gain control and jump back into your script. You could also try repeating some of the responses for a laugh. Just parrot back what you were able to tease out from the chaos. Acknowledging a few of their live responses makes people feel “seen” and “heard”. It seems impromptu and makes your virtual magic show feel like more of an exchange.

Virtual magician hack: Hand Gestures and Physical Group Interaction

When designing a magic routine there is the option of the virtual magician making the magic happen or having the spectator(s) create the magic with you. For virtual, the latter is often better. Obviously, this is character dependent, but it can be engaging to give power to the audience instead of doing the magic yourself or performing at them. Getting the participants involved with a magic gesture or phrase can keep them focused and puts the effect in their hands. Whether children or adults, everyone gets Zoom fatigue but studies show that encouraging people to move around or engage physically helps hold attention longer. There are many opportunities for physical interaction that you can include in your show. From high-fiving you through the screen to wiggling fingers, raising hands when doing a quick group poll, dance breaks etc. These gestures can be as important and specific to trick execution as one person holding an invisible card and throwing it through the screen to appear. The interactions can also be more passive and group oriented. These gestures don’t have to be silly, only for children or patronizing. They can be more subtle and dignified for mature audiences. For example, if you have a prediction for a corporate client you can say “Have you all noticed this mysterious envelope next to me? Nod your heads if you’ve noticed this envelope behind me the entire show.” There’s a wide range of choices you can make and it's easy to insert these moments in any existing performance.

Mentalism and Value Based Judgments for Virtual Magic Shows

Virtual Mentalism is ideal magic for working online. Performing tricks that are visually appealing are equally important for the virtual sphere but despite that, mentalism tends to be the most popular type of virtual magic. That is likely because it’s something that your audience can directly participate in and control, which makes the outcome more satisfying. When doing virtual mentalism it’s often best to create routines where the participants have the opportunity to make value based judgments or choices that reflect their opinions and personality:  instead of their role being a “card-picking machine” or “number picking machine: ‘Name a card’ or ‘Pick a number between 1-100’ ” it can be more engaging to have them give you an opinion about which outfit to wear, or think of their favorite Christmas memory. Mentalism is already super-duper interactive but going the extra mile to focus on these types of personality and choice-driven plots can make tricks more unique and personal for the volunteers and that makes them more invested in the final outcome. 

Crowd Work and virtual magicians

Throughout your online show you can insert improvised moments of crowd work where you call out a person or acknowledge something about their clothing or background. Asking for a physical response or when you see reactions are great moments for crowd work. You may find yourself performing a lot of Virtual Holiday Shows this month and calling out funny backgrounds or festive hats is a fun way to make your audience feel seen. When the show begins you could say something to the effect of “I’m noticing a lot of really crazy backgrounds, Chris has an awesome Christmas tree, Sarah looks like she’s in the snow.” etc. You can also incorporate this into magic tricks and other physical gesture moments. When you ask questions like “Raise your hand if you . . .”; you can say “Oh I see Anthony does. . . .and Janet does. . . .“, etc. These little nods at individuals take only a few seconds but add a wonderful conversational and interactive tone to your show, making it feel like a party instead of being a passive experience. 

If people have their cameras on it is because they want to be seen and if they have gone that extra mile to wear a costume, cocktail dress, or have a fun intentional background. It’s really rewarding for them to be spotlighted or mentioned (even if it’s just for a second). Audience commitment and engagement should be praised and encouraged. When you point someone out who’s being a great audience member it makes others want to interact or bring something to the table as well. It’s a win-win for everybody.

Bottom line, there are a myriad of ways to engage your audience during a virtual magic show, from having them write in the chat, to answering a poll, going to a specific web address on their phone, having physical objects (previously mailed to them) to handle and engage with during the show - the possibilities are endless and stretch way beyond the tips this article mentions. The most important thing is to think outside of the box and imagine yourself in your audience’s shoes. Be creative, remember what gets you focused and feeling connected during a virtual event and go from there.

Wedding Magician – Making Your Special Day Even More Unforgettable!

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Everything needs to be perfect, from the dress to the flowers to the food. And of course, the wedding entertainment! Hiring a wedding magician is a great way to add a touch of class and excitement to your big day. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider booking a wedding magician for your wedding entertainment.

A Unique Form of Wedding Entertainment

Wedding magicians are a unique form of entertainment that will surprise and delight your guests. A good wedding magician will have a repertoire of amazing tricks up their sleeve that will leave your guests talking long after the big day is over. If you want your wedding to be remembered for years to come, then hiring a wedding magician is a great way to make sure that happens.

Add Some Wedding Magic to Your Photos!

A professional wedding magician can also add some magic to your wedding photos. Imagine having a photo of you and your new spouse with a dove appearing out of thin air! Or what about a photo of your first dance with confetti falling all around you? A wedding magician can make these kinds of photos happen – and they'll be photos that you'll treasure forever.

Make Your Wedding Entertainment on the Day Even More Special with a Wedding Magician

Your wedding day is supposed to be the most special day of your life. But let's face it, with all the stress and planning that goes into pulling off a successful wedding, it's easy for things to get lost in the shuffle. Hiring a professional wedding magician will help you keep things fun and lighthearted, ensuring that your special day is truly unforgettable.

If you're looking for a way to add an extra touch of magic and excitement to your wedding day, then hiring a professional wedding magician is a great option. From adding some wow factor to your photos to making sure your guests are entertained all night long, booking a magician for your big day is sure to make it even more special.

Zoom Magician: How to Impress Your Clients and Coworkers with Virtual Magic

A lot has changed in the business world since the pandemic hit. Perhaps one of the most significant changes has been the way that meetings and events are now conducted. With social distancing guidelines in place, in-person meetings have gone by the wayside, replaced by Zoom calls and other virtual meeting platforms.

If you're a magician who relies on in-person gigs to make a living, you may be wondering how you're going to survive in this new normal. The good news is that there is still a demand for magic—it's just moved online. That's where a Zoom magician comes in. A Zoom magician is a performer who uses the Zoom platform to perform magic tricks for an audience that is logged in remotely.

Here are some tips for impressing your clients and coworkers with virtual magic:

1. Keep it interactive when you do zoom magic.

A big part of what makes magic so captivating is the element of interactivity. When you're performing for a virtual audience, it's important to find ways to keep them engaged. One way to do this is to ask them to participate in tricks by providing input or choosing card selections. This will help them feel like they're part of the performance and not just passive observers.

2. Don't overdo it with the tech for virtual magic shows.

Just because you're performing on a virtual platform doesn't mean you need to go overboard with the tech wizardry. Remember, your goal is to entertain your audience, not dazzle them with your production values. Keep your setup simple and focus on delivering a high-quality performance.

3. Make sure your audio and video are top-notch if you’re a virtual magician

Since your audience will only be able to see and hear you through your computer screen, it's important to make sure that your audio and video quality are as good as possible. Invest in a good microphone and webcam so that your audience can hear and see you clearly when doing a virtual magic show. This will help create a more immersive experience for them and prevent any technical issues from disrupting your performance.

4. Be creative with your tricks as a virtual magician.

Just because you're performing virtually doesn't mean you need to stick to tried-and-true tricks that everyone has seen before. Get creative with your tricks and come up with ways to adapt them for the Zoom format. This will help you stand out from other magicians who are also making the transition to performing online.

If you're looking for a way to impress your clients and coworkers, consider hiring a Zoom magician for your next virtual event or meeting. Zoom magicians are performers who use the Zoom platform to perform magic tricks for an audience that is logged in remotely. By keeping their performances interactive, avoiding overuse of technology, ensuring top-notch audio and video quality, and being creative with their tricks, they can deliver an impressive show that will leave your guests entertained and amazed.