Street Magic, a brief history…The Buskers and David Blaine

Boston Massachusetts Close Up Magician  https://ferrantimagic.com

Street magic has a long history, but most people understand it from a TV Special...

David Blaine:Street Magic 1997

Many viewers thought David was the first Street Magician. We’ll get to the buskers in a moment.

David took to the streets and performed close up magic for every type of person he encountered. From the homeless, to the everyday man. Notably the “Show” highlighted the reactions of the spectators as much as the magic itself. This was a novel approach for a television magic special.

 

David Blaine’s “Street Magic” inspired a new generation of magicians. Many took to the streets and performed for anyone who would stop to see their tricks. I benefit from the popularity created for a “new form” of magic…” Close Up Magic.” (close - up magic has been around since the beginning of time.)

For the first time on television a magician showed the impact of close - up magic in the “real world.” Of course, magic has been on television since variety shows hit the airwaves, but no one had shown it from this perspective.

However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that street magic has a long history.

Long before David hit the streets, buskers were performing magic in a different capacity. (Buskers include all types of street entertainment, provided for gratuities.)

 

As I mentioned, busking was income (gratuities) for the “Street Performer.” So, this affected the style as well. The professional busker is talented in more than one way. Of course, they are great entertainers, beyond that they are responsible for building their crowds and convincing them to drop a little money in a “hat”. These skills are just as important as the technical skills.

Note on Crowd Building: It is likely all readers have witnessed a street performance, by the time most of us arrive there is a good size crowd. This does not happen on its own. The performer captures the interest of a few and sustains it as he/she adds to the crowd without losing the first to arrive. If you have an interest in this craft, there are books written on the subject…an internet search will turn up quite a few.

 

The style of magic as a busker is also different from what David brought to the streets, back in “97.”

The busker needs to entertain a large crowd, so the magic is designed to entertain a sizable audience. It’s a simple equation, more people equals more money.

 

Street Magic created a wave/tsunami of enthusiasm for magic. A heightened interest is good…very good for the working magician.

Magic, the most unique form of entertainment.

Joe Ferranti

Boston Street Magician...almost. 😉

Close Up Magic in Boston MA. | MASS.

Finding the Right Magician...part two

https://www.ferrantimagic.com

 

I left you with solid information to enable you to search the internet and make an informed choice to assist you in choosing a magician. Continuing…

The Agent/Agency

agent.: a person who does business for another person: a person who acts on behalf of another.

There was a time when individuals worked hard on behalf of entertainers, securing them steady work. Of course, the agent received a fee/percentage for his work. (Well-deserved too.) How nice would it be to just do what I enjoy most…. entertaining with magic, and not spending time with the business end. From where I sit, those days are long in the rear-view mirror.

 there’s a new agent in town.

I must admit, it was a brilliant idea, and well marketed.

In the field of Magic entertainment, do a search and you’ll find the agents. “Gig this, Gig that...Party Time, Woof, Thumbs Up, Bish Bosh, World Entertainment.” I’ve changed the names to avoid conflict.

What do you get?

 As a consumer you receive a list of magicians that you may contact. You get their promo info etc. Sounds good? For the most part, but the listing of magicians is not all inclusive. The only contacts you will see are from “paid members”, that’s us the magicians.

Competition? Touted as benefitting the consumer. Not necessarily, you’re not buying canned soup. All magic entertainment is not equal. Recently a potential client asked if I could meet the same fee as another magician had quoted. As much as I want to accommodate my clients, I had to politely decline with best wishes and hoped their event was a success. Moments later I was contacted again, and they were happy to pay my fee.

What does the Magician get?

We receive details about your event, and are able to contact you with a quote for our services. This is nice...contact info with a motivated client, but there is a price.

The part that you don’t see is the fee we pay to be included on the list of available magicians for your event. Or the additional fee if we choose a “Top List profile.”

Or the fee we pay if we are hired by you. Yeah, there are a lot of fees. Do we pass on the costs? (A topic for another day.)

 

There you have it...how to find the right magician for your event. Go back and look at part one again.

 

All Best Wishes,

Joe Ferranti

Boston Magician

 

 

 

Finding The Right Magician For your Event

https://www.ferrantimagic.com

Back in the 20th Century people found their “Magicians / Magic entertainment” through the Yellow Pages. (some of you may need to visit a museum to see a physical Yellow Page Book)

Advertising was quite expensive through the Yellow Pages. Some businesses could only afford a line or two. Ad spaces were sold in little blocks. A quarter page Ad was reserved for the “Big Boys.”

This is all ancient history now; the internet turned the world of advertising on its head.

A website is essential for conducting business in the world of Corporate and private entertainment.

Your first impression is what you see on The Home Page. “Should I stay or should I go.” If you don’t create an interest or have the potential to solve a problem…” poof” they’re gone, no sale!

If a client is searching for a Children’s’ Birthday Magician, I don’t expect you will find a link to my site. I don’t want to waste your time, however if you are looking for an Adult birthday party magician, I expect you might find what you see below.

Adult Birthday Party Magician Boston MA | Mass | Massachusetts
www.ferrantimagic.com › Testimonials

Boston's best adult birthday magician. Although the magic is for adults, the entertainment is "clean." Including Joe's special effect for the birthday recipient.

So, now you have arrived at my website. It should be easy to navigate. (I know you don’t have all day.)My goal is for you to easily learn what services I provide, read some testimonials and above all see some video footage of “The Magic of Joe Ferranti in action.” (videos are usually 60 seconds) If you like what you see, we begin the conversation. 

Of course, I’m not the only magician who provides the services you are searching for. Check out anyone who interests you. Compare everything, but I strongly urge you to compare video performances. Everybody should have some video footage. It’s the 21st century, you can record video on your phone! No excuses.

At this point you should be able to narrow down your choices to two or three magicians. Now it gets real. If money is no object, forget all my advice and hire David Blaine. Back to reality. In order for me or any other magician ascertain a reasonable fee, we need some information.

1. The date and time of your event.

2. The theme of your event…Adult Birthday, Wedding, Corporate Cocktail Hour…

3 Length of service: One Hour or more. 

4. Number of guests, very important in determining the length of service.

5. the City, town or address of the event.

Once I have all this information, I can calculate a price for your event.

To be Continued…Booking through an “agency”

Best Wishes,

Joe Ferranti 

Boston Close Up Magician