JC Sum, ‘Magic Babe’ Ning to vanish five spectators during next ‘mega-illusion’

 

We’ll start this post with a definition: Singapore magic duo JC Sum and “Magic Babe” Ning define a “mega-illusion” as “a large-scale illusion spectacle that involves a large or iconic object or venue and/or covers a large area or distance.” It’s also important that it be performed live for an audience in an uncontrolled environment, they say.

A planned illusion for Dec. 12 in Singapore seems to meet that definition.

As much as we love good close-up magic, we are floored by ambitious, huge illusions, and this one qualifies: In “The Aerial Exit,” the pair will take five people from the audience, hoist them 20 feet in the air and vanish them. The illusion is planned for 5 p.m. Singapore time on Dec. 12 as part of the Explore Singapore 2010 campaign.

This will be the pair’s eighth mega-illusion, and it will be different from others they have performed: “The illusion methodology and techniques employed in this mega illusion are completely different from our previous stunts,” Sum said in a press release. “The fact that we are attempting the illusion with five untrained people from the general public makes it even more challenging.”

We can’t wait to see how it goes. Here’s the trailer for the attempt: 

 

source : ellusionist.com

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And… who are you supposed to be? Character important for magic

I have written about various elements of the successful performance and demonstration of magic already. We have already discussed Theme and Structure. Today I want to touch briefly on character.

Character is who you are when you perform. 

Your character is fundamentally associated with theme; who you are and what you do simply have to ‘match’. It would be hard to take a mentalist serious about the untapped potential of the human mind if he performed dressed like Mac King, and cracked sh***y jokes every 2 minutes. Don’t get me wrong, I like Mac King, his character is perfect for what he does. If he decided to start doing bizarre magic, that character simply wouldn’t work. Could you imagine?

It can be difficult for us to determine our character. Are you naturally funny? Are you naturally imposing? Who do people see when you perform? Lee Asher gave me a great analogy; it is like you are inside a pickle jar looking out. You can see everything out there, except your own label.

I see a lot of young guys out there trying to perform all sorts of mentalism and PK, and it simply doesn’t work. Sorry, but if you are 15, it is going to be a hard sell to convince audiences that you have complete and utter control of your mind, and are able to use that control to demonstrate a variety of psychic phenomena.

Anyone older than 15 knows that at 15, you are a bag of hormones, and can barely control your baser urges, let alone the mind of someone twice your age.

Your character, and what you do must fit who you are. An atheist would have a difficult time performing gospel magic; a naturally goofy person will have a difficult time performing bizarre magic. We may idolize other performers, but it doesn’t mean we can be them. I love David Copperfield, but I know that style of magic simply does not fit me as a person, or a performer. Same thing goes for Lance Burton. Love watching him, but would never even attempt to perform that style of magic. It isn’t me, no matter how much I may want it to be.

The easiest way to begin to understand who you really are as a performer is to watch yourself perform. Video yourself performing as often as you can, and watch the footage carefully, but disassociated. Watch yourself as if you were an audience member watching a stranger. It takes a bit of practice, but you will get it. As you do this, you will begin to become aware of your personality as a performer from a 3rd person perspective, outside of yourself. Once you are aware, you can begin to see what kind of stuff ‘that guy’ should be doing.

What is your character? Is it believable? Is it really representative of you?

Discuss in the comment section, but be kind to each other.

Represent.

-Sean

source : ellusionist.com

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See 56 cards in three minutes: Gregory Wilson previews the Arcane Gaff deck

 

Ever since we published the full galleries of the upcoming Arcane Gaff Deck, we’ve been loaded with questions: “How the heck do you use THAT?”

This video may or may not answer those questions (Spoiler: Probably not). But Gregory Wilson shows off each one and talks about some of each card’s potential. You’ll get a taste for Wilson’s style and abilities, which awaits you in Arcane Gaff Techniques.

All of this gaff goodness will be available at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15 (U.S. Eastern) Until then, enjoy:

Arcane Gaff Deck - 56 Cards in 3 Minutes from Ellusionist on Vimeo.

source : ellusionist.com

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Minutes away from Metal: Sets of four Walking Liberties up for grabs during release

Metal by Eric Jones from Ellusionist .

 

About ready to get Metal? Your chance to get the latest offering in coin magic, and a set of four Walking Liberties, is hours away.

Metal: Getting Started in High Impact Coin Magic fills a void that we at Ellusionist saw in the magic market. With so much dizzying, knuckle-busting, beautiful coin effects released lately, there wasn’t a definitive, solid compendium of beginning moves and intermediate routines that allowed magicians to get a solid foundation.

Eric Jones’ Metal features a full collection of vanishes, productions and routines featuring the smooth handlings that made him an underground master. The video is packed with more than two hours instruction of practical, gaffless routines and effects that can be done at a table or standing surrounded by a crowd.

Ellusionist also has some silver to give away with Metal. Five winners, randomly drawn from the first 100 orders, will of four 1929 “Walking Liberty” half dollars (the best $2 prize we’ve ever offered). We’ll tape the drawing live and show the results to the world on Tuesday.

From advance reviews that we’ve received, Metal is destined for “must-have magic” status. It’s filmed with the attention to detail, breadth and quality for which Ellusionist is known around the world. Metal will get you on the path to becoming classic with coins.

Metal will be available for purchase at 4 p.m. today (U.S. Eastern, 1 p.m. U.S. Pacific).

source : ellusionist.com

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Available soon: Gregory Wilson brings magic to Arcane Gaff deck

 

Man, did we have a crazy Monday. Lost in all the Monday Metal Madness: Jason Brumbalow posted some pictures of the next great gaff deck. Oh, did we say “some pictures?” We meant the whole frickin’ thing, white and black.

The Arcane Gaff Deck is our latest offering for card magicians who love to perform with the powerful surprises gaff cards offer. This deck was developed, redeveloped and downright drilled in dental fashion. We had a ton of ideas for gaff cards, and then Gregory Wilson got involved. This deck took on a life of its own after that — 65 ideas were thrown out.

The result is the strongest gaff deck created to date, and that’s coming from the company that redefined gaff cards (Ah, that tree of hearts… we remember it fondly). Inside you’ll find a couple of traditional favorites, but most of these cards feature new ideas, presentations and routines developed by Wilson.

The decks are on their way and will be available on Nov. 15, along with a two-hour DVD with Greg’s teaching. More details are coming soon. Until then, we have some post-Halloween candy for your eyes. Pick your favorite color:

Click here to see the WHITE Arcane gaff gallery.  

Click here to see the BLACK Arcane gaff gallery.

source : ellusionist.com

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