Producing a Virtual Magic Show: Behind the Scenes with Brian Miller

[@MatthewFurman]

Excellent video, thank you

[@magicienmontreal]

Great quick presentation. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Thanks for watching! How's virtual magic treating you?

[@lesmagiciensdugarlaban478]

so great thanks sharing your knoledge

[@lesmagiciensdugarlaban478]

Do you have any other video in that vain for a virtual magic show? I was surprised you spoke about streamyard but how your attendees can interact visually with you? Because you can only have 6 pepole with you?

[@mago.herrera]

Good job

[@SeanDevine]

How have I never heard about you??! Dude, you're awesome and you're absolutely crushing it!

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Really appreciate the kind words, Sean. The honest answer is, because I'm not a magician's magician. I'm a worker. The very best and most successful magicians in the world (not putting myself in that category) are often folks magicians have never heard of, because they don't release magic tricks or lecture at conventions. I have dozens of friends and colleagues making multiple 6-figures as full time magicians, doing the most interesting magic, that almost no one knows about.

[@SOUNDINTHECITY]

Thanks for all details on the setup.

[@StuTech]

I always love a behind the scenes video. Thanks Brian

[@BrianMcGovernnyc]

Fantastic info. Thank you!

[@danielhank-zauberer]

Thank you! One of the most helpful videos about this topic 🙏🏻

[@jeffb8824]

Great video and set up! You can see how much effort you have put into your production. What headset mic did you use on stage? I do fitness type videos outdoors, and have problems with lavalier mics making clothing sounds, and shotgun mics are too far aways. I have tried some headset mics, but some sound a little compressed or nasal (although that could be me!) What mic do you recommend? Thanks so much!

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Thanks! On stage I used a Countryman E6 into a Shure GLX wireless system.

[@jeffb8824]

@@brianmillerspeaks thanks for the response! I have been looking at the countryman e6, despite its pricetag! How do you think it would do in the wind if filming outdoors? Thanks again!

[@simonsoderqvist]

Thanks, great explanation! Just one question. Is there a more affordable solution for the mix-minus operation and also to get video and audio to sync when streaming over zoom? To day I have everything wired via ATEM mini but believe I need some kind of sound mixer..? Looked in to the roadster pro but since that is more made for podcast I'm still looking for alternatives. Thanks again!

[@MadouMann]

Awesome video - really helpful! Thanks and greetings from Germany:)

[@eric.paquet]

Thank you so much Brian for sharing this with us. That's very informative for an amateur magician like myself who was not sure to go virtual or not. I think that you've just convinced me! May I ask you the brand and model of the audio/video/lighting devices that you use?

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Hi Eric! I use a lot of gear. I'll compile a list and put it in the description of the video.

[@eric.paquet]

@@brianmillerspeaks That's awesome! And how about the lighting? Many thanks Brian.

[@rockthedemo6434]

Hi Brian, thanks a lot for sharing this insights. I have a short question which I could not figure out by myself. You switched the camera with the ATEM Mini Hardware and on the second Camera (Close Up) the picture in picture comes automatically. How did you realize this? Black Magic support is telling me this is not possible. Thanks for your help.

[@GlesgaNews]

Hey Brian, New sub so I've been working my way through your audio tutorial pieces. I just bought the Tascam DR-05X although not used it yet. But this video has everything. Its sort of a compilation of all the tech with the most important aspect , Content.... Keep making them and we will come....GN

[@AlainHM1]

What an amazing setup, and amazing info. I do parlor/close up magic and I'm hesitant to start doing virtual magic shows although I'm being asked by many clients. Any input on that? Thanks mate!

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Thanks! First I would ask, what's stopping you?

[@AlainHM1]

​@@brianmillerspeaks My show is mostly interactive like yourself, and focuses heavily on playing cards. Fear of not being as entertaining as in person is what's stopping me I guess.

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Okay, this is great. A few things. First, there’s no issue with using playing cards. I do. But you’ll probably need a two-camera setup in order to switch between the close-up view and the wide view. Second, the fear of not being as entertaining is a reasonable fear. It’s also a terrible excuse. I bet if you’re honest, you’re afraid every time you do a show in the real world that you won’t be as entertaining as the client or audience expects you to be. Fear is part of art. It’s what drives us. In the words of Seth Godin, we can’t eliminate fear, but we can learn to dance with it. And one final note: You’re thinking about this as if it’s just your old show with cameras. Instead, consider building a show for this medium, knowing what the limitations and eccentricities are. There are so many kinds of tricks you can do virtually you could never get away with in the real world. You control the angles, the distance, the ambience. No one can ask to see anything, examine it, or even interrupt you (mute all). What could you do with that? Say ‘yes’ to the next request for a virtual show. Then use that commitment to force yourself into action. The first one will be clunky. That’s okay. The next one will be slightly less clunky. And so on and so forth.

[@AlainHM1]

@@brianmillerspeaks Wow, thank you so much for that. Yeah I believe you are spot on with building a show for this medium. I guess I'm so comfortable with my routine that I'm giving my self excuses for not building a new one. Thank you so much for taking the time to give me this great advice. I will let you know when I perform my first virtual show :)

[@brianmillerspeaks]

My pleasure. Would it be unacceptable for me to screenshot this exchange to share on my other socials? I think a lot of folks need the motivation and permission to get out there.

[@howieyoungmedia7139]

Hi Brian - What brand lights do you use?

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Hi Howie! These days I'm using Godox. Head to my side channel Audio for Content Creators and check out the most recent video on the SL150.

[@howieyoungmedia7139]

@@brianmillerspeaks Thanks Brian! I'll take a look at that video. What are the two lights shown in this video?

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Dazzne.

[@howieyoungmedia7139]

@@brianmillerspeaks Thanks.

[@soysaucex23]

Any sources on how to bring a spectator on "stage" on zoom?

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Use the spotlight function. If you're interested in developing your virtual show, I do offer consulting sessions. I've worked with magicians all over the world. Reach out at [e-mail] to inquire.

[@radu3g]

Juggling with equipment...the unnoticed part of the show. What sort of in-ear monitors do you use? they seem to be Sennheiser, but you made them disappear too quickly. Almost sleight of hand ;)

[@brianmillerspeaks]

Ah yes! The goal of this video wasn't to go through each gear in particular but to show an overview of the tech. The in-ear monitors are Mee Audio: amzn.to/3iQLUOL

[@germagic2]

forget it way to complicated

[@brianmillerspeaks]

No doubt! It's not for everyone.