talkmagic.co.uk

The Omen
By Chris Jones

A Satanic colt worshipper in the 1920's called Alex Crawley revealed to his sect that he inteded to live forever. Not in body, but in spirit. A keen photographer, Crawley believed he had developed a technique to 'capture' his spirit using photography.

What you are about to witness is Crawley's 'Omen' - His proof from the past that his spirit lives on...

Essentially, this is a triple prediction card effect that uses a great story presentation to achieve as much impact as possible.

Cost

£10 from nothingupmysleeve.co.uk

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

I'll go 3, but the method is open to variation, allowing you to substitute moves that you are more comfortable with if you like.

Review

If you have had a look at the NUMS website, you would expect the production to be damn good - and it is. The instruction booklet is excellently done and looks great. 10 pages long, it explains the history of the effect, the full presentation and the full method (including descriptions of all the moves that Chris uses). The writing style is clear and direct, with lots of little subtleties explained along the way, that can only have come from having performed the effect regularly.

The props are also good - you receive three Photographs, which act as your predictions. These look good - grainy black and white photos that add immensely to the story, and will just look better and better the more beaten up and battered they become. You also receive a couple of cards, that you add to your blue backed deck, and then away you go.

Effect wise, there are no moves that most magicians won't already know (and if one has slipped past you, they are explained in the instructions), and the presentation detailed is excellent. It'll take some time to learn it all in your own words, but this is time well spent.

The effect, on paper, doesn't sound particularly earth shattering - especially to magicians. This is one of those things where you just have to get out there and perform it - and let your audiences reactions speak for themselves.

Overall

For the money - this is excellent value. It is a special piece, and probably not something that you would use at every table if you were working a restaurant (there is a little reset, and the presentation relies on your story being heard clearly), but as a special item for return customers who are interested in what you do, this is a winner. After dinner, in a casual setting one evening, you could really build up an atmosphere with this.

So, set your sponge balls down and go to nothingupmysleeve.co.uk, and get something completely different for just a tenner.

Highly recommended.

Liam[/url]

Thanks for those kind words, Montz.

What I find particularly nice in comments I've received about Omen is that people love the story. I was originally concerned that it was long-winded, but the story is based upon a REAL satanist called Alistair Crowley. And any spectator who has heard of him sees the connection straight away.

The Omen is a very adaptable effect, and although the actual trick itself performed as-supplied is a good base, I've had comments and suggestions as to how the effect is alternatively performed to suit, which is nice.

I was rather taken by the stunning good looks of the chap in those old photos...a real intelligence and creativity in those wise eyes...hmmmm

Tom Lauten wrote:I was rather taken by the stunning good looks of the chap in those old photos...a real intelligence and creativity in those wise eyes...hmmmm

There most certainly is.

He's quite famous, and getting him to pose nude was a real challenge.

I'm still not quite sure what the effect is. Is there a reason it's not said explicitly? Will telling spoil it?

Thanks.

I am so glad you asked!

The effect is, very simple. I will break it down into it's bare mechanics...

A deck of cards is shown. The spectator makes a selection, which is upturned and revealed. It is placed beneath a picture.

Either a second spectator, or the same one, is then offered a choice of any three cards from the deck. It really is a free choice. The cards are removed and placed face-down under a second picture.

Finally, another selection is made. Again, quite freely. This is placed under the fourth picture. The remainder of the BLUE backed deck is shown to be completely normal.

The first revelation shows that the card chosen LAST matches a prediction made in the photo.

The second revelation — three randomly chosen cards ALSO match the photo.

The final revelation involving the card which was originally turned face-up once selected, is predicted accurately by the final photograph—but in a very unusual and totally layperson-baffling way.

I can't really say much more, I would love to make a demo movie, but it would give the game away

I've had a lot of feedback on this from people who've bought it. On the whole, people love it!

The minor criticisms with it are that it seems over-complicated and the story is very lengthy. But, it was intended to be presented as a story, as the effect itself has quite a rich background.

How one interprets it and condenses it is entirely down to choice. I must admit that when I perform the Omen these days (it was written about 4 years ago) that I do leave a lot of the patter out and just get on with it.

However, all said and done, it's just one of those effects that is so powerful when performed. And I always get a good reaction with it!

Wow sounds awesome! Thanks

Just got mine today and I really like it. The photos are nicely produced and the effect has a really nice patter, which can be embellished or cut as it suits you. You can use different sleights to achive the same effects or use the ones provided.

I will probably laminate my photos for durability (and to immortalise one of our colleagues here ).

I like the final revelation, which is a nice kicker for a strong effect. Done under the right conditions, this will be great!

Nice one Chris Jones!