The All Seeing Eye (ASE) by Dan Harlan is a method to gather any piece of information written
secretly by a spectator on a piece of paper. Before I watched All Seeing Eye, I couldn't help but be
skeptical--From the trailer, it just seemed like all the other methods that enable the performer to
ascertain secret information from a folded paper. After I watched Dan Harlan's instruction, I was
pleasantly surprised with his original additions!
Difficulty: The difficulty level is
geared towards beginners both in Harlan's teaching and in technicality. ASE is very easy to perform.
It's a standard and well known method in mentalism that is used to achieve the effect, but where the
real value is is in Harlan's structure, presentation, and additions. I'll get into those later in
the bottom of this review.
A few positives:
-Like any center tear, peek, or switch
routine in mentalism, the props are regular, everyday objects. If the required props (any pieces of
paper + a writing utensil) are available, ASE can be performed impromptu. In his instructional
video, Dan is honest and claims that it takes a few seconds of preparation to perform, explaining
that it is almost impromptu. However, this preparation can be quickly done in front of the audience
without arousing any bit of suspicion.
-Everything can be examined.
-They can keep the
papers as a souvenir, which is a bonus if you choose to perform with your business cards.
-ASE
is perfect for table hopping + avenues that require multiple performances because it instantly
resets.
-Harlan's teaching is fantastic--it's very clear. He is thorough without rambling. While
watching, it is obvious that ASE has been tried and tested. The video quality is very clear.
-This a great intro effect for beginners with billet work, but I can guarantee more experienced
performers will come away with a new idea or with something learned. Even if you're a working pro,
I'd recommend ASE--It has a few presentational touches that I think are essential for those who do
any work with billets/tears/switches/peeks. I think this would be a wonderful addition to many walk
around magician's repertoires.
A few negatives:
-The patter may seem a bit childish to
some, or a little cheesy. Harlan's included patter will have to be modified for many performers. The
presentation/patter fits with my personality/character, so I didn't have to do much modification.
-Some may say that the fact that two pieces of paper (the "all seeing eye" and their
information) is in play (as opposed to a single piece of paper) has potential to complicate the plot
and take away from some of the directness that other methods have. This is not an issue for me,
since the plot of the effect remains simple (and able to be described in one sentence as The
Professor notes.)
-It requires a few seconds of preparation. As I stated above, this can be
quickly done in front of the audience before the performance.
-The sound gets a little
weird/distorted mid-video, but it won't have any effect on learning the effect. It wasn't a
distraction.
I promised earlier in this review that I would talk about Harlan's additions
to this classic effect in mentalism. This is ASE's greatest strength. In billet effects, there is
often no justification for the "revelation-of-secret-info-on-a-sheet-of-paper" effects; they are
often performed just like that (hence the name I just coined). I've seen countless performers ask
their audience to write down a piece of information. They will then take the sheet of paper, execute
some action with it, and usually end with placing it in the spectators hand. They will then
immediately revealing the name, date, or whatever was written down. While this may fool or even
entertain the audience, this is the worst way to perform such an effect. What is the purpose in
having someone write down information, only to tear the paper up and reveal the information? Why not
just have the audience think of something, THEN reveal it?
What Dan's version accomplishes is
that his presentation serves as a justification for every action completed by the performer. Every
hand movement, transfer of objects, every word has some psychological purpose in his routine. This
solves the main presentational problem of the center tear, peek, switch, etc. The writing of the
information is justified through presentation. Harlan shows a great psychological understanding of
the motivation behind movements, and this is very helpful in his teaching. This new presentation and
way of approaching the "write and reveal" effects is worth this download. Although I have my own
presentation that justifies the actions of such an effect, I enjoyed hearing Dan Harlan's take on
it, and came away with new ideas. Any magician/mentalist, beginner to pro will benefit from this
download.
Disclaimer: I do not write reviews without "field testing" the product. ASE does
very well in performance, and I did not encounter any obstacles.
-Zachary Johnston
85 of 87 magicians found this helpful.
Honestly its not very practical for me to perform. without giving too much away, if I had seen an
entire performance of the trick I wouldn't have purchased it in the first place. the video is a bit
misleading. as soon as i clicked the learn button and saw a performance i immediately knew how it
was done which is not a good thing in my opinion. I wish i could get a refund as i would probably
never use it.
15 of 16 magicians found this helpful.
Irving Berlin wrote it in 1954 for White Christmas, Danny Kaye sang it.
The theater, the
theater, what's happened to the theater?
Especially where dancing is concerned
Chaps who
did taps aren't tapping anymore
They're doing choreography
Chicks who did kicks aren't
kicking anymore
They're doing choreography
And that’s what Dan Harlan has done with
All Seeing Eye. He’s taken magic that we know and choreographed it into a beautiful routine. There
are no false moves, nothing strange, nothing unusual. Everything flows. Each move feeds the next.
Everything has a purpose. This is a very straightforward and the cleanest “write something on a
card” and I will tell you what you wrote” routine you will ever see.
Watch the trailer. Dan
justifies writing something down. You are using “your third eye” to see their writing while it is in
their hand. You aren’t reading their mind (if you were, why would they need to write it?). You start
clean. You not only end clean you end clean with everything in the spectator’s hand. And you end
reset. They will remember that they wrote something and folded it up. You drew your Third Eye and
they took it and shook the cards together. And then you knew what they wrote. There is no
explanation.
I would have called it Choreography. And I highly recommend it.
15 of 16 magicians found this helpful.
I always dig Dan Harlan, but even if I wasn't a fan I'd love this one. I absolutely love the way
this works. Every action makes sense. It's bold and clever. It's fun. And last but not least, there
isn't any difficult sleight of hand involved(important for those who like to focus more on
presentation, like myself).
All in all, I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about
this one. Plus, it's the kind of routine that can be customized to your own personal liking. I like
that as opposed to being confined to the original patter.
16 of 19 magicians found this helpful.
It is not at all the way it shows it the video. Once you see the full performance you will know
exactly how he does it and it is very obvious. Do not waste your money.
10 of 10 magicians found this helpful.
The idea is good, and the motivation for each move is good. However, there is some "work" that you
have to do, and the explanation does a poor job of showing you how to do this. The method just isn't
good enough as taught. You would need to already know some type of billet switch. Another thing I
didn't like is how much stuff you have to use just to do one effect. Two pens, a rubberband, a stack
of business cards, and another folded up business card to manage. If this was the only effect you
planned on having in your pocket it would be ok, but if you have other stuff in there, it becomes to
cumbersome.
10 of 10 magicians found this helpful.
Overview: This is a great alternative to other, more common methods for revealing thought of
information.
Pros:
- Uses normal items, easily obtained just about anywhere you are
- All moves are justified
- Instant reset / no clean up
- Spectator gets to keep the
papers at the end
Cons:
- Requires some setup, though minimal and fast
- Cannot use
certain items (but this is minimal and explained in the teaching)
Review:
This is a
very nice alternative to other, more traditional methods for revealing a spectator's thought of
word. It's fairly easy to learn, though like many mentalism items it will require a bit of audacity.
Performed correctly, this will easily baffle the audience.
It is well taught as he takes
his tune explaining everything in detail.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to
reveal a thought of word, give this a look. I like the logical progression and giving the spectator
souvenirs at the end.
Please note, as taught, this is tied to the presentation of an
"All-Seeing Eye" so make sure that fits with your style. It can be changed up with a little thought
and practice, but I've yet to find a spectator that questions the presentation at all.
Thanks!
10 of 11 magicians found this helpful.
In the mind of the spectator they will remember that they wrote something down, folded it up and
held it in their hand the entire time and yet the performer was able to reveal exactly what they
were thinking. It doesn't get better than that. This can be used for a drawing duplication, for a
thought of word, a place, object, zodiac sign, anything really and the best part is your reset when
the trick is over. Move on to the next table or group and you're ready to go. Whether your a
beginner or pro this is a fantastic effect from Dan Harlan. The presentation and the actions make
sense. The person you perform this on will not have a clue as to how you knew what they were
thinking and will be left with a memorable effect. Thanks Dan this is a great piece of Mentalism and
I will be using it.
8 of 9 magicians found this helpful.
This is solid. I have 20+ years performing and I'm jaded with so many new routines and tricks. But I
like this a lot. Why? Because it's organic, ends clean, uses some confidence and skill (no
"gizmo's") and plays with my particular style and strengths.
This routine is fluid,
justified and meets my standards for "organic" magic: ready-to-go, streamlined (for the most part,
see my note), justified and clean nearly all-around.
If you're familiar with getting
information with business cards (or index, or whatever) you may not need something new. On the other
hand for the same reasons you may want to add this to your available tools/tricks in the arsenal.
I will, starting today as I test it out.
I enjoy Dan's presentation (I love his
confidence and enthusiasm for this trick) This is just a personal preference, but I don't like
pretending I have powers of one kind or another. This isn't unique to this trick of course. And my
answer is to this is stupid, my it makes me feel better.
For a lot of my tricks I just say,
"I can't really do this (or that), or I don't have this power, but if I did, I think this is what it
would look like." Silly, sure, but the one line and the way I present it tongue in cheek allows me
to feel comfortable with such presentations as these (including the one he uses here).
There is "handling" but it isn't excessive. It fits absolutely into the routine as presented
with no wasted moments. So if you like the routine, you'll love this trick. You just need to be
comfortable. It is far within the realm of anyone doing these kinds of routines where you gather
info in similar fashion (and in this case it's a great way to get the info... no stress for time,
angles, etc).
If you like what you see in the trailer, you won't be disappointed. It's
quite good. Thanks for sharing Dan.
8 of 9 magicians found this helpful.
One of the best impromptu and practical mentalism routine out there. Requires literally very little
set up, easy to do and learn even for beginners. Alternative "peek" method without any gimmick
wallets or gadgets, can be done with everyday objects. Highly recommended!!!
7 of 8 magicians found this helpful.