When master illusionist Jim Steinmeyer built his career, the internet was the domain of text-based computer terminals managed by a handful of universities. His social sphere and bubble of influence extended out as far as the magicians in Chicago, who helped teach and inform his craft. Now, up-and-coming magicians have access to YouTube, message boards, reddit, and a variety of other instant sources of knowledge from all corners of the globe right at their fingertips. In part four of our six-part interview at GeniiCon 2017, Steinmeyer discusses the perils and rewards of using the internet to expand one’s bubble of influence, and how to finally break out of that bubble and onto one’s own path.
Be sure to watch the rest of our interview with Jim Steinmeyer, which can be found at the links below:
Part one: Consulting for Doug Henning and Walt Disney Theme Parks
Part two: The different types of Disney Magic
Part three: On digital media: “I don’t know if it’s changed everything about magic”
Part five: How Bozo the Clown made Jim Steinmeyer a better magician
Part six: Jim Steinmeyer’s advice to budding performers: “hang around magicians”