Misdirection in magic is the art of diverting the attention of the audience away from something that the magician does not want you to see. There is a misconception that many people feel that magicians use this to hide things, whereas the reality is that if used well, misdirection aids to enhance the magic effect, not cover things up.
It's a little like editing in a film. If you watched a film in real time and saw everything that happened, it would be quite a boring process. The editor's role is to pick the parts they feel will make the film more effective and enjoyable to watch. Next time you watch a film and you see an ordinary process, such as someone leaving their house and picking up keys to lock their door, look at what is actually shown and what is implied. You don't see every detail; you just see what the editor wants you to see.
Some people, magicians included, feel that there is too much editing on television magic, and that it is harder in real life to do the effects seen on television, because crucial parts or moves are simply edited out. The reality is, in these scenarios the editor is just using the tools of the trade to misdirect, like in a film. The "real life" magician can do the same, using the skills acquired by learning the art of misdirection. They may not have the advantage of a camera to hide certain things, but they do have one on one interaction and control to effectively "edit" out the parts of the routine they don't want the spectator to see.
Being a magician is much more than simply knowing how a trick is done. It's about showmanship and performance, and misdirection is a crucial part of this. With expertly executed misdirection principles applied, the magician can make magic stronger and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Another common misconception about misdirection is that it's about doing something quickly, because "the quickness of the hand deceives the eye". In actual fact, this is incorrect, as particularly in magic, quick moves attract the eye. Misdirection is not about doing something quickly in the hope that people won't see, it's about controlling audience attention at all times. To this end, some people instead refer to the art as "direction of attention", as this defines the characteristics and principles involved more suitably.
One of the greatest magicians in history was a man named Tony Slydini. Slydini sadly passed away in 1991 but was a master of misdirection and his routines which featured it were incredibly powerful. A quick search on YouTube will find numerous videos of him in action, including his renowned "Ball over the head" routine, which unfortunately has been bastardised in modern times and treated as a throwaway trick for comedic purposes. Slydini's version however was a joy and inspiration to watch and shows what can be accomplished by correctly applying the art of misdirection.
Clint Barron invites you to find out more information on misdirection in magic by visiting his website getting your copy of "Understanding Misdirection" at www.misdirectionmagic.co.uk, where you can also download a free magic trick.
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