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Essence Review

Four DVDs, 9.5 hours, a buttload of stuff, $150 bucks and one Essence Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Essence Review: Effect

I can't even begin to cover all the effects found on here. However, take a look at the ad copy for a sense of it, and I'll just sum it up with this. This set is packed full of card and coin magic. Several coin matrix effects, several coins across/coins to glass effects, several coin/card combo effects, and several card only tricks. Some of the card effects you'll find include a 9 phase spelling routine (it's more entertaining than you'd think), a routine where anything a card touches causes the face of the card to change to the word of the object touched, another similar style card effect to close the show where cards constantly have messages appearing and disappearing on the deck, and so much more.

Essence Review: Method

First, let me say that all of the methods are legitimate, work and can be done. However, my guess is that a small handful of the routines will never be done by anyone else other than Miguel Angel Gea. The method is so involved and so much is going on that most folks won't put in the work. However, that's only true with one or two routines. That effect (those effects) aside, the coin work is mostly relatively simple and uses basic sleights as well as a whole bunch of sleights (still relatively easy) that you're probably not familiar with.

The gaffs needed range anywhere from no gaffs to cop/sil and/or a shell, and that's about it. Most (if not, all) of the matrix routines rely strictly on sleight of hand and the occasional secret coin. Some routines need to be done seated, but not all. Some techniques channel Carl Cloutier's method of choice. The card magic mostly relies on full deck preparations as well as some standard card handling techniques as well as the occasional gaff (one that only takes two seconds to make).

I think it's fair to say that anyone interested in the effects will have the skill and ability to do them with anywhere from a little to a buttload of practice. The methods also rely on personality and misdirection which is something anyone can do, but you need to make sure you use your own version of that, not Miguel Angel Gea's.

Essence Review: Ad Copy Integrity

The written ad copy is quite humble. They make no claims that are untrue. They merely give a brief overview of the content. Check out the video trailer. That's where it's at. You'll see one of the coin routines performed from start to finish. That is a very good example of the kind of magic you'll find on this DVD set. If you like that, you'll love this DVD.

Essence Review: Product Quality

The product quality is incredible. The navigation is excellent. The lighting, audio, camera angles, etc. are all top notch. Let's talk a little about the structure. You have four main types of things you'll see on each video.

1. Performances
2. Explanations
3. Afterthoughts
4. Interviews

Performances

The Performances are filmed in two different venues. One is at an actual show with real audiences. He performs these while speaking Spanish. The other performancess are done in the studio. All of these are done in English.

Explanations

All of the explanations are done in the studio, and they are all done in English.

Afterthoughts

This section follows the explanation of each effect and is a brief history of the effect, the credits, what inspired him to do it, and some depth about the philosophy and psychology used in the effect. This accompanies a brief lesson about applying the concept(s) at hand to your magic. These are all filmed in Spanish with a comical on screen text that says, "Things I Can't Say in English."

Interviews

On each DVD there is one-fourth of a complete interview with Luis De Matos interviewing Miguel Angel Gea. These are all done 100% in Spanish.

Teaching Quality

All of the above four sections can be subtitled in any of five (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, French) languages. I'll be speaking from the perspective of an uni-language American magician. Since the performances where (often) in Spanish, I watched with the subtitles. This makes it a bit difficult to watch the magic because I'm too busy trying to read what he's saying, and I miss a lot of the magic. In quite a few cases, the magic was lost on me because I was too busy reading. Further, if you don't read the text, you'll miss out on important information for the plot of the trick in some cases.

However, during the explanation, this was almost entirely redeemed due to the fact that everything was spoken in English. If you speak any other language (i.e., not English and not Spanish), then it might be tough to keep up because you'll be watching the performances in Spanish with French (for example) subtitles. Then you'll be watching English explanations with French subtitles.

I think, however, if you like the material, you'll find it's worth the effort of watching multiple times to get what you need. They language barrier aside, the material is taught extremely well and in great depth and in very good step by step format. Miguel Angel Gea is an excellent teacher. The Afterthoughts segments were very insightful. These are easier to follow because I'm not worried about watching his hands to see or learn the effect. It was just him talking about concepts/theory/etc. So I just focused on reading the subtitles. They do move a little fast, but it was so worth it. This section is extremely valuable and well worth the effort to read the subtitles. If you speak Spanish, then even better.

Lastly, the interviews with Luis De Matos were a mix of Gea's story, background, etc. as well as more theory and philosophy. Like the Afterthoughts, it's well worth the effort (for the non-Spanish speakers) to read the subtitles. There's a lot of useful information to be found here. Anyone looking to become a better performer will find this section (as well as the Afterthoughts) invaluable.

Essence Review: Final Thoughts

There's a buttload of magic on here (35 effects), many of which I found (and you likely will find) to be very deceptive. Most of the time, the methods use concepts that are simple in nature, but will require effort on your part to master. There are a few (one or two) exceptions where the methods are quite intricate/complex, but again are doable if you put in the time.

This set is extremely valuable and very much worth your consideration if you like this kind of magic. Watch the live performance in the ad copy. If you like that and want to perform that kind of magic and/or you want to learn some techniques you may not be familiar with as well as improve yourself as a creator and performer, then you'll be very happy with your purchase. As for the language "barrier", I can't let that impact the star rating because it will be a complete different experience for every individual. Further, the fact that they took the time to make it available for 5 different languages would score them bonus points rather than dock them points.

Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!

Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Murphy's Magic for details.