Bob Chua and his passion
Bob Chua is a frequent traveler and well-known in the magic circles both in Singapore and abroad. He is also a life member of the International Magicians Society.
He won the Merlin Award in 2001 from The International Magicians Society USA for Best Close Up Magician.
He knows how to perform and wise to the ins and outs of the magic entertainment industry.
I am honored to present Bob Chua today as my special guest.
Hi Uncle Bob, thank you for coming here today.
Can you tell us a bit about your background? How you got started and what made you so passionate about the art?
As a child I was always fascinated by tricks performed to me by my grandfather and father.
At age 18, I decided to take up the art of magic as a serious hobby.
Over the years, I have a large collection of books, dvds and magic apparatus.
After leaving school, I started working as a clerk and later had my own business for more than 20 years.
I was fortunate to be blessed with an early retirement at 45 years old and started doing magic performances as a living till now.
The life of a magician sounds too good to be true. Loved by children, respected by adults. Is there a catch?
An entertaining magician always look and sound good because he can do feats that ordinary folks are unable to do.
You will be always be loved my children and adult.
No catch but when you want them to pay for watching, they just vanished.
What are the most important things that someone should know to become a successful magician?
A successful magician must be knowledgeable in most area of this art, like parlour, stage and closeup magic. You must be able to do a requested act under any situation.
Will it work in any area and for anyone?
An entertaining magician does not work for everyone. Like any other art form, it requires a certain amount of talent.
You been around a lot. Can you tell us some of the interesting things when performing overseas?
Most memorable shows I did were on the Orient Express, from Changmai to Singapore.
I can only perform Standup Closeup due to space constraint.
Also did an interesting show in Kuala Lumpur Tower 4 years ago.
What are some of the common problems of a being a magician in Singapore?
Singapore is a small country and if the same audience watched you performing a couple of times,
chances you will not be booked again.
Not because you are no good, it’s just they want to see new faces.
What sort of things can someone do to stay on top?
It is impossible to stay on top.
Someone will appear in your path and be better than you and he or she will also like a passing cloud.
What kind of person is suited to be a magician? What sort of qualities does a person need to become a truly successful magician?
A lively and humorous character is an advantage to be a good magician.
Magicians or Entertainers are born not made. Bottom line is how to make your audience being entertained.
Can you make a lot of money as a magician?
That is a good question. If you are David Copperfield, yes.
He can call his fees and according to what I heard, he makes like USD14 millions a year.
In Southeast Asia if you a good magician, you may have a comfortable life but most of them will find it tough.
In the third world, it is most difficult to make a decent living out of performing magic
because their basics come first and not entertainment.
You also need to do your marketing like what you will do in an insurance business.
Not everyone will pay to watch your magic performance.
How can people contact you?
With today’s technology, the best form is through my website www.conjurer.net.
He won the Merlin Award in 2001 from The International Magicians Society USA for Best Close Up Magician.
He knows how to perform and wise to the ins and outs of the magic entertainment industry.
I am honored to present Bob Chua today as my special guest.
Hi Uncle Bob, thank you for coming here today.
Can you tell us a bit about your background? How you got started and what made you so passionate about the art?
As a child I was always fascinated by tricks performed to me by my grandfather and father.
At age 18, I decided to take up the art of magic as a serious hobby.
Over the years, I have a large collection of books, dvds and magic apparatus.
After leaving school, I started working as a clerk and later had my own business for more than 20 years.
I was fortunate to be blessed with an early retirement at 45 years old and started doing magic performances as a living till now.
The life of a magician sounds too good to be true. Loved by children, respected by adults. Is there a catch?
An entertaining magician always look and sound good because he can do feats that ordinary folks are unable to do.
You will be always be loved my children and adult.
No catch but when you want them to pay for watching, they just vanished.
What are the most important things that someone should know to become a successful magician?
A successful magician must be knowledgeable in most area of this art, like parlour, stage and closeup magic. You must be able to do a requested act under any situation.
Will it work in any area and for anyone?
An entertaining magician does not work for everyone. Like any other art form, it requires a certain amount of talent.
You been around a lot. Can you tell us some of the interesting things when performing overseas?
Most memorable shows I did were on the Orient Express, from Changmai to Singapore.
I can only perform Standup Closeup due to space constraint.
Also did an interesting show in Kuala Lumpur Tower 4 years ago.
What are some of the common problems of a being a magician in Singapore?
Singapore is a small country and if the same audience watched you performing a couple of times,
chances you will not be booked again.
Not because you are no good, it’s just they want to see new faces.
What sort of things can someone do to stay on top?
It is impossible to stay on top.
Someone will appear in your path and be better than you and he or she will also like a passing cloud.
What kind of person is suited to be a magician? What sort of qualities does a person need to become a truly successful magician?
A lively and humorous character is an advantage to be a good magician.
Magicians or Entertainers are born not made. Bottom line is how to make your audience being entertained.
Can you make a lot of money as a magician?
That is a good question. If you are David Copperfield, yes.
He can call his fees and according to what I heard, he makes like USD14 millions a year.
In Southeast Asia if you a good magician, you may have a comfortable life but most of them will find it tough.
In the third world, it is most difficult to make a decent living out of performing magic
because their basics come first and not entertainment.
You also need to do your marketing like what you will do in an insurance business.
Not everyone will pay to watch your magic performance.
How can people contact you?
With today’s technology, the best form is through my website www.conjurer.net.
Labels: Interviews
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