The Mark Leveridge Magic Podcast

The Mark Leveridge June 2020 Podcast

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

The Mark Leveridge May 2020 Podcast

'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

The Mark Leveridge April 2020 Podcast

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 Mark Leveridge March 2020 Podcast

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

The Mark Leveridge February 2020 Podcast

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

The Mark Leveridge January 2020 Podcast

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?

The Mark Leveridge December 2019 Podcast

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

The Mark Leveridge November 2019 Podcast

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

The Mark Leveridge October 2019 Podcast

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 Mark Leveridge September 2019 Podcast

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?