The magician takes a coin from the left hand to the right and raises the right hand over his head, gazing at it with incredible intensity. With a magic word the magician opens the right hand and the coin is gone. Where was the left hand all this time? The left hand has been quietly performing the actual magic while the magician’s manner and behaviour directed the audience to look the other way. A magician uses misdirection in every trick he or she performs.
What is Misdirection
The name itself is a great definition - mis or incorrect, direction. If you stopped on the road and asked for directions to a restaurant and were instead given directions to a hotel, you have been misdirected (and are likely pretty upset.) When a magician looks one way or another, raises a hand, points a finger or even says “look here” he is more often than not misdirecting the audience, getting them to look away from where the "magic" is taking place. Many times the magic may not be revealed even if the audience looked right at it happening, but misdirection comes so naturally to a magician that it happens all the time regardless.
Misdirection in magic is getting the audience to look at what the magician wants them to look at, to pay attention to something that seems as if it is relevant to the trick, but often is not. Many times when the magician says the magic is happening it is way after the fact, just a bit of acting and misdirection so that the audience won’t think back over the trick and discern its secrets.
A Classic Example
How many times have you seen a magician take a coin from one hand to the other? Most of those times it only appears as if he has taken the coin, actually retaining it in the original hand - but everything about him suggests that he has taken the coin. The hand that first held the coin falls to the side, held loose and open, forgotten, as the magician’s body turns to the other side, the hand that “took” the coin is raised high, the eyes stare at the hand and the magician says “now I will make the coin vanish” - even though it isn’t there at all. Most people will look where they are directed to look, pay attention to what they are directed to pay attention to - and this is perhaps the greatest weapon in the magician’s arsenal.
Making Misdirection Work
A magician has to SELL misdirection effectively. Not a hard sell, because most people back up and throw up defences when faced with a hard sell. The best sales people get their customers to buy because they convince the customers that they are the ones making the decision - a magician with misdirection works the same way. He may say “look at my hand” but it is done with such a natural, innocent manner that the audience does not realise it is being misdirected. Misdirection must be subtle, even when the directing is obvious.
Toy Re: Miser's Dream Trick
I like how you explain everything about the coin trick and appreciate the
time you took showing it--
Is there a certain way to hold the…
10 January 2018
MrMagician Re: Becoming a Magician
Thabang - Your Question:I would like to become magician I'm impressed n I'm willing to learnOur Respon
3 July 2017
Thabang Re: Becoming a Magician
I would like to become magician I'm impressed n I'm willing to learn
MrMisDirection Re: Four Crooks Trick
Steps 3-4 do not make sence at all. I place deck on table or do I keep them in my left hand? do I show the 4 jacks on the table?
23 October 2012
dan Re: Hygiene - the Magician's Best Friend
I'd hope than everyone, but especially a performer in front of the public, would pay attention to personal hygiene. I…
4 July 2012
PRIYANSHU Re: Becoming a Magician
This is a very cool site.
contains good magics.it would be better to increase the number of magics.
Re: Miser's Dream Trick
I like how you explain everything about the coin trick and appreciate the time you took showing it-- Is there a certain way to hold the…
Re: Becoming a Magician
Thabang - Your Question:I would like to become magician I'm impressed n I'm willing to learnOur Respon
Re: Becoming a Magician
I would like to become magician I'm impressed n I'm willing to learn
Re: Sloppy Shuffle Trick
Good site magic tricks are explained with perfect details
Re: Four Crooks Trick
Steps 3-4 do not make sence at all. I place deck on table or do I keep them in my left hand? do I show the 4 jacks on the table?
Re: Hygiene - the Magician's Best Friend
I'd hope than everyone, but especially a performer in front of the public, would pay attention to personal hygiene. I…
Re: Becoming a Magician
This is a very cool site. contains good magics.it would be better to increase the number of magics.
Re: Misdirecting the Audience
Need more tricks to be added for better interest.