Justin Willman's Magic: How He Converts Skeptics Into Fans And Makes Each Trick Tell A Story

Even in the middle of the day, the Magic Castle in Hollywood may captivate individuals who don't often believe in illusions. The William W. Larsen Memorial Library exudes a sense of awe. The bookcases are stocked with literature on magic, stunning stained glass, and photographs of great magicians who have visited. It is also home to Harry Houdini's signature magic books.

On a recent afternoon, Justin Willman, a hilarious magician, sits in a magnificent velvet chair that appears to be for a wizard. He takes in the solemn atmosphere of a location recognized for its key magical literature. "This is the only room in the Magic Castle where non-magicians are not permitted. "This is a rare exception," he claims. "But you're not allowed to crack a book open."

Magic is a serious business for the star of Netflix shows such as Magic for Humans and the more recent Magic Prank Show. Willman's latest show, Magic Lover, uses his wand to reawaken our youthful sense of wonder. He accomplishes this through cleverly executed tactics that lead the audience's mind through twists and turns. There are also lots of laughs along the way. The hour-long presentation, which debuted recently, succeeds due to Willman's blend of interacting with the audience, telling stories, and doing elaborate tricks inspired by everyday life. His goal is to engage both those who doubt magic and those who believe in it, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Justin Willman's Unique Mix of Comedy and Magic, and How He Reached Everyone

Why His New Netflix Show Attracts Both Skeptics And People Who Already Believe In Illusions

Willman discussed what inspired his latest special. He discussed his most fantastic moments on stage, as well as occasions when tricks went wrong. He also revealed his technique for making his illusions appear real. He stated that when people hear the term "magic," they frequently have a concept of how they feel about it. There are folks who already enjoy magic and some who see it as a riddle or a challenge. Some people wonder if the magician believes he is a true wizard. Willman like to address these issues early on because he wants his show to be accessible to anyone. He isn't attempting to convert naysayers into magic fans, but he does want them to understand that the event is also intended for them.

He enjoys performing a trick in which the audience believes they understand how he performs it. Then he tells them they are correct. And then he tells them they're mistaken. It's like a little mental roller coaster. He believes his live show has finally reached a point where it can also be enjoyed by viewers at home. Magic is a live show. It's easy to have reservations when you're not viewing it in person. He believes that with today's technology, like as AI and deepfakes, magic is more beautiful than ever to witness live. He wanted to make those watching Netflix feel as if they were right there in the theater, part of the audience.

Willman also discussed how comedy and magic are related. He believes that magic has a natural comedic element. Even when a trick isn't intended to be amusing, people frequently chuckle when their minds are challenged. He notices a link between the two. A joke includes a setup and a punchline. A trick has a setup and a reveal. He believes they are really similar. The hardest aspect about combining magic and humor is making sure they don't distract from one another. He has spent years attempting to find the correct balance, which he believes comes down to time. He believes that a good joke is an excellent diversion because when people laugh, they are less likely to look closely. He was initially drawn to combining magic with comedy since comedy was so effective for misdirection.

Where do Justin Willman's unique ideas for magic tricks come from?

Exploring His Creative Process From Everyday Moments To Personal Obsessions

Willman's act revolves around numbers. He correctly predicts the city from ZIP codes shouted out by audience members during the special. He grew so proficient at it because he enjoyed the way math and magic interacted. After college, he visited campuses around the country. He toured all 50 states swiftly. This is when his fascination with ZIP codes and telling people where they were from blossomed, eventually becoming a staple of his show. People want to feel recognized and remember where they came from. He believes that combining actual objects with blatant illusions is enjoyable. It causes people to wonder about him.

There is no unique way in which his thoughts arrive to him. Sometimes an idea just arrives completely formed, and he knows it's correct. This typically occurs when he gets inspired by something in his life. His son, Jack, actually asked him, "Dad, what's inflation?" And he thought, "I have a magic trick that will explain this, and I bet people will relate to it." Anyone who has children knows that they frequently ask difficult questions. Other trick thoughts linger in his memory for years. He sometimes enjoys a trick but is unsure what to do with it. He's been interested in time travel for a long time. He believes he has finally discovered a mechanism that allows him to produce the authentic experience of time travel on stage. He's excited to execute this stunt shortly.

Willman claims that the trick itself is never enough. It should also convey some sort of thought. This might be something amusing that people would remember or something from his own life. It might also be something honest or a suggestion on a popular issue. It's his "secret sauce." It is difficult to get all of these things properly at once. When he observes magic performed by another magician, he tries to be a "magic lover." He doesn't scrutinize it like a skeptic. He has the same emotions when he reads superb literature. He does not wish to analyze it. It's satisfying when someone can actually transport him. He understands many aspects of magic, but he enjoys being duped. That is why he wanted to become a magician in the first place.

Justin Willman's Experiences with Audiences and Unexpected Moments on Stage

From The Joy Of Children's Reactions To When A Dove Flew Into A Tree

Willman's special features kids on stage. As a father himself, he believes that children are ideal audience members. He enjoys performing for youngsters because he began his career giving acts at their birthday celebrations. He then performed at comedy clubs where there were no children, but plenty of drunk adults. He observes that children and inebriated adults are extremely similar. They'll say how they feel. Kids are also adept at pointing out tricks. Some may believe it is easy to amaze children, but he disagrees. Children are intelligent and difficult to trick. It is more difficult to get people to think the way you desire.

When he plays, the crowd includes families, couples, and date evenings. He enjoys performing a trick with children since they are unaware they are being filmed. They act normally. When you see the surprise and delight on their faces when you blow their minds or they are a part of something that amazes the audience, everyone is reminded of their own youth. He does a "human show," not a "kid show." It's for everyone. When parents have children, they frequently recall their own childhood experiences. He believes that as individuals get older, they get more cynical, and it is important to remember how pure astonishment and joy are.

He told a story of a trick gone wrong. He was hosting a birthday party outside in Burbank. He used to work with animals such as birds and rabbits. He would make his dove appear first, followed by his rabbit. When he summoned the dove, a gust of wind caused it to fly into a nearby tree. This was not intended to happen. He attempted to appear like it was part of the show, but the dove did not land. Later, he made the bunny emerge. The children were touching it. He remembered he had another function to attend. So he assured the parents he'd be back in two hours with a ladder to rescue the bird. When he returned two hours later, they were displeased. They informed him that a hawk circled above and took his bird during "Happy Birthday." So he couldn't pretend that was supposed to happen. He stopped working with animals after that day. He currently solely works with humans.

The Future of Magic in a High-Tech World: Justin Willman's Hope for Live Shows

How Technology Has Changed The Art Of Illusion, And Why Seeing Magic In Person Is Still Important

Willman argues that modern technology such as CGI, video effects, AI, and deepfakes have increased magicians' creativity. He feels that these improvements have inspired him to make magic about more than just the trick. It must be humorous, serious, passionate, ludicrous, or relevant to current events. The trick is to present his point of view or viewpoint on anything. He believes that the small amount of uncertainty in his plays, where the audience's choices or minds might alter things, is what people remember later. He believes that if a program contained no risks and everything went perfectly as planned, it would be less interesting for him.

Willman, who is well-known for his television presentations, feels that magic is best experienced live. He created his program to let Netflix viewers feel as if they were part of the live crowd. He strives to make everything he films, including Magic for Humans and his special, feel as if you're there in person. He makes as few cuts as feasible. He believes that his presentation will inspire viewers to attend live magic shows in person. He believes that no matter how far technology and artificial intelligence advance, witnessing something spectacular in person will always be unique. He is betting on people craving that sense of awe more than ever. He claims he has no back-up strategy.

Ultimately, Magic Lover is about offering individuals the opportunity to create exceptional experiences at a show. It gives folks something to look forward to and be excited about attending together. It is about remembering, "That was the night that grandma and grandpa were there, and we had everybody there." You see someone grin in a way that you will never forget. Being a part of that is something amazing. This is the first time he has appeared on Netflix performing his signature live stage magic. It's one thing to perform magic on the street. But you don't necessarily see it and think, "I want to go find that guy on the street." When you see it on stage, you could think, "Oh, I want to be in that audience." He intends to draw in new individuals who are skeptical about magic as well as those who believe in it, and take them along for the ride.