In theatrical illusion, misdirection is a form of deception that draws audience attention to one object to divert attention from another. Controlling attention of the audience is the goal of every performances, and the most important requirement of all magic acts. It doesn`t matter if the magic is an “pocket trick” variety or the stage is a major productionthat relies on misdirection, it is the primary key to the success. The term is used to describe either the effect (the observer`s focus on an object that is not important) or the sleight-of-hands or patter (the magician`s speech) that creates it.
It`s difficult to determine who coined the term, but an early reference to misdirection can be found in the writing of an influential writer and illusionist named Nevil Maskelyne. it consists of misleading the viewer`s senses to block out from detection certain details that require secrecy. Around the same time, magician, artist and author Tarbell noted, Nearly everything about illusions is based on this art of misdirection.
Many magicians who have studied and developed techniques for misdirection includes Malini, Derren Brown, Tamariz, Slydini, Tommy Wonder as well as Dai Vernon.
Henry Hay describes the central conjuring process as a manipulating interest.
Magicians divert attention of the audience in two basic ways. One causes the audience to turn their attention away for a short time, so that they don`t detect some sleight or move. Another approach alters the perception of the audience, lulling them to believe that something else is a significant factor in the success of the trick even though it does not have any bearing on the outcome in any way. Dariel Fitzkee explains that the real talent of the magician is in the talent of his performance in changing the minds of the viewers. Additionally, sometimes a prop like the magic wand can aid in the misdirection.
Without skill in
Misdirection makes use of the limitations of human brains to present a false image and memory. The brain of an average spectator can only focus on only one thing at a given time. The magician uses this to manipulate the perceptions or ideas of the audience of sensory input, leading them to false conclusions.
Many magicians have debated over the usage of the term, misdirection, creating a great deal of discussion about what it is and how it operates. Master illusionist Jon Finch made a distinction between direction and misdirection. One is a negative word, while the other is a positive. Ultimately, he equates both as one thing. If a performer, through any means, has led the minds of his audience to conclude that he`s done something that he`s not done, he has wrongly led them to believe thisand, consequently, misdirection.
Tommy Wonder has pointed out that it`s more efficient, from a magician`s viewpointto focus on the goal of directing the attention of the audience. He writes that misdirection suggests the wrong direction. It suggests that attention is diverted towards something. When we keep using this termthe idea eventually becomes ingrained in our minds that we may begin to see misdirection as taking our attention away from rather than toward something.
Tony Slydini said that if the magician believe that, the public will believe it, and the magic they can`t perceive. Misdirection is true when they believe in what the magician is doing and then follows the magician. website