Lyn Dillies Makes Real Magic

Gender Divide Vanishes in Illusionist’s Hands

By Mark Zaslove
September 2007

“I want to show little girls they can make it in a male-dominated field.” — Lyn Dillies

Lyn Dillies, a professional magician, recently took her own money and time and "allakhazam’d" a beginner’s magic DVD from thin air. In keeping with her philosophy and work ethic, Lyn told TDmonthly Magazine that her “Learn Magic With Lyn” DVD is easy to understand, empowering to both boys and girls, and professional in its goals for the student.

MAGIC IN PRACTICE

TDmonthly caught up with Lyn in Long Beach, Calif., where she was practicing what she preached by doing a show at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center before heading off to the Magic Castle, a professional magicians' club in Los Angeles.

Even after putting on 90 minutes of audience participation magic and twisted stage illusions, she had energy enough to chat about the “whys” and “wherefores” of her DVD.

So why?

“I remembered as a young girl being disappointed when I opened up a magic kit only to find poorly made tricks and deplorable instructions," Lyn said. "I developed this DVD to give children a visual lesson in learning magic, and I also wanted it to be part of my legacy to inspire and teach children the art of magic.”

Combining her knowledge, experience and $23,000 of her own money, Lyn produced the DVD, then needed to find a way to promote it. Enter Andrea Blain Public Relations of Chicago. Andrea Blain herself put this project on the Web and used various forums, from TV to magazines and newspapers, to promote live shows and guest spots.

Lyn’s DVD is not only about “how” to do the trick, but how to “present” the trick in a professional manner and what to watch out for along the way. She also offers tips only an “in-the-trenches” working magician can give, and her DVD sets itself off from other products in the genre.

THE GENDER DIVIDE

When asked whether more girls or boys were coming to her shows and buying the DVD, some of Lyn's core beliefs came to the fore.

“Right now I’m seeing it split pretty evenly between boys and girls” (a quick look at the night’s audience verified this), “but I’m hoping I can be a positive role model to more girls. I want to show little girls they can make it in a male-dominated field," she said.

She gave an example of how she’d recently been “gendered away" from being picked for a commercial spot because executives told her that girls don’t do magic; only boys do.

As Lyn signed autographs for all the wide-eyed magicians-to-be of both sexes, it was obvious she was making her point … at least to the younger generation. Sometimes the magic of positive role modeling can be stronger than all the hocus pocus in the world.

Here’s more on Lyn’s DVD:

Learn Magic With Lyn by LYN DILLIES

Learn Magic With Lyn by LYN DILLIES Master illusionist Lyn Dillies makes it easy and fun for kids to discover the world of magic. In this 53-minute educational DVD, she provides step-by-step instructions for safe and simple magic tricks with everyday objects. Children can make objects disappear with “Wonder Wand,” create a bouncing toy in “Newspaper Ball,” astound audiences with “Mindreading Crayons” and more. For the first time in DVD history, a female role model and professional illusionist effectively teaches the how-to process of 11 clever and entertaining tricks to her magic students. The DVD has received several awards for excellence in children’s programming: an iParenting Media Award, the Film Advisory Board’s Award of Excellence, Parents' Choice Approval and the Dove Foundation’s Family Approved Seal. Launch date: May 15, 2007. 3/29/2007 (MSRP: $18.95; Age: 7 and Up)