In the world of theatrical illusion, misdirection is a method of deceit in which the performer draws audience attention to one object to divert attention from something else. The ability to control attention from the audience is the aim of all theatre, and is the primary need of any magic act. If the magic is of an “pocket trick” variety or the stage is a major production, misdirection is the central element. The term is used to describe either the effect (the observer’s focus on an unimportant object) or the sleight-of-hands or the patter (the magician’s speech) which creates the illusion.
It is difficult to say who first coined the term, but the first reference to misdirection can be found in the writing of a renowned magician and author, Nevil Maskelyne: Admittedly, it consists of misleading the spectator’s senses, to block out from being aware of certain information in which confidentiality is essential. The same time, magician and artist Harlan Tarbell noted, Nearly all the art of sleight of hand depends on this art of misdirection.
Many magicians who have studied and refined techniques of misdirection includes Max Malini, Tommy Wonder, Derren Brown, Tamariz, Slydini as well as Dai Vernon.
Henry Hay describes the chief conjuring process as a manipulation of interest.
Magicians can divert attention from the audience in two basic ways. One leads the audience to turn their attention away for a short moment, so they do not notice a trick or movement. Another approach alters the audience’s perception, distracting the audience into believing that an extraneous factor has much to do with the success of the trick but it actually has no bearing on the result in any way. Dariel Fitzkee notes that The most effective magic is in the skill he exhibits in influencing the spectators mind. In addition, sometimes, props such as magic wands aids in misdirection.
Except with the skill in misdirection, even the most adept sleight-ofhand or mechanical gimmick is unlikely to make an impression of genuine magic. In point of fact, misdirection is the keystone of powerful illusions.
Misdirection exploits the limitations of the human mind to create a false picture and memory. The mind of a typical person in the audience can only concentrate on only one thing at a given time. The magician uses this technique to alter the viewers’ thoughts or perceptions of sensory input, leading them to false conclusions.
Magicians have debated over the usage of the term, “misdirection,” causing a great deal of discussion about the meaning of it and how it functions.
Renowned magician Jon Finch made a distinction in misdirection from direction. One is a negative word, while the other is a positive. In the end, he considers the two as the same thing. If a performer any means, has led the mind of the audience to conclude that he’s done something that he’s not done, he’s wrongly led them to believe this and, consequently, misdirection.
Tommy Wonder has pointed out that it is much more effective, from a magician’s viewpoint in focusing on the goal of directing the attention of the audience. He writes that misdirection suggests wrong direction. It suggests that attention is diverted towards something. When we keep using this term the idea eventually becomes it is ingrained into our brains that we might start to perceive misdirection as directing our attention away from rather than toward something.
Slydini explained that if a magician believes that, the audience will believe it and magic is something they don’t perceive. The trick is to believe what the magician does and then follow the magician. references