Magic Review: Alan Rorrison’s SIGILLUM DIABOLI |http://www.bigblindmedia.com

Well everyone remembers the original “card warp effect” by Roy Walton and it is one that will stay in magic for a very long time. There have been many versions of the “card Warp” over the years, some successful and some not. I have in fact grabbed hold of most versions of the effect. From the original Roy Walton Classic at Davenports magic shop, to David Jenkins’s “Warp one”. Then came along a Wee Scotsman, Alan Rorrison vs. Owen Packard’s Big Blind Media Production. With Alan’s witty personality and BBM’s classy Production, I knew I had to get it.

So let’s get into the nitty and gritty. Firstly, as an owner of so many of Alan effects, I have to say honestly, this is got to be one of the best DVD’s of his I own. At first glance many will look at the performance video and believe they know how it’s done. I can tell you after watching the DVD, there is sooo much more then you could ever imagine. The workings of this are in fact so marvellously thought out; it makes it a pure joy to perform. Alan begins by taking us in depth into the set up of the effect. He shows a couple of different handling to get into the set up and leads us on our way toward the beginning of the trick. Again, he shows everything so in depth. I actually asked Alan why he had done the DVD so incredibly in depth when in fact, he could have given us a lot let information and we would still have what we needed to which his reply was, “I would prefer to give you too much information then to give you to little”. This is Alan Through and through and really shines a light behind his effects and him as a magic creator.

Throughout the DVD, Alan and BBM have made sure to give full credits to all those other versions of the card warp out there and also to any moves or ideas. The teaching on the DVD (as with all BBM products) is fantastically filmed, edited and overall quality is just staggering. They always go to that extra mile to make sure the DVD is top quality for us to watch. Everything is very in depth and well taught. When we get into the trick, we are shown everything slowly. Although one or two parts of the trick are a little bit nacky, Alan makes sure we can make it as easy as possible and has fully realised our needs. He addresses any problems we may have very openly (which are nearly none) and tells us how to easily solve them. The visualness of this versions is just amazing! It exceeds any of its predecessors in every way. It is never covers, the method is incredibly clever and the reactions from your audience are pure shock. Alan also supplies a few ideas for patter but the one he teaches with is just fantastic. Using a story about the sign of the Devil and how the “mark of the devil” will alter the state of something that is hidden and evil can rear its ugly head at any time. There are so many possibilities to suit your own working style.

What I also love about this is that you’re practically set up automatically for the next performance, set up takes about 5-10 seconds and all happens while you’re addressing your audience. Everything has been fantastically put together and every aspect of the effect has been thought about and addressed. I mentioned at the beginning of the review that I own most versions of Card Warp. As of now they have taken pride in my working routine. But now, as of the moment I fell in love with Alan’s version, Sigillum Diaboli has taken pride of place in my routine and it will amaze my audience forever more.

It doesn’t just stop there. You know there is always going to be some hidden fun when it comes to BBM. Alan has also included a fantastic transposition effect. It’s basically a copper/silver routine but with cards and completely visual. Using the Sigillum Diaboli technique to create a stunning piece by piece transposition. This is just another fantastic use for the trick and one I think, in the right setting, will blow people away. I’m actually very tempted to turn this into a parlour routine because I genuinely think it can play to a large audience and still be a winner for everyone.

Lastly, were given a great little money trick. This is just fantastic. So original in story and method. The idea’s of making money is everywhere. So how about next time your spectators say “So can’t you just make money out of thin air?” you can pull this little gem out of your wallet and show them a literal way to make money. Just a genius effect and a fantastic way of thinking.

Again, everything in this DVD is stunningly put together. The content is the best as usually from Alan Rorrison and lastly it’s something everyone will use. The handling is just superb. This one is a real winner and one that can go into any working act.

Another great product from Alan Rorrison and Big Blind Media!

Available at http://www.bigblindmedia.com

Jamie Daws

Watch the demo (above link) .. It's very nice...You can start by doing the Jenkins Warp One version, and then say; "OK, now with one hand..", and do the Rorrison version.....

Another devilishly wicked brilliant visual effect from Alan Rorrison! I will get this. I have David Jenkins Wrap One and absolutely love it. Alan's version certainly opens up different options. I'm also glad to see bonus effects in the DVD!

I watched the demo, and I read your review and I am torn in my feelings on this effect.

The idea of visually doing magic is very hot. But I am cautious when I would say that doing an effect without cover, in this case the cover card, and instead use the quick shaking motion of the hand, I am not sure if I like the idea, FOR ME.

I use the WOW gimmick for a routine, but when I use it, I have do not do a visual change of a card as the gimmick was intended. I think the effect is stronger, and since I really do nothing, nothing moves, my hands are NOT touching the gimmick, etc there is no way it could be done.

I have the same feeling about this. With the traditional cover card, you see the card go in one way and out the other. You have done nothing, no movements, no sleight of hand, nothing. With this version, and with Warp One, you are doing something, you are shaking your hand, and the card changes. You do quick movements, which in the mind of the spectator is sleight of hand, and the effect happens. Now, I am not saying this effect is no good, and that it won't work for some people, or get great reactions.

Also, don't think of the cover card as a cover mechanism for hidding the effect. You have trapped the card inside a container which prevents the possible use of sleight of hand, the cover card in my opinion increases the effectiveness of the change.

These are just my current thinking on this type of visual change, at this time in my magical life. I hope that those who do use it, practice and do it well, and get the reactions they are looking for.

I appriciate your opinions on it and as always this routine is just my representation that suits my style. So hopefully itll suit or help others in the learning process

Alan, I hope you understand that I was not in anyway bashing the routine, I did think the effect had some very good points, especially when the card was folded completely into a one quarter and it folds from inside out, to outside in was superb.

Again, I was torn with the effect when I saw it, for me personally, it was in no way to put you or the effect down.

I know man. I fully understand what you mean. Every single person has a style and different presentations and methods will suit different people. just hope this suits a few out there lol

thanx for your time man and thank you for looking over the effect

A quick note fore the folks emailing me about the bonus. In the states Id recomend lifesavers.

Hope this helps

I am really surprised that more people have not responded with reviews here at this link. While I may have stated my opinion earlier, I still would love to hear opinions of people who are using this, I have been known to change my mind.

Title: Sigillum Diaboli presented by Alan Rorrison
Medium: Card trick, instructions on DVD
Arena: Close Up, cards
Available: Any shop, distributed by Murphys Magic Supplies

Sigillum Diaboli is a version of one of my favorite card effects, Roy Walton’s Card Warp. I love card warp and there are a number of versions available ranging from interesting ways to end the effect to versions where you end up with a bizarre looking card as in HyperCard by Wes James. What all the versions had in common before, that I have seen, is that either two cards are used or a bill is used in place of the sleeve card. I expected this with Sigillum Diaboli but was surprised that the effect is done with one card and no outer, or sleeve, card. This looks really good in Alans capable hands and with some practice to get the moves down it will look killer in yours as well. The routine is pretty cool though because it does make reference to the devil and all that evil stuff some might have an issue with the actual presentation but you can set your own presentation up. The reset is pretty easy for table workers and strollers, it isn’t automatic, but close enough where you can get a card ready to go for the next presentation. Also found on the DVD is a similar version where a card changes to a card held in a spectators hand. While a bit limited in application this is also a cool trick but you’ll be more likely to use the main version. A bonus routine is provided where a print of a coin is made on foil and then a new coin is produced. The coin is then vanished using a favorite old method of mine. Not earth shaking when it comes to coin tricks but it is one I like to do.

For those not familiar with Card Warp, and yes Roy Walton authorized this version and I, along with most who release versions of Card Warp suggest you support Roy’s genius by purchasing a copy of his original release, I’ll give a run down on how it looks. Basically a card is folded in half and in the process of sliding through another folded card, remember in the case of Sigillum Diabolo the second card is not in play, the folded card changes from face out to face in, then back to face out again. The card is then shown to be half face out and half face in. It is an absolutely great card trick, one of the best ever created, and uses regular cards. In this version the change is caused by a turning of the hand rather than sliding through another card or bill. You have to see it to really appreciate this effect. Some practice is needed to get a feel for the moves but once you have it down you are set. I have to tip the hat to Alan as this is a very well thought out and complete routine. The camera work is fine and the sound has a bit of echo but not too badly. Alan does have a thick accent that some might have a problem with but I think it won’t be an issue for most magicians. It is well done over all.

If you are interested in a nice one card version of card warp you’ll want to check out Sigillum Diaboli. It isn’t my favorite card warp, Wes James’ wins that contest, but this is one I will be doing as well.

What a great effect, I like the presentation here, although not for everyone, but at the right moment I can see this being a real killer piece of visual close up magic !!

Thanks Alan.

Best Wishes

Mark
:)

I really like Alan's version here, and think it might tie in with the Walton original as well - I like the idea of performing Card Warp, and then offering to show the spectators what happens 'without the covering card' and launching into Alan's trick.

Liam.

After seeing this I believe the original is as good as this except with this you only use one card.

Good idea Liam.

I don't know, Card Warp, Star Warp, Dr. Strangetrick (the most ingenious), and my favorite presentation, Card Warp ala Burger (Inquisition) all have presentational hooks.

I don't see this new incarnation as a step forward.

Visually, I actually find Walton's Card Warp more appealing.



The vigorous shaking in this incarnation doesn't do it for me.

IMHO the cover adds to the illusion that the card is completely reversing, and in versions that use a bill, the card seems to actually turn completely inside out as it passed through the cover.

The card being half inside out and half outside in is the second sequence just prior to the tearing of the card. In this version it is the first magical sequence.

This version doesn’t strike me as an improvement FOR ME. I can understand and even appreciate the minimalist approach, I just don’t see it as an improvement to the original effect.

I'm only going by the demo clips, but how is it different than David Jenkins Warp One below?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNiL_Cuxv8w

Alan's is one handed. Warp One uses both hands. Plus Alan's has extra sequences.

That looks magical!

Each to there own. My verison uses one card and one hand. no funky cover. Just a quick shake and its done. wham bam thank you mam

Alan

That and you have a cool accent the chicks dig!