In theatrical illusion, misdirection is a method of deceit where the performer attracts attention of the audience to a certain thing to distract it from another. Controlling attention of the audience is the main goal of any theater, and the foremost requirement of all magic acts. Whether the magic is of a “pocket trick” variety or an extensive stage productionmisdirection is the main key to the success. The term is used to describe either the effect (the observer’s focus on the unimportant object) or the sleight-of-hand or the patter (the magician’s speech) which creates it.
It’s hard to pinpoint who was the first person to coin the term, but an early reference to misdirection can be found in the writing of a renowned author and illusionist named Nevil Maskelyne. it involves spooking the spectator’s senses, in order to screen from noticing certain aspects in which confidentiality is essential. The same time, magician, writer, artist and performer Tarbell noted, Nearly all the art of illusions is based on the art of misdirection.
Many magicians who have studied and evolved techniques of misdirection include Nate Leipzig, Malini, Tommy Wonder, Derren Brown, Juan Tamariz, Tony Slydini, as well as Dai Vernon.
Henry Hay describes the central conjuring process as a manipulation of interest.
Many magicians misdirect audience attention by using two fundamental ways. One causes the audience to look away for a fleeting time, so that they don’t detect some act or gesture. The other approach re-frames the viewers’ perceptions, leading them to believe that some other factor is a significant factor in the success of the trick even though it isn’t a factor in the effect at all. Dariel Fitzkee explains that the true skill of the magician is the ability that he displays in manipulating the spectators mind. Sometimes, a prop such as a magic wand aids in confusion.
Misdirection is the foundation of almost all successful illusions. Without it, even the a mechanical gimmick or the most proficient sleight-of-hand is unlikely to make an impression of real magic.
Misdirection uses the limits of human brains to create a false picture and memory. The brain of an average spectator can only focus on one thing at the time. The magician utilizes this to manipulate the perceptions or ideas of the audience of sensory input, leading them to false conclusions.
Some magicians have debated over the usage of the term, misdirection, creating a great deal of discussion regarding what it is and how it functions. The exceptional magician Jon Finch identified a difference between direction and misdirection. The first is a negative phrase, while the other is a positive. Ultimately, he equates both as one thing. If a performer, by some method, has influenced the mind of the audience to the conclusion that he has done something he hasn’t done, he’s wrongly led them to believe this; hence, misdirection.
Tommy Wonder has pointed out that it’s more effective, from the magician’s point of view, to concentrate on the positive aim of directing attention to the audience. He states that misdirection is an untrue direction. It implies that attention is directed away towards something. When we keep using this termthe idea eventually becomes ingrained in our minds that we might start to think that misdirection is directing our attention away from rather than towards something.
Tony Slydini explained that if the magician believes that, the audience will believe it, and magic is something they don’t perceive. Misdirection is true when they believe in what the magician is doing and then follow the magician. more info on misdirection