In the world of theatrical magic, misdirection is a method of deceit in which the performer is able to draw attention of the audience to one thing to distract it from another. Controlling attention of the audience is the main goal of any performances, and the most important requirement of all magic acts. Whether the magic is of the “pocket trick” variety or a large stage productionmisdirection is the main element. The term refers to either the effect (the eye`s attention being drawn to the unimportant object) or the sleight of hand or the patter (the magician`s speech) which creates it.
It`s hard to pinpoint who coined the phrase, however the first reference to misdirection can be found in the writings of a renowned illusionist and author, Nevil Maskelyne. it is a method of distracting the spectator`s senses, to hide from detection certain details for which secrecy is required. At the same time, the magician, writer, artist and performer Tarbell noted, Nearly everything about illusions is based on the art of misdirection.
Some magicians who have researched and refined techniques of misdirection are Max Malini, Derren Brown, Juan Tamariz, Tony Slydini, Tommy Wonder, and Dai Vernon.
Henry Hay describes the chief act of conjuring as manipulation of interest.
Some magicians divert attention of the audience in two primary ways. The first is to make the audience glance away for a brief moment, so they aren`t aware of a act or gesture. Another approach alters the perception of the audience, lulling them into thinking that some other factor has much to do with the success of the trick but it actually does not have any bearing on the effect at all. Dariel Fitzkee says that the true skill of the magician is the ability that he displays in manipulating the minds of the viewers. In addition, sometimes, props such as the magic wand can aid in confusion.
Misdirection uses the limits of the human mind to create a false picture and memory. The mind of a typical person in the audience can only concentrate on one thing at the time. The magician makes use of this technique to alter the viewers` thoughts or perceptions of sensory input, leading them to false conclusion.
Some magicians have debated over the usage of the term, misdirection, creating plenty of debate about what it is and how it operates. Expert magician Jon Finch drew a distinction in misdirection from direction. One is a negative wordas opposed to the other, positive. In the end, he sees both as one thing. If a performer, through some method, has influenced the minds of his viewers to believe that he`s done something which he has not done, he`s wrongly guided them into that beliefwhich is why he has misdirected them.
Tommy Wonder has pointed out that it`s more efficient, from a magician`s perspectivein focusing on the purpose of directing the audience`s attention. He writes that misdirection suggests the wrong direction. It suggests that attention is diverted towards something. When we keep using this term, it eventually becomes so ingrained in our minds that we begin to perceive misdirection as directing attention away from rather than toward something.
Tony Slydini explained that if a magician believes that, the public will believe it and magicians are something that they cannot see. The trick is to believe what the magician does and follow the magician. website