Individual Artist Project

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$3,000
Recipient
Mary J. Casanova AKA Mary Casanova
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
May 2024
End Date
October 2024
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Koochiching
Koochiching
Project Overview

Individual Artist Project

Project Details

Create promotional material (pitch deck) to accompany my pilot for RAINY LAKE, a limited television series inspired by my 1920s historical novels, FROZEN, ICE-OUT, and WATERFALL.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Kathy Neff: musician, Director, Fine Arts Academy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Emily Swanson: arts administrator at Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community; Sam Zimmerman: visual artist, teacher; Liz Engelman: dramaturg, founder and director of Tofte Lake Center; Nik Allen: Author, Photographer, Arts Supporter; Khayman Goodsky: Filmmaker; Janie Heitz: Director of Arts Museum; Peggy Kelly: Community Arts organizer; Veronica Veaux: Indigenous Bead Worker

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Kendra Carlson: Arts Administrator, Arts Supporter; Jennifer Jubenville: Literature, Grant Writing Specialist, Arts Administrator; Nathan Bray: Pottery; Sara Niemi: Arts Supporter, Nonprofit Leader, Grant Writing Specialist

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$3,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$3,000
Direct expenses
$6,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

My series is inspired by historic events in Koochiching County, including Int'l Falls and Ranier. The series is set in the 1920s and draws on specific locations, individuals, and events that shaped the environmental future of this region. Though the story is locally based, it references larger national issues of the time--women's rights, industrialism, environmentalism, prohibition---and that still resonate today. Not only could this project bring more awareness to our history and location, it could also bring more tourism to our region and if filmed on Rainy Lake, numerous jobs and creative opportunities.; * I will create promotional material (pitch deck) for a limited television series pilot based on my 1920s historical novels, FROZEN, ICE-OUT, and WATERFALL. * I want to have this pitch deck finished, along with my submitted pilot, in time for the Catalyst film festival in early October. * I will also send this pitch deck and RAINY LAKE pilot the same month to my literary agent and potential film agent at Transatlantic Agency in Toronto. * Ultimately, the end goal is to have my pilot be picked up for production. Since I became serious about writing and publishing 35 years ago, I have been indebted to the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board for grants received. My first long-ago grant of $1000 made it possible for me to attend a writer's workshop in Chautauqua, New York, which lead to the eventual publication of my first novel. Since then, I have applied for numerous grants and received several, though the one ARAC awards that stands out is receiving the George Morrison Award. I have a long history of completing the objectives stated in my grants. I meet deadlines, follow through with subsequent reports, and wholly commit myself to proposed projects.; * I will have a learned all aspects of completing a pilot and pitch deck, resulting in a polished and marketable product. * Catalyst Content Festival will accept my pitch deck and pilot at the festival in Duluth, MN inn October 2024. * My literary agent, Fiona Kenshole, will assist me in moving this new material forward to the film agent at our Transatlantic Agency. * Eventually... a producer will pick up RAINY LAKE for production.

Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Mary
Last Name
Casanova
Organization Name
Mary J. Casanova AKA Mary Casanova
State
MN
Phone
(218) 244-9108
Email
marycasanova.writer@gmail.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency
Location

424 West Superior Street, Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802

Phone
Project Manager: Rebecca Graves
218-722-0952
Email the Agency