Monday, June 24, 2024

AI? Is it the Solution to a Powerful Website?

 AI is beyond my scope of understanding for my personal use. Perhaps I’m too old to learn the intricacies…? Things are changing faster than I can process. I maintain my website. I wear all the hats. It’s not that I want to, but honestly, I work part-time. Having my website professionally maintained would cost more than I earn. That is something I do understand.

AI Photo Software

I have and continue to use AI Photo Software on all my pictures on my website. Simply put, all my photos come from video footage. Video to still image is far from perfect, but I compromise as I cannot bring a photographer to all my gigs. My wife occasionally shoots videos for me. I edit a video for my client's memories. I use short segments for my promos and take still clips for my photos.

To Deceive or Enhance…?

Here is the "slippery slope." It's no secret, that it is possible to generate videos or photos to serve less than honorable purposes. (Joe Biden tells voters in New Hampshire not to vote??? Not true AI generated.)

Can Instagram detect AI-generated images?

Meta does not require you to label images that have been created or altered with AI. However, these images will still receive a label if our systems detect they were AI-generated or if they were altered using AI. Note: There may be penalties if you do not label content as required.

When you visit my Instagram page, every photo is enhanced. Actually, before AI, I used photo software to alter my pictures. Not for the purposes of deception. But to give a better user experience. Sometimes a simple crop will do the job.

Boston Massachusetts Best Magician...Master Magician...Best Bloody Illusionist?

O.K. The above is not entirely accurate. It's a little "hype" or fictional. I hope you get the point. In the photo below you can see my newest "altered" image. In the original, I was surrounded by two spectators. I cut them out, because...I can. Also, the background was "cluttered." Yes, I removed it and replaced it with one of many options in my AI software.



Joe Ferranti Boston Massachusetts Magician 339-927-4710






Sunday, June 2, 2024

Best in Wedding Magic! Boston Massachusetts-Mass. and New Hampshire. fer...


Boston and Massachusetts Wedding Magician

ferrantimagic.com 339-927-4710

Weddings bring together family and friends. A great magician is your gift to your guests. You will hear from everyone who witnessed the magic styling of one of Massachusetts' Premier Close-Up Magicians.

The Magic of Joe Ferranti

The shared experience of witnessing cutting edge magic is an instant conversation starter. Furthermore, making connections between total strangers into new friends...at least while enjoying the "best in Magic!"

 Joe Ferranti has been entertaining at weddings for over 13 years. His style and expertise at sleight-of-hand magic have absolutely thrilled his clients.

 All performances are 100% guaranteed satisfaction, or you don't pay.

 Please call for details...The more I know about your special day enables me to be prepared.

 You and your guest will be pleased.

 Sincerely,

Joe Ferranti







Magic at The China Pearl Quincy Massachusetts


Wedding Magician Boston, Wedding Magician Massachusetts, Wedding magician New hampshire

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Adult Birthday Magician Massachusetts

Thirteen Years of Birthdays


Looking back over the past 13 years, I've performed for more birthday parties than I can count. In the beginning I performed Kids Birthdays as well. Honestly, it was difficult, not the magic, but entertainment for three-year-olds to teenagers and adults.
Most think it's a snobbish thing..."I don't perform Childrens magic."

Not at all, I was unable to control the perfect execution of entertainment for "All ages."
Disney has this perfected, as I enjoy watching their movies with my granddaughter. That's the "Disney Magic."

There are those who do it well. Perhaps I didn't work on it long enough. However, I didn't start my performing career until retired. At a somewhat advanced age, everything is a little more challenging.
So, my ambitions are restricted to providing "The Best in Magic Entertainment." for restricted groups to those in their teens to adults.

I wisely perform "clean material."  As an unknown performer my audiences don't want to hear my politics or "blue humor." I seek the common bond of Strong Magic and the joy of laughter.

It really is a good time, where everyone leaves feeling fine...just a little bit better than when they arrived.

Call Joe Ferranti at 339-927-4710 for a great time. Guaranteed!

Boston Massachusetts Magician
www.ferrantimagic.com

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Wild And Crazy Reactions? or the more subdued... "Amazing; Amazing.”

Joe Ferranti's quiet response to his performance.

All reactions to magic performances vary for as many reasons as you might imagine. From screams, people running away, even tears…yeah sometimes you tug just right on the heartstrings.

Reactions to Magic

From NFW! or simply two words “amazing…amazing.” As you can hear from the gentleman above. There was no screaming that day at Michael’s Harborside (1 Tournament Wharf, Newburyport, MA 01950) I was performing at a quiet 80th birthday party, with a “reserved” audience. Those aren’t my words; they are the words my client used to describe her family and friends. “Old Yankee” was her exact wording. Not being quite sure I checked it out.

What’s an “Old Yankee?”

“In the 19th century Yankee was most often used to refer to a New Englander (in which case it may suggest Puritanism and thrifty values), but today refers to anyone coming from a northern state, with a specific focus still on New England.” I think the guests were somewhere in the middle. I do know they were nice people, and a joy to work with. It keeps my ego in check when everyone’s not reacting with their jaws on the floor.

Check out my YouTube Channel, and you’ll see the many videos with screaming and other over the top reactions. The feeling is gratifying, but I’ve learned to keep “grounded”. Magic does not need another magician with a fat head. The biggest compliment I hear is about “being humble.” That’s something I work on each day, and to have it noticed is reward in itself.

Am I the Right Magician for Your Event?

 I always try to have a conversation with my clients. The more I know, the better prepared I will be. Not prepared in the sense of “magic preparation” I am always rehearsed. I mean prepared in the many little things that can add up to a big difference at your event.

When You Do Hire The Magic of Joe Ferranti…

No matter what the event, The Magic of Joe Ferranti (Boston Massachusetts Magician) will do our very best to bring your guests an experience that will have the crowd screaming and laughing. Short of that, I hope you’ll settle for, “Amazing… the very least you’ll hear someone saying “amazing”. BTW, look at the eyes…they speak for themselves. One of Boston’s Best Close-Up Magicians.

www.ferrantimagic.com  The Magic of Joe Ferranti

339-927-4710

One of Massachusetts' Best Magicians
  

Monday, January 15, 2024

“Is Mind Reading Real? Keeping the Madness under Control!”

Clairvoyance, telepathy, or the highly profitable channeler, is any of it real? 

Ahh...No!

I've never seen any evidence, and more importantly, the experts agree.

Harry Houdini, whose name is synonymous with "magician" held a strong and skeptical view when it came to spiritualists and mediums.

He was critical of those who claimed to have supernatural abilities, especially spiritualists who purported to communicate with the deceased. Let me clarify, he wanted to expose those who took advantage of grieving people who would enrich their pockets by providing services to communicate with the dead.

Following the death of his mother in 1913, Houdini became interested in the possibility of communicating with the afterlife. Houdini witnesses various mediums in action. He became convinced that they were charlatans preying on the grief-stricken. 

Medium to the "Stars."

This is a practice that is more profitable today than ever before. I remember as a child seeing "mediums" peddle their wares on the daytime talk shows. Now as an older man, the psychics have more advantages with the internet and cable television. You can find this yourself if you must. I won't help them by mentioning any names.

There has never been a time when the loss of a loved one did not prompt the wish for just one more conversation, if only to ask how are you?

Of course, this did not end with Harry Houdini. A new celebrity made headlines in the early 1970's. The man who bent spoons with his "mind." The controversial Uri Geller.

Uri Geller


Geller succeeded in "fooling" some scientists. Fool a scientist, easy. How about a magician?

The Amazing Rand Vs. Uri Geller

"The Amazing Randi," was a renowned magician, and escape artist. He gained greater fame for debunking paranormal and supernatural claims. Randi made headlines for himself by duplicating Geller's feats with simple Sleight of hand and misdirection.

 Randi was challenged by a parapsychologist to put his money where his mouth was. Randi put his own money up and the results left Randi with his own money. The challenges continued and the prize money eventually went as high as one million dollars. Randi was challenged over one thousand times, but no one could ever prove they possessed psychic powers.

And the Winner is?

The Amazing Randi

Randi's victories were quite compelling. Yet, Geller continued to have a following. The emperor may have no clothes, yet many still insist psychic powers are real.

The Amazing Randi and Uri Geller remains a fascinating chapter in the history of skepticism, magic, and the ongoing debate between the paranormal and scientific inquiry.

Take 30 seconds and see the reaction I get when I reveal the name of this young woman's fiance.


Am I psychic? Of course not, but it's a compelling trick.

Joe Ferranti Boston Magician

and Part-Time Mind Reader...?

www.ferrantimagic.com 
339-927-4710




Friday, January 5, 2024


Do You Need a Magician at Your Cocktail Hour?

Thoughts from Boston's Best Wedding Magician.



 Of course, you don't. We have to put limits on everything. Well, presuming you have a budget. 

How many guests will you have, 50? 100? more, maybe less. Often, we can't invite everyone we might like to have at our weddings. These are the tough decisions we have to make. Friends and loved ones are the hardest cuts you might have to make.

I know you will have music, at least a DJ, some even have live bands, and I've heard some great ones.

Whoever thought it might be nice to have a "real Magician" perform at their wedding reception.

I'm pretty certain it wasn't anybody from the U.S. My guess would be England. The Brits see things differently. They're humour is different. (See what I did there...humour ;))

I've worked numerous weddings, all went extremely well. People are always "knocked for six" the first time they see a "magician" for the first time. Not your Uncle George...a real entertainer. But it's big mental leap for the planner to take that step, or maybe a leap.

I'm not a salesman. In the sense that I'm not going to pressure you or pitch you into something you're not quite sure of. (Good salespeople never do that, but it does happen.)

My only pitch is my videos. See the fun and excitement magic creates. That's all. Here's a link to my YouTube Channel.

If you've got the budget, give me a call at 339-927-4710 and I'll do my best to make it work out.

I will guarantee your satisfaction...and I'll guarantee that I'll be the least expensive vendor at your wedding. (You might say the cheapest vendor.) Definitely the "most bang for your buck!"

Sincerely,

Joe Ferranti

Boston Area Magician

www.ferrantimagic.com  339-927-4710



Friday, November 17, 2023

“Can Magic Sleights be Made Invisible? Using Words Wisely.”



 How many of us have strived to perform a "Perfect Pass?" I used to believe there were magicians who could perform an "invisible pass" while their hands were being "burned." (Burn means, the spectators are looking at your hands only, in hopes of catching the secret.)

I certainly don't demean the skill and hours of practice the best passers endure. It's not easy, some of us might never get it. However, if you listen to the experts of our day, you will learn intricacies that will assist you in your pursuit of an invisible pass. They'll discuss the use of words, (maybe asking a question.) attitude, eye contact, perhaps a gesture. A quick anecdote, some magicians will wait to execute the pass, knowing that people will grow tired of watching/burning you. They asked the legendary Magician Max Malini how long he would wait to execute the pass.  His answer was, "I'll wait a week."

An Invisible Top Change

 

Trying to learn a "Top Change" from a book was impossible for me. "I assume others have done it, but not me. However, with the help of the many DVDs on card sleights, I finally understood the mechanics. "However, I didn't use it until I needed it for a routine I was incorporating into my repertoire."

Here's the effect: The magician spreads the deck in front of a spectator, instructing them to think of a card they see. After shuffling the cards, I remove one card and place it in my breast coat pocket. Asking the spectator to name the card that they saw. "I retrieve the card from my pocket, and it precisely matches the one they had in mind." (For our purposes let's say it's the King of Spades.) To carry the "magic" a bit further I dribble the cards and display a card for another spectator. The little secret is this: You bring the card to the top using a side steal. Now the Big secret for the top change.

 

A Combination of Words and a Gesture Guarantee Invisibility

 

"I already know one thing about your card...do you know what I know? As I reach for the King of Spades in my pocket..."I know it's not the King of spades, because Bob... (top change and gesture with the supposed King of Spades towards Bob) ... thought of the King of Spades."

 

The ending is not the purpose, the words and gesture cover the work. "As I mentioned previously, some individuals may be so adept that they don't find it necessary to put in the same level of thinking that I did. "For me without my "reasoning" I'd probably get caught 50% of the time.

 

I Thought I knew a Lot.

 

My ability with a deck of cards is intermediate and has served me well in the style in which I perform. however, I recently discovered Ben Earl's The Family.  Just when I thought I had everything figured out I discovered a resource that has advanced my sleight of hand. It's not cheap, but it's a bargain. "He's forced me to think a little deeper, consequently improving my overall performances." I can't recommend his project highly enough. And you don't have to sign up forever. This is my busy working season, not having much time to study, I was able to put my subscription on pause. I'll rejoin when things slow down.

Happy Holidays from The Magic of Joe Ferranti