738: Ray Lum - MARVELous Craftsman

Magicians cannot perform without props. The equipment one uses on stage says a lot about the performer. And the quality and craftsmanship of a good fabricator can make any magician look like a million dollars on stage. Ray Lum is one of those fabricators who resides in Las Vegas and works with all of the greats and the soon-to-be greats. Inspired and mentored by the late Tommy Wonder, Ray Lum carries the tradition of fine quality magic props.

If you are more of a visual person, then you will enjoy this video of our conversation recorded via Zoom.

This week Ray Lum talks about his invention of the Gumball Machine (which he calls the “Lumball Machine”) and the controversy surrounding the dual creators coming out separately but not knowing about the other’s invention. He also talks about his friend and mentor, Tommy Wonder, and how they met and how Ray carries on the tradition of quality craftsmanship using new technology and materials.

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594: Sean Bogunia - Accidentally Creative

During a recent trip from Houston, Texas, to Michigan, I had the opportunity to sit down for an in-depth conversation with one of magic’s creative thinkers, Sean Bogunia. Although he might be best known to you as the creator of the Ultimate Dancing Hank (in a Bottle), he prefers for that not to be his seminal legacy. He has many other creations to his credit that are in the working repertoires of professional magicians and he has even more that he is working on to bring to the magic community. He is a performer and creator who has consulted with many top magicians.

The no assistants need Dancing HankBy Sean Boguniahttps://www.ultimatemagicproductions.net/store/p50/Ultimate_Dancing_Hank.html

In this week’s episode, Sean talks about a pivotal moment in his life that led him to follow magic as a full time professional and never look back. He also tells many “behind the scenes” stories about some of his creations and the people he worked with and some of those whom he showed his ideas. A usually quiet and reserved person, Sean opened his heart and soul in this podcast unlike he had ever done before. In fact, he states that this is only the second interview that he has ever given. This episode contains perhaps more stories than any other that we have broadcast. I am certain that you will get a lot out of this week’s “longer than usual” episode.

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552: Daniel Summers - Zig Zag in a Suitcase

The name of Daniel Summers has come up on more than one occasion on this podcast. So, I thought it is time that we talk with this person who started as a ventriloquist, then became a cruise ship performer, college entertainer, hypnotist, “phone room” marketer, creator and builder. Dan is all of these plus a pretty nice guy and friends to many in the magic world. His original illusions are performed all over the world by all of the top illusionists including David Copperfield, Greg Gleason, Hans Klok and others. He has had feature articles published about him in VANISH Magazine and in MAGIC Magazine, but it is high time that you get to hear his voice.

compressed illusion Daniel Summers performed by Papa Chico

Greg Gleason performing Daniel Summers “Cutting Edge” illusion on Masters of Illusion television show.

Lou Dupont, a ventriloquist who lived and performed in Las Vegas inspired Daniel Summers. (viewer discretion advised)

Dan talks with us this week about how his career could have taken a different turn had he decided to take the job of Cruise Ship Director. He also talks about his life on cruise ships in the early years, his work in theme parks, creating illusions, building illusions, telemarketing “phone rooms”, and helping Joanie Spina in her final days.

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