Connected: Live 2021

If doing virtual magic shows is your bag, you'll find a heap of information here about online magic and video production to fire your imagination and facilitate the process. The segments with Will Houston and Carisa Hendrix were particularly in-depth, organized and thorough. Will presented some new video tech applications that opened many possibilities for online amazement, and Carisa spoke at length on film theory and set design. David Parr had some good advice.
Will made arguments presenting "Zoom Magic" as a "new medium" yet to to be fully realized. Personally, I grow weary of watching things on little screens. I'd rather read a book. And online magic shows, despite the magician's best efforts, often feel flat, cold and detached. I think the magician enjoys them more than the audience because he can now control every aspect with easy outs just below the viewing screen. I wonder if actual live performance will soon be regarded as laughably passe, "the last of a dying breed," or morph into some raw, cutting-edge underground.
It was telling when Will Houston did his venerable version of "Shadow Coins" and I wondered if this too was manipulated video. Then I wondered if it mattered. With Will's argument that "virtual magic" done live online is different from prerecorded video because "everyone knows you can edit that," now we are shown how to edit and manipulate video in real time. It won't take long for the public to catch on, and at that point, it might as well be "Mindfreak" magic. Why practice anything if it can all be faked with technology and the end result is the same in the spectator's mind? I guess the real question is: "Did you get paid?" What would Will, an accomplished sleight of hand practitioner, think if people watching his Zoom Magic show began to believe it was all video tricks because "they have software that can do that now."
It should disturb people when the audience on "Fool Us" is now reduced to a collection of flat faces on interconnected hive-like monitor screens. Is the show the same? Hell no. I suppose Connected: Live 2021 is ideal for working pros seeking to expand their revenue streams. Or perhaps it's one long commercial to validate the release of the new VI book.
God bless Mark James, at the very end, just doing an old-school magic show expertly and very entertainingly with little video hogwash. No, I wasn't fooled, but I massively enjoyed his performance. And I've seen him before. His teaching of his version of "Silk to Egg" was the highlight for me.

Great conference! Really enjoying it so far, lots of great information to get the creative juices flowing. I missed the live conference as I had my own Zoom shows to perform, however having the recordings to watch afterwards made it a no brainer. Excellent stuff!

Takes Zoom-based magic to the next level, and the next and the next and...

Great lecture!

Really pleasd i got to access this today as
7 hours plus hours obs has bits to skip through as couple of slots were a bit short on ideas or imagination really lost it for last hour
Harry and Will were excellent
Superb insight
Intelligent stuff

Magic tech was wonderful


Thank you very much guys

Mark's show was top notch and his views on virtual shows and performance were clearly defined and based on experience with the medium. Mark's tip using a whiteboard for show pre was great. His handling and teaching of the classic silk to egg made that old classic exciting and streamlined. I highly recommend watching this talk.

I love Dani DaOrtiz. His energy is infectious. He teaches audience management, psychology, subtleties and techniques that will bring your Zoom magic show to a whole new level. Definitely worth the listen. Highly recommended!

Excellent, useful, clear and concise tips to build an online fan base across different social media platforms. She has just won herself a new follower. The fact that she highlights the importance of staying consistent not only with putting out material but also staying consistent with your brand is true maverick insight.

Valuable information. Great ideas on marketing for any performer.

Before watching this download from Connected LIVE I had no clue what to do about my virtual set up. There were so many places online that had resources but never detailed information that I found helpful. After watching this I truly believe I can set up an amazing virtual studio. I have learned tons of insight on virtual studios and I can't wait to put to action what I have learned. Highly recommend!