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| Boston Magician Joe Ferranti |
The title says it all—Close-Up Magic is obviously performed up close, but
there's more to it than just proximity. The key element is personal connection.
"Personal" means creating a genuine connection between the
magician and the audience. We connect through our eyes, our touch, and our
words. These connections are as important as the magic itself.
I strive to forge the strongest connections to move my audience on an
emotional level. But with this connection comes a responsibility—respect for
our spectators. A touch should never leave room for misunderstanding. We, as
performers, are responsible for ensuring the comfort of our spectators. Any
misinterpreted word or touch is on us.
A glance into someone's eyes might cause a brief moment of discomfort, followed by a quick release of tension as we resolve the moment in the presentation. But any look or touch that could be misinterpreted is off-limits. Don’t be a creep!
I might ask a spectator to touch my finger—think "ET." I may ask one or more spectators to "hold my wrist" or "place your hand on top of mine." If there's any chance of misunderstanding, I always use the phrase, "May I…?" and I listen carefully to the response.
I once witnessed a famous magician ask for a kiss on the cheek after a volunteer assisted him. She declined for personal reasons. It should have ended there, but he, knowing his intentions were innocent, asked again. She declined again.
This magician wasn’t a creep, and no harm was intended, but if he had just listened...
I perform an effect where I stare into the eyes of a volunteer, and they stare back. The situational humor is over the top. I perform this with young and older women, as well as young and older men. The presentation includes the statement, "This might seem a little creepy. Are you on board?" So far, no one has objected. Everyone plays along, leading to laughter from the audience—laughter that never mocks my assistant.
We can sum up our close interactions with our guests by simply using common sense.
Many times, people have asked me, “Can I give you a hug?” My reply is, “Of course.”
As a “senior” male magician, father, and grandfather of two beautiful girls, I live by the rule of respect for all my guests.
Joe FerrantiThe "Hug!"
www.ferrantimagic.com 339-927-4710
