Magic can mean many things to many people. In the last part of our interview with renowned close-up magician Bernard Bilis, the illusionist describes what magic means to him with two simple words. He also talks about what he gets out of TV show performances, as well how different countries and cultures react to his magic.

For more clips from the interview, check out the links below:

Part one: On making your brain work by learning magic from books

Part two: Bernard Bilis prefers close-up because you can “you can make it all around the world with only a pack of cards”

Part three: Bernard Bilis’ favorite trick? “The next one”

Part four: On posting magic online: “If they see everything on the web, they don’t come to see the lecture”

The internet has allowed magic to flourish in a way that it could only have dreamed of even a decade or two ago, but with the ability to disseminate information instantly comes responsibility. Does posting tutorials and videos online help your brand or does it make your live work less important?

In part four of our five-part interview with Bernard Bilis at GeniiCon 2017, the illusionist talks about why he shies away from posting his material on the internet. It’s to say that he’s completely against it, but he’s far pickier about what he posts because “if they see everything on the web, they don’t come to see you for the lecture.”

For more clips from the interview, check out the links below:

Part one: On making your brain work by learning magic from books

Part two: Bernard Bilis prefers close-up because you can “you can make it all around the world with only a pack of cards”

Part three: Bernard Bilis’ favorite trick? “The next one”

Part five: The two words that describe what magic means to Bernard Bilis

Finding your own style is perhaps the hardest part of learning what kind of magician you want to be. In part three of our five-part interview with Bernard Bilis at GeniiCon 2017, the close-up magician talks about how you know when you’ve found your own style, the people who inspired Bilis’ own style, and wanting to bring something new to the routines that he learns. 

For more clips from the interview, check out the links below:

Part one: On making your brain work by learning magic from books

Part two: Bernard Bilis prefers close-up because you can “you can make it all around the world with only a pack of cards”

Part four: On posting magic online: “If they see everything on the web, they don’t come to see the lecture”

Part five: The two words that describe what magic means to Bernard Bilis

Most people find themselves inexplicably drawn to their particular artistic instrument; for Bernard Bilis, it’s card magic. In part two of our five-part interview with Bernard Bilis at Genii-Con 2017, he talks about how he fell in love with magic at a young age, and the reasons why he chose to stick with close-up, even after experimenting with other genres of illusion. One very important reason: you can pack a lot lighter than most of your colleagues.

For more clips from the interview, check out the links below:

Part one: On making your brain work by learning magic from books

Part three: Bernard Bilis’ favorite trick? “The next one”

Part four: On posting magic online: “If they see everything on the web, they don’t come to see the lecture”

Part five: The two words that describe what magic means to Bernard Bilis

The technology of the 21st century has blown the doors wide open for magic, allowing more people than ever before to learn and practice any trick they could ever dream of. But even with the immediacy of DVDs and streaming video, there’s still something to be said for the power books still have.

In part one of our five-part interview with legendary French close-up magician Bernard Bilis at GeniiCon 2017, he talks about the process of learning magic through books. While illusionists may struggle with translating the words on the page into action, Bilis says that’s all part of the process, and making your brain work will make you a better illusionist.

For more clips from the interview, check out the links below:  

Part two: Bernard Bilis prefers close-up because you can “you can make it all around the world with only a pack of cards”

Part three: Bernard Bilis’ favorite trick? “The next one”

Part four: On posting magic online: “If they see everything on the web, they don’t come to see the lecture”

Part five: The two words that describe what magic means to Bernard Bilis