excess baggage by j c sum - illusion booksillusionbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/... ·...

EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum

© Copyright J C Sum 2018



Dear Fellow Magician,

I have spent a lot of time & effort putting this set of E-Plans together. It is my way of giving back to the magic industry that has enabled me to have a rewarding career on many levels.

I hope you will respect this request not to share or upload this E-Plan. If you think there is value in this E-Plan, please direct your friends to www.IllusionBooks.com and ask them to subscribe to the website to download their own copy.

SUPPORT ILLUSIONBOOKS.COM BY PURCHASING A $3 BACKSTAGE PASS HERE TO GAIN ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE ILLUSION IDEAS, PRESENTATIONS, PLANS & VIDEOS.

© Copyright 2018 by J C Sum

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, now known or to be invented, without permission in writing.

All commercial manufacturing rights of the illusion contained in this publication are reserved and strictly remain the sole property of the author.

The author accepts no responsibility for damages or injuries resulting from the fabrication or performance of the illusion in this publication.

http://www.illusionbooks.com/http://illusionbooks.com/illusionist-backstage-pass/



EXCESS BAGGAGE

EFFECT

The illusionist asks the audience if they travel by air and if they find packing for trips challenging.

He explains that he always tries to pack everything into one suitcase for convenience, but his

luggage is always overweight, and he has to pay for excess baggage charges.

He offers to show the audience what he keeps in his suitcase.

A large soft-style suitcase is seen lying on a dolly. The illusionist unzips it, opens it up and

removes a set of clothing from the suitcase.

This is placed aside, and he proceeds to remove a heavy ATA case that just fits inside the

suitcase. The illusionist explains that it contains all the equipment he needs for the show.

He places the show case down and explains that while all these contents do make his suitcase

heavy, there is one more item that really adds to the weight. He snaps his fingers and a beautiful

girl magically emerges from the suitcase!

INTRODUCTION

This is an illusion which is straight forward and powerful because of its simplicity in effect and

props used.

FIG 1



The central prop is the suitcase which everyone can relate to and are familiar with.

From the performer's point of view, the illusion packs small and lightweight in relation to the

scale of the effect. It can fit in the trunk and backseat of a regular saloon car.

Best of all, you do not have to spend a lot of money to put the illusion together.

METHOD

The girl is hidden in a curled-up position in the suitcase from the start. The show case has no

bottom and fits over the girl in the suitcase.

The dolly appears normal and solid but is hollow which provides a bit more hiding space for the

girl. See FIG 2.

During the performance, the show case is conveyed to be heavy that suggests is full which

means there is no free space available in the suitcase.

The clothes are just window dressing and fit the presentation of the illusion.

These multiple deceptions work together to create an impossible effect in the minds of the

audience.

FIG 2



REQUIREMENTS

You will need the following:

• A gimmicked suitcase.

• A hollow base disguised as a dolly.

• A custom-made ATA-style case.

• A few articles of clothing such as a shirt, trousers and a jacket. You can place all the clothing on a hanger, clipped them together with a binder clip, so that they can all be handled as one unit.

• A female assistant.

CONSTRUCTION

Here is a step-by-step guide on building the various components of the illusion.

The Suitcase

I recommend a soft suitcase consisting of a single solid colour. I would avoid a dark colour so

that it does not blend with a dark backdrop or curtain.

You must modify the suitcase in two ways. The first is to cut out the entire back of the suitcase,

without damaging the structural boning of the suitcase.

Next, sew 1” wide black ribbons to the lid and inside sides of the suitcase. The purpose of the

ribbon is to hold the lid upright (just past a 90-degree angle) without falling over flat.

Instead of ribbons, you can also use black fabric in the shape of triangles. This has the added

advantage of protecting bad angles when the suitcase lid is opened.

Dolly Base

The suitcase is attached to a dolly which is a partial deceptive base that provides additional

hiding space for the girl.

This dolly is made from 3/8” plywood and 1.5” x 1” lumber.

Step 1

Make a frame from the 1.5” x 1” lumber. The size of the frame will be determined by the size of

the suitcase you get. The area size should be 2” wider than the suitcase on each side. For

example, if the suit case measures 30” x 20”, the dolly frame will measure 34” x 24”.



Step 2

Cut a frame from a sheet of 3/8” plywood. This will serve as the top surface of the dolly. The

outer dimensions of the frame will be the same as the dolly frame; in this case, 34” x 24”.

You will need to make a cut-out to create the frame. The size of the cut-out will depend on the

size of the cut-out in the back of the suitcase. Let’s assume the size of the cut-out in the back

of the suitcase is 29” x 19”, this would mean the size of the cut-out in the frame will be 29” x

19”.

Step 3

Cut a piece of 3/8” ply the same size as the dolly frame; in this case 34” x 24”. This will form

the base of the dolly.

Step 4

You will now join all three components together with carpenter’s glue and countersunk wood

screws. Mount the frame on the dolly frame and mount the base sheet under the dolly frame.

Finish the entire dolly in black. You can either paint it black or covered it in black laminate or

carpet.

Step 5

Add four 3” castors to each corner of the dolly. Ensure the back two castors are locking ones.

Step 6

Add visual masking around all the edges of the dolly frame with 1” aluminum flat bar, 2mm thick.

This breaks down the thickness of the dolly base, so it appears thinner than it is.

FIG 3



Mounting the Suitcase onto the Dolly

The suitcase needs to be mounted onto the dolly so that the suitcase will stay in place during

the performance and not expose the girl hidden inside.

You will need four lengths of 2” x 2” aluminum angle (2mm thick). Drill holes into the aluminum

angle and screw one side to the underside of the top frame. You will need one length of

aluminum angle on each side.

The will form an inner frame that the cut-out in the back of the suitcase will fit over.

Drill holes through the suitcase and the aluminum angles. Use bolts, washers and hex nuts to

secure the suitcase to the aluminum angles.

2” x 2” Aluminium Angle

The finished prop will provide a hiding place for the girl inside the suitcase as shown in FIG 2.

The dolly base will provide an additional 2” space of hiding space which may not seem a lot but

is a significant amount of space when it comes to squeezing a girl in a small space.

Show Case

You will need to build a custom ATA-looking case that has no bottom. It must just fit inside the

suitcase and be large enough to fit over your assistant. See FIG 5 for an example of how the

ATA case looks like.

The case has a hinging lid and is held shut by two latches with a single briefcase handle.

In a regular ATA case, panels of wood are riveted to ATA case hardware such as aluminum

tongue and groove extrusion, 1” aluminum angle and corner knuckles.

Build this case as normal, but do not include a panel on the bottom side of the case.

FIG 4



Make the case as lightweight as possible by using 1/8” ply for the sides or use corrugated

plastic or ABS honeycomb plastic. The sides should be finished in plastic laminate of a

contrasting colour from your suitcase. If you like, add airline stickers to the different sides of the

case to make it look like a well-traveled show case.

SET UP

The female assistant curls up into the suitcase and dolly base. Carefully, fit the show case over the girl. Place the clothes onto the show case. Close the suitcase and zip it up.

PERFORMANCE

The outline of the script is described in the “EFFECT” above but below is the handling for the

routine.

At the appropriate time in your show, a stage hand pushes the suitcase on dolly centerstage.

Once it is on stage, the two back castors must be locked so that the dolly will not move during

performance.

Unzip the suitcase and open the lid. Remove the clothing, display them and put them aside.

Lift the show case from the suitcase. Pretend it is heavy as you lift it out. This suggests that it

is not hollow and helps the sides of the case clear the girl in case anything gets snagged.

Carry the case to the front and side of the stage, rotate it and set it down on the floor with the

front facing the audience. Do not flash the back of the case to the audience.

Give a cue for the female assistant to “pop out” from the suitcase to make her magical

appearance.

FIG 5



NOTES

It is possible to add a convincer to the show case if you want. Add a "floating" bottom which is

a loose panel in the show case.

However, this panel has a small thin neodymium rare earth magnet glued and taped to each

corner. There are corresponding magnets on the inside corners of the show case. If the loose

panel drops to the bottom of the case, the magnets will attract and "lock" the panel in place so

that it looks like the solid bottom of the case.

This additional gimmick allows you to show all sides of the show case when you remove it from

the suitcase.

The set-up is the same as the original version. In this case, the "floating" bottom is pressed up

against the inside top of the case when the show case is placed over the girl curled up in the

suitcase. When the case is lifted off the girl, gravity will cause the "floating" bottom to

automatically drop down and attach to the magnets.

I hope you enjoyed this free illusion plan. I think it will work well for illusionists of all levels and

can be included into a show program effectively with the right patter and presentation.

All the best!

J C Sum



If you liked "Excess Baggage", you might enjoy the illusions in "Simple Showstoppers". Like

"Excess Baggage", the illusions detailed in the book are easy to put together and very

inexpensive. But, the effects are strong and work very well on a theatre stage.

If you want illusions and large-scale stage effects that are even easier to construct and caters

specifically to children or a family audience, you will love the effects detailed in my best-selling

"Pack Flat Illusions for Kids & Family Shows Volumes 1 & 2".

For professional-level illusions that can play on the grandest showroom stage or headline luxury

cruise liners, serious students of illusions will want to invest in "Illusionary Departures",

"Urban Illusions", "Equilateral 3" or the compilation book "Ultimate Illusion Collection:

Trinity Edition". This is the definitive J C Sum collection.

Get 20% Off ALL These Books (both eBooks and printed)* by Using This Code Upon

Checkout: bonus

*Applicable to the Ultimate Illusion Collection: Trinity Edition Softcover but NOT Hardcover Edition

https://illusionbookstore.com/product/simple-showstoppers-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product/pack-flat-illusions-for-kids-family-shows-combo-set-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product/illusionary-departures-2012-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product/urban-illusions-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product/equilateral-3-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product/ultimate-illusion-collection-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product/ultimate-illusion-collection-pdf/https://illusionbookstore.com/product-category/books/https://illusionbookstore.com/product-category/books/



Finally, if you are looking for the most detailed and comprehensive illusion instruction for

specific effects in the market, check out the Premium Illusion Design Series HERE.

Visit the world’s largest online illusion bookstore for even more illusion books, plans and videos.

Get 20% Off Most of the Products by Using This Code Upon Checkout: bonus

https://illusionbookstore.com/product-category/illusion-plans/premium-illusion-designs/https://illusionbookstore.com/https://illusionbookstore.com/product-category/illusion-plans/premium-illusion-designs/https://illusionbookstore.comhttps://illusionbookstore.com



SUPPORT ILLUSIONBOOKS.COM

IllusionBooks.com has been and will always be 100% free with all the articles, book and illusion plan made available to the magic community. So, any support we get to defray running costs (dedicated server, administrative costs, staffing) is greatly welcomed.

If you think you have received value from all the free content from this website, you can make a token $3 one-time donation via PayPal HERE.

As a thank you, all donors will have a lifetime access to the BACKSTAGE SECTION. This is just a way to say thank you and to show my appreciation for your time & support.

The secret Backstage Section of illusionbooks.com was first started in 2005 for owners of profession-level illusion books “Illusionary Departures”, “Equilateral” & “Urban Illusions”.

The Backstage Section contains a large collection of illusion ideas, concept designs, articles and even illusion methods.

Illusions covered include “The Teleporting Lady”, variations of the “Sub Trunk”, a “Sawing in Half” design, appearance illusions, “Sword Basket” presentations and even 3 ways to produce a full-sized car!

There are exclusive articles as well as video discussions not available anywhere else.

New content will also be periodically added to the Backstage Section.

GET YOUR LIFETIME BACKSTAGE PASS HERE.
http://illusionbooks.com/http://illusionbooks.com/illusionist-backstage-pass/http://illusionbooks.com/illusionist-backstage-pass/

excess baggage by j c sum - illusion booksillusionbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/... ·...

Documents