I wonder why more pretty girls don't get into magic because they have the perfect misdirection for doing magic (with men anyway) just wear a sexy little number that shows a lot of clevage and you can be sure that no man will be watching what you're doing with your hands but they would be more focused on what they wish they were grabbing with theirs

This type of distraction might work for some of your audience, tho the majority will probably need a little something more. also, if these boys bring dates, you risk losing half the crowd. skin is a good distraction but must be played gently so as not to offend.
bob

You've got a point there chill

Perfect for Bachleor party,,,,,,,,

Indeed!

Missdirection; I love it! If I was a woman, I would call myself Miss Direction.

LOL tod you are too late, one is already out there. http://www.myspace.com/kristachilton

Mike

I was thinking of using it as a name but I found someone else had it... too bad

I think "Ms. Direction" might still be available. The only act I found using it was a rock band (whose music was not my cup o' tea).

Again with the sniggering remarks and inuendo? Isn't enough enough?

I don't think Vinnie was being obnoxious at all as he's very respectful of women. His remark, if I may infer was said tongue in cheek regarding the following: Showing off cleavage and wearing sexy numbers - sorry but talent in magic is what is considered the priority. Those kinds of statements regarding the attire women should wear in magic may be why there aren't more young ladies going into magic. They are trying to break the stereotype and why can't a talented female knock someone's socks off by performing in a business suit and let the magic speak for itself.

Chrystal

Chrystal, there is no reason a talented female magician can't knock us off our feet without using the her gender. If it is not demeaning why not use it to your advantage? I am sure some woman feel appalled, but others wield it like a sword. I myself feel you are better off not going down that road.

Do you mean like Zatanna?

If I may. many of us have been trying to make it legitimately, and the rumors of " oooh she slept her way to the top" have in the past been used to explain why a woman got ahead in a male dominated industry. Now in magic there is an advantage. No matter how sexy you are if you cannot perform as a magician, no one of note that you respect will want you to perform for them. If someone does want you, and you suck at magic, may as well stick to the sexyness and chuck the magic.

I think that to many of us, using our bodies to assist with magic is like admiting we are not as good as male magicians are. After all, if we were, we could perform as well, in the same situation... a business suit.

That having been said, there is no reason the suit cannot comprise a business skirt, and the suit come with a sexy blouse... but... maybe only the top button undone...not 2...or...3.. because then you are just a magic stripper. lol...


Another reason is, that the sexy underclad female in magic has more often than not been the assistant that is there for misdirection, and female magicians want to stand out in the minds of the public, and not be confused for the assistant.

Unfortunately, cleavage as misdirection doesn't always work. You notice that Vernet no longer carries the "Third Boob" which held a huge load, but was often spotted by the onlooker as suspicious.

Sex appeal sells in the area of entertainment but many do not realize that it does not only mean the female sexy physique.

It is the attractive feminine side of sex appeal that attracts the public, may they be male or female. Sex appeal does not mean dressing up in revealing costume. A female magicianne can be dressed up in a business suit or any costume that is not revealing but can still be accepted in the entertainment industry. It is the feminine side of the personality and character that counts.

Of course the skills of magic counts too, along with business, marketing and PR knowledge.

I also perform as a character called Miss Direction, she is performing all over London.

check out http://www.magicweek.co.uk and you will see she is listed in the news and performing at magic night in soho on 3rd october!

Steve Dela

Krista Chilton performs as Miss Direction - Their website is http://www.divinemagic.biz

I have to put in my two cents here. I feel that we are confusing looking good, or hot, or sexy or what ever you want to call it with misdirection. Misdirection is done in a moment. While your look is there from the beginning of your performance till the end. Example, Jackson at the Halftime Superbowl Show was great misdiredtion but was only a moment. I realy feel that she could have done a very poor pass and it would have gone undetected. If a female performer is attractive and has a nice figure there is nothing wrong with using it as part of her personna. Lets look at some performers Cher, Dolly, and to be quite honest most female singers. Do you see them come out and perform in business suits or do you see them dressed in what we today use the term as dressed "HOT". Make no mistake about it, as magicians you are entertaining, and doing so your look is what they see first and your magic is second. Before someone misquotes me I am saying that what your spectator sees first is your look. I do not mean your magic is secondary. And while on the subject look back at the outfits of many of our most suscessful male magicians that have performed on television. I will not mention names but think back of the clothing that many of our male performers have worn when performing. I have not seen that many business suits. Remember I am talking about magaicians not mentalists. Mentalists definitely fall into a different category not being discussed here. OK, said my two cents. Fire away.

Funny if there was a clumbsy female magician named "Misstake".