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For many audiences today, the art of magic is a pop culture establishment. It’s something that has always been there and always will. However, by the early 1970s magic was relegated to the musty world of birthday parties and stagnant top hat and tails.
Enter Doug Henning...
Traveling to the United States in 1971 with a $5,000 Canadian arts grant, Doug Henning had a simple dream of bringing magic back to its rightful place. With a successful Broadway show, never-ending enthusiasm and colorful attire, he would do just that. NBC soon offered him yearly television specials. The first of which, 1975’s “World of Magic,” had an unprecedented viewership of fifty-million people tuning in live to see Doug escape from Houdini’s feared “Water Torture Cell.”
By 1987, with two more Broadway shows and massive worldwide acclaim under his belt, Doug Henning would do the unimaginable. His devotion to the calming practice of Transcendental Meditation had grown to the point where the inherent magic and wonder in everyday life held his interest profoundly more than stage magic ever could. After much soul-searching, Doug would quietly leave behind the art form that had gripped him since childhood.
This feature-length documentary is made with the cooperation of the Henning family and features such magic luminaries as Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, Max Maven, Johnny Thompson, Milt Larsen, and many more. It follows Doug’s complete life starting as a youth in Canada, his first breakthrough on Broadway with “The Magic Show,” his eight television specials, his devotion to Transcendental Meditation, and his ultimate reasons for leaving it all behind. The framework of which is told by Doug himself through a comprehensive and unreleased 1999 video interview recorded six months before his passing from cancer in 2000.
Like the Beatles before him, Doug Henning was attuned to his time. It was a time of hippie sensibilities, positivity, rainbow spandex, and love. We could sure use a lot of that today.
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As much as we would love to waive our own magic wand to make this film instantly appear, we have to go through more real life means to see it through to its completion. That's where you the fans come in! It is your tax-deductible donations that will allow us to travel to Canada and New York for more interviews with Doug's family, collaborators, and friends.
In addition, the rights to the bulk of Doug's television work are spread out over many television networks, individuals, and companies. These programs, especially the "World of Magic" specials, are expensive. Due to this, a sizable portion of our budget needs to be devoted to obtaining these supremely important clips that will bring Doug's work back to life in the way it properly deserves.
If that weren't enough, extensive post-production will be needed when shooting is complete. This will involve, not only editing the film itself but preserving and remastering Doug's last interview conducted in 1999. The never before seen interview currently exists on 8mm video and antiquated mini-audio cassettes. The value of this interview is without question, and it's preservation is essential.
Please consider donating to this important project so we can help see Doug Henning's legacy preserved.
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Thank you so much for visiting our IndieGoGo page. With this film, we are committed to bringing the story of Doug Henning's life to audiences around the world. Please feel free to donate what you can, and share this Indiegogo campaign ( https://igg.me/at/doughenningfilm) and website (www.doughenningfilm.com) with any friends you have on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.
Doug's story is indeed a special one, and it's with your help that his unique magic and wonder will continue to be spread throughout the 21st century and beyond.
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Neil McNally: Director
Over the years, Neil has been involved in various aspects of film production, writing, and art. It was while attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn he majored in Film, and after graduating he had the pleasure of working for The Jim Henson Company for several years as a puppeteer.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2008, Neil wrote for various entertainment magazines and websites such as Famous Monsters of Filmland, Starburst, MI6 Confidential, Wild About Harry, Den of Geek, and The Muppet Mindset. Some of his interview subjects have included director Brian Henson (The Jim Henson Company) and famed movie poster artist Drew Struzan (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter).
However, it is his work on and the creation of the popular website The Doug Henning Project that he is most proud of. Started in May 2017, the website has quickly become the go-to resource for all things Doug Henning. In fact, it has been this outpouring of appreciation and love from Doug’s fans that has convinced Neil the time is now right for a comprehensive documentary on Doug’s life and art.
As a lover of magic history, Neil intends to bring new life and awareness to the legacy of Doug Henning. It’s a legacy that’s surprisingly unexplored and one that is waiting to be unlocked for the masses once again!
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Michelle Opitz: Producer
Michelle has had the honor of studying under directors John Badham (Saturday Night Fever) and Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond) as a Marion Knott Scholar. She studied directing at the American Film Institute where she directed her thesis film But, Seriously Folks.
Having also graduated from Chapman University with a BFA in film production, Michelle has directed dozens of short films and documentaries that have circulated film festivals. Additionally, she has produced four feature films. Michelle was the recipient of Chapman University’s Location Filmmaking grant, Eastman Kodak Women in Film scholarship, and Panavision’s Filmmaker’s Grant.
Born in Japan and raised in Hawaii, Michelle moved throughout her childhood. Her diverse background draws her toward unique projects. In addition to writing and directing her own films, Michelle teaches film and produces projects she passionately believes in.
Special Contributions to the making of this campaign video:
Production Support:
David Charvet (www.charvetmagic.com)
Brian Lumley: Doug on Elephant Photo
Design Team:
Jeff Blum: Web Design/Build by SquareBreaker
Dave Dimeola (www.brigade.tv)
All were invaluable in the making of this video and campaign. Thank you, thank you!