Product details
Lights, Camera… Wonder!
Living Room Lecture: How to Make a Demo Video
Tad Nyland – Emmy-Winning Editor, Magic Consultant, Working Pro
What makes a great demo video?
What actually gets you booked — or even noticed — in a sea of lookalikes?
In Part 1 of this special two-part Living Room Lecture, Tad Nyland pulls back the curtain on the real process of making a magic demo video that works. This isn’t theory — it’s a candid conversation with someone who’s spent 30+ years editing television and film for top Hollywood studios like Universal, DreamWorks, and Netflix.
But Tad’s also one of us — a performing magician, Magic Castle member since 2000, and a consultant for magicians appearing on Fool Us, AGT, and Masters of Illusion. He’s helped legends like Dean Dill, David Regal, Tony Clark, and Shoot Ogawa capture their magic on camera — and tonight, he’ll help you do the same.
What you’ll discover:
- The real difference between a demo reel, a sizzle reel, and a commercial
- How to show magic on video — without giving the magic away
- How long your video should be (it’s probably shorter than you think)
- What makes footage look professional — and when that matters
- Smart editing tricks you can actually use (even if you’re not an editor)
- The one thing most demos don’t do that yours absolutely must
Tad blends production know-how with performer wisdom, so you’ll walk away with practical, clear strategies you can apply immediately. And this is just Part 1 — so don’t miss the second session next week, where we dive deeper into the creative and technical magic behind truly standout videos.
