Curious about the Secrets of Magic? What you need to know.

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

 

In Print Since 1902...The Card Man's Bible?

Artifice Ruse and Subterfuge 

 

My interest in magic, especially card magic, goes back over 50 years. As a child, the only learning sources available to me were in the public library. The books were few, and the secrets I desired were not to be found, at least not in my library. 

It was a world without the internet.TV had 3 channels and the phones... well, our first was a "party line." You can look that up, but the party had nothing to do with having a good time.

As my interest in magic grew, I knew I had to find more sources than my local library. Using the Yellow Pages, I found some Magic Shops in Boston. Who knew?… for a price, the magician’s closely guarded secrets were available to anyone. Individual tricks were available and books on Card Magic, which was my primary interest.

My first serious "teacher" through books was Dai Vernon. He was truly the most influential close-up magician of the 20th century. He lived and breathed magic. Young magicians flocked to the Magic Castle to learn from the master.

Vernon often referenced The Expert at the Card Table as essential reading.Every magician I know has a copy. If you are interested, you can find it as a free source as it is in the public domain. I found it difficult and sometimes impossible to learn through the written words and illustrations. We can learn only by clear descriptive text and enough illustrations to make everything crystal clear. I tried following along with the text and illustrations, step by step... repeatedly, often hitting a dead end. I heard no magicians share my frustrations. Was this a case of the "Emperor's New Clothes"? Was it just me?

I am not saying that The Expert at the Card Table is of no value. Vernon was a living credit to the book.

The Expert at The Card Table has the highest accolades from the top men in the magic world. Although I was unsuccessful in translating the descriptions and illustrations into my personal arsenal of sleights and "tricks" was not to say that it can't be done. 

Allan Ackerman took on a project of presenting the entire book on a DVD series. Allan performs it all, expertly. Even the infamous "One Hand Shift."

Allan is certainly one of the foremost experts of sleight-of-hand card magic spanning the 20th and 21st century. His contributions to the magic community are many, including books, DVDs, and lecture notes. 

I freely admit I am not the most intelligent amongst men. My personal limitations certainly played a part in my inability to learn from this book. Also consider what attracts our interests in magic books? For most, we are interested in the "tricks, " and there are tricks in this book. They present the book in two sections. The first focuses on gambling. Use it as you choose, as a protection from being cheated at the poker table or as a source of information to steal other people's money at the poker table.

The second section focuses on magic tricks with cards, which I hope is of more interest to most of us.

As most magicians know, many superb effects exist in print, waiting for discovery by an observant and creative individual.I think of Dai Vernon's famous effect, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind." The inspiration for Vernon's classic came from The Expert at the Card Table, under the title, "A Mind Reading Trick". 

One of the often mentioned critiques of the book is the dated writing/text... but one young magician turned that around and used it to advantage in a entertaining presentation. See Ricky Jay's performance using to advantage the outdated language almost directly from the book. See The Exclusive Coterie.

I urge you to explore this work yourself. It costs you nothing... the best minds in magic will tell you to study carefully and read between the lines.

Your mileage may vary.

Boston Close Up Magician                                                                                                            Joe Ferranti                                                                                                www.ferrantimagic.com                                                                                                                   339-927-4710

The Magic Entertainment of Massachusett's Magician Joe Ferranti

 Magician’s Perspective…” Reading the Room”

    ferrantimagic.com  339-927-4710

I was recently hired for my Strolling Magic for a 30th anniversary celebration. I always discuss these events with my clients in advance. The more I know the better I can be prepared to deliver entertainment to fulfill their vision of that special day.

The expected attendance was near 75 people, upon arrival there was clearly less. The hosts knew I had a couple of “special effects” (tricks) for them.

However, the original plan was for me to begin my strolling magic with their guests and perform for them at a later time.

Anniversary Magician Boston Massachusetts

My job is to do what I am asked to do, but in this situation, I gently advised a different approach. I suggested we open with the anniversary couple and arrange for their guests to watch as I performed the two tricks, I had prepared for them. They agreed, and not to add a complication for them, I arranged the guests in a semi-circle to watch the performance.

Why were the clients immediately flexible?

I only work with people who believe in me as a professional and have confidence in my abilities. Having nearly 50 videos on YouTube of me performing helps build that trust. 

Occasionally, (rarely) in discussions with potential clients, I see they are not totally “sold” on me. I don’t know why, and it matters little. If a client is not 100% on board, I can do one of two things. I can assume the role of a salesperson and try to close the deal, or I can politely suggest they continue their search for someone they are more comfortable with. This works for me. I want my clients thinking, “This is going to be great!” as opposed to, “I hope this is good for my event.” Without going into psychology, I believe we get what we expect.

All ended perfectly, as if this was the original intention for the celebration. I had the attention of the entire group with the anniversary couple center stage and entertained with a mini show. Ending with applause for the couple and a standing ovation for me. Well, they were already standing.

Joe Ferranti

Close up Strolling and Parlor Magician
Boston and Massachusetts.