Spellbound – Women in Magic

Story

Short Summary

Can you name one female magician -not just from today, but from any time in history? I couldn’t either – until I became one of them. As I strive to reach my goal of performing on one of the main stages of the world-famous Magic Castle, I’ll get advice from female magicians who are breaking barriers, headlining shows, and winning competitions, and from the pioneering women who have paved the way for the advancement of the entire art form.

Synopsis

Every magician in the world dreams of performing at the legendary Magic Castle. This became a personal goal to conquer after my cancer scare earlier this year – I am determined to go after what I want and not allow fear to hold me back. And I want to entertain people and bring them joy by performing magic! So, I’m going to audition. But, performing 3 shows a night for a week straight in front of a room full of total strangers terrifies me. This is where all the other women come in to help me on my journey. They say it takes a village, and I’ll certainly need one to fulfill this dream. I’ll work to learn and develop a different skill set from each woman – from character development to scripting, audience control to fashion to music choices, etc. And, of course, we’ll see their magic. Female magicians are just naturally part of my life since they are also my close friends. As I navigate my everyday world, you’ll see me jamming with other magicians, networking with them at conventions, hanging out with them at the Magic Castle, and just having fun together. Finally, we’ll find out if I make it!!! Will I grace the stage of the Magic Castle? Or will I fail? Either way, throughout my journey the viewer will get a glimpse of what it’s like – warts and all – to be a woman in magic today. I found this passion later in life, and hopefully, I can inspire others that it’s never too late to go after what you love and follow your dreams.

This is a story of audacity, of unwavering determination, and the resilience of the human spirit. With every step along this remarkable journey, a vivid portrait emerges, offering a glimpse into the captivating world of magic, unmasked and unadorned. For within its realms lie the challenges and triumphs that shape the destiny of a woman daring to embrace her rightful place in this ancient craft. Get set to embark on a magical adventure that will leave you filled with a renewed sense of wonder and a deep-seated faith in the incredible potential that lies within each of us.

What We Need & What You Get

We have already started filming, but we are out of pocket and filming is expensive! Specifically, we are currently using this campaign to raise expenses for traveling to film female magicians around the world.
We have some amazing perks. Here they are:

$20 – Our eternal gratitude.

$40 – Thank you shout out on social media

$60 – An invitation to a special digital screening of the film and shout out on social media.

$100 – Thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$250 – Unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$500 – You’ll get a magic trick tutorial from the film, along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$1,000 – Susan or Clouse will personally teach you a trick or consult on your project via Zoom, along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$2,500 – Come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included), along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$5,000 – Be an extra in the film and spend the day on set! We’ll also do a private show for you (hotel and transportation not included), AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$6,000 – Sponsor a trip to allow us to film magicians in Canada (several places)! (Will cover transportation, air fare, food, hotel and local crew). Come and spend the day on set! We’ll also do a private show for you (hotel and transportation not included), and we’ll bring you back an exclusive surprise from Canada. AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$6500 – Sponsor a trip to allow us to film magicians in England (several places)! (Will cover transportation, air fare, food, hotel and local crew). Come and spend the day on set! We’ll also do a private show for you (hotel and transportation not included), and we’ll bring you back an exclusive surprise from England. AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$7500 – Sponsor a trip to allow us to film magicians in France (several places)! (Will cover transportation, air fare, food, hotel and local crew). Come and spend the day on set! We’ll also do a private show for you (hotel and transportation not included), and we’ll bring you back an exclusive surprise from France. AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$8500 – Sponsor a trip to allow us to film magicians in India! (Will cover transportation, air fare, food, hotel and local crew). Come and spend the day on set! We’ll also do a private show for you (hotel and transportation not included), and we’ll bring you back an exclusive surprise from India. AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$10,000 – Get your own private VIP magic show in your home for you and your friends. We’ll even film it and it may end up in the movie! AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$10,000 – Come be our guest at the world-famous Magic Castle! Clouse and Susan will personally escort you and 9 of your closest friends for a VIP experience full of magic and wonder. You’ll even receive a private show (hotel and transportation not included), AND come hang with the magicians in the film at a private screening in Los Angeles (hotel and transportation not included) along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$25,000 – You will receive an Associate Producer credit. Spend the day on set! Have lunch with us! Come be our guest at the world-famous Magic Castle! Clouse and Susan will personally escort you and 9 of your closest friends for a VIP experience full of magic and wonder. You’ll even receive a private show (hotel and transportation not included), along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

$50,000 – You will receive an Executive Producer credit. Spend the day on set! Have lunch with us! Come be our guest at the world-famous Magic Castle! Clouse and Susan will personally escort you and 9 of your closest friends for a VIP experience full of magic and wonder. You’ll even receive a private show (hotel and transportation not included), along with unique digital still/outtake from the film, plus thank you in end credits, digital screening and shout out on social media.

Reach out to us personally if you want to invest more.
If we don’t reach our goal, don’t worry! All the money is going directly into the film. We continue to raise funds until this film is completed.

The Impact

WHY NOW? Only 13.3% of magicians are women. But times are changing. Magic is bigger than ever and women are exploding into the spotlight with shows like America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller’s Fool Us. A subculture within a subculture, do women have a different approach to magic? What will I encounter along my journey? Sexism? Ageism? Jealousy? Will I be treated differently because I’m not a professional magician? Will I be expected to use my sexuality to get ahead? How will I be judged? What do my female counterparts experience? I’m excited to find out. Penn & Teller say the next big star of magic will be a woman, and I think they’re right. My hope is that by the end of this film, not only will you familiar with woman magicians, you’ll be able to name your favorites.
OUR SUCCESS RATE: Between the filmmaking team, we have a great success rate with films premiering at Sundance, Cannes, AFI, etc. and screening worldwide theatrically as well as on HBO, Netflix, Amazon, Tubi, etc.
WE ARE FILMMAKERS AND MAGICIANS: As such, we are passionate about both subjects and are firmly rooted in both worlds. This film will succeed.

The Team

SUSAN DYNNER – DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

Award-winning Director/Producer/Writer Susan Dynner, a recent Sundance Stories of Change Directing Fellow, and current Blackmagic Studio Feature Directing Fellow is gearing up to direct/produce “Fall of Eden”, starring Dylan McDermott and Brianna Hildebrand. Before that, she directed/produced, “Code Blue: A Love Story” starring Andy Dick, for which she was awarded the Sony TV Directing Fellowship. She produced “Free Ride”, starring Anna Paquin (she was a Film Independent Producing Fellow), “After Porn Ends”, and she produced/directed “Punk’s Not Dead”, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by a theatrical world-wide release. She also produced “Brick”, winner of the Sundance Film Festival. As a Development Executive, Dynner worked for Charlie Sheen and Nick Cassavetes as a VP, and Wolfgang Petersen. Dynner began her career at Richard Donner Productions and Di Novi Pictures. Prior to that, she was a band photographer at age fifteen. Dynner has just started filming “Spellbound”, her documentary about women in magic (she is a Magician Member of the Magic Castle). She is also a founding member of GenXX, a initiative with the mission to expand opportunities for the generation of women who got lost between sexism and ageism. Aberration Films has many projects in development.

CLOUSE – CINEMATOGRAPHER/PRODUCER

Clouse is a multi-Emmy Award winning writer/director and owner of Peppermint Mafia, a production company that develops content and campaigns for Amazon, CBS, HBO, Netflix, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, MTV, History, Discovery, Sony, and dozens of other networks. He has created content for hundreds of brands including Alexa, Coca-Cola, Lego, Ford, Xbox, Twitch, and Playstation. From The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan, and The Boys to live events such as Comic Con and Sundance, Clouse has generated impactful experiences with billions of global interactions.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help.
We would really appreciate it if you share this campaign with everyone you know, share it on Social Media, and help by sending the link to every person you think could contribute in any way possible. To make this film happen we need help from everyone and sharing this campaign really means a lot to us! Additionally, if you have any resources you think might help (especially post), please feel free to reach out! Thanks in advance!