In theatrical magic, misdirection is a method of deceit that attracts attention of the audience to a certain item to distract them from something else. Controlling attention of the audience is the aim of all theatre, and is the primary prerequisite for all magic shows. It doesn’t matter if the magic is an “pocket trick” variety or a large stage productionmisdirection is the main key to the success. The term is used to describe either the effect (the the focus of the observer on an object that is not important) or the sleight of hands or the patter (the magician’s voice) that causes the illusion.
It’s difficult to determine who coined the term, but the first mention of misdirection is found in the writings of a renowned magician and author, Nevil Maskelyne. it involves spooking the viewer’s senses to block out from detection certain details in which confidentiality is essential. The same time, the magician, writer, artist and performer Harlan Tarbell noted, Nearly the whole art of illusion relies on this art of misdirection.
A few magicians who have studied and evolved techniques for misdirection includes Paul Rosini, Malini, Tommy Wonder, Derren Brown, Juan Tamariz, Tony Slydini along with Dai Vernon.
Henry Hay describes the central conjuring process as a manipulating interest.
Magicians divert attention of the audience by using two fundamental ways. The first is to make the audience turn their attention away for a short time, so that they do not notice a trick or movement. The other method alters the viewers’ perceptions, leading them to believe that an extraneous factor can be a factor in the performance when it really isn’t a factor in the effect at all. Fitzkee notes that The real talent of the magician is in the skill of his performance in changing the spectators mind. Additionally, sometimes a prop such as a magic wand aids in the misdirection.
Misdirection is the foundation of nearly all successful magic. Without it, even the a mechanical device or the most proficient sleight of hand is unlikely to make an impression of real magic.
Misdirection makes use of the limitations of human brains to create a false picture and memory. The brain of a typical person in the audience can only concentrate on one thing at the time. The magician uses this to manipulate the audience’s ideas or perceptions of sensory inputwhich leads them to incorrect conclusions.
A few magicians have debated the use of the term, misdirection, creating many discussions about the meaning of it and how it operates. Expert illusionist Jon Finch made a distinction between direction and misdirection. The first is a negative phrase, while the other is a positive. Ultimately, he equates the two as one thing. If a performer, through some method, has influenced the mind of his viewers to believe that he has done something which he has not done, he’s wrongly directed them into this beliefwhich is why he has misdirected them.
Tommy Wonder has pointed out that it is much more effective, from the magician’s point of viewto focus on the purpose of directing the attention of the audience. He states that misdirection is wrong direction. It implies that attention is diverted away towards something. Through constant use of this phraseit becomes ingrained in our minds that we might start to think that misdirection is directing the attention away from instead of towards something.
Tony Slydini said that if the magician believe that, the public will believe it, and the magic they can’t observe. The trick is to believe in what the magician is doing and then follows the magician. resource on misdirection
