Wojahn's New Film to Premiere at MSPIFF 2014

Mark Wojahn's new film, "Liz Miller", will have its premiere at the MSPIFF on April 14th, 7pm at St. Anthony Main.  It is included in SHORTS 8: The Artist Within. This is a prestigiously juried program by legendary Minnesota producer and director Craig Rice.  Liz Miller will play for a second show on April 19th at 4pm as one of films in SHORTS 11: Forecast Public Art/IFP in the Best Buy theatre in Northrop Auditorium. 

(photo by Mark Wojahn)

Liz Miller is documentary short of 6 minutes in length and follows the award winning MN installation artist as she builds her first piece of public art for Art prize Grand Rapids. In a quest to not repeat himself, the filmmaker, Wojahn decided make this a silent film. He focused the camera on the artist working in her studio. He transformed her words into text and graphics in the frame. The result is a beautiful, poetic and contemplative film. A film Wojahn hopes you can bask in the simple pleasure of watching an artist work. The film soundtrack presents a new score by MN composer Richard Werbowenko and a wonderful edit by Corey Bauer & Channel Z.  

What: new documentary premiere of Liz Miller by the Mark Wojahn. 

Where: the Mpls/St. Paul Intl. Film Fest at St. Anthony Main and at the Best Buy theatre in Northrop Auditorium.

When: April 14th, 7pm at St. Anthony Main, April 19th, 4pm at the Best Buy Theatre at Northrop Auditorium.

Cost: $12, $10 members. Tickets available at the Box Office or online, http://mspfilm.org/films-and-events/liz-miller/?f=233 

James Bakkom receives USITT award

On March 26th 2014, Production Designer James Bakkom received the highest award from the United States Institute of Theater Technology.

 (photo by Mark Wojahn)

The award capped the career of the Production Designer best known to Minnesotans for his work in the award winning film Sweet Land.  Bakkom is also legendary to theatre technicians for his work as a propmaster with Tyrone Guthrie in the 1960-70s. Recently, Jim was seen by many Minnesotans on public television in 2013 when Wojahn's 2012 documentary, "Getting Lost in My Own Art: The Creative World of James Bakkom", was broadcast eight times on Tpt. The USITT annual convention was held in Fort Worth, TX. Bakkom was given the award at the opening ceremony. He presented example of some of his greatest stagecraft in a show on the convention floor. He was surrounded by colleagues, friends and family. 

Butter City interviews Wojahn

The TPT-MN indie film show Butter City featured Mark Wojahn in their latest episode. Host Joanna Kohler interviewed Mark about his history in Film and TV. You can watch the full episode at www.buttercity.com or on youtube.

Wojahn Builds Chair for the Twins

On July 2, 2013 the Twins invited me to be on the field when they presented a broken bat rocking chair to baseball immortality Mariano Rivera. Two months before the baseball team's ad agency Periscope had contacted me about building the project. I provided 2 designs and a team to complete this one of a kind retirement gift. In the end it was a dream job to art direct and co-design this special idea to the greatest baseball closer of all time. I hired custom builder chair Todd Stenson of Machine Scenic and Laser Engraver Robert Feyereisen to execute the job. Kristina Long of Periscope directed the commission. In all it was a great team to be part of and a cool project. Here are some picture of the rocking chair. 

(Photo by Periscope & shared with permission) (photo by Mark Wojahn)

The following sites covered this story:

http://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/minnesota-twins-mariano-rivera-rocking-chair-broken-bats/194899

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-07-02/mariano-rivera-chair-broken-bats-minnesota-twins-retirement-tour-new-york-yankee

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23588489/minnesota-twins-honor-yankees-closer-mariano-rivera

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1692360-minnesota-twins-present-mariano-rivera-with-chair-of-broken-dreams

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/07/the-twins-mariano-rivera-chairsbroken-bats/

Getting Lost plays USITT

Next week, Getting Lost In My Own Art will play the USITT in Milwaukee. the movie will play twice. First on Thursday at 4pm and 11am on Saturday. Look for Jim and I taking questions after the screening. 

In adddition to the film, James Bakkom will be a featured panelist on Saturday, 03/23/2013 8:00AM - 9:15AM , Room Delta Center 203BC. The session is called "Props Preparing People" Come on down and stop by.