The Magic Word Podcast 950: Jeff McBride - Grand Master
Teach Business Skills Alongside Magic
- Teach practical business skills: marketing, booking, TV appearances, and how to sell tickets.
- Recruit instructors who've done the work, like Paul Draper, to show real-world strategies.
Less Stuff, More Soul
- Magicians often hoard tricks in a consumer culture and need to focus on a few soulful effects paired with strong stories.
- Depth and meaning trump an overflowing trick drawer.
Get Flight Time Everywhere
- Get 'flight time' performing for real audiences in restaurants, parties, and streets to develop true magician skills.
- Treat offstage moments as practice because magicians spend more time offstage than on.
There are those few in our craft of magic that are well-known, but few who are as universally respected as Jeff McBride. Founder of the Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas, Jeff has transcended to the pinnacle of our industry. Having been awarded nearly every conceivable trophy and accolade in the magic community, Jeff continues to build and personally contribute to the coterie. Jeff continues to perform and teach around the world and he has embraced technology to supplement his methods of sharing magic, too.
Jeff’s magic pedagogy reflects modern methods of sharing with our community in recognition that we all learn at different levels and speeds. This week he talks about how he doesn’t create new acts or routines for his students, but rather shapes and directs the students’ existing skills that leads to an improved show that is uniquely their own. Jeff also discusses the creation of his “Wonderground” performance venue in Las Vegas that encourages magicians to flex their creative muscles.
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Jeff McBride talked extensively about the importance of storytelling. So, it is appropriate that we recognize the recent passing of a master story teller who has shared more with the magic community than most know, including Tannen’s Magic Camp, where young magicians learned the importance of a good story in strengthening their magic. Hiawatha Johnson was a magician, writer, editor, musician, singer, dancer, choreographer, actor, director, composer, teacher, professor, historian, designer and playwright. He will be sorely missed by the community. Aloha, my friend.