S6E11: Fielding West - Stories and Stagecraft 101
In this interview, Fielding West brings us into his career telling lots of stories from his past and then sharing with us some valuable tips on effective communication from stage.\xa0There are many great lesson to be learned from this talk. Enjoy!
\nFielding is a comedy magician, teacher, and keynote speaker from Las Vegas. He\u2019s performed in a number of showrooms in Vegas, Tahoe, and Atlantic City like the Tropicana, Sahara, and Caesar\u2019s Hotels. He\u2019s appeared on a number of TV shows on a number of networks like A&E\u2019s An Evening at the Improv, and CBS\u2019 Entertainment Tonight. He\u2019s been the opening act for top names like Liza Minnelli, Phyllis Diller, The Temptations, and Earth Wind & Fire.
\nHe also writes comedy for other magicians and runs a class called Stagecraft 101 where he teaches people how to communicate more effectively from stage. Muhammad Ali says, \u201cHe\u2019s one crazy MoFo!"
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\nSponsors:\nClick Convert Profit\xa0\u2014 This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur\u2019s Guide to Making Money Online. Click here\xa0to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.\u201d \xa0
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\nKris' Recommendation of the Week\n11 Event Marketing Books Giveaway
\nPast guest of the show William Rader from WellAddended.com is giving away\xa011 books on event marketing to one lucky winner! Here is a list of the books he's giving away:
\nThe Email Marketing Primer \u2013 Clay Mabbitt
Standing Room Only \u2013 Joanne Bernstein
The Event Marketing Handbook \u2013 Allison Saget
Making it Rain with Events \u2013 Scott Ingram
The New Rules of Marketing and PR \u2013 David Meerman Scott
Stand Out Social Marketing \u2013 Mike Lewis
Building Communities, Not Audiences \u2013 Doug Borwick
Engage Now! \u2013 Doug Borwick
Do It! Marketing \u2013 David Newman
Hooked \u2013 Nir Eyal
Sold Out! \u2013 Susan Ordona
Click here to be taken to the contest page\xa0where you can enter.\xa0\xa0
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\nSuccess\xa0Quotes\nDrink a lot of water and carry a big stick.
\nTreat people the way you want to be treated. \xa0
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\nEffective Communication from Stage\n\u2022 When he works with people, he observes them to find out what their best performance traits are and works to amplify them.
\n\u2022 Tells about an absolute failure he experienced when speaking publicly for the first time.
\n\u2022 Lack of preparation is the biggest mistake he sees people make before going up on stage in front of people.
\n\u2022 Think before you speak, but listen before you think.
\n\u2022 The difference between the professionals and the amateurs, is the length of their pauses.
\n\u2022 Breaking the 4th wall is the true communication of a variety act.
\n\u2022 Timing in communication.
\n\u2022 You can communicate so much with the eyes alone.
\n\u2022 Imagining the audience is in the underwear is the stupidest idea for public speaking!
\n\u2022 Ping pong effect: making eye contact with multiple people in the audience \xa0
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\nFour things you can immediately do to improve your stage presence:
\n\u2022 Stand up straight.
\n\u2022 Projecting louder than you would normally speak and speak clearly.
\n\u2022 Eyes looking directly at the audience.
\n\u2022 Hydration - make sure you\u2019re properly hydrated. \xa0
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022 Tells about how he got nose-to-nose with Muhammed Ali.
\n\u2022 Overcoming handicaps. \u2022 Tells about his journey, peppered with all kinds of stories!
\n\u2022 Talks about how he was always causing trouble for his dad who traveled the President of the United States.
\n\u2022 Learning from mistakes.
\n\u2022 How Fielding was inspired by Steve Martin to go after comedy and magic.
\n\u2022 How all of his constant performing prepared him for many lucky opportunities offered to him.
\n\u2022 Making a plan for what you want to accomplish. \xa0
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\nParting Advice\nQuit worrying about what other people think and quit talking about other performers. You cannot elevate yourself by putting down another performer.
\nTake every show you can get and if possible, record it. \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!
\nResources:
\n117 Ideas for Better Business Presentations by Tom Kirby \xa0
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\nWhere can we find Fielding West?\n\nStagecraft101.net (Coming Soon)
\nBillyTopit.com (Fielding plays the Mayor of Las Vegas)