Virtual Magic Shows! 10 Tips for Magicians Who Want to UP THEIR VIRTUAL GAME!

Updated: Jan 10

In this episode, Magicians Talking Magic Podcast hosts Ryan Joyce and Graemazing share ten helpful tips for upping your virtual magic show game.

Learn how to create more interactive and engaging virtual magic shows and events and use livestreaming to earn money with virtual magic shows effectively.

Virtual Shows! How Entertainers Survive and 10 Things We Didn’t Expect!

1. Drop the Multicam.

There is a lot of extra complexity and issues that can arise with two or more cameras for your virtual magic show.
Simplify - frame everything around your face.
Treat this like a new show - timing differs greatly from live magic shows.
Push yourself to try new material.

2. You gotta plug in

Avoid wifi and go for the direct ethernet connection.

3. Be interesting!

Be in the moment - just like performing live magic shows, you must react and interact with your guests. Be present and prepared.
Everything should be live - no pretapes - YouTube and Netflix are better produced.
Talk to your audience - everyone has a front-row seat in virtual magic shows.
Be interactive - Try to make as much of the magic interactive as possible.

4. Different kinds of performing

Two-way conversation vs one-way - everyone is typically muted in virtual magic shows. Call people out directly by their screen name and ask them to unmute.
Have an interesting conversation at the ready - Be open to just chatting or engaging more with your audience.
Remember, for your virtual magic show audience, this is also a unique opportunity to talk with a professional magician and performer!
Comment on their atmosphere or clothes - make them feel like superstars!

5. Let’s talk about the Magic

Keep it simple - the computer screen frame provides all-new ways to explore the kinds of magic you can perform.
You can get away with a lot in a virtual setting. You only have one angle
Tenyo is now an illusion! - Small magic tricks look massive on the screen!

6. Length matters

Keep it short - 20-30 minutes is ideal for virtual magic shows. Everyone is getting sick of being stuck on ZOOM.
Produce it like a TV show - have a strong opener and closer, and be sure to dazzle throughout.

8. OBS IS KING

If you are looking to produce higher-quality virtual shows with some extra production value, OBS is your software.

I have been reading comments from people trying other pieces of tech and software.

A lot seem to drop out or fail when broadcasting.

Although OBS has a little more of a learning curve, the benefits are very rewarding. They are also releasing new features all the time.

OBS is the standard for video game streamers for a reason!

9. Your Phone sucks as a camera

There is no good, reliable way to connect your phone to your computer without paying for a decent application. Capture cards are really expensive and vary in quality.

I bought a cheap webcam, and with OBS, you can configure that camera, making it look very, very, very nice!

USB Webcams are super reliable!

10. Side Product!

Have a side product, service or hustle you can pitch.

BONUS: New Revenue Stream for Virtual Magic Shows & Magicians

So, if you have taken the time to research OBS (which you should), congratulations, you are now a virtual event producer!

Wait, What’s that?

You are now more than just a magician - you have enhanced your skillset to be able to produce and execute a full broadcast production.

I have been performing virtual shows for some companies now on their Facebook pages.

I set up a Zoom call with a studio audience of 6-8 people and manipulated OBS. I added the company logo to my broadcast, “Presented by XX.”

These same companies have now asked me to entertain and produce their corporate virtual events.

This is a game-changer!

If you have not - I suggest start researching OBS - it is a lot easier than you might think.

Many of us use an Audio ape.

It's the same learning curve. A lot of us perform sleight of hand. That’s even harder!

Expand your value as a virtual magician.

Final tips:

Create a separation between you and your background
Get better lighting. No windows behind you! Have one great light source that illuminates your face and magic
Grab a USB MIC - they are like 80 bucks online
Stop worrying about trying to make your phone work as a camera
Buy a basic webcam and start sharing the magic!
Learn OBS
Get your client involved