Mystifyed Live! Episode 17-- Stuart Beck

Season 3: Episode 17

 Stuart Beck has done it all, whether it's performing, opening his magic shop in Oregon, or working for one of the biggest shows in Las Vegas history his passion is evident. He spent his weekends in high school performing magic and perfecting his skills on the Queen of Hearts riverboat. After completing his Masters Degree in Lighting design at UNLV, he has gone on to work for production powerhouse Cirque Du Soleil, he is a property master for The Beatles: LOVE.


Even though he ended up taking a different career path, it is the relationships and the people that make the magic community such a special circle to be apart of. All the while he has managed to maintain a constant relationship with the world of magic. It even became his desire to create a high caliber magic shop. This led him to pack up his family and move to Oregon to risk it all in this endeavor. He later moved back to Las Vegas to apply his skills in technical theater working for Cirque Du Soleil which he is working at currently.

One thing that stood out throughout the entire interview is the overall feeling of kindness that Stuart has for the entertainment industry.When asked what his most proud moment has been in his career thus far he responded with a heartfelt, "It has been one giant pleasant moment." Be sure to follow him on Twitter @Stuart_Beck.

Be sure to check us out at JustinTheMystifyer.com.

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©2012 Mystifyer Promotions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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Artistic Originality

When it comes to the preforming arts, originality is something that every artist strives for. The process that one goes through to create original works is something that changes with the individual. With so many different ways to present ideas, coming up with something that stands out also allows for constant artistic evolution. Without fresh material art ends up getting recycled and the excitement of original work becomes lost.

Source: TheHYIPBlg.com

Mystifyed Live Producer, Mike Olsen, has spent a great deal of time studying and creating various forms of art. With a belief that it takes talent, patience and a little bit of trial and error to truly create something original, he has, through his own process, developed several musical compositions and pieces of magic. When creating something that no one has ever seen before, there are many questions you need to ask yourself and factors that need to be considered. If you want to truly bring something new to the table you need to look at it from your own perspectives. How would you want it to look? What design criteria would you set for yourself? In looking at those personal choices you may find that some of them need to be changed or modified in order to see your idea through to fruition. By opening yourself up to this different way of thinking you are doing more than just taking another performers material and calling it your own. You are using your talent and your passion to stand out among your peers and push the limits of your art even further.

Throughout any creative process you may get frustrated and want to give up. You may think that whatever you are working on is a bad idea. The only bad idea is the one that you give up on. So to all the originators, no matter what your field of work, because of you art has seen great strides and will continue to grow. Never give up on your dreams, you never know where they will take you and what legacy you will leave behind by following them.

Be sure to check us out at JustinTheMystifyer.com.

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©2012 Mystifyer Promotions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Mystifyed Live! Episode 16-- Weseley Hanna

Season 3: Episode 16

Las Vegas Magician, Mentalist and Magic Consultant, Weseley Hanna, has a very unique approach to the world of magic. He wants his audiences to be engaged and provide them with an experience that is beyond that of the typical entertainer. His knowledge of magic and of human interaction gives him a well-rounded repertoire with which he can amaze.

Weseley performing his version of Linking Rings

Weseley joined us on-set this holiday weekend for a look into his mind and his passion. With the belief that a strong emotional connection is key to engaging his audience, evoking these intense feelings allows people to be more invested in the magic. Now that the audience is along for the ride, he connects those feelings with a memorable story. He then takes those two characteristics and introduces the props that will give the magic life. By giving each of those steps their own individualized attention, it allows for a creation that is more than your standard routine.

What makes him such a brilliant thinker is his ability to take a traditional act and incorporate a twist that catches his spectators completely off guard. He believes that by taking away the expectancy in the presentation, the magic then becomes more meaningful.

We here at Mystifyed Live want to thank Weseley for spending some time with us and sharing his philosophy on the world of entertainment. He certainly offers a refreshing perspective.  For more about him connect on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @MentalWes. To consult with him go to MentalWes.com.

Be sure to check us out at Justinthemystifyer.com.

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The Do's and Don'ts: Social Media

In today's world Social Media has become one of the most influential forms of promotion and communication. With millions of people using Facebook and Twitter for both personal and professional connection, it is important to understand some of the differences when it comes to your presence online.

If you are looking to promote yourself professionally using Social Media it is important you make sure to have a professional page. This should be a place where people can go to find out everything they need to know about upcoming projects, interviews and appearances. Use this space to connect with other people that may be helpful in gaining some recognition online. Promote yourself to those who have similar interests and build a strong network within your brand. Make sure that you know your audience and provide them with content that is appropriate as it relates to you professionally.

In a previous blog post, we talked about the importance of a performers presence both on and off stage. (You can find that post by clicking HERE) Think of your professional page as being on stage and your personal account as being off stage. When using your personal account, it is OK to be a little more relaxed in regards to the content you post, but be mindful that this profile is also public. Sometimes people make the mistake of linking both accounts. Because anyone may be able to see what you put up at any time, you don't want to write anything that may damage your professional image.

Remember that you can change your privacy settings on any of these accounts to restrict who has access to your content. Always be mindful of who you are adding, especially when it comes to your professional pages. Make sure you include up to date contact information so that your fans have a way of getting in touch. Social Media is a very powerful networking tool. It allows us to connect and share ideas with people from around the world. As long as it is used properly the possibilities for it are endless.

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©2012 Mystifyer Promotions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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Mystifyed Live! Episode 15-- David Parr

Season 3: Episode 15

Magician, Actor and Author, David Parr, is more than just a performer. He is also the creator of the Magic Cabaret in Chicago, Illinois. He has also written two highly acclaimed books for magicians, lectured at magic conventions around the country and still finds time to explore other theatrical projects.When he is not performing you can find him around the city giving Haunted History tours, and providing people with an inside look at Edgar Allan Poe with his own interactive show, Visions of Poe. His love of history and how it blends with magic drives him to create a truly incredible theatrical experience.

David Parr performs his signature brand of magic.

Chicago has such a deep-rooted history with magic that most people are not very connected to it. When David started The Magic Cabaret six years ago, it was his goal to bring back the classic Chicago-style of magic and allow a new generation of audience to see it. He wanted to develop a show that was strongly influenced by the intimacy and participatory nature of those parlor shows that helped define the art within the city. The show now runs every Wednesday night at the Greenhouse Theater Center and features some of the best magic in the area.

In what ended up being a very strong experience for both the audience and our guest, we heard of how human emotion can contribute to an act and make it's own magic. After performing a seance piece at a party, members of the audience were so affected by what happened, that each person had a different account of what took place that evening. It was just his job to create the atmosphere and give the guests something to remember the party by; but what ended up happening was something he nor the party-goers will ever forget.

It was great having David on the show with us this week. His love of history and magic has provided us with a rich look into the mind of a truly artistic entertainer. If you would like to find out more about The Magic Cabaret, head over to their official website Magic-Cabaret.com and follow them on Twitter @MagicCabaret. For more on David you can visit DavidParr.com and follow him on Twitter @ParrMagic.

Be sure to check us out at Justinthemystifyer.com.

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©2012 Mystifyer Promotions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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The Process of Musical Production

The musical production process is a fascinating look into the mind of the musician. Many artists often speak about it being a labor of love for them. Many music fans would give anything to be part of that process and see how it all takes shape. All we get to hear is the end result after months of the hard work and dedication by these talented individuals, but we never get to see the process itself.

Musicians will often come into the studio with a producer and start by presenting lyrics they have already written. If they both feel the songs are strong enough, they will jump right in and start working on the music. If they feel it necessary to make changes or gather new material, they will often have songwriting sessions to give themselves more things to work with. In between the writing process there is generally a lot of musical experimentation. For a lot of bands this may involve sitting together in a room and having a jam session. Once something is settled on the lyrics can then be put in conjunction with the sound and a song is born.

Now that lyrics and music have been brought together it is time for the recording sessions. Depending on the producers style these can vary greatly in how they are conducted. A majority of the time, the music is done ahead of time so the vocals can be recorded over it. Producers and the artists will often try multiple versions of vocal tracks until they find one they are both satisfied with. This is where the producers talents are fully utilized. They begin mixing and mastering each track, layering vocals on top of music, balancing out harmonies and fine tuning any last changes that need to be made.

Music production is a fascinating world. It is so much more than just putting out an album. We as fans are often not aware of just how much effort it takes. Musicians take great pride in there work and they hope that it shows in the material they release.

Be sure to check us out at JustinTheMystifyer.com.

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©2012 Mystifyer Promotions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Images provided by: www.sxc.hu

Mystifyed Live! Episode 14-- Evan Haymond

Season 3: Episode 14

Singer-Songwriter, and Guitarist, Evan Haymond, has certainly done a lot in his young career. His musical improvisation skills have gotten him guesting gigs with some of the biggest touring acts in the country. He has been seen by tons of fans as the lead guitarist for music superstar, and former guest of Mystifyed Live, Celeste Kellogg. He has also lent his talents to Singer, Songwriter, Jeremy Thurber and has guested at shows with The Great White feat. Jack Russel. When he's not touring, you can find him in the studio writing songs and recording some incredible instrumental solos.

Evan joined us on the show for the second time. He has been busy putting together a brand new album. This upcoming work is a little bit different than some of the session work he has done in the past, he views this as more of a concept record. While the songs may not have a direct tie to one another, it is his hope that they can be relateable to his listeners.

This self-proclaimed, extremely deliciously handsome entertainer has plenty of things to look forward to in 2013. He is looking to continue his work as a touring guitarist and solo performer. He also hopes to make a trip across the Atlantic to perform in various locations around England. 

It was great to have Evan back on the show with us. He is an incredible musician and an all-around great guy. If you would like to hear some of Evans music be sure to check him out on iTunes. You can also visit his official website, EvanHaymond.com and stay up-to-date on everything by following @EvanHaymond and Liking him on Facebook.

Be sure to check us out at Justinthemystifyer.com.

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The Importance of Atmosphere

In the entertainment world the atmosphere that the artist creates is just as important as the performance itself. Stylistic choices are made when constructing a show that affect both the performer and their audience. Musicians, singers, magicians, even actors and actresses all strive to make the ambiance of their performances special. The location, the lighting, the decor and the overall experience give the viewers something to remember.

Magic is about creating moments of impossibility that the audience will think about for the rest of their lives. The experience spectators have even before the show starts, can set the mood for the rest of the evening. Resident Beverly Hills Magician, Ivan Amodei, spoke about how everything about his performance; the dress code, the intimacy of the theatrical space, even right down to the music that is playing is all part of what makes his parlor magic show one of the best in California. When speaking to Las Vegas Magician and Mentalist, Paul Vigil, he uses his magic to transform a seemingly odd space into a place where the impossible happens. The charm and sophistication of Vigil's act counteracts the rough, rock-style tattoo lounge it takes place in.

Music is all about making the audience happy and feeling good. A lot of the time these are the people that the musician looks to in order put a set-list together. We contacted Musician and Actor, Sean O'Shea, to provide us with some insight into how the feel of his show can change with the settings he is in. If it's a bar, you are going to want to include some more classic songs that are recognizable, keep things mellow and relaxed. If you had a younger audience it would be wise to stick to more cover songs and upbeat originals as well. In the case of Singer / Songwriter, Shastina Eloff, it was her goal and intention to break away from the stereotypical pop singer style, and use her talents to bring her audiences something totally different. Breaking away from industry norms can add a fresh feeling for fans. As more and more people discover you, it can lead to bigger and better things. 

No matter what form of entertainment you are in, there are always going to be those moments where you get the right crowd in the right setting.  When that moment happens and everything comes together, the audience will be treated to an evening that they will always remember.

If you would like to hear more from the guests we mentioned, you can always download their episodes by checking us out on iTunes. Also be sure to tune in every Sunday night for a brand new episode of Mystifyed Live on www.JustinTheMystifyer.com
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Mystifyed Live! Episode 13-- Kyle Knight & Mistie

Season 3, Episode 13

When it comes to captivating audiences from around the world, Illusionists Kyle and Mistie Knight have been one of the most successful cruise ship acts in magic. Known for their high energy and stylish presentations, Kyle and Mistie present a show unlike any other. Mixing large scale stage illusions with masterful close up magic and their own beauty and charm, their in-demand performances have seen them headline on some of the most majestic cruise ships in the world. They joined us live in-studio this week on Mystifyed Live.

Mistie and Kyle Knight

Kyle grew up in the world of magic. He spoke of spending his early days designing illusions in his home state of Wisconsin in the cold confines of his garage. Mistie, originally from Mississippi, is a former Miss Nevada and Miss Las Vegas. The two met and have been performing together for the last 10 years. Over that time their show has evolved and led them to the exclusive world of cruise ship entertainment.

This episode was more than just a look at Kyle and Mistie, it was also an inside scoop on the world of cruise ship entertainment. Having performed on some of the most luxurious vacation liners on earth, it has given them the perfect platform to listen to their audience and create a truly memorable experience. Being surrounded by so many other entertainers, they are able to see what things the audience responds well to. The use of that feedback makes their performance better. The dedication they have to each other and to the art of magic is evident in every aspect of their lives.

Everyone here at Mystifyed Live wants to thank Kyle and Mistie for stopping by and spending the evening with us. We had a great time hearing the stories of their travels and their incredible career. Be sure to check out KnightMagic.com, Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to see where they will be next. 

Don't forget, you can tune into Mystifyed Live every Sunday night at 8pm EST / 5pm PST only on JustinTheMystifyer.com and you can download past episodes of the Podcast for free from iTunes. 

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