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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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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.
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© 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.
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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”.
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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
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cruise liners, serious students of illusions will want to invest in "Illusionary Departures",
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
Finally, if you are looking for the most detailed and comprehensive illusion instruction for
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EXCESS BAGGAGE by J C Sum
© Copyright J C Sum 2018
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