When television needs magic done properly
Three series of a prime-time ITV2 show, Tricked. Plus Britain's Got Talent, The Royal Variety Performance and feature films.
Over two decades, Martyn has been the person the industry calls when the magic has to actually work - on camera, under pressure, without a second take.
▹ ITV2: TRICKED - SERIES 1, 2 & 3
▹ ITV1: THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE
▹ ITV1: BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT
▹ BBC3: DON'T SCREAM
▹ FILM: OLIVER TWIST - DIR. ROMAN POLANSKI
▹ FILM: THE ILLUSIONIST - DIR. NEIL BURGER
▹ ORF: AUSTRIA TRICK FABRIK - 26 EPISODES
▹ ITV2: TRICKED - SERIES 1, 2 & 3 ▹ ITV1: THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE ▹ ITV1: BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT ▹ BBC3: DON'T SCREAM ▹ FILM: OLIVER TWIST - DIR. ROMAN POLANSKI ▹ FILM: THE ILLUSIONIST - DIR. NEIL BURGER ▹ ORF: AUSTRIA TRICK FABRIK - 26 EPISODES
Three ways to work together.
Magic Production & Writing
Creating magic from scratch for a specific brief. Whether that's a single illusion for a scene, a sequence of effects across an episode, or the full magical content of a series. Martyn has written and produced magic for three full series of primetime television and knows what works on camera, what doesn't, and how to tell the difference before the shoot day.
INCLUDES
Concept development · Script integration · Effect selection & creation · Prop design & build · Performer briefing · Camera-friendly choreography
On-Set Magic Direction
Present on set to direct magic sequences in real time. Martyn works directly with the director, DP, and performers to ensure every shot captures what it needs to — without burning takes on things that won't work from a particular angle, or missing the things that will. He has done this on feature films, live television, and hidden camera shoots where there is no second chance.
INCLUDES
Pre-shoot angle testing · Performer coaching · Camera & lens guidance · Real-time problem solving · Post-shoot review
Illusion & Scare Consulting
Designing practical effects that genuinely startle, unsettle, or bewilder — without relying on CGI or expensive rigs. Martyn has created ghostly practical effects for Halloween specials, scare sequences for hidden camera formats, and unsettling illusions for drama. The goal is always the same: a real reaction from a real person, captured on camera, that holds up to scrutiny.
INCLUDES
Effect design & testing · Prop fabrication · Timing & trigger planning · Cast/crew safety briefing · On-set supervision
HOW IT WORKS IN PRACTICE
Three projects. Three different briefs.
1) TRICKED (ITV STUDIOS)
Building a magic show from scratch.
Tricked needed magic that worked in uncontrolled environments - on real people, with no retakes, in locations that couldn't always be rigged in advance.
Martyn joined as Magic Producer and Writer before Series 1 and stayed for all three runs and the Halloween special.
His role was to develop effects that were genuinely astonishing on camera, brief and rehearse the performing talent, and solve problems in real time when shoots didn't go to plan. Series 1 beat its time-slot average by 30%.
The show won Best Entertainment Series at the Broadcast Digital Awards.
MAGIC PRODUCTION • WRITING • HIDDEN CAMERA • TALENT DIRECTION
2) THE ILLUSIONIST
Making a director
believe the impossible.
The production needed magic sequences that would hold up on film - including one specific effect that the director assumed would require CGI. Martyn's brief was to prove it didn't have to.
He created a proof-of-concept video demonstrating the slow-motion orange effect as a live practical trick. The director saw it and agreed to shoot it for real. The effect appears in the finished film, performed by Edward Norton, without digital enhancement.
ON SET DIRECTION • PRACTICAL EFFECTS • PERFORMER COACHING
3) MEET THE RICHARDSONS (DMAX)
Genuine Scares. No CGI.
Meet The Richardsons needed a Halloween episode set in one of Britain's most haunted houses - with practical ghostly effects that would get real screams from the cast on camera.
Books flying off shelves. Candles lighting by themselves. Pictures falling. Champagne bottles popping. Paper igniting spontaneously.
Martyn spent two days building and testing props before the shoot, then supervised the placement and triggering of every effect on the day.
Every scare was practical, every reaction genuine.
ILLUSION CONSULTING • PRACTICAL EFFECTS • PROP BUILD • ON-SET SUPERVISION
SELECTED CREDITS
The work that speaks for itself.
Martyn's consultancy credits span prime-time television, international formats, feature films directed by Roman Polanski and Neil Burger, and advertising work for global brands.
He is a member of The Inner Magic Circle - the highest distinction in magic, and brings that level of technical knowledge to every project.
Tricked - Series 1, 2 & 3 + Halloween Special · ITV2
MAGIC PRODUCER & WRITER
Prime-time hidden camera magic format. Series 1 attracted 30% above time-slot average. Gave ITV2 its highest-rated Tuesday night since 2008. Won Best Entertainment Series, Broadcast Digital Awards 2014.
The Royal Variety Performance · ITV1
MAGIC PRODUCER & WRITER
Britain's Got Talent — Live Finals · ITV1
MAGIC CONSULTANT
Richard Jones: Operation Magic · ITV1
MAGIC PRODUCER & WRITER
Don't Scream · BBC3
SCARE & ILLUSION CONSULTANT
Meet The Richardsons — Halloween Special · DMAX
SCARE & ILLUSION CONSULTANT
Wedding Day Winners · BBC1
MAGIC CONSULTANT & WRITER
Trick Heads · Comedy Central
MAGIC PRODUCER
Prank Kings Pilot
MAGIC CONSULTANT
TELEVISION - UK
Trick Fabrik — Series 1 & 2 · ORF Austria · 26 Episodes
MAGIC CONSULTANT
Children's magic format for Austrian national broadcaster. Won Intermedia-Globe Silver, WorldMediaFestival.
TELEVISION - INTERNATIONAL
Oliver Twist · dir. Roman Polanski
MAGIC CONSULTANT
Created and choreographed all pickpocketing and sleight of hand sequences. Shot on location in Prague.
The Illusionist · dir. Neil Burger
MAGIC CONSULTANT
Designed and demonstrated magic sequences performed by Edward Norton. The centrepiece slow-motion orange effect is a live practical trick - no CGI. Martyn's proof-of-concept convinced the director it was achievable.
FEATURE FILM
ADVERTISING
Persil MAGIC CONSULTANT
Umbro MAGIC CONSULTANT
Ekko Credit Card MAGIC CONSULTANT
The Nevers MAGIC CONSULTANT
Subway MAGIC CONSULTANT
Broadcast Digital Awards - Best Entertainment Series
TRICKED, ITV2
WorldMediaFestival — Intermedia-Globe Silver
TRICK FABRIK, ORF AUSTRIA
AWARDS
The right fit for your project.
-
TV Producers & Production Companies
Whether you're developing a new format, need a consultant on an existing show, or have a specific sequence to crack, Martyn can come on board at any stage - from treatment to transmission.
⟶ Format development
⟶ Episode magic content
⟶ Talent & performer direction
⟶ Hidden camera magic
⟶ Scare & illusion sequences
-
Advertising Agencies & Directors
A magic effect in an advert needs to do something in three seconds that makes you stop scrolling. Martyn works with agencies and directors to develop practical effects that are genuinely astonishing - and don't require post-production to save them.
⟶ Concept & effect development
⟶ Pre-production testing
⟶ On-set direction
⟶ Practical over CGI solutions
-
Theatre & Live Show Producers
Live magic in a theatrical context requires a completely different approach to television - the angles are fixed, the lighting is predetermined, and there are no retakes. Martyn designs and directs magic for live shows with all of that in mind from the start.
⟶ Stage illusion design
⟶ Performer coaching
⟶ Blocking & sightline testing
⟶ Technical rehearsal support
Tell Martyn
about your project.
Whether you have a detailed brief or just the seed of an idea, a conversation costs nothing. Martyn is happy to discuss a project at any stage - and will tell you honestly whether he's the right person for it.