Well done Kevin!

stephenmagic

I saw the program and was very impressed. As a professional myself I really felt for you at times as you seemed completely horrified at the thought of performing in public. I remember that feeling very well. Good luck with your future in magic and I am sure you will not regret going pro. I cannot imagine doing any other job.

Kevin McMahon

Cheers Stephen

I think performing live is something that we all have to go through at one point, it's never going to be easy. But overcoming that fear is so important. I also cringed watching that part, but it was instrumental in getting to the level of performance I achieved at the end.

rosie

Well done Kevin, I loved the show and, as I've said in a previous post, I think the show did magic some good and it showed people what we have to go through. As they say, the entertainment business is the only job where you get interviewed every night. (by your audience)

Blaine, Teller questions

wildmagic

1-What do you think about David Blaine and his shows?

2-What other TV magicians do you enjoy watching?

3-What’s the best thing that you have learnt from Penn and Teller? Do you have any stories to share from your experience with them?

Kevin McMahon

1) I was a 'lay person' when I saw Blaine for the first time. It is very entertaining television. I was always intrigued by his stunts, despite the flak he received for them. Focusing on people's reactions was a masterstroke. "People care about people"- that's what I think he was going for and it worked for me then and it still does. However seeing him perform live may be a rather different experience.

2) I had always enjoyed Daniels as a child. I had mainstream tastes. I really liked Derren Brown when he came on TV and I also watched Penn and Teller's shows when they were on the box. These days I watch Freaky in the morning and look out for anything else that catches my eye.

3) Penn and Teller told me that when performing you should talk about what you know. They suggested I make my stage show around scientific concepts that I felt comfortable talking about, and then give them a popular edge. However this never really suited the aim of 'Faking It'! They showed me a crucifix that Houdini had once strapped himself to with ropes and then escaped from. The mechanism was truly fantastic; this is an inspirational piece of apparatus. Penn and Teller also have a great deal of respect for Pat Page. When his name was mentioned, as being the third mentor, their faces showed nothing other than respect.

Strength in magic

Conjurer

I loved watching 'Faking it' and I'm delighted to see you on the forum. I was also delighted to see that you've followed your heart and have decided to go full time.

Most beginners make the mistake of focusing solely on sleight of hand when beginning magic to the detriment of their presentation and performance skills. Thanks to Nigel and Mandy's guidance you have learnt the importance of presentation early on. Do you feel now that your strength in magic lies in performance or in sleight of hand?

Secondly, how did you go about getting your table-hopping gig? How many effects do you use when table-hopping?

Best of luck with your career!

Kevin McMahon

Thanks for the messages of goodwill!

I focus on entertaining the audience. I want them to enjoy what they see and also to feel part of the show. You can manage that with the simplest slight of hand. If it works, do it. However, I love the show-off stuff; flicking a card from the deck etc always gets a warm reception. People then see your skill and the fact that you do practice.

Getting table-hopping gigs? Ah well, Nigel's agency covers all the TGI Fridays in the country and he got me the first residency. I went into the McDonalds rest, where I used to work, and asked them if they'd like a magician. Now I do three hours there on a Saturday afternoon for a nominal fee. I meet loads of families with kids who will also need magicians for their kids’ birthday party later in the year. It doesn't pay a lot for the three hours but the business I received from it far outweighs that.

Today I went round ten restaurants in my home city really trying to sell myself; I've had a few nibbles but nothing solid yet. My advice is to get out there and sell yourself. If you don't ask you don't get. And always be pleasant to whomever you are dealing with.

Also if you ever go into a McDonalds in the future, be nice. They take a lot of s$%t. I now know how much!

Wow you lucky guy!

davetolomy

You are a very lucky person and I wish I had the same tutoring and inspiration as you had.

(1) Do you get people being jealous of you becoming a paid magician straight away when usually people spend years building up to that?

(2) Can I have Penn and Teller’s phone numbers?

Kevin McMahon

I am a very lucky boy yes. I realise that every day.

1) No one I have met has been jealous of anything other than the experience I have just had. I had a very unorthodox introduction to magic and that has made getting work that little bit easier. But give it two months, that's when I really have to start working, once people forget who I am!

2) I don't have Penn or Teller's number. Not even Penn and Teller are crazy enough to give their phone number to a phoney magician who they only met for one day!