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.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Boston Mass. Magician Joe Ferranti 339-927-4710
www.ferrantimagic.com
Working for a small group of people, (5-10) is very different than working for 100 or more.
"Non working" magicians believe that close up strolling magic requires only "Three Tricks."
Although this may work most of the time. Someday... yes someday you will arrive at an event where the turn out is not what you expected. your three trick set is over in about 4 minutes, and you have 56 more minutes to provide entertainment.
ADVICE: Do not pay too much attention to people who are not working in the field they claim to understand. Remember, they are not working for a reason.
Always arrive prepared to "go deep." Meaning your repertoire has to go beyond those three tricks. Just as important, all your material must be as good or better as any opening material you might use.
(No filler material allowed.)
Even though, Close Up/Strolling Magicians appear to be "winging it..." The pro is well rehearsed and ready for whatever comes their way.
I've only been at this game for a little over seven years, but early on I realized that there would be a constant evolution in performing and a slow one with material.
When working for the only people that count, the search for the latest and the greatest gets placed on the back burner. If you don't already have at least a handful of "Killer Material", you won't be working very long.
Two [tricks/effects] which have been with me, pretty much from the beginning are "51 Cards to Pocket" (David Williamson) and, "A Familiar Ring. (Paul Gertner) These two pieces are the focus in this blog.
First, there are many variations on 51 cards to pocket. I learned one from Matthew Dowden's DVDs,"Party Animal" This has served me well, and I only adjusted it within the last three months. You see, I ended the routine with a production of the card from my wallet. It always got great reactions, but I already have a few routines in my repertoire where a card is produced from my wallet. Suffice to say, it's not wise to use them all with the same crowd. So, I've owned the Omni Deck for a long time, and I never found the routine that seemed right for me, even though there are many to choose from.You know where this is going, of course. Instead of producing the deck, little by little from my pocket, I remove the Omni deck, with the selection on top. I have the spectator cover the "deck" and the cover card, which is the selection, and to my surprise,when I fished around inside the spectators hands and removed the selection, this got a big reaction, seriously...lots of applause. (I didn't see this coming, as to me, it appeared obvious the selection was on the top of the "deck". Not so! But wait! there's still more...and of course the spectator is unknowingly holding the "Omni Deck." See the reactions in the video
The other piece is Paul Gertner's brilliant routine. What can I say, it plays so well, you've got the emotional hook of a borrowed ring. (usually a man's wedding ring.) There's so much built in humor, and as most of us know, we are not comedians, but magic brings out a lot of laughter.
So what's the problem? Finding a ring to borrow...there is not always one available. I never use a woman's ring with any type of stone or diamond. I've heard the nightmare stories, and I won't be adding a story of my own.
So here's the thing with men and their rings...some men have put on a few pounds since their wedding, and that ring is not going to come off without a saw. Other men will Never! take their ring off...that's O.K. I get it, they see it as a minor betrayal to their wife. So as you can see, sometimes I had to leave the coins to the spectator's hands out of my repertoire, but I wanted to have one available.
One day, I was watching Craig Petty on YouTube, and he was performing a Three coin version for a crowd of people, and not only did the three coins "fly invisibly" to the spectator's hand(s) they proceeded to vanish one at a time with a finale of "The Flurry" (David Roth) with the production of a Jumbo Coin. (Craig produces a second Jumbo Coin, even larger than the first.)
Now, certain parts of this routine could be problematic, but Craig's brilliant structuring solves any problems that could arise...see the results in the video. I've been using this a lot...and every now and then, I perform something special for a couple who are willing to loan me a ring.
I'm not looking for an award, but every now and then, you hear of, or get contacted to participate in a fundraiser. Usually there is money available for entertainment, and that's nice.
Sometimes the $$ just aren't there...and no award required. Especially when the job is just down the street.
I was out for a couple drinks with Lisa, at our local bar...the one where everybody knows your name.
Steve, the bartender has seen me perform a
couple tricks. (something I rarely do when out for pleasure) So, Steve asks me
if I know a Chinese magician who was on P&T FU...incredibly good he tells
me. “Must be Shin Lim”...”Yes!” he tells me how incredible he is, I totally
agree, “That kid operates on a totally
different level…” Of course Steve asks if I know how he does it.
“I haven’t got a clue, like I said he’s
something special.”
Steve tells me about another magician he saw
on AGT who did a trick with coins and rose petals. “Oh yeah, that’s Will Tsai.”
Steve tells me he didn’t particularly care for
the trick...this is the trick that blew away the judges, one of them responded
that this was "real magic"...something like that.
I think most lay people would agree with the
judges, but Steve sensed there was something more to Will’s
presentation...something that assisted him with this “miracle.” I nodded my
head...but didn’t get into it as I make every effort to not say anything
negative about other magicians.
Our discussion got me to thinking about the
judges on AGT. If you watch the show, you know there are many magicians who
perform close up magic. Each and every one perform at the judges table. Not on
the stage. Hmmm, this never crossed their minds, and it obviously didn’t impact
their reaction. I do wonder why they didn’t question the distance issue.
Which is why I listen to lay people…one at a
time.
BTW...I am aware that Eric Jones made his last
performance on the stage, however all the judges were on stage with him, still
qualifies for real close up.
Adults love Magic at their birthday celebrations...every now and then they are concerned the Magic may be "Cheesy." Of course not, here's a recent review of a performance.
"If your looking for the perfect way to take your party to the next level, look no further. Joe was awesome. He was professional, funny and most importantly an amazing magician. Joe started off with special trick for the man of honor. He then worked the room amazing each guest as he went table to table. Joe communicated with me before the event to make sure everything went smoothly, he showed up on time, dressed professionally, and made sure to thank me before leaving. Great tricks, great jokes great guy. Thank you Joe! You made my friends 40th B'day party one to remember! -Jeff S, Nashua, NH
Always happy to perform in Boston...even though parking is crazy and expensive.
I've never performed at an adult birthday party I haven't enjoyed, but some stand out, and for some reason are special. This was most certainly the case last Friday, December 1st. Two years previous I performed at a Wedding cocktail hour for a very special couple, and when it was time for the best friend of the groom to celebrate a special birthday of his own, it was my pleasure to be contacted and to provide some fun Magical entertainment. As all entertainers know, you give a little bit of yourself as you perform, but what the audience doesn't know is they pay it back, many times more than what we give. I remain humble, as I take more than I give. Joe www.ferrantimagic.com 339-927-4710
Sleight of Hand Magician Serving Massachusetts and New Hampshire
What mood you want to create at you Holiday Party, Corporate event, Cocktail hour...?
In fact you can leave that to Professional Close Up Boston Magician Joe Ferranti. He will have your guests laughing...(screaming) , simply having fun! Fun is good.
You manage the other details, your guests will love you for the entertainment.
