OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.pickuppolka.com
Madison, Wisconsin, September 2002 -- Independent filmmaker Chris M. Collins' film short Pickup Polka is in the entertainment news again. The 9 minute comedy has been selected by several international film festivals for the fall circuit.
October 23rd to November 3rd, 2002 Collins' delightful basketball spoof will play at the Film Festival Internazionale di Milan, Italy. "Thinking he was just some Italian telemarketer I almost hung up on the Director of the whole festival when he called. Instead, I was extremely pleased to learn that my film had not only been picked by the Milan people but they were asking if they could waive the fee and automatically accept Pickup Polka into the lineup." Collins reports that his film caught the attention of the Milan festival when it played at the IFP/West Los Angeles Film Festival June 21st and 22nd.
In addition to the European recognition the comedy short has garnered, the Calgary International Film Festival wants the film in its line up October 1st - 6th, 2002. Pickup Polka picked up another automatic entry in this Canadian showcase. It is entered in the Short Category.
For more information about Pickup Polka and Chris M. Collins go to www.pickuppolka.com
Pickup Polka is running on a continuous loop for two months (May & June 2002) at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The museum is at Wisconsin avenue and Lake shore drive in Milwaukee, WI. Apparently there is a big video wall with about fifty TVs all playing different things, and Pickup Polka is on one of them. It will play until the end of June.
This new short film features Steve Meisner and his music called the "Pick Up Polka". It is intended for release at the 2002 Wisconsin Film Festival. Chris Collins, (writer, director), has high hopes for this light hearted film.
An agreement has just been made with Clear Songs of Manhattan, NY for the use of "Meisner Magic", an original composition, in a new motion picture called "Red Betsy" to be released in 2002. Jim Black of Clear Songs believes this movie to be the best independent film to come through his firm in two years. Watch my web page (www.stevemeisner.com) for more information and the latest news.
The "Pickup Polka" will be previewed at the Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison, WI. Chris Collins, creator of this light hearted film, is ready to see his dream come to life at the Stage Door Theatre with this preview showing at 9:00 PM on April 4th.
Tickets for this preview are available through the festival web site at www.wifilmfest.com. This short film of approximately 10 minutes will be shown only once so, don't be late.
If your interested in further information or and interview you may contact Chris Collins at chroanfall@email.msn.com , or contact Steve Meisner MeisnerS@cni-usa.com
Check back to the site soon for photo's from the second film "The Pick Up Polka".
Pickup Polka previewed to a sold out house during the 2002 Wisconsin Film
Festival in Madison, WI. This warm and funny short film by Chris Collins is
about a group of ethnic basketball players making a majestic win against a
group of exceptional "bad boys". With fancy footwork, skill and a "their
music", provided by accordion man Steve Meisner,.they manage to dazzle and
daze their opponents with choreographed team plays tied in to articulate
accordion music. The film received a rousing round of applause.
The film is now showing through the end of June at the Milwaukee Art Museum
in loop as part of the "Vito Iconic, Acts of Architecture" display at
Milwaukee's newest museum downtown lake side.For more information you can visit these web sites; www.mam.org,
or www.wifilmfest.com. Chris intends on taking his film to Texas
for a film fest next and then on to other festivals across the country.
Here are some pix of Steve Meisner, Chris Collins, and Pickup Basketball
players after a long day of filming. And, a pic during the filming of the
movie.
John J. Moriarty, Director of Photograpy, Polka Player; Steve Meisner, Accordion; Chris M. Collins, Director, Writer, Producer; Peter Benton, Polka Player; B. Joseph Brady, Assistant Director, Polka Player.
PICKUP POLKA at the Los Angeles Film Festival
May 6, 2002
It is our great pleasure to include your short film in the 2002 IFP Los
Angeles Film Festival. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce
myself and to provide you with information that will be useful when
planning your time at the Festival.
My name is Elizabeth Richardson. I am a member of the Festival Programming
committee and the Filmmaker Liaison.
Your film screens Friday, June 21 at 5:00pm and
Saturday June, 22 at 9:45pm at the Laemmle Sunset 5.
I'm looking forward to meeting you at the Festival.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Richardson
Filmmaker Liaison
Los Angeles Film Festival
