S3E8: Nick Lewin-Magician
I had the wonderful honor of talking with magician Nick Lewin!\xa0One of the main things we talked about was corporate magic. We also talked about putting a twist on magic classics and there was was even a little performing advice taken from Billy McComb!
\nNick Lewin is a magician, comedian, actor, host, and keynote speaker from Austin Texas, originally from London.
\nHe's\xa0certainly run the gamut, being featured on countless TV shows as both a magician and actor, he\u2019s performed for English royalty, presidents, hollywood celebrities, and fortune 500 companies. Companies like Apple, AMD, AT&T, Bank of America, Coca Cola, General Electric, and Nutrasweet. He\u2019s also been featured in top showrooms around the country including Vegas with his One Man Show and has also performed on every premium cruise line.
\nIn addition to this, he also finds time to create products for and teach the magic industry, contributing his thoughts to multiple outlets, on the industry, performance, and business.
\nEntertainment Today says \u201cLewin blends impeccable sleight of hand with a razor sharp British wit.\u201d \xa0
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\nSuccess Mantra:\nWork a lot! To be a successful performer, you need to perform. \xa0
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\nFailure Story:\nDuring a show, one of his props got moved and as a result, he wash't able to perform that routine. He learned to always have a backup ready for anything. \xa0
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\nFavorite Success:\nMeeting and performing for the man who invented the MP4 codec. \xa0
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\nCorporate Magic!\n\u2022 Customizing or personalizing your show for your client.
\n\u2022 Making the company president look good.
\n\u2022 It's possible to expand things and make the show bigger, e.g.. Hire other acts or close-up workers.
\n\u2022 Producing larger shows.
\n\u2022 How to pitch the client.
\n\u2022 How Nick uses a card trick to instantly change the atmosphere of a client meeting and tip things in his favor.
\n\u2022 Going down into the crowd after performing an after dinner show to do close-up magic and mingle with the audience. Just like Jay Alexander talked about!
\n\u2022 Getting repeat bookings.
\n\u2022 Be a "mentalist" at client meetings. (This advice and a little more corporate advice shows up\xa0at the end of the show.) \xa0
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\nBiggest Professional Challenge\nKeeping his act fresh. He talks about what\xa0Bob Dylan does to make each show different.
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\nParting Advice\nKnow what you do, know what your client wants, and be there to fill their need.
\n\xa0\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022\xa0Talks about how he created the concept for an afternoon family magic show in Vegas.
\n\u2022\xa0Putting a twist on classics of magic and gves an example how how he uses a different approach to the Newspaper Tear (a variation on Elmsley's version). \u2022\xa0Connecting with the audience.
\n\u2022\xa0Some advice he received from Billy McComb: Don't waste anything up front. Do enough to get your audience's attention, then wow them with the good stuff!
\n\u2022\xa0Don't finish your show with anyone up on stage with you. \xa0
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! \xa0
\nResources
\nPinboard iOS\xa0App - a digital cork board that helps you organize your thoughts. \xa0
\nMagic\xa0Books
\nTales from the Uncanny Scot by Ron Wilson
\nMcComb's Magic: 25 Years Wiser by Billy McComb
\nVanish Magazine: A free magic magazine put out by Paul Romhany \xa0 \xa0
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\nWhere can we find Nick Lewin?\n\n\nRemarkable Magic - Nick's Writings on magic, performance, and business \xa0