Leaves of Grass onIMDB! aka Internet Movie Data Base.
April...the changing of the seasons, the buds emerging on the trees. I hope these little things find you well. Small things are sprouting in the Patrick Scully films too. Leaves of Grass: Illuminated is now listed onIMDB. Because we played at theTwin Cities Film Fest, we arelegitimatein the eyes of IMDB. It also allows our audience for to rate the film. Can you go and vote for our Leaves? The rating and how many vote may help us get in other doors. Here is the link,LEAVES ON IMDB. Our listing includes all the cast and crew of the film. Please check it out.
What else is happening on the next film about Patrick Scully? We've hired a part time assistant for this project,Mara Henderson. She loves documentary film, She is tasked with performing rights & clearance issues with the two films. She is very interested in also investigating the Scully archive at theU of MN Tretter collection. Previousley she was a production assistant at Alex Gibney'sJigsaw productions. Welcome Mara! Other news, our editorSkip Davisand I had a handful of sessions for the Dance Is Not Over. Were getting closer to having an audio cut of the film. I met with our director of photographyGreg Winterabout an having a shoot ofB roll images. That went well.
Above is a shot of editing with Skip and his cat Olive.
For our fundraising update, I want to thank Andy and Christoper for donating $80 last month. If you care to donate, here is our funding Links:
Patrick Scully being interviewed on the red carpet at the TCFF 2021.
February brrrrr,so close to spring but it feels so far too. How are you staying warm? One day we are in the 30's then we plunge down to negative temps.I hope some of you have been able to go to the tropics and get a lil' sunburn. I know I did! My partner makes me. What's the update on the next film about Patrick Scully? We continue to move forward. Our editorSkip Davisand have a plan to edit next week. I'm also meeting with our directory of photographyGreg Winterabout an upcoming shoot ofB roll images. Also, I feel a need to hire an assistant for this project, I need help in the office! If anyone knows of a young filmmaker or someone that would like to intern on this documentary,pls send me a DM.
Above, I want to share agreat 7 minute radio piecemade byCyn Collinsof Minneapolis KFAI community radio. In her story, Collins reports on the motivations of Patrick and why he chose Walt Whitman as a subject, she also delves in the premiere of the film at theTwin City Film Fest. It's a nice work of journalism, I hope you check it out. Below are some candids from the in-studio interview. Thanks Cyn and all the journalists that covered us last fall!
For our fall 2021 fundraiser we set our sights high, We hoped to raise $65,000 to fully fund the two films. We didn't get there but we raised $14,000 in Sept 2021 to January 2022. I want to thank James, Jane and others who donated over $2000 in December and January. If you care to donate more, here is our funding Links:
That was intense! The combo of "the Leaves of Grass" premiere and planning the Fundraiser, but only to cancel one week out! Oh my. However, I can't thank you all enough. Even though the fundraiser and filmmaker evening did not happen. Many of you stepped forward, rsvp'd and donated anyway. The committee made the decision because of the light rsvp's, that we needed to push the gathering till the Spring or Summer of 2022. Hopefully then, the world will be at a better place to gather in indoor space. Nevertheless, I am so thankful for; Patrick, you, my crew, the committee and your generosity. It all helped raise or pledge over $12,000 in donations! All donations for the film will count as a ticket to the future celebration. Thank you! Thanks to all who attended or streamed "Leaves" at the Twin Cities Film Fest. Here are some of the reviews that came in;
“Just finished watching your film. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I have missed theatre, and watching this felt like I was in the audience. It was so intimate and personal. Just wanted you to know I loved it."
In Solidarity, Briana Rose Lee (she/her) "Congratulations, Wunderbar, Mazel tov, félicitations!!! Thank you so very much for letting me know about your wonderful film and performance of “Leaves of Grass - Illuminated” at the Twin cities film Festival. I watched it twice and took notes as well. So beautifully written and I understand why the review said you were born to play Walt Whitman. I loved the writing and historical references and the context of life in America and the world during that time and how it relates to the present. Truly wonderful and captivating. I really enjoyed your performance very much and I learned so much. Bravo!!!
Thank you for this beautiful artistic gift to the theatre world and beyond. I saw that Kevin was a consultant and I am sure I saw his hand in the choreography of the men and dancers and perhaps other aspects with his gifted eye. Beautifully done. All best wishes and sending love from Paris,”
Jack aka Jacqueline Jonée
The work on "The Dance is Not Over: The Patrick Scully Story” continues, this week I remotely interview the performance artist Ron Athey in Los Angeles. His 1990's performance at the Cabaret became a flashpoint for the Culture Wars of the 1990's.
I will be talking to Mr. Athey about the significance of Patrick's Cabaret, the culture wars. So looking forward to this conversation. I hope this interveiw is the last one we do for the film!
This interview is funded by your donations, thank you! The performance artist Ron Athey, photo credit Rachel Papo For the fundraiser we set our sights high, We hoped to raise $65,000 to fully fund the films. We didn't get there but we raised $12,000 in Sept, October and November. If you care to donate more, here is our Donations Link:
Dear Friends, with sadness we have decided to POSTPONE the fundraiser for next week. Through the planning process we found that many friends and patrons said they are still reluctant to go to in-person events. We plan to reschedule for Spring or Summer of 2022, when society is more open. Any of you who Rsvp'd for the event can choose to have their donations returned or paid forward to when the event happens in the future. Patrick, the planning committee and I thank you so much!
Friends, on Thursday November 4th we gather at the Women's Club of Mpls for a fundraiser for the next movie about Patrick Scully, "The Dance is Not Over: The Patrick Scully Story”.
I hope y'all can make it!
Please RSVP by this Thursday as we need to know our numbers for catering and drink!
Patrick, myself and our team of merry collaborators are planning a magical night of story, performance and film. You will immerse yourselves into an evening of generosity, art, hors d'oeuvres, drinks (cash bar), dancing and a red carpet. All this to raise the final funds to complete Mark Wojahn’s film which documents the life and work of Patrick Scully.
When: Thursday, November 4 | 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Where: The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis | 410 Oak Grove Street Mpls, MN 55405
Cost: Free with a suggested donation, RSVP here!
Proof of vaccination and an ID is required for attendance and must be presented at the door. We ask all to be masked inside if you are not eating and drinking.
Reservations required here on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filmmakers-fundraiser-evening-tickets-180403079467
Scheduled to Appear
Patrick Scully + Mark Wojahn, Director + Greg Winter, Director of Photography + Siama Matuzungidi and Dallas Johnson, musicians + Eyenga Bokamba, painter, writer and performance artist + Andrew Peterson of Film North + DJ Cyn Collins + Laura Stone-Jeraj pianist + Clips of the Leaves of Grass-Illumminated + The Dance Is Not Over: The Patrick Scully Story
“The Dance is Not Over: The Patrick Scully Story,” documents and celebrates the life and work of Minneapolis’ well-known gay dancer, performance artist, storyteller, and activist. Patrick’s story chronicles the events of a generation and is critically important to document for future generations. The completed film will be available on streaming services and will be preserved at the University of Minnesota’s Tretter Collection of Patrick Scully.
All donations will be designated for the completion of this work.
Funders giving $20,000 will be credited as Executive Producers
$10,000 will be credited as Producers
$5,000 will be credited as Associate Producers
Any amount will also be listed in the credits of the film.
Our goal is to raise $65,000 to fully fund and ensure that Patrick’s story – which in many ways is all our stories – gets told.
We have raised or pledged over 10% so far! Thank you!
I want to thank all, Wendy, Shane, Alberta, Rebecca, Jiame, Catherine, Helen and Brian! We have raised or have over $10,000 pledged!
Event Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filmmakers-fundraiser-evening-tickets-180403079467 view on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/2BCJsu9zN
For more information, contact Mark Wojahn and Patrick Scully at (612) 568-3178 or email at xlart2@gmail.com.
Thanks to all who attended or streamed "Leaves" at the Twin Cities Film Fest. The fesitval runs October 21-30th at the Showplace Icon Theaters in St. Louis Park. Here is a link to stream the film. https://twincitiesfilmfest.org/theater-event/leaves-of-grass-illuminated
Thanks for all your love and help with this project!
Monday, April 4, 2022 at 9:16AM 
The performance artist Ron Athey, photo credit Rachel Papo
