Now Playing: LakeFrontRow’s Wisconsin filmmaker series

What do radio DJs, puppets, and Death incarnate all have in common? On face value, nothing. But in the hands of the cast and crew of Firmament Films, a whole heck of a lot.

On January 30th, LakeFrontRow.com and the Central Public Library kick off the LakeFrontRow Wisconsin Filmmaker series (here’s the Facebook event page). Every other month, the series will highlight the work of one Wisconsin-based production company or filmmaker. Each screening will feature a collection of short films or a feature-length production as well as an in-depth Q&A with the featured filmmakers. And like all Central Cinema events, it’s FREE and open to the public.

Next Thursday at 6:30p, indie production company Firmament Films will help reign in the inaugural event with a showcase of their hilarious, touching, and insightful short films. Full disclosure: we haven’t minced words over how we feel about their work. Originally based out of Southern Wisconsin, the folks at Firmament have enjoyed tremendous success with their homegrown productions, garnering ample praise and in the case of their 48 Hour Film Festival submissions, a small battalion of awards.

From their beginnings as upstart creatives to their present day projects, the showcase will provide a chronological snapshot of Firmament Films’ work. The evening’s featured programming includes:

  • “Dangerous Summers” (2010)
  • “The Seven Year Wish” (2011)
  • “Filling In” (2012)
  • “Significant” (2012)
  • “On Thursdays, I Do Laundry” (2013)
  • “Plans Change” (2013)
  • “It Was Wonderful” (2013)
  • “I’ll Keep Driving” (music video, 2012)
  • “The Noize (or How A Bunch of Stupid People Ruined My Stupid Day)” (2013)

Appearing on behalf of Firmament Films are writer-directors Kris Schulz and T.C. DeWitt, producer Jessica Moehr and editor Chad Halverson, all of whom have acted to varying degrees in their projects as well. Throughout the evening, they’ll discuss their creative influences, aspirations, and why they’re so darn funny, in addition to fielding questions from the audience. Firmament’s cast and crew will also personally present clips from their very first feature-length motion picture, The Princess Knight. It’s a “comedy fantasy adventure” with puppets, which practically explains itself.

  • All LakeFrontRow Filmmaker events will be held in the Central Library at 201 W. Mifflin Street in the third floor screening room (Rm 302). Doors open at 6:00p. The show starts at 6:30p. FREE.