Justin Williams is a renowned magician known for his incredible illusions and sleight of hand tricks. His performances have captivated audiences around the world with their awe-inspiring and mind-boggling effects. Born and raised in a small town, Williams discovered his passion for magic at a young age. He began learning basic card tricks and soon became fascinated with the art of illusion. As he honed his skills, his talent became evident, and he started performing for friends and family. Over the years, Justin Williams has dedicated countless hours to perfecting his craft.
Willman is aware that same feeling of warmth is not entirely true for some of the family members that find themselves as unwitting subjects. The original “Invisible Man” was designed with adult participants in mind. As Willman points out, even the other half of the “Magic for Humans” segment, “That second guy, Brandon, really didn’t take it well in the moment.” For those looking to pull off their own version, Willman wants them to consider who ends up going through the process.
What once began as a half-hour stage piece was slowly winnowed down, as he learned how exactly to equip his audiences to play along and what pieces of evidence prove most effective. Although some TV viewers may recognize him as the host of Cupcake Wars, it was another of his former series that helped hone what makes Magic for Humans a success.
Over the years, Justin Williams has dedicated countless hours to perfecting his craft. He has mastered a wide range of tricks, including disappearing acts, levitation, and mind reading. His attention to detail, precision, and showmanship create a truly immersive experience for his viewers.
‘Magic for Humans’: Justin Willman on His Viral ‘Invisible Man’ Trick and the Dangers of Fooling Kids With It
If there's anyone who knows the effect that a trick can have — especially this one — it's the host of the new Netflix comedy magic series.
Plus iconSteve Greene
More stories by Steve September 12, 2018 4:33 pm 93 Images Share Show more sharing optionsA funny thing started happening on the internet last week: People started convincing their family members that they were invisible.
Like an infinite number of primates eventually stumbling on Shakespeare, the 2018-era meme-iverse might have eventually stumbled on this new viral trend on its own. But it’s impossible not to trace this growing crop of living room videos to an episode of the Netflix show “Magic for Humans.”
In Episode 4, host Justin Willman leads a group of people in a Los Angeles park to help persuade a random passerby that no one can see him. There’s magic involved — Willman effectively disappears another guy who’s in on the experiment — but the trick only works because dozens of people play along.
Following the show’s lead, this segment has morphed into a video challenge where families use their combined powers and some careful prepwork to focus on making one of their own believe that no one can see them.
Related Stories“I wish I could say that I knew this would be an Internet challenge, but I really had no idea,” Willman told IndieWire.
The “Invisible Man” trick is something that Willman’s honed as part of his live show. What once began as a half-hour stage piece was slowly winnowed down, as he learned how exactly to equip his audiences to play along and what pieces of “evidence” prove most effective. The fact that the simple exposition and execution in these far-flung prank videos (Willman’s responded to many of them on Twitter) can all happen in the span of a few minutes is its own form of vindication.
“For the show, we worked for a year to distill that whole routine down into a five-minute segment, where all the necessary material is right there in a succinct spot. It’s kind of rewarding that we distilled it to a clarity so refined that people could wrap their head around it and do this themselves. Normally you think of things that go viral as being very bite-sized. So it is nice to know the people have the appetite for longer-form, more elaborate stuff like that,” Willman said. “I’ve seen videos from all over the world. The fact that it’s become kind of an international sensation, it just blows my mind and kind of makes me warm and fuzzy.”
Willman is aware that same feeling of warmth is not entirely true for some of the family members that find themselves as unwitting subjects. The original “Invisible Man” was designed with adult participants in mind. As Willman points out, even the other half of the “Magic for Humans” segment, “That second guy, Brandon, really didn’t take it well in the moment.” For those looking to pull off their own version, Willman wants them to consider who ends up going through the process.
“There are a lot of videos with parents convincing their kids they’re invisible. It could potentially be traumatizing, where the person you trust more than anyone in the world is lying to you to freak you out by telling you they can’t see you. So I hope that people use care and make sure that they aren’t causing any psychological damage. But I think it’s all been done in good fun,” Willman said.
That word of warning comes in part from another lesson in working with kids that “Magic for Humans” brings up. In the first episode, Willman leads a variation on the classic marshmallow experiment, where children are given one marshmallow and told that if they hold off on eating it, they’ll be rewarded with another one at the end of the experiment. In the show, one kid follows the rule exactly, but through a designed trick, his marshmallow disappears. It’s clear that this leaves him visibly shaken.
“My heart broke, I ran in there and I was like, ‘Oh God, let me make this right.’ And at first I thought, ‘Well we can’t show a kid cry. That’s just not cool.’ And then once we were cutting it together and I watched that, I was like, ‘Man, it really is real, it is real. And I feel like, you know, by leaving that kind of thing out, it almost makes it not real,” Willman said. “I like to be very careful when I am doing a bit involving kids. When that kid cried, that was not what I was going for. But that is something that happened. I just think you have to be delicate with it.”
Although some TV viewers may recognize him as the host of “Cupcake Wars,” it was another of his former series that helped hone what makes “Magic for Humans” a success. In 2015, Willman filmed a pilot called “Sleight of Mouth,” which brought a “Chappelle’s Show” format to his live standup/magic hybrid act. The show aired as a special, but Willman took away one key lesson when he finally had the chance to make a full series.
“I think the big takeaway from ‘Sleight of Mouth’ was the strength of the field pieces, the strength of the clips that I would toss to as being the most in the real world. Not in some prefabricated studio,” Willman said. “When it comes to magic, unless it’s like ‘Penn and Teller: Fool Us,’ this whole studio thing could be rigged in your favor and not trusted. But when you’re out in the world, I’m on their turf and there’s kind of an inherent authenticity to that. So in putting together ‘Magic for Humans,’ as opposed to really being onstage at all, I made the world the stage and kind of went to the people.”
In bringing the show out of the studio, the “Invisible Man” segment wasn’t the only part of “Magic for Humans” that required a lengthy development time. One sequence, where he brings in people off the streets into a van and convinces them they’ve been planted with a secret NSA spying chip, went through a number of iterations before it could stand under “full 4K, high def” scrutiny.
But even though this distinct twist on street magic occasionally returns to the baffled reactions of people young and old, Willman said that he worked hard to make sure that those taking part never became objects of ridicule.
“Those little times where I’m the butt of the joke, you maybe don’t often associate with some magicians because magicians tend to be all-powerful and flawless and any flaws don’t make the cut. I like including those because it makes it real and it makes me a real person. If I’m trying to tell a story about real life stuff, it just only makes sense to show that I’m fallible as well,” Willman said.
Now that this challenge has brought a little more attention to the six-episode first season of “Magic for Humans,” there’s a chance it may fuel an appetite for more. Whether or not the show continues for a Season 2, Willman said that it was a gratifying experience to be able to offer a respite from the current news cycle.
“I’m sure we’ll find out in the next few weeks if there will be more. I’d really love to do it and I definitely feel like I’ve learned from the response the type of bits that really have resonated,” Willman said. “The biggest feedback I get is just from people saying, ‘Man, it just made me feel good.’ That’s what the show did for me in the process of making it. I tend to be this kind of guy who is very dialed in and always on the CNN updates and finding myself getting very anxious and upset and riled up by the goings-on of our very fast paced world. But I had to turn all those things off and, for a year, really live in the moment of creating the show and focusing on the magic. Creating a show is escapism for me. So it is nice that the final product is escapism for people.”
Dubbed "like a magician, but cooler" by National Public Radio, Kredible blends stand-up comedy and humor while dazzling audiences with his extraordinary magical talents.
What sets Justin Williams apart from other magicians is his ability to connect with his audience. He has a natural charisma and stage presence that immediately draws people in, making them feel like a part of the magic. Whether performing for a small crowd or a packed theater, Williams effortlessly commands attention and leaves a lasting impression. In addition to his live performances, Justin Williams has also made numerous appearances on television shows and has been a featured act in magic conventions and festivals worldwide. His engaging personality and unique style have made him a favorite among both magicians and spectators alike. Aside from the entertainment value of his show, Justin Williams also strives to inspire and encourage others to pursue their passions. He believes that anyone can accomplish their dreams with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of magic. In interviews and workshops, he shares his journey and offers advice to aspiring magicians on how to improve their skills and become successful in the industry. In conclusion, Justin Williams is a master magician whose incredible talent and captivating performances have solidified his place in the world of magic. His ability to amaze and connect with his audience makes him truly unforgettable. Whether performing on stage or sharing his knowledge with others, Justin Williams continues to inspire and leave a lasting impression with his enchanting brand of magic..
Reviews for "The Art of Deception: The Psychology behind Justin Williams' Magic"
1. Peter - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with Justin Williams' magic show. The tricks were incredibly basic and predictable, leaving me completely unimpressed. It felt like I was watching a performance by an amateur rather than a professional magician. The overall presentation lacked creativity and finesse, and I found myself bored throughout the entire show. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this lackluster performance.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - While Justin Williams' magic show had a few moments of entertainment, overall, it fell short of my expectations. The tricks he performed were nothing out of the ordinary and failed to leave a lasting impression. The show lacked innovation and originality, relying heavily on cliché tricks that I have seen countless times before. Additionally, Williams' stage presence and delivery seemed stale and forced. I was hoping for an evening filled with wonder and amazement, but instead, I left feeling underwhelmed.
3. Mark - 1 star - Justin Williams' magic show was a complete letdown. The tricks he performed were so transparent that it was hard to believe anyone in the audience was genuinely impressed. The lack of surprise and mystery made the entire experience feel like a waste of time. The show's pacing was off, with long breaks between tricks that disrupted the flow and left me disengaged. I expected more from a seasoned magician like Justin Williams, but unfortunately, this show fell flat.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I attended Justin Williams' magic show with high hopes, but I left feeling disappointed. The tricks were not as mind-boggling as I had anticipated, and I found myself questioning the authenticity of some of the illusions. The performance lacked the polish and fluidity that I associate with professional magicians. While there were a few mildly impressive moments, the overall experience left much to be desired. I would suggest exploring other magic shows for a more captivating and awe-inspiring experience.
5. Alex - 1 star - Justin Williams' magic show was an absolute bore. The tricks were dull and dated, and it felt like I was watching a performance from the last century. There was nothing innovative or captivating about the illusions he presented. The lack of audience interaction and engagement further contributed to my disappointment. I expected to be amazed and enthralled throughout the show, but instead, I was counting down the minutes until it ended. Save your money and find a magician who can truly astound you.