S5E3: James Galea - Magician

Published: March 6, 2015, 10 a.m.

In this interview,\xa0James Galea tells us how he spends every day having the best day ever!\xa0He also\xa0talks about how\xa0he's put together shows like the Band of Magicians, pitching his ideas, and getting funding for his visions.

\n

James Galea is an award-winning magician, writer, songwriter, director and producer residing in both sunny Los Angeles and sunny Sydney Australia.

\n

Trying to make every day his best day ever, he\u2019s literally traveled the globe performing his magic. He\u2019s the creator of and has toured with the acclaimed "Band of Magicians," performed at corporate events for the likes of Microsoft, Virgin, Ford, and Disney, and he\u2019s headlined worldwide in places like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Hollywood Magic Castle, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

\n

You may have also seen him on one of his many TV appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, The TODAY Show, Good Day LA, his own series Urban Magic, or starring in the Discovery Channel series Breaking Magic along with fellow magicians Wayne Houchin, Billy Kidd, and Ben Hanlin.

\n

Daily Telegraph says, "James has reinvented the art of trickery, taking it far from its traditional comfort zone." \xa0

\n

\xa0

\n\nSuccess Quote:\n

Nobody knows anything. \u2014 William\xa0Goldman \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nFailure Moment\n

James tells us about the most dismal failure that anyone could have on stage. Literally. Everything went wrong! James describes it in excruciating detail. \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nFavorite Success\n

Whatever he's working on right now. \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nProducing and Pitching Shows\n

\u2022 Talks about his musical about a magician.

\n

\u2022 Pitching his ideas.

\n

\u2022 How he started the Band of Magicians and his vision for it.

\n

\u2022 How he promoted the Band of Magicians to get butts in seats.

\n

\u2022 How he raised money for the show.

\n

\u2022 How they're different from The Illusionists. \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nBiggest Professional Challenge\n

Trusting his instinct and knowing what's right to do. That and telling people no. \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nOther Topics Covered\n

\u2022\xa0Being a life-long learner.

\n

\u2022\xa0How he spends every\xa0day having the\xa0best day ever and how he discovered that philosophy for himself.

\n

\u2022\xa0His first experiences on cruise ships.

\n

\u2022\xa0How he marketed himself early on.

\n

\u2022\xa0Learned by doing and observing.

\n

\u2022\xa0What his parents thought about his "professional pursuits." \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nParting Advice\n

Be careful who you listen to and take advice from. \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nRecommended books and resources:\n

Note: 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

\n

Resource:

\n

Show Cues - iOS App \xa0

\n

\xa0

\n

Books:

\n

Find the Stuff That's You by Chris Carey

\n

War of Art by Steven Pressfield \xa0

\n

\xa0

\nWhere can we find James Galea?\n

www.jamesgalea.com

\n

Twitter\xa0@jamesgalea |\xa0Facebook\xa0|\xa0Instagram