The Magic of Joe Ferranti has entertained numerous audiences for over a decade. He has gained a reputation as one of the best in Close Up/Comedy Magic in the Greater Boston area.
Joe Ferranti presents two styles of Close-Up Magic. Strolling/Walk Around Magic and his very popular Intimate Parlor Show.
We would love to have a conversation with you about your event. Please call 339-927-4710 for a no pressure consultation.
Happy New Year from Boston Mass. Magician Joe Ferranti
Most often we welcome a New Year with immediate expectations of turning the page and moving "onward and upward." Unfortunately, we are unable to shake 2019,2020 of their impact on our lives. I certainly do not need to tell my story of how my business is on hold. Everyone on the planet has their own story to tell. I am fortunate, I've lost some income and dearly miss human interactions of my magic performances throughout Boston Mass. So many have lost everything, there are no words that can convey the sadness we feel for the less fortunate.
In 2021, I look forward to performing at Weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and 2021 Holiday parties. I want to shake hands, hug, (when appropriate) I am ready for my vaccination and will continue to cooperate until it is safe for everyone to move about freely without fear of harming my fellow humans.
I am ready to provide the Very Best in Close Up Magic and Parlor for your events. Let us reacquaint and celebrate whatever portion of 2021 is left for us to celebrate. Best Wishes for a Safe and Healthy 2021! Sincerely, Joe Ferranti Boston Massachusetts Close Up Magician 339-927-4710
Magical Wishes from, Massachusetts Magician Joe Ferranti
One year ago, the season had already begun. businesses big and small gathered together to "celebrate."
Celebrate the season, Christmas, Hanukah...celebrate their friendships, their accomplishments of the previous year.
They shared food and drink, and comradery. Things were going well from my observation point. the CEOs made speeches recognizing individuals for their contributions. Handing out gifts to one and all.
In retrospect, 2019 was a good year. many of us just didn't know the correct perspective to see it as the blessing it was.
I hardly had time to appreciate my fortune...busy performing, scheduling as many bookings as possible, meeting hundreds of new "friends". Feeling the warmth of appreciation for magical performances, the laughter, the screams of delight.
2020 is quiet, no inquiries for the intimate walk around magic I provide. No calls for the magic comedy Parlor Show.
I miss it dearly, I'll be O.K. The rent is always paid, no meals missed. But to be honest, I am a little sad. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be human, that's O.K.
I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season...If you are having serious symptoms of depression, please reach out. I expect we will celebrate next year.
I am part of a service industry that is suffering...I look forward to exchanging stories of survival, soon.
Google
search…masked magician, I’m quite sure you won’t find me in the results. Yet
there I was September 6th 2020, providing entertainment at a wedding
reception at the Inn at Woodstock Hill in Connecticut. Wearing a Mask!
Of course,
you know where this is going, and I don’t mean to “make light” of the global pandemic.
But this is where we are. We still celebrate life’s important occasions; some weddings
have been postponed and others go on with some changes.
The Bride was
making preparations many months ago and I was contacted for availability…availability?
Oh yes, at that time my calendar was empty, and I was happy to get on board.
As a vendor
I always want my clients to be stress free when working with me, especially
weddings. Look up stress and you’ll find a picture of a bride. It is by nature
a beautiful day, with potential stress points laid out like landmines.
I was working
with a lovely young woman, and I didn’t want to add any stress. Knowing the
future was uncertain I let her know, that she should feel free to cancel my
service at any time, no penalty and no explanations necessary. At the time of
hire, no one had any idea of what size gathering would be permissible at an indoor
facility months down the road.
So, we kept
in touch as time passed, and we never needed to change anything.
I arrived
and was supplied with a very nice mask/ face covering, as all the guests were.
My job was
to entertain during the cocktail hour, and as usual I shared a special effect
with the Bride and Groom, which they enjoyed while being surrounded by their
guests.
The Cocktail
period continued in the dining area and the guests enjoyed some hors d'oeuvres
along with their cocktails…of course they were able to remove their masks at
this time.
Honestly, I
never thought I would/could entertain while wearing a face covering…I am so
glad to say I was wrong. Everything proceeded well, the guests enjoyed the
magic, and I had the opportunity to finish with a few more pieces for the Bride
and Groom.
I know many
magicians are testing the waters with “virtual entertainment” …That’s not for
me.
Please don’t
hesitate to contact me for a performance by “The Masked Magician.”
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.
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.
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.
It's been a couple months since my last performance. I miss the live interactions with clients.
Honestly...it seems I may never return to my "work." I may never shake another hand, or experience the mere casual touches which make up respectful human interactions.
I have cancelled accounts which help with contacting potential clients. (Gig this or Gig that...) Their fees cost a substantial amount of money, but there was a return in having listings beyond my web site. No one is contacting me for events that can't take place.
If I ever return I hope you shop locally. That means, take the time to search out magicians and visit our web sites. Of course, price shop, compare experience, check the reviews...see some videos.(The videos tell the real story)
As I write this, I see a Wedding my wife and I were to attend in July. It has been postponed...I guess the Bride and Groom want real guests present, not virtual ones.
If and when you feel safe, give me a call or contact ferrantimagic.com
Hoping we meet soon.
All Best Wishes,
Joe Ferranti
Close Up Strolling Magician
