Showing posts with label ~Canada's Got Talent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ~Canada's Got Talent. Show all posts

18 March 2024

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Mark Clearview

On March 10th we shared with you that this season of Canada's Got Talent boasts nine Canadian magic acts. 

We are delighted to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of the acts.  Kicking off the series is Mark Clearview!
 

You may already know that Mark:



We're delighted that Mark made time to answer our questions ahead of his appearance tomorrow on the premiere of the 2024 season of Canada's Got Talent!

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
Andy Kaufman. Most car salesmen. It's gotta be hard to sell cars.
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

I had the Wacky Wizard at my third birthday party. I don't remember it but I'm sure he was great. 4th birthday I had Mr. Oh (Owen Anderson) and I remember that a bit more. I've been doing magic since three, so longer than I can recall to memory. But many trips to Browser's Den Magic shop are cemented in my mind! Thanks Jeffs!
 


Who from the magic community inspires you?

At large? Penn & Teller, Mac King, Tom Mullica, The Amazing Jonathan. In my immediate community? Scott Hammell, Nick Wallace, Paige Thompson, my dad.
 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

Oh plenty! The book "Magic and Showmanship" changed some things for me. Derren Brown's "Notes from a Fellow Traveler" did a lot for my onstage persona. The aforementioned Browser's Den. Sorcerers Safari Magic camp. Couldn't of done anything without my mentor Scott Hammell. My father built my props. My mother supported me. She still does! She's actually typing this out for me. No don't write that. Stop it.



Mark Clearview

📸 : CGT


Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
One time in 2020 the world ended for two long years. Before that I was a kid who was cranky and tired of it. Why didn't I quit? I can't. I've tried! This is an affliction and part of my chemical makeup. It's impossible to stop. Magic is all I know.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 
I eat an entire bag of Funions.


 
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 
Because I wasn't on last season.

 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
If you give up, or stop following your dreams, I will find you and I will make you suffer.

 

 

Thank you Mark for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about Mark at his website MarkClearview.com or follow him on Instagram and YouTube.

 
 
Canada's Got Talent premieres March 19th on CityTV.

 

Watch a sneak peek here:  
 
 
 

 

 

03 June 2023

ICYMI: Atsushi Ono's performance on the Canada's Got Talent finale

Sleight of hand, time travel, British rectangular prism in a primary colour.  What's not to like?

Fabulous job Atsushi!

 

From the May 17th upload "Atsushi Ono Travels Through Time For The Finale" at the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Atsushi Ono conquered his nerves on the way to the CGT Finale, where his playful brand of sleight-of-hand magic once again took centre stage - again and again and again and again... 

 

 

15 May 2023

Atsushi Ono in the Calgary Herald

Tune into Canada's Got Talent on CityTV tomorrow night to watch Atsushi compete in the live finale!

 

From the May 12th article "How Calgary magician Atsushi Ono wowed his way to the season finale of Canada's Got Talent" by Eric Volmers in the Calgary Herald

For now, he is in Niagara Falls, Ont., which is where the two-hour live finale of Canada’s Got Talent will be filmed on May 16. Ono, who showcased some genuine nervousness during his initial audition, seemed to legitimately wow the judges, particularly Offishall. The hip-hop artist seemed too enamoured with what he was seeing to sit still.

“I thought I was very lucky,” he says. “The beauty of close-up magic is that you never know what is going to happen. When I saw him (walking away), I thought I can make this funnier. The other thing was that I trust all the judges. They are the real stars … they understand how TV works. So whatever happens, I’m going to trust them. They are going to make me even funnier or make me cool or whatever.”

Still, he admits he is dealing with some nerves leading up to the all-important finale.

“I don’t want to disappoint anybody,” he says. “At the same time, of course, I’m nervous because it’s a live show.”

Read more.

 

 

 

 

09 May 2023

Canada's Got Talent: Vote Magic Ben to the May 16 finale!

To vote Magic Ben to the finale, visit https://cgtvote.votenow.tv/.  Voting is open until 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT. 

 

From the May 9th upload "MAGIC BEN’s Charming Card Tricks Dazzle The CGT Stage" on the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Magic Ben comes to us from The Yukon, where he’s mastered his magic tricks, and his charming stage presence!  After this delightful display of talent, will Canadians choose to make Magic Ben appear in the Live Finale?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08 May 2023

Canada's Got Talent: Checking in with Magic Ben

Two weeks ago we learned that Magic Ben advanced to the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals!


Semi-finalist Magic Ben

Semi-finalist Magic Ben
source: @CanGotTalent


We had the opportunity to check in with Ben ahead of his appearance on the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals tomorrow.

Read our March interview where we learn about Ben's:
 - first memory of magic,
 - magical inspirations,
 - other inspirations,
 - magical influences,
 - motivation to audition,
 - pre-show rituals,
   and
 - thoughts about quitting.
 
When you first learned you made it to the semi-finals, was your first impulse to add complexity to your semi-final performance?  Or was it to simplify?  Will you be honouring that impulse or did you change your mind

When I first learned I made it to the Semi-Finals, I made sure I performed what I had in mind. In the audition I wanted to make sure one of the judges would feel the magic in their hands. I told the production, this time, let's make sure the 5000 people in the audience feel it in their hands. I've always been about playing to the audience, they are part of the magic, It doesn't exist without them.
 

ICYMI:

 - Watch Ben's audition video "19-Year-Old MAGICIAN Magic Ben’s Audition Freezes Judge Lilly Singh"

 - Read the April 15th article "From Nunavik to national TV: 19-year-old 'Magic Ben' recalls his start in northern Quebec" by Rachel Watts at CBC News.

 - Listen to Jacob Elyachar interview Magic Ben on the April 10th episode "Canada's Got Talent: Season 2- Special #5: Magic Ben" of his podcast "Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar" 

Will you be performing something from your regular repertoire or have you created something new for the competition?

This is something from my repertoire, I perform it in my shows but it definitely was a first for this kind of audience!
 

Will you give it everything you’ve got or will you hold something special back for the finals?

 I always give everything I got, but you know, we always have another trick up our sleeve!   ;)


 


 
 
 
 
Who is on your team of advisors for your progression to the next round(s) at Canada’s Got Talent? 
 

For this round I went back to my roots. What routine played the best for the audience? I went and asked people that have seen me perform for 10 years, family, friends. I had great help from my mentor Hypnotist Corrie J as well.

What will it mean to you to advance to the CGT finals?
 
Advancing to the finals would be an absolute dream come true. It would show that no matter the obstacles that come in life, you can make it through. Obstacles fuel me to push and produce so let's have some fun!

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic?
 
To all the readers of Canada's Magic, I don't care how old you are or where you live. If you have a dream, or there is something you want to do - DO IT! Anything is possible and I am realizing it now, be magic my friends..

 

 

Thank you Ben, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on the CGT semi-finals!


Learn more about Ben at his website MagicWithBen.com and follow him on Instagram.

 
 
Watch Ben's performance at the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals May 9th on CityTV.

 

 

 

 

 

03 May 2023

Canada's Got Talent: Atsushi Ono moves on to the May 16 finale!

Congratulations Atsushi, on a fantastic performance at the semi-finals!

 

From the May 2nd upload "Atsushi Ono’s MAGIC Dazzled The Judges With Quick Card Tricks" on the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

Don’t ask Atsushi Ono where your card is!  He’s just the kind of magician who could tell you it’s anywhere and it will show up.  The speed of his card tricks and stage presence blow the judges away and his incredible talent is rewarded with a spot in the #CGT Live Finale!

 

 

 

 

02 May 2023

Canada's Got Talent: We asked the judges

Ahead of the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals, where Atsushi Ono and Magic Ben will represent Canadian magicians, we asked judges Trish Stratus and Howie Mandel:

At this stage of the competition, which do you value more: the magician's showmanship or their effects?


Here are their answers:

“For me, it’s showmanship. It’s important for the effect to be achieved obviously, but as far as engaging the audience, and making me feel like ‘do I want to see this again’, it’s got to be showmanship.”

 – Trish Stratus, Judge, Canada’s Got Talent

 

 

"Showmanship always trumps effect!"

– Howie Mandel, Judge, Canada’s Got Talent

 

 

 

Thank you Trish and Howie, for making the time to answer our question! 

 

Cheer on Atsushi Ono when you watch tonight's Canada's Got Talent semi-finals episode on CityTV. 

 

 

 

 

01 May 2023

Canada's Got Talent: Checking in with Atsushi Ono

Last week we learned that Atsushi Ono advanced to the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals!


Semi-finalist Atsushi Ono

Semi-finalist Atsushi Ono
source: @CanGotTalent


 

We had the opportunity to check in with Atsushi ahead of his appearance on the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals tomorrow.   He very kindly to answered the questions below.

Read our March interview where we learn about Atsushi's:
 - first memory of magic,
 - magical inspirations,
 - other inspirations,
 - magical influences,
 - motivation to audition,
   and
 - thoughts about quitting.
 
When you first learned you made it to the semi-finals, was your first impulse to add complexity to your semi-final performance?  Or was it to simplify?  Will you be honouring that impulse or did you change your mind

When I first learned that, I was in all emotions like surprise, relief, grateful. However, I didn't actually have any specific plan for the semi-finals as I gave everything I had to the audition lol, so nothing changed my mind but I started working on it right away! 
 
 
ICYMI:

 - Watch Atsushi's audition video "MAGICIAN Atsushi Ono’s Audition FREAKS OUT Kardinal"

 - Listen to Jacob Elyachar interview Atsushi Ono on the April 6th episode "Canada's Got Talent: Season Two Special #4: Atsushi Ono" of his podcast "Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar" 

Will you be performing something from your regular repertoire or have you created something new for the competition?

I have created something new so I’m very excited and nervous to see how people will react to it!
 

Will you give it everything you’ve got or will you hold something special back for the finals?

Yes! Of course I will give it everything I've got as always!   :) 






Who is on your team of advisors for your progression to the next round(s) at Canada’s Got Talent? 

My friend Kevin Rusli has been helping me since the beginning in every way, and the feedback from the team at CGT has also been very helpful.

What will it mean to you to advance to the CGT finals?
 
It means a lot but it would also give me more opportunities to deliver my message.


 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic? 

I hope you will enjoy my act and always appreciate it if you could sending me your thoughts and feedback! Thank you for your time.  :)

 

Thank you Atsushi, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on the CGT semi-finals!


Learn more about Atsushi at his website AtsushiOno.com and follow him on Instagram.

 
Watch Atsuhi's performance at the Canada's Got Talent semi-finals May 2nd on CityTV. 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 April 2023

Atsushi Ono and Magic Ben advance to the CGT semi-finals!

Congratulations to Atsushi Ono and Magic Ben for advancing to the CGT semi-finals!   

  

From the April 25th Facebook post by Canada's Got Talent:

The auditions have come to a close on Canada's Got Talent! We're proud to announce the 18 Semi-Finalists that will continue to the next round with our judges and give the country the opportunity to vote for their Season 2 Champion!

The best compete for your vote! Canada's Got Talent Semi-Finals start next Tuesday 8/7c on Citytv!

  


 

 

 

 

19 April 2023

Canada's Got Talent audition: JP Parent

Congratulations Jean-Pierre, on a fantastic audition!

 

From the April 17th upload "MAGICIAN JP Parent Shocks The Judges With His Unbelievable Tricks" on the Canada's Got Talent YouTube channel:

JP Parent is a magician from Montreal, who received his first magic kit at age 9. When he was invited to work on a cruise ship, the gig that was only supposed to be a four-month contract ended up being a 25-year career! After mesmerizing the audience with his first trick, making Kardinal disappear with his second - by his last, the judges are completely speechless and shocked by this incredible illusionist!

 

 

 

 

 

17 April 2023

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know JP Parent

Next in the the series of Canada's Got Talent contestants is Montreal's JP Parent!


  

  

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
I think passion is so important in life and it emanates through someone’s work when someone’s passionate about their art. Anthony Bourdain was a good exemple, Martin Short, Dave Chapelle, Eddie Izzard, Ricky Gervais, Steve Martin (started as a magician), Kristen Wiig, Jim Carrey to name a few.
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

My very first memory of a magic trick was my father making a penny disappear inside his arm , then making it reappear in my ear I must’ve been 5 years old. Completely mesmerized!
 


Who from the magic community inspires you?

So many people inspire me, but for me Paul Harris for his incredible creativity, JC Wagner for his way to adapt his work with the environment that he’s in, Harry Loraine for his close up magic but also his memory lectures (incredible BTW), Lennart Green for his ground breaking techniques and logic, Alain Choquette incredible performer but also a serious magic creator , Penn & Teller for their unique style and of course David Copperfield who I think is still to this day the leading name in magic.

 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

When I started to get really interested in magic I was 9 and my father took me to my very first magic shop in Montreal called Perfect Magic. This sweet lady showed me a card trick and my selected card ended up printed on a silk. I was hooked! Then I had Mark Wilson’s complete course in magic that was my very first “real” magic book, then came VHS tapes with Michael Ammar’s easy card miracles such a great series for beginners, everything and I mean everything by David Williamson the guy is a Genius worker. My very first lecture was Paul Harris he was so funny but also incredibly good. I was 17 when I attended my first magic convention, Magie Montréal where I met all these other super passionate magicians that would generously share their art with myself and others. That’s when I met this older magician that started talking about working on cruise ships. Little did I know that 3 years later I was about to embark into a 25-year cruise ship career. Alain Choquette and Greg Otto have been mentors throughout my career, always there to give insights and advice through the different aspects of our art.








Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
Not really to be honest. I was never really good in school so when I thought of quitting college to do magic full time my father was really supportive of my choice (thank God lol).

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals?
 
I work around 30 weeks a year on ships. In a 7 day cruise they ask us to do 2 different 45 min shows twice a week. So one night you do your first show 7pm and 9pm and another day you do your other 45 min again twice.

The day of the show we have a rehearsal 2 hours prior to the show, checking the sound, equipment and if there are illusions in the show, we run the numbers full out with the sound, lights and automation. I usually eat 3 hours prior to the first show and then after the second show. I don’t go to the gym on that day. I practice around 1 hour every day especially for close-up. But apart from that I don’t have a special ritual.

 
 
What inspired you to be a part of this season of Canada's Got Talent?
 
I wanted to be able to try something new and establish myself a little more on dry land.

 
 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
I think magic is a very special art, one that brings people together and help them escape for a few minutes from our everyday lives. I think it’s more important now then ever.

 

 

Thank you JP, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about JP at his website JPParentMagician.com and follow him on Instagram.

 
 
 
 
Watch Canada's Got Talent Tuesday nights at CityTV.