Dominic Reyes: How did you discover magic? Can you tell us about your first performance?Kyle Marlett: I got into magic around the age of four, very ironically. I saw a magician on TV doing magic and then exposing the secret. It was the masked magician. He performed the chop cup, and then it went to commercial break, I ran into the kitchen to get a cup and a cotton ball, and I attempted to do the magic trick myself. It didn’t work, I remember getting so mad at myself and that stupid magician. I then went back to the TV seeing that there was a actual secret to the trick and then I felt like a million bucks because I thought I was the only one who knew about this master secret.

My very first performance was at a neighborhood party and I got perform 3 magic tricks! The only one that I remember, was cups and balls. I got paid $5 for the show, around the same price I make now 🙂

Dominic Reyes: How and why did you come to develop Shotput?

Well lets first start with why? I started working on a shot glass production when I first started doing walk around at bars and restaurants and I wanted a great opening magic trick of a shot glass production that was bare handed.

Dominic Reyes: So you wanted a practical shot glass effect for some time before creating shotput? Do you often develop magic like this, through experimenting with situations in your act, found though performance in different environments?

Kyle Marlett: Totally! Any magic trick that you see me perform today is not even close to how the trick looked originally. Sometimes is takes me a day to find the perfect method for a trick, and other times it takes me years.

Dominic Reyes: So shotput developed from a process of adaption?

Kyle Marlett:  It came about through putting so many limitations on myself. I wanted a bare handed shot glass production with no cover, sleeving, no palming, no pulls or holdouts, no wire or string, etc,etc, once I put those limitations on myself the final product is ShotPut

Dominic Reyes: So you started with the conditions you didn’t want first?

Kyle Marlett: Yes, I believe that is a good way to do it, when you eliminate everything you don’t want first, you are left with only the good stuff. I try to do this with all of my effects.

Dominic Reyes: What was the creative process like?

Kyle Marlett: I believe magic is fun, so I think as magicians, we should have fun performing magic. So when I create magic, I try to think of fun ordinary objects that I can make fun moments happen with those items.

Dominic Reyes: What was the biggest design hurdle?

Kyle Marlett: The biggest hurdle was finding a company to make the glasses at low enough cost that would allow me to sell it at a reasonable price to other magicians. I first started making the glasses by hand myself but yet again it would cost way to much but I’m very happy working weight the company making the glasses and they will last for ever!

Dominic Reyes: You seem to enjoy organic, situational magic. What draws you to this?

Kyle Marlett: I just think people are smarter then magicians give them credit for, so if you bring out a object that looks very magical then they will assume that its a magic prop, but if you borrow their coffee cup for example and do something with it then they know its not a trick cup because it’s their cup!

Dominic Reyes: What do you hope magicians will get out of using Shotput?

Kyle Marlett: Well this is my first self released product, so I really just hope magicians enjoy it as much as I do, every product that I have out or will be putting out is actual magic that I perform for real people every day. So I believe in it.

Dominic Reyes: Sleight of hand VS Self working? Do you think that’s important?

Kyle MarIett: I say you should do what ever you want, it also depends on what you’re looking for. Sometimes it’s better to mix a little bit of both.

Dominic Reyes: So, for complete beginners, would you recommend that they start with self working tricks, or dive right into the core sleights right away?

Kyle Marlett: Ummmm that’s hard for me to answer. It depends on what style of magic you want to do. If you love card magic tricks, and want to do mostly just cards, then maybe sleight of hand would be great for you. If you want to be a funny stage/parlor magician then hardcore sleights may not be good for you. Also there is the jack of all trades where you might want to learn everything, I think it really comes down to the person and what they want.

Dominic Reyes: You seem to love to teach as much as you love to create and perform. Can you tell me why this motivated you?

Kyle Marlett: I’m not sure, I love magic, and I have a passion for the magic I come up with. I simply enjoy sharing my magic with other magicians.

Dominic Reyes: So are you saying the method of the magic inspires you just as much as being in front of people performing? Which do you find most satisfying and why do you think that is?

Kyle Marlett: I feel most computable in front of a live audience, I’m very socially awkward sometimes, so either in front of a audience or alone or hanging with a small group of friends working on magic.

Dominic Reyes: What was the filming, creative process like?

Kyle Marlett: All my filming and creative process is the same, I try to keep everything simple. No fancy editing, just straight to the point.

Dominic Reyes: Do you think that’s the future of video magic tuition? Why is that form of content becoming so popular?

Kyle Marlett: I’m not sure what the future holds, when it comes to magic. It does seem like that it’s trending mostly towards the video forum, but I actually just finished writing my first book which will be out soon.

Kyle Marlett: I’m so lucky to have a lot of great magicians working with me, and we are working on a a load of awesome releases. Can’t say more just yet…

You can find out more about ShotPut by Kyle Marlett here.