Community Highlights: Meet Victor Benoun of Magic By Victor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Benoun.

Hi Victor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with magic when I was just a small boy. I watched every variety show like Ed Sullivan back in the day that featured magicians. A local magic show on KCOP channel 13 in LA with Chuck Jones The Magic man was my daily afternoon viewing.

I had a ritual with my dad; we watched “The Magic Land of Alakazam” together every Saturday. It was the first nationally syndicated magic show in the country starring Mark and Nani Wilson. I had an amazing opportunity some 50 years later to actually take a class where Mark Wilson was my teacher.

I think magic is something different to every person. Some have said they love the “wonder of magic” or the “unexpected.” I believe these are true, but for me, magic is all about making the impossible, possible. That’s why I love magic.

I performed my first magic show when I was 9 years old and performed as often as I could. I was obsessed with it.

But something happened along the way. By the time I reached my later teens, I thought is was time to get serious with my life, so I put my magic away, and buckled down to study. I went to college, worked hard, graduated, got married and entered the work force eventually opening my own company. And it had been that way for many years. I would watch occasional magic performances on tv but I wasn’t concentrating on it.

Right around the year 2000 I was invited to The Academy of Magical Art–The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.
Something caught hold of me and woke up a passion I had not realized or felt in quite some time. For me there was no denying how much I missed magic. I went to a local magic shop and purchased a few effects. Then I began to take classes locally. A few years later I enrolled in classes at The Magic Castle and was there weekly. I was having the time of my life, feeling really alive and doing something I felt so passionate about. I applied to be an affiliate member at The Magic Castle not only because I was a magic enthusiast and wanted to watch magic as much as possible, but it gave me much joy to perform for others and make them happy.

After a few years and practice and performing, I applied to be a magician member of The Magic Castle, which was quite nerve racking. I performed before a committee that had collectively 200 years experience in magic. But when I passed it was a major accomplishment and milestone for me,

I continued to study and perform but wanted to improve and go to the next level. I met Grand Master Magician Jeff McBride who has been my mentor, teacher and friend for the past 10 years.

The transition and transformation has been major for me. I love to perform and bring joy to others. My attitude towards magic is that I am not trying to fool anyone or make anyone feel foolish, but to share the joy and experience of magic.

Today I perform at corporate functions, at weddings, at birthdays, private parties, at networking events as well as at retirement homes. I have performed at special events on the backlot of Warner Bros as well as at holiday parties at the LA County–USC hospital, as well as at the Motion Picture Television Fund,

I began studying Tarot Cards and how to ready them about 10 years ago, and now I offer Tarot reading as well. I want to make tarot as well as magic a user friendly experience that everyone can enjoy.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road, and in hindsight I am so sorry I ever stopped magic practice. As I grew older I didn’t have the flexibility or dexterity or even coordination I had when I was younger so I am always looking at magic that I can perform and is right for me currently. There are pieces I have worked on for years which I may never show to an audience because I just can’t get it right.

However there is a bigger issue at hand, which is the more I practice one effect, the better my magic is in general, because certain principals which pertain to one piece of magic such as moves or performance can be applied to other effects. Practice and rehearsal lead to growth.

I do enjoy practice and rehearsal and when I film myself and watch it back, I know I am ready to perform a certain effect when I fool myself, meaning that the performance (the spoken part as well as the execution of the magic goes off without a hitch.)

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Magic By Victor?
What sets me apart is understanding why I am different. I am older, and have years of experience in corporate America. I think people have a certain image when they see me that because I am older and have grey hair that I am responsible and will be a reliable choice for entertainment purposes. My show is “G” rated, and family friendly.

Other performers might be edgy or suggestive and that is not me. That is their brand. I really prefer to concentrate on building rapport with my audience and guests and making them feel comfortable. When someone participates on a magic effect I want them to experience the magic and not be concerned that they are going to be embarrassed or made fun of.

Every performance is customized for the audience I am performing for and want to make sure I am offering an entertainment solution for the event that keeps people off their cell phones or from leaving early. I want everyone to experience the feeling of magic!

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have been very lucky in life and in my career even outside of magic. I have worked in mortgage finance for over 45 years and had my own company for the last 33 years. This has given me a solid foundation to understand and communicate with event planners and party planners and understand their needs and to make their events something out of the ordinary and special and that guests will talk about for quite some time.

I have had friends and family that have supported me and encouraged me to go for my dreams. When you step out from the shadows that’s really big. Sometimes knowing that others believe in you even when you are not sure about yourself or believe in yourself is a big deal.

Pricing:

• Pricing always depends on the individual event.
• I customize each performance based on who I am performing for to make sure I am fulfilling their needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.magicbyvictor.com
• Facebook: Magic By Victor
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits
None to mention