To make my Passion, as my Profession
Hailing all the way from Australia and famed for his illusionistic stunts of magic, you’d probably understand why I was so excited to interview the one and only, the new Copperfield… Paul Cosentino!
As the first runner-up of the 2011 series of Australia’s Got Talent and also the winner of Dancing With The Stars in 2013, Cosentino was one interviewee I really looked forward to meeting.
And of course, minutes before meeting the talented individual in one of the theatres at Marina Bay Sands, I had to ask the stage managers of how Cosentino was like.
“Down-to-earth” and “Extremely friendly” were some of the responses – and I knew it was going to be quite a fun interview.
Long story short and probably also because when I’m nervous and my guts are all wrecked up, everything seem to pass by in a blur and I won’t remember much of what took place – oh wait, except that warm and friendly gesture Cosentino offered the moment he and his manager entered from backstage. I mean, please make yourself comfortable, sir.. But no, being warm and exuding an approachable personality seem to be at the top of the list for Cosentino.
photo credits – http://www.cosentino.com.au/home/
Cosentino and his team just arrived then from an interview conducted by 91.3 FM. I expected the illusionist to be battered from it already seeing my own questions seemed then to be a little too intensive and mentally-taxing for anyone to answer, but, with each response, Cosentino blew me away with his answers.
Eye-opening, wise and very inspiring were the answers he gave. (already had some recorded down for my mind to cheerlead itself whenever I hit life’s all-time-low)
The inference I had with one of the answers Cosentino had given me actually struck the heaviest chord in me.
Cosentino may be head over heels in his passion for magic and illusionistic arts, but more importantly, he is in love within his passion because he sees his products be it his stage acts, children’s books etc from its birth to when it gets pushed out for people and like you and I to enjoy.
The depth of Cosentino’s passion in doing what he loves, doesn’t have a bottom to it.
I can only hope to cultivate one such as Cosentino’s. Simply mind-blown from the interview.
Anyway, here’s the interview transcribed just for you – with the exception of the 2 introductory questions which my recording device decided to switch itself off to. Technology, what’s new?
photo credits – http://www.cosentino.com.au/home/
01 Described as someone who is “supercharged”, I’m sure the same word can be used to describe your passion for the mystical arts. Could you share with us how you are able to sustain your passion and keep that love for what you do, alive?
For me it’s about what happens on stage, I have to love what I do. I have to love the performance a lot of the performers love the perks that come with performing be it being famous, finances and people recognising you that’s all great don’t get me wrong but that only lives on for so long because fame is a little fickle – it comes and goes one moment you are hot and famous and the next minute no one remembers. it boils down to whether you really love what you do. performing on stage, creating magic and entertaining the audience I actually really love it and I went through a lot of hard work to get to where I am plus I had a lot of ppl telling me it’s not gonna work and I’m not gonna achieve it. Unless you have that true passion or love for what you do, you wouldn’t continue, I kept pushing and pushing because at the end of the day when I’m on the stage, I love to see the audience’s reaction; I love to see them laugh, gasp, I just love to entertain; that’s what keeps it alive. It comes down to the purest form of just being on stage. It’s not going to great parties or having celebrity friends. They don’t mean anything at all. If anything, that’s really a means to an end to have a bigger and better show.
I sponsor young magic competitions where kids can compete in Australia. I put up the money personally for that. I also have students do work experience like internships for me. But each person takes their own path. Some young magicians look at me and say ‘Wow, that’s Australia’s first famous magician. I want to be just as famous’, that would be what it is, but I don’t think it will last. For me it’s about theatre a very creative process I love; putting up the costumes, working on the lighting, working on the AV content – I do it all. I sit down with my graphic designers and I design my own posters, website through from its birth to its finish. I actually love doing it sometimes you might hear me complaining, ‘Ugh I got to work on the website today’ but I actually like it because if I didn’t like it I would have gotten someone else to do it.
I have magic kits and magic toys in big shopping centres in Australia. I designed all the package and the artwork. Once again, we could have passed it to someone else to do; “Here are the photos, these are the logos. You come up with 5 designs to show me and I will pick one”, but I sit there on the computer with the designers. Very few people would know any of this or probably even care. But it’s my passion. I love the artwork – I look at it and I’m aware of where I contributed in it.
From when they see the poster to when they come in and they listen to the music in the show to watching the video screened. to the children books coming up which I have worked very closely on that for the art designs and writing the stories, I love doing all these. Sometimes people just kinda say that it’s an idea for a children’s story book, you guys write it and I will put my name on it. We don’t do that – very hands on, which means it’s not about the money because you are investing a lot of time and effort into the project – it’s not about the coins. people just see the finished product and don’t really understand the hard work behind it.
02 Regarded as “Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist and escapologist”, you are looked upon as the cream of the crop by aspiring magicians. For the aspiring magicians amongst our Modgam readers, do you have any words of advice or encouragement for them?
Be passionate, get inspired. There are lots of rooms in the house of magic; in other words there are people who have passion for close up, stage, escapes and we welcome all different art forms and magic is like music; there are different tastes and genres. So choose the ones that you like, embrace and be good at it. More importantly, to respect the rest of them as well as your peers practising it.
03 Given that you have achieved this much after much endurance and faith, what do you have to say to the people who did not believe in your talent?
You know what? It’s more of ignorance. People don’t wanna take a bet on something that hasn’t come before. So my entire life, I was told to be unique to be different that’s what they tell you. but when you get down to the end of it, they want something that’s already work something that’s come before them. they didn’t understand that magic could be that successful. It is frustrating, it could be annoying but I really don’t blame them. My frustration comes from the fact that I can’t get them to see how good it’s gonna be it’s not from arrogance or that I am a big star and you should pay attention. it’s more from the fact that could you give us more of the same respect that you would give a singer or an actor. Everyone’s passion is different.
photo credits – http://www.cosentino.com.au/home/
05 Your latest live show “Anything is possible” is anticipated to smash box office records in Australia. What are your views on a child’s spoken dream of achieving the impossible?
The idea behind it is that as a magician that by definition, nothing is impossible. And when you come for the show, you will see the impossible and i have got to deliver that. I love the idea that in its purest form, you can do anything. I think that’s what the show is really all about. The illusions you will be seeing, people appearing, people disappearing levitating all these are to provoke the thought that hey hang on a second, if I just saw a person levitate in the air.. maybe I can get that promotion! it’s meant to be inspiring, that anything is possible if you really believe enough and more importantly, if you work hard enough with diligence and with perseverance. For me, my success came about all due to perseverance.
I’m very disciplined . My whole focus has been all about pursuing this one dream of magic. You really have to devote yourself to your craft. If I can do it, you can as well!
06 You are on the continuous search for the impossible to prove otherwise, thus pushing boundaries can be said to be your forte. How serious do you take your journey of self-improvement?
I got to go deeper, there has to be more locks, it has to be trickier and i have to hold my breath longer. I just want to push my boundaries and my threshold – my own. The illusions have to be quicker the show has to be sleeker. It’s about refinement, refinement and refinement. I never stop learning or practising and getting better. I don’t profess to be the master of masters. I am a student of the art and constantly learning. Every country I go to and every culture I learn about, I try to bring something from it and put it in my show. It’s not just ‘Oh, let’s put together a show’ no, there is thought in everything – all in all, each show must be better than the last.
07 You secured a 4 book deal with the international publishing house Scholastic, giving children a glimpse of your magical world. What advice would you give to parents with children with the boldest and most impossible aspirations?
Encourage them, nurture them. Like my parent did. don’t stifle them children are supposed to dream supposed to have wild imaginations, don’t crush it, help them. everyone can have the same outlook of life and be pessimistic, Don’t get me wrong, I understand there are restrictions in resources, I am a touring magician in Australia, I understand, but the idea is that all these great things come from the people that have wild dreams and imaginations otherwise we end up doing all the same things so it’s the bold that achieve.
photo credits – http://www.cosentino.com.au/home/
08 In September edition of The Australian back in 2014, you have been dubbed by the correspondent Megan Lehmann as ‘the great pretender’ – the creme of the crop of illusionistic magic. Kindly share with me what are you most unpretentious of?
When they make statements like that, it’s very humbling because you work so hard to produce a really good show and entertainment and when you hear comments like that, it means that your art is being appreciated and that’s really great but what makes me pretentious about? Look, I never think the show is good enough; my TV shows aren’t spectacular because things can always be, better. I hope to think that I am somewhat down-to-earth because I come from a background where there’s a lot of work and struggles. I know that all these can disappear very quickly and i understand what goes into it and today’s comfortable life hasn’t been just dropped into my lap and feel I have ownership over it. In my everyday life, I don’t think I am pretentious at all.
09 You have been hailed as a “National treasure” by Southern Cross Austereo radio network and is said to “mirror the legendary Harry Houdini” by the LA Times. The title of “International Magician of the Year” was awarded to you alongside the prestigious Merlin Award. This award was previously awarded to David Copperfield, Criss Angel and Penn Teller. Is there anything you’d like to say to the fellow comrades in this industry of bringing excitement and joy to the audience?
Well, they are all my heroes and I watch them on tv and I’ve seen them all live and I look up to them. So to be put in the same category, it’s extremely humbling because the won the full masters. I hope that I can deliver the same level of entertainment as they do that’s what I aspire to do and I hope that if they see my work, they’ll appreciate my work as much as I appreciate theirs.
photo credits – http://www.cosentino.com.au/home/
10 With all the tough questions done and dusted, here’s just two light-hearted ones for you. Singapore is a multiracial society with 4 major races of the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Europeans. What have you heard of Singapore as a ‘Food paradise’?
Hahaha *relief, and his voice was so much lighter and exuberant…
I guess the topic of one’s passion can be really intense at times* I’ve heard that here in Singapore, it’s a fusion of all different foods and do you know what’s really interesting and I am very sad to say this. I don’t get much time to.. I’m only here for a day and a half I leave tonight to go back to Sydney so I don’t get to experience very much but I’m coming back and I’ll have more time here 2 more weeks and I’ll be experiencing more about the culture and the food but I’ve heard very much its a fusion and do you know what I love about? The fact that when you bring different cultures together you have this hybrid that is beautiful thing I really believe that.
Australia is very multicultural too with so many nationalities and that is a wonderful thing I think that’s why we have so many talented people in Australia because they come from all walks of life and religions just like Singapore. That’s what makes it beautiful. I think all the cultures mixed together is great!
11 What food choices you are particularly keen to try out? Singapore is famous for its chilli crab…
I saw on the tv last night – very late at 1130 and that’s what they were talking about this dish; it’s a mixture of everything from peanut sauce to fruits and whatnot (Rojak)! I find the concept of the mixture of ingredients all very interesting!
That’s all we have from Cosentino and I hope you enjoyed what I brought to you! And of course, if you wish to experience more of the magic and the intense passion Cosentino described up there; the month of August is one such opportunity to blow your mind and also revive your own passion!
His latest show “Anything is Possible” is lovingly seen from its planning to the execution by Cosentino himself!
“Anything is Possible” is packed with death-defying escapes that thrill, mind boggling illusions, never before seen magic that excites and cutting-edge street conjuring that twists your reality.
“Anything is Possible” must be seen to be believed. Audiences will witness the most powerful, riveting and sought after magic in the entertainment industry today. So indulge your mind, treat your senses and experience family entertainment at it’s highest level.
With state of the art production values, sensational lighting design and impressive pyrotechnics, “Anything is Possible” takes audiences where they have never been before – on a mysterious and magical journey that will have audiences rubbing their eyes, questioning their very own senses and asking “is this truly possible..”?
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Thu, 17 – Sun, 27 Aug 2017
Thu – Fri: 8pm
Sat: 2pm & 8pm
Sun: 1pm & 6.30pm
Venue
Sands Theatre, Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
Your tickets can be purchased from HERE!
Interview brought to you by Valerie Leong
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