Joe Ferranti-Close-up magician Massachusetts
My interest
(curiosity) in magic goes back around 40+ years. There was no internet to
access magic secrets. Those serious about the craft would visit magic shops. If
there was one or more in your vicinity, you were fortunate.
Upon entering a magic shop, you would feel you
have arrived at a magical wonderland. You would find shelves stacked with
colorful apparatus and books. So many books, a virtual “magic library” that
covered every form of magic, from close-up to stage magic. Magic with balls, candles,
even cigarettes and cigars. Books with secrets of mentalism and the standard “card
tricks,” everything you might find of interest, were available in a book.
There
was always one person or more there to help you find what interested you and also
to demonstrate individual tricks that were available for sale. It was no small
task to perform the many tricks that were stocked in the store.
In
front of the shelves were glass cases displaying special apparatus for the
close-up performer. Cups and balls, specialty coins, wallets, cards, silks, the
list is endless. If you’re a magician, your eyes will light up. Only one thing
matches the stimulation of a magic shop.
The Magic Catalog
Tannen's Catalog of Magic
One
of my fondest memories was the Magic Catalog, which represented the entire
stock of the magic inventory. If you didn’t have a retail location near you,
the Catalogue was your only way to find what you “think” you needed.
Catalogs
were beneficial in some ways, but also had drawbacks. The writers and
illustrators crafted the description to conjure up dreams in our minds of the
magic we could perform. It was enticing, to say the least, addictive at its
worst. Sadly, the items we received didn’t always match our imaginations of
what we read in the catalog.
Every
magician understands what a “junk drawer” is. It’s the place where we keep our
magic props/tricks that didn’t quite live up to our imaginations. “Hype” is not
a recent phenomenon. It walks a fine line between our expectations and our
realizations.
Sometimes Deceptive Descriptions
Descriptions
of magic effects can sometimes be misleading. It’s common to hear about what a
“trick” doesn’t use. “No magnets, no rough and smooth, no thread”. You’ll
understand the jargon if you are a magician. It seemed the only solution could
be “real magic.” Which, of course, was never the case. When receiving the
secret, disappointment would sometimes set in.
Without
getting into the weeds on this topic, I spent many hours fantasizing as I
perused a magic catalog. A little “Magic Pornography” if you will.
A Hard Lesson to Learn
Let
me not blame the retail establishment entirely. Often, the secrets of magic are
disappointing. A lesson that is hard to learn for the perpetually curious.
Also, magic can be difficult, requiring many hours of study and practice. Beginning
magicians want easy tricks, which will provide immediate gratification. The
real reward comes after many hours of serious study. Some tricks are easier
than others, but no shortcuts for dedicated practitioners. Just as musicians
spend countless hours practicing in order to play “music.” To perform “magic,”
the Magician must make the same commitment.
Today's Magic Retail business
Today,
the magic retail business is for the most part conducted online. Brick and
mortar shops have disappeared. Demos and performances are available via video.
With
the advent of social media, expectations of open communication held promise for
honest discussions and understanding alternative views. If you’ve spent more
than a minute on Facebook, you know how that turned out. As in social media,
the results are the same in the magic industry.
To end on a positive
note… Creativity is endless in magic. Sleight-of-hand techniques continue to
advance. New effects and handlings of the classics never cease to amaze me.
Magic is more popular than ever, and when audiences approve of the end result.
Listen to the applause!
Joe Ferranti
www.ferrantimagic.com 339-927-4710
