About this Blog
This blog details the "backstage business" of professional illusionist, illusion designer, author & show producer, J C Sum.
It also explores how creative & artistic individuals can position themselves to be commercially successful in their respective fields.
Whether you are an entertainer, film-maker, designer, musician, artist, actor or animator, this blog strives to offer insights based on the art, science and business of one of Asia’s most commercially successful practitioners of the magic arts.
Categories
Monthly Archives: April 2009
The bomb blast…
A bomb blast… that is what I call the studio when it gets into an array of disorder (chaos) when we get so busy with projects, shows and business operations and have no time for housekeeping. Now is about as … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged Concept Magic, illusion props, Illusions, JC Sum, Pool Table
2 Comments
Follow-up to Why Do Illusionists Perform the Same Illusions?
This is a follow-up to the entry I made a few days ago which turned out to be a very popular read. Thanks for your emails and feedback on the piece. I should first clarify that my observations were made based … Continue reading
Posted in Design, Illusions, Books, Products
Tagged American Idol, Differentiate or Die, fire spiker, Hans Klok, illusion building, Illusion Desgn, Illusionist Promo, Illusionists, Jack Trout, Mark Kalin, marketing in Showbiz, Pendragons, Robert Harbin, Snow Animator, Sub Trunk, Urban Illusions, Zig Zag Gal
7 Comments
360 Sawing Illusion Update
The design of this new illusion is really ‘sick’! It features a spider web motif, a silhouette of ‘Magic Babe’, stainless steel structures and chains. When we are done with it in a few days time, it will stand at … Continue reading
Posted in Behind The Scenes, Design
Tagged 360 Sawing, Illusion Designer, JC Sum, original illusion design, Sawing a girl in Half
3 Comments
A Classic Moment for the Commercial Creative Artist on Two and a Half Men
I watched an episode of “Two a Half Men” on Starworld last night and thought it was so relevant to the Commerical Creative Artist (CCA). “Two & a Half Men” is a very successful US sitcom that centers around a freewheeling bachelor, … Continue reading
Singapore’s Only Female Magic Juggler – Kinetic Gal
About 9 years ago, when I first worked on producing shows for performers for the birthday party market, we literally reinvented the industry with everyone following suit. We were the first to package parties with the games/show/ balloons/ cake caking hosting … Continue reading
Ultimate Magic: The Revolution in Kozine magazine
Ning & I, along with both “Ultimate Magic: The Revolution” and “Magic Day @ The Arena” were featured in the Apr 2009 Kozine, a Korean-English magazine. There is also a contest going on where you can win a free pair … Continue reading
Street Magic – Card Magic
This my handling for an effect called the “Mental Photography Deck”, “Blank Deck” or “Nudist Deck”. Enjoy! Watch it on YouTube here or below:
Posted in Television
Tagged Blank Deck, Card Magic, Close up Magic, JC Sum, Mental Photogrpahy, Street Magic
5 Comments
BACKSTAGE BUSINESS 