Magicians are Tacky and Cheesy...?

A Tacky/Cheesy Magician for Hire

                                                    www.ferrantimagic.com   The Best in Magic  Boston, Ma.

 

                                              
                                                            Wedding Magician Boston, Ma.   339-927-4710

 

I have been providing cocktail Hour Magic for Weddings in Boston, Mass. and New Hampshire for quite a few years…Having successfully entertained hundreds of people, I just recently came upon an article which gave me a reality check. It seems just when you think things are running smooth, you realize no amount of marketing will get you over a mind that is already “made.”

 Here is a quote from the article…

“We were thinking of hiring a magician for our cocktail hour to keep guests interested and to fill in time. Is this lame?” 

What I’ve learned about humans offering advice is that you will hear mostly, if not exclusively from individuals who have zero experience in the subject at hand.   

Conclusion: Lame!

                                                                                     Here’s another open minded answer…

“I think any form of entertainment other than music is unnecessary.  Adults should be able to interact and carry on conversations with people and entertain themselves.”

There is no question that a good time will be had at a wedding without additional entertainment…face it, it’s not a funeral. But…maybe…just maybe, various entertainment might make an event memorable, unique, or dare I say “more fun.”

Whether you hire a magician or a string quartet, it will not make your event worse. If your budget allows, you can ramp up the Cocktail hour.

Conclusion: O.K. people…entertain yourselves.

 

Here is an answer from someone who has witnessed a real pro in action. (Sarcasm)

“I find magician's tacky and I would find him annoying and out of place at a wedding.  More something for a birthday party.”   

Conclusion: Annoy at a Wedding, less annoying at a Birthday Party.

 And finally, it’s really about semantics.

“Definitely not tacky, but maybe on the cheesy side.” 

Conclusion: O.K. Cheesy

 

Do you need a Magician at your Wedding? Definitely not…here’s a link to other thoughts of mine.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/boston-mass-wedding-magician-joseph-ferranti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is Harder to fool...Magicians Nonsense.

😉

Fooling Kids…Fooling Adults… Who cares?

 

Boston Massachusetts Magician   www.ferrantimagic.com   339-927-4710

Birthday Magician Joe Ferranti

OMG…I’ve actually been pulled into this conversation. What a waste of my time, Yet…Magicians continue to discuss/debate/argue, whether it is easier to fool adults or children. (BTW, the overwhelming consensus is that children are harder to fool.)

Why is this important? It is not! What is important is the understanding of the basics of critical thinking in children and adults.

Now let’s get this out of the way…Being fooled is not about being made to seem foolish. Every Magician should know this, those who don’t…not my problem or my intent here.

Alright, so…. we are not going to make anyone feel foolish. Can we agree temporarily that to “fool” will mean to give an audience a positive experience in which they will experience degrees of belief, disbelief, shock and awe? Good! So for the moment we will agree that “being fooled” is about being entertained by tricks and illusions which should be presented in an entertaining fashion.

Children Fooler # 1

If I were to tell a five year old that there is a creature that eats children living under their bed…well, suffice it to say, this poor kid won’t be sleeping well for at least the near future. (BTW, this is the bad “fool.”) The reason is simple, children have little choice but to believe what an authoritative adult tells them. Personally I’d prefer telling them there is a Santa Claus, but that’s just me.

Adult Fooler # 1

On the other hand, If a so called “medium to the Stars” tells people he/she can talk to their dead relatives…sadly, an amazing amount of adults will buy in. (Bad Fool) Sometimes the belief can be quite costly to one’s pocketbook. Why does this work? This may be an over simplification, but…who wouldn’t feel some comfort knowing their Mom is doing great, and further than that, she is eager to help you overcome a current obstacle in your life. (Feels good, huh?”)

This fooling stuff is easy…especially when used in a negative way.

More on Fooling Kids!

Let’s return to some entertainment. It’s hard to count the number of times I have “sawed a sponge ball into two” for five and six year olds. If you’ve done it, you know they will take a single sponge ball and attempt to saw it into two, for what seems to be an eternity. This is an easy “good fool”. Not so hard, right?

How about the “See, don’t see” premise. Those less than critical thinkers will scream and scream louder each time you turn around and don’t see the spider on your back. Meanwhile, the adults are amused and happy seeing the fun their kids are having. (Remember, the Adults are not “fooled” here.)

 BTW, this may border on making one look “foolish” but it won’t occur to any of them for at least ten years, and you’ll be long gone by then.

Additional note: I heard one “magician’s” explanation why kids are harder to fool…He explains that they have good eye sight and also view card tricks from a lower level, therefore they can easily spot a Double lift.   “O.K., I’ll give you a pass on this for one time, if it happens again, shame on you! Make an adjustment.”

More on Adult Foolers

Back to the adults, I love the “think of a card” effect. The adult thinks of any card they see in a widely spread (fanned) deck of cards…the Magician removes one card and places it in his pocket. That’s right, the card in the pocket is the very one the spectator is only thinking of. (“Good fool”) Yup, good fool, because no one has ever asked how I did that, or even ventured a guess as to how it is accomplished.

In fact, the only group who might “know” how this is done is an alien from who knows where, known as the teen ager. OMG, these are the hardest people to “fool”. Just kidding!

For the best sources to learn to fool with integrity, I suggest Reading Darwin Ortiz’s works,

Strong Magic and Designing Miracles

 

For Magicians Only...

Boston’s Best Magician   www.ferrantimagic.com       339-927-4710

Some thoughts on the card to wallet:

For several years I have performed, Jim Swain’s Air Mail Card for all my adult Birthdays. Since I needed a no table method, I was fortunate to find a handling by Shaun Robison. (Done Crediting)

I am sharing the different reactions I got, compared to my present reaction. Now, I have always got good reactions, that’s not what I am addressing…just the difference.
I used to prepare the effect by writing Happy Birthday, with their name on the back of the card. In case you don’t know the routine, the selection is made, and the spectator signs their name on the face of their card. The effect proceeds into a “triumph” routine with their signed selection being the only face up card in a face down deck. I then explain that I have brought them a card for their Birthday, and as you would expect in the zipped compartment of the wallet is a card with Happy Birthday [name] on the back. At this moment the card is handed to the spectator…and more often than not, they anticipate that this will be their signed selection. This is a shocking moment, but still it is anticipated. You may even get the reaction of “No #^*N Way!” This is fine, I never had any complaints.

As years go on, I started printing Happy Birthday Balloons on a blank backed card. Resulting in a “more unique Memento.” I also feel this is slightly more “professional” (IMHO)

The next progression was to have the signed card in a sealed envelope. Years earlier I remember Jean Jacques Sanvert, on his L&L DVD set…saying that the sealed envelope was a stronger effect. So I decided to give it a shot. Of course, Mr. Sanvert knows of what he speaks…reactions up a couple of notches.

This brings me to the last year of performing the effect. Since I was taking the small amount of time to prep the envelope, I decided to add staples on all four side of the envelope. Why not, it requires no extra effort, maybe 45 seconds of my time.
I had no particular expectation…the reactions were already over the top, but I got a surprise. Now I’m not saying the reaction is “better”, what I am saying is this has changed “the moment” in a big way. As usual, I tell the spectator I have a birthday card for them. They undo the Zip…I remove the sealed and stapled envelope, tear it open and hand them their Birthday card. This gets a moment of silence…I believe they are thinking, “this is nice…some Happy B’day Balloons”. So far, no one has turned the card over in expectation of seeing their signature. I have to give a little prompt, and when they do…”Boom!” Personally, I enjoy this a little more. Either way I am sure the client is happy. See for yourself, here is a clip showing the reaction.

Thanks for reading.

Boston Massachusetts Magician for hire    ferrantimagic.com

Boston Birthday Magician MP4 50 sec

www.ferrantimagic.com



I've edited this Birthday promo video down to 50 seconds...I realize that most viewers will not watch the entire video.
I know that a large percent of viewers will watch ten seconds, or less...that's just the way it is.

Here is my message. See what you will get when you hire one of Boston's Best Birthday Magicians.
All you have to do is invest 50 seconds, if this doesn't give you all the info you need, I have plenty more videos
and testimonials. I just thought I'd save you some time.
Your Welcome...www.ferrantimagic.com 339-927-4710

Card Tricks, Magic Tricks…?

Card Tricks and More Boston/Massachusetts   www.ferrantimagic.com

“Do you just do card tricks?”

Oh, boy, it’s not going to be fun answering this. It’s a tough question, but reasonable and you had better develop a tough skin…this is no time to show attitude.

I get this question from time to time over the phone. I don’t audition for my everyday jobs; it’s just not financially possible.

What not to say: “I do not perform card tricks” [indignant tone] “I perform Miracles with cards!” [Further indignation]

Maybe this?  “Yes, I do perform quite a few card tricks; I think you will find them quite different than what you might have experienced. In fact, please take a few minutes and see my YouTube videos, they will give you a good idea of the reactions your guests will have.

[They should see your past clients having a great time…if not, you don’t need to answer the above question.]

“Also, I do perform magic with coins, dollar bills and many other everyday articles…people seem to put it into the card trick category. I understand, but there is a lot more.”

I’ve been known to say “Most lay people have never seen a professional Magician.” I mean in person, up close…know what I mean?

I’m really talking about our attitude…we don’t need to be insulted by innocent questions. i.e. “OH you perform magic…the children must love it.”

If you are insulted by this, remember, as in life, you should not feel you are better than anyone else. Drop the, “I don’t perform for children.” [Indignant tone again]

For goodness sake, people choose their fields…”I’m a brain surgeon, not a general practitioner!” [Indignant tone from a brain surgeon when asked a question about a hang nail.]

At times I think I should write a book, not a blog…so much to say. This blog could easily be about respect, never mind card tricks. And remember, respect is a two way street.

“Oh, and by the way…I don’t do kids shows.” [No tone, just sayin’”] J

 

      Joe Ferranti: Strolling/Walk Around Magician serving Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Ray's Birthday Card...Massachusetts Close Up Magician Joe Ferranti

Adult Birthday Party Magic.
Joe Ferranti performs Birthday Party Magic in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

When searching for a Magician to entertain at an adult function, please do not search for “Birthday Magician”…oh go ahead…are you back? See what I mean? When it comes to the best in adult entertainment, the results come down to a handful of qualified candidates. Find several qualified candidates and then price shop from the Best. (If you must.)
One way to make that determination is a perusal of testimonials from past clients, and I just happened to put some together.{See below} and watch video {above}

Adult B’day
Thank you so much for such a wonderful and unforgettable birthday night! You were more than I could have wished for…I will be sure to recommend and send along your information to anyone looking to elevate their parties as you were absolutely fantastic.
Thanks Again,
Krista N. Boston, Ma.

60th Birthday Party
Thank you Joe for your spectacular performance for my husband’s 60th surprise birthday party. You gave our friends and family such an awesome evening, that they are still talking about it weeks later! It would have just been a “nice dinner” without you, but you took it up to the highest level of fun, with your showmanship and professionalism (not to mention, great sense of humor). You made all of the age groups at the party enjoy our very special evening, by giving each and every guest special attention. Again, thanks so much for the life-long wonderful memory. With respect and gratitude. Valerie K. from West Roxbury
PS: My guests are still asking (me as well), “Now how did Joe do that?”

Private B’day Party
“Joe is by far one of the best magicians in this area. He performed for a party for my father and had myself and all the guests laughing and entertained all night. His close up tricks blew everyone away. It was a great time! Thank you Joe!”

Samantha B.

60th Birthday – Dec. 14
We hired Joe for my husband’s 60th birthday party and we are so glad we did! First of all, he was very good at communicating with me before the party and making sure that we were all set. It was so nice not to worry. When he arrived, he was so easy to work with. He entertained everyone (adults and kids) and left several people scratching their heads wondering how he did his magic. His humor and banter were very entertaining—even converting some non-believers!!! Our guests loved him. We would hire him back in a minute! Thanks Joe! —
Linda

25th Birthday
I just booked Joe for my girlfriend’s surprise 25th birthday party. We love magic and Joe EXCEEDED our expectations. He worked a room of 50 guests for 2 hours

Magicians in the Boston Area

Typical reactions from Boston Massachusetts Magician Joe Ferranti

Having lived near Boston, my entire life, I have always been aware of the present “Magic Scene.” Some of the greats have performed here. Just recently I saw Ivan Amodei…yeah; I didn’t know the name either. Lisa bought tickets to his show at The Park Plaza in Boston. Of course, I Google checked and found out I just recently watched him on Penn and Teller Fool us…and yes, he fooled them, and me as well.

If you have any interest in Magic, I don’t have to tell you David Copperfield has been through Boston several times. Also, unless you are on the older side, I’m sure you don’t remember when Doug Henning had to cancel his appearance due to an impending hurricane. (He traveled like a “Circus” Vans of equipment.)

And finally, most dear to my heart are the many professional magicians who perform throughout Boston and Massachusetts. I don’t want to list them all… (Just remember me…shameless plug but I didn’t mention my name.) Google anything with Boston and Magician and you’ll find the best of the best. So many great Magicians work here, you just don’t know them by name. That’s the nature of this business and is just the way I like it. We make our reputation one performance at a time.

Leaving you for now…from the performances in Boston of Harry Houdini, all the way to the talented Magicians you can discover with a google search…find the one that is right for you.

            Close Up/Strolling Magician Joe Ferranti Massachusetts,New Hampshire                            

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