Get ready to dive into the world of illusions with "Illusionary Departures 2012" by the one and only J C Sum—Asia's magic maestro and a proper illusion design whizz!
This isn’t just another magic book; it's the latest and greatest edition of a classic that first graced our shelves in 2004. Over the last eight years, J C has been tinkering and tweaking, and what you’ve got now is his BIGGEST illusion book yet! Packed with 35 illusions and stage routines, each one is a masterpiece of design, methodology, and presentation, all while keeping motivation, logic, and credibility firmly in check (no dodgy tricks here!).
From penetrations to appearances, vanishes to escapes, this tome covers it all. You’ll also find some original stage routines that’ll have your audiences scratching their heads—like a logical time travel act and a silent theatrical piece that builds tension like a good cuppa!
One of the absolute gems in this book is J C’s ingenious approach to crafting a modern illusion base. It’s deceptively sturdy yet lightweight—perfect for the working performer who doesn’t want to lug around a ton of bricks. J C and his partner-in-magic, 'Magic Babe' Ning, use this cutting-edge design in their shows, and trust me, it’s a game-changer (but I won’t use that phrase, promise!).
These illusions are designed for everyone—from the fresh-faced newbie to the seasoned pro—and they’ve all been tried, tested, and polished in live performances since 1998. Plus, they’re transport-friendly, so you can pack them up without breaking a sweat, and many can be performed surrounded by eager spectators. Best of all, some of these illusions won’t cost you an arm and a leg, making them spot-on for beginners wanting to dip their toes into the world of grand illusions.
"Illusionary Departures 2012" boasts 145 pages filled with detailed construction plans and full presentations, including:
A Walk Through The Winery An original penetration illusion
Visual Displacement The passing of a person through four vertical solid steel bars
The Time Machine A 'cerebral' stage routine performed to a time-travel plot
Reinvent the Sub-Trunk Eight different variations & presentation ideas for the 'Substitution Trunk'
Creation Of Life A paradigm of powerful illusion presentation
Ultimate Victory Cartons An inexpensive appearance illusion for stage
Black Art Case Table A practical transport solution for a B.A. utility
Fourth Dimensional Exit The magical vanishing of a company of dancers/ performers using a new illusion utility
Deceptive Base Work Original thoughts, philosophy, design and fabrication process for a modern base
Crystal Striptease The magical vanish & reappearance of a girl while being stripped of her clothes
New-Age Spirit Cabinet The manifestation of inanimate objects with a kicker ending
Sweepstakes When motivation and combination collide
Back Door Appearance The magical appearance of a person(s) in a special event setting
Graffiti Girl An audience participation illusion with a girl from graffiti appearance
Motion Delayed Vanish/ Appearance An original application of an illusion utility
Modern Flight Case Table An ATA case-table for working performers
Branded A corporate logo magically appears in a flash of fire
Chain Reaction An instant escape with a costume change kicker
Hiding In Plain Sight A sucker comedy teleportation
Ghost Cabinet Multiple presentations for a versatile prop for a multi-cast illusion production number
12-Girl Cabinet A simplified and modern Jarrett 21-Person Cabinet
BONUS: When you grab this book, you'll get access to J C's secret 'Backstage' section, packed with FREE illusion ideas and four illusion methods for car appearances! Seriously, folks, many reckon these ideas alone are worth the price of the book!
