Failure makes you also look human. And actually sells the fact it’s real and people get more engrossed into it knowing it can go wrong. I’ve stuff gone wrong and I use the line: “no no, it isn’t you it’s me!” And the first time I said it I didn’t link it to the infamous break up line. It was sincerely meant that she didn’t have to feel bad because I literally messed it up. That laugh made me realize I could milk it the next time. “No no, it’s not you, it’s me!!!…that is usually what I say if a relationship doesn’t work out and we both tried so hard at making it work. But let’s agree to not have a child to safe this marriage, okay?” That would make it even more fun and it gave the oppertunity for the spectator to have the last word and I say: “let’s not have a baby to save this marriage, okay?” Because you want them to be comfortable and you can be most comfortable if you have the last word. And it rarely happens but if it did it was great fun. Usually I always thought of an out scenario, because sooner or later an effect will go wrong.
Oh man America and unions. I actually moved from mentalism into consulting for TV and since I make things myself (electronic and mechanical) I fell into special effects and naturally (with my background in computer science and graphics) also into visual effects. And working in the Netherlands and UK it’s all small and efficient. I come to America to work on a TV series and it’s insane! So many people and everyone has a tiny job. We had a dedicated clapper operator! Usually it’s the 2nd AC here in the Netherlands. But in NCIS Nola we had a dedicated lady that just “loaded up” the clipboard and clipped it. I was onset as a VFX supervisor for a sailor “falling off a balcony” to do digital wire removal that was what I’d bid for. And in taking pictures for clean plates to mask out any wires. And they were amazed I did that myself and didn’t have an assistant for that. I’m like: “this is a 2500 dollar shot if I need to hire an assistant at any it becomes a 5000 dollar shot.” America is weird! So I stopped working there it’s just too inefficient and risky. Except for non-union (indie) productions. Those I adore!
Can listen to Darren for hours such an inspiration with his fresh thinking of magic, especially down to making the show about the audience , for anyone who saw my act at Blackpool this year, Darren inspired it by saying to make the show about the audience, I'm on again this coming year with another idea based around the same thing
That ESP matchup is an absolute killer. The fact you put the prediction down before the participant is soooo strong. I started doing it after seeing some old footage of Derren doing it on some UK TV shows
Turns out Ted Karmilovich died a couple of years ago. The only reference I can find to his book is back in October 2022 (soon after his death), which mentioned that it was "nearly complete, awaiting only an epilogue, some formatting, and a final proofread". Google Books links to a 2023 publication called "The Karmilovich Collection", but the ISBN leads nowhere. Very intriguing.
Could listen to him for hours and hours. Great job with the interview!
Fascinating stuff. We need a part 3 & 4. Any pretext to get him back again.
The wealth of knowledge and experience Derren has is invaluable. I could listen to his stories, thoughts and insights for hours.
Really well done interview -- loved Derren's insights, a living legend
Failure makes you also look human. And actually sells the fact it’s real and people get more engrossed into it knowing it can go wrong.
I’ve stuff gone wrong and I use the line: “no no, it isn’t you it’s me!” And the first time I said it I didn’t link it to the infamous break up line. It was sincerely meant that she didn’t have to feel bad because I literally messed it up.
That laugh made me realize I could milk it the next time.
“No no, it’s not you, it’s me!!!…that is usually what I say if a relationship doesn’t work out and we both tried so hard at making it work. But let’s agree to not have a child to safe this marriage, okay?”
That would make it even more fun and it gave the oppertunity for the spectator to have the last word and I say: “let’s not have a baby to save this marriage, okay?”
Because you want them to be comfortable and you can be most comfortable if you have the last word.
And it rarely happens but if it did it was great fun. Usually I always thought of an out scenario, because sooner or later an effect will go wrong.
Oh man America and unions.
I actually moved from mentalism into consulting for TV and since I make things myself (electronic and mechanical) I fell into special effects and naturally (with my background in computer science and graphics) also into visual effects. And working in the Netherlands and UK it’s all small and efficient. I come to America to work on a TV series and it’s insane! So many people and everyone has a tiny job. We had a dedicated clapper operator! Usually it’s the 2nd AC here in the Netherlands. But in NCIS Nola we had a dedicated lady that just “loaded up” the clipboard and clipped it.
I was onset as a VFX supervisor for a sailor “falling off a balcony” to do digital wire removal that was what I’d bid for. And in taking pictures for clean plates to mask out any wires. And they were amazed I did that myself and didn’t have an assistant for that.
I’m like: “this is a 2500 dollar shot if I need to hire an assistant at any it becomes a 5000 dollar shot.”
America is weird! So I stopped working there it’s just too inefficient and risky. Except for non-union (indie) productions. Those I adore!
Derren Brown should consider performing. He's pretty good.
Loved this part as well. He has a podcast? How did I miss that fact? I need to find it. X)
Thanks for sharing this amazing interview. Hearing Derren's insight into the art is always delightful
Can listen to Darren for hours such an inspiration with his fresh thinking of magic, especially down to making the show about the audience , for anyone who saw my act at Blackpool this year, Darren inspired it by saying to make the show about the audience, I'm on again this coming year with another idea based around the same thing
That ESP matchup is an absolute killer. The fact you put the prediction down before the participant is soooo strong. I started doing it after seeing some old footage of Derren doing it on some UK TV shows
It is a joy to listen to Derren and you don't want him to stop talking. And that's even though English is not my native language 😉
Great work Jamie!
Turns out Ted Karmilovich died a couple of years ago. The only reference I can find to his book is back in October 2022 (soon after his death), which mentioned that it was "nearly complete, awaiting only an epilogue, some formatting, and a final proofread". Google Books links to a 2023 publication called "The Karmilovich Collection", but the ISBN leads nowhere. Very intriguing.
I don’t suppose you know where we can find Ted’s book when it’s out do you?
We're not sure as of yet! But hopefully we will all know soon! :)
Stagecraft. RiP Jack Delvin :(
Can Derren be the next "Merlin"...?
29:15 Derren's lampshade head.