A film festival at the end of the road
& a newsletter at the start of its own!
Welcome to Script & Screen! I’m Morgan and you’re reading the first (official) edition of this newsletter.
The idea behind this publication is simple: celebrating film and theater in Minnesota and the upper midwest. Within each edition you’ll find musings from both industries and the scripts bringing their collective magic to life. Each edition will offer varying emphases on either industry— first up, film!
OVERTURE:
For your aural pleasure, this edition’s overture is Antonín Dvorák’s American Quartet. Dvorák was inspired to produce it after a summer in the midwest. More specifically, Spillville, Iowa.
Overtures are pieces of music used in theater and film to set the tone and mood before the beginning credits or curtain. Let Dvorák set the scene as you read on!
THIS EDITION’S HIGHLIGHT REEL:
A film festival in snowy Ely
A Jane Austen concept album on stage in St. Paul (Preview)
Joe Keery’s film in Jordan
A Message from The House
A film festival at the end of the road
Reflections from my time as far north as the road would take me: the 2024 Ely Film Festival.
EXT. HIGHWAY 1 - ELY - NIGHT
I’ve grown to adore more aspects of midwest winters in recent years. Crisp, clean air. Still, slower evenings. Healing, beautiful snow. I’m quick to curse the clouds when they hide January’s sun, but there’s likely a lesson somewhere in there about taking the good with the bad.
It’s February now, and I’m approaching the town of Ely, Minnesota for the Ely Film Festival. The snow is starting to fall but that doesn’t stop me from rolling down the window of my car to take in the freshest air I’ve smelled in a long time. I do not live in the North Woods so I take extra care to bottle as much of it into my lungs as I can. My mind, body, and soul thank me.
Rolling into town, the festival has already started. I’m arriving on Day 3 of 4 and plan to make the most of the remaining two days of films. In lieu of a festival pass, I opted to purchase tickets for a packed two day of screenings and as I check into my Airbnb (above a music shop!) I am recalling the mission of Ely’s festival and why it really hits home for me:
“Ely, Minnesota, is a small town located near both waterways and national forestland in northeastern Minnesota. Because of its location adjacent to Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely has become an important crossroads of history, culture, and recreation. The festival will feature local, regional and national filmmakers, who will present works that explore themes of identity, community, connection to place, adventure and creativity. Our films will captivate our audience and make them think about the world around them in new ways.”
The midwest functions as that same crossroad of culture and it is a reality I believe should be celebrated loudly. It felt audacious to embark on this newsletter, but it was coming to fruition around the same time I was planning my trip for this festival. The festival being a microcosm of the region surrounding it was just too on-the-nose to ignore. The festival’s mission soothed my nerves, and the journey for this newsletter began.
INT. ELY STATE THEATER - DAY
Ely’s Historical State Theater is brimming with smiling moviegoers and film crews, a uniquely cool experience independent (“indie”) film festivals provide. I print my movie tickets for the day with the help of a beaming volunteer, and I check out the merch stands in the festival commons.
Indie festivals almost always happen thanks to volunteers, and I’m seeing them here everywhere I turn. Collecting tickets at theater doors, directing traffic, answering questions, and chatting about the films they’ve been able to catch themselves. Almost every festival begins vetting volunteers a few months out, so if you missed your change to apply to your favorite festival this circuit, do not fret. Next time’s the charm!
Waiting in line for A Winter Love with my candied nuts from concessions, I strike up conversation with two attendees and local community leaders about the successful turnout. They say they are already dreaming bigger for next year. “We have the potential to do even more,” one of them says to me. “We can bring in more voices, more generations, more perspectives.” They are excited at the prospect.
Ely, Minnesota is known as the Gateway to the Boundary Waters, situating it at the “End of the Road” for travelers heading north. The natural beauty of this area alone is enough to bring people from the surrounding region, the country, and the world. I listen intently to them and smile— knowing Ely’s commitment to voices and stories that champion our region, I have no doubt they’ll achieve that goal.
I hop from film to film throughout the weekend, breaking for a country fried steak at Britton’s and any other stolen moments I can find to write my script, this newsletter, and my reflections of the experience as they happen. I am surrounded by filmmakers, community patrons, and industry professionals. I’m leaning forward in my seat to ask my third question during the Q&A with the Iowa-based director and composer team of my favorite film of the weekend, Flying Lessons.
I am extremely happy, and I want others to have this experience, too.
I hope with this newsletter, I’m able to demystify even small fractions of these industries for those wanting to break into them, those already here, and those taking in the art they create. •
FROM THE STAGE:
Next time, we’ll be diving into All About Jane: The Eras of Austen, a Jane Austen concept album created and performed by local singer-songwriter Monica Livorsi.
The live performance was captivating, and the regency era production put on by Buzz Musical Theater was successful in occupying my daydreams for weeks after.
Until then, you can find a fantastic recap and review of the show on Cherry & Spoon, a regional theater blog packed with great content.
BALCONY-EYE VIEW:
Settling the great Theater vs Theatre debate:
Many theatergoers have strong opinions about these spellings. To get ahead of this, please know I’ll personally be using “theater” but Script & Screen Proper respects and accepts both.
Joe Keery’s Marmalade: Minnesota’s tax incentive was cited as a major pro for the decision to film in Minnesota
The film’s location manager, Anne Healy, drove through Jordan years ago to get a pop at the grocery store. Years later, the (regional) Internet would break at the first sightings of Joe Keery filming a production downtown. Thank you tax credits, thank you Anne, and thank you pop (not “soda”)!
It turns out midwest small town charm is actually quite contagious! Many other towns were featured or considered for the production.
Fun Fact: Healy got her start scouting Twin Cities hockey arenas for “Mighty Ducks”!
Continuing with this edition’s soundtrack, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will be performing another signature work of Dvorák in May, New World Symphony, conducted by Joseph Young.
It was rumored that New World Symphony was worked on by Dvorák in Spillville, Iowa, too.
FEATURED PIECE: FLYING LESSONS
ABOUT THE FILM: Beatrice knows mom is dead. She just doesn't want to deal with it. Neither does Talia, who is not equipped to care for her newly orphaned autistic sister.”
Watch the Flying Lessons teaser here!
INDUSTRY DATES & DEADLINES
Highlighting news, dates, deadlines, and events across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota. This will never be an exhaustive list but there’s no harm in trying!
The Orpheum Theater released its shows for the 2024/2025 Broadway season!
The Minnesota Film Festival is accepting applications for volunteers.
The Wisconsin Film Festival’s passes are on sale now!
Messages from The House:
My love for this subject matter keeps much of this front of mind for me every day, so imagining the first edition of this new publication was equally all-consuming. I kept playing with different featured pieces and content structures, wanting to make this newsletter perfect from Day 1.
However, if I’ve learned anything from this industry, it is that perfectionism has kept too many projects on our shelves. In our minds. Progress is only possible when there is something to build from.
If you’ve made it this far, I can proudly tell you that you’ve read the best first edition I could give you. Perfectionism did not touch the final draft you’re reading. Crafting this newsletter purely from a place of joy gave me energy that propelled a script forward, afforded me time to sit and enjoy these industries I love so much, and it pushed me to get intentional about a few other projects I’ve been working on. Selfishly, I had hoped that would happen!
The possibilities of what can be for this publication are truly exciting. Future editions will continue to experiment with different features, imprints, emphases, structures, and styles, but they will always be anchored in our goals. That much we know for sure.
Artists in these fields are making beautiful work and many are showing up before they feel ready. In Script & Screen, we will follow suit.•
My name is Morgan Wall and I am an aspiring filmmaker and playwright. I’ve been writing my entire life, sometimes having the opportunities to read and perform those writings. I created Cultivate Curiosity, giving me the chance to meet and interview fascinating people creating in their fields. I’ve performed in full and one-act plays, musicals, and competitive speeches. I’m currently writing a fictional novel, as well.
That’s curtain!
Script & Screen is free, so please share it with someone who you think might enjoy it!
Setting the stage with the music at the beginning? Um, yes please!!! A magnificent debut! I literally got a cozy shiver from the description of Ely. Local events like that are such a big deal, so I am glad to have stumbled upon this newsletter which spreads awareness of the local scene! What a gift to witness communities coming together to support artists. Also, I had no idea my beloved Steve from Stranger Things had made an indie film—so cool!!
Great newsletter Morgan! Bravo☺️👏🏻