S5E3: James Galea — a Band of Magicians
These are show notes taken from an audio interview.
To listen to the actual interview, please use the player above.
In this interview, James Galea tells us how he spends every day having the best day ever! He also talks about how he’s put together shows like the Band of Magicians, pitching his ideas, and getting funding for his visions.
James Galea is an award-winning magician, writer, songwriter, director and producer residing in both sunny Los Angeles and sunny Sydney Australia.
Trying to make every day his best day ever, he’s literally traveled the globe performing his magic. He’s the creator of and has toured with the acclaimed “Band of Magicians,” performed at corporate events for the likes of Microsoft, Virgin, Ford, and Disney, and he’s headlined worldwide in places like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Hollywood Magic Castle, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
You may have also seen him on one of his many TV appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, The TODAY Show, Good Day LA, his own series Urban Magic, or starring in the Discovery Channel series Breaking Magic along with fellow magicians Wayne Houchin, Billy Kidd, and Ben Hanlin.
Daily Telegraph says, “James has reinvented the art of trickery, taking it far from its traditional comfort zone.”
Success Quote:
Nobody knows anything. — William Goldman
Failure Moment
James tells us about the most dismal failure that anyone could have on stage. Literally. Everything went wrong! James describes it in excruciating detail.
Favorite Success
Whatever he’s working on right now.
Producing and Pitching Shows
• Talks about his musical about a magician.
• Pitching his ideas.
• How he started the Band of Magicians and his vision for it.
• How he promoted the Band of Magicians to get butts in seats.
• How he raised money for the show.
• How they’re different from The Illusionists.
BAND OF MAGICIANS – Short Film from James Galea on Vimeo.
Biggest Professional Challenge
Trusting his instinct and knowing what’s right to do. That and telling people no.
Other Topics Covered
• Being a life-long learner.
• How he spends every day having the best day ever and how he discovered that philosophy for himself.
• His first experiences on cruise ships.
• How he marketed himself early on.
• Learned by doing and observing.
• What his parents thought about his “professional pursuits.”
Parting Advice
Be careful who you listen to and take advice from.
Recommended books and resources:
Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you’re enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we’re doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!
Resource:
Show Cues – iOS App
Books:
Find the Stuff That’s You by Chris Carey
War of Art by Steven Pressfield
