S6E6: Steve Spill Magicopolis
Steve Spill has a lot to talk about! We talk about some of his early days doing bar magic at The Jolly Jester,\xa0his venue, Magicopolis in Santa Monica, CA, and some stores from his latest book, I Lie for Money, Candid Outrageous Stories from a Magician's Misadventures. Throughout this interview we learn some bar magic strategy as well as some of the ins & outs of running a full-time magic venue.
\nSteve Spill is a magician who\u2019s had a lifetime of magic and still has room for more! Having studied under magical legends like Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, and Francis Carlyle, he\u2019s performed and produced shows around the world in places like the French Riviera\u2019s Cannes Film Festival, Universal Studios Hollywood, Harrah\u2019s Tahoe, and Massey Hall in Toronto.
\nHe\u2019s had his hand in a number of TV magic specials like "World\u2019s Greatest Magicians" on CBS and "Penn & Teller\u2019s Sin City Spectacular.\u201d on FX.
\nHe was the magic bartender at Aspen Colorado\u2019s \u201cJolly Jester,\u201d and along with fellow magician Bob Sheets, starred in the longest running show in Washington DC, called "Magicomedy Cabaret.\u201d
\nIn 1998, Steve opened up his very own magic venue called Magicopolis in Santa Monica, CA which is the home of \u201cEscape Reality,\u201d the show that stars him and his wife, actress Bozena Wrobel.
\nFinally, Steve just released his brand new book, \u201cI Lie for Money, Candid, Outrageous Stories from a Magician\u2019s Misadventures,\u201d which is a memoir of his life so far.
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\nSuccess\xa0Mantra\nNobody makes a living as a magician by accident. You have to want it pretty bad. When you're obsessed, you make your luck. \xa0
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\nBar Magic &\xa0The Jolly Jester\nNote:\xa0It was a very different time when Steve was selling drinks while performing\xa0bar magic.\xa0We do not recommend heavy drinking, smoking, or use of drugs for recreation. If you drink, please do so responsibly.\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0Talks about The Jolly Jester
\n\u2022\xa0Talks about some of the ways they'd sell drinks.\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0They ow;don't start a show until the drinks were full and ow;don't let anyone said at the bar that didn't have a drink.\xa0
\n\u2022 Talks about some of the differences in bar magic from then and now.
\n\u2022\xa0Talks about how he uses the bar at Magicopolis. \xa0
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\nMagicopolis\n\u2022 Talks about his interactions with guests at his venue.
\n\u2022 Why he built Magicopolis.
\n\u2022 Sometimes it's best to forge ahead, mistakes & all.
\n\u2022 Being resourceful in construction.
\n\u2022 Talks about how his theater was built with magic in mind.
\n\u2022 How he got things rolling using a lot of publicity rather than advertising.
\n\u2022 Tells us about some of the other revenue streams other than just ticket sales like private parties, fundraisers, corporate events, etc.
\n\u2022 How they came up with their birthday party package.
\n\u2022 Some of the very exclusive things he offers for custom parties. \xa0
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\nI Lie for Money\nAvailable at all regular bookstores, online at Amazon, and Audible. Plus, if you buy it at Magicopolis, he'll sign and personalize it just for you!
\n\u2022 Tells about the origin for his book idea.
\n\u2022 Practical as well as entertaining: there are\xa0fun stories within as well as practical lessons gleaned from his life.
\n\u2022 Tells a few fun stories from his book including one involving a lit cigarette dropper, a story about Cardini, and the subsequent performance with said prop. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nTells about doing a foreign TV show with a very specialized prop and all the things that went wrong during the live performance. \xa0
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022\xa0His earlier entrepreneurial pursuits and sneaking his magic flyer into newspapers he was delivering.
\n\u2022\xa0The harder you work, the luckier you get. \xa0
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\nParting Advice\nBy utilizing your skills,\xa0being true to yourself, and working hard, it's possible to create an act that will, if not rake in millions, at least not find you on welfare at the end of the day. \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:
\nScripting. Script all your work and do as many shows as you can. \xa0
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\nBooks:
\nGetting there, a Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal
\nBorn Standing Up by Steve Martin
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\nWhere can we find Steve Spill?\nMagicopolis in Santa Monica, CA\xa0
Public Performances are\xa0every Friday & Saturday\xa0at 8\xa0PM and every Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM.
I Lie for Money | Also on Audible \xa0