Category Archives: Film Projects

Film projects being sponsored by the UAF Department of Theatre & Film

Tumyaraq-qaa

Written and directed by Kavelina Torres. 
The UAF Department of Theatre & Film invited the community to a live studio-audience filming of the TV pilot Tumyaraq-qaa in the Lee H. Salisbury Lab Theatre from March 31st – April 2nd, 2023.

Click here for a PDF version of our playbill! 848kb – medium sized pdf.

Would you like to make a donation to support this production, and others like it?

Tumyaraq-qaa poster thumbnail
Live taping / studio audience poster.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner article
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner featured an article about “Tumyaraq-qaa” on 4/6/2023 – pdf
Sun Star Tumyaraq-qaa article
The UAF Sun Star (student newspaper) featured an article about “Tumyaraq-qaa” in their April edition. – pdf

Produced by Theatre/Film UAF, with generous support from UAF’s Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development.

Photos follow the credits.

Bridge Crew Cast
Ellalluk, Captain ……………………………….……. Misty “Too Oozhrii” Nickoli
Atauciiq, First Mate………………………………………..…..…………… Kyle Moore
Naaq, Navigator………………………………………………. Donetta “Ditter” Tritt
Kaaktuŋa Communications Officer…………………… Sean Asikłuk Topkok
Suupaaq, Spiritual Advisor……………………………………………… David Leslie
Dr. Yuuncarista, Doctor…………………………………………… Debbie Mekiana
Earth Cast
Tekitua, Chief Engineer…………………………………………………………….……… Canaar Chanar
Tax Drone……………………………………………………………………………………….… Charlotte Gray
General……………………………………………………….………….………………..   Jaden Daniel Reed
World Leader 1………………….…………………………………………………………..  Kalesha Pearson
World Leader 2……………………………………………………………..…………….. William K. Rogers
World Leader 3………………………………………………………………………………. Theresa Sherron
World Leader 4……………………………………………………………………….…….…….    Ellen Lopez
World Leader 5…………………………………………………………………………….…  Kellie Bernstein
Squad…………….. August Cooper, Amanda Frantz, Patrick Rogers, Charlie Wolgemuth
Stage Production Team
Director & Writer…..………………………………………………………………….…… Kavelina Torres 
Ground Plan Design, Grip & Live Video Programmer …………………. Kade Mendelowitz 
Costume Design………………………………………………………….……………….… Stephanie Rivet 
Sound Design………………………….……………………………………………………… Flyn Ludington 
Props, Master Carpenter & Scene Shop Manager……………………..  Alex Gagne-Hawes 
Set Construction & Painters……….. Alex Armstrong, Alex Gagne-Hawes, Rori Kattnig
Stage Manager……………………………………………………………………….……….. Flyn Ludington 
Animation…………………………………….……………  Tyson Paris Hansen, Kade Mendelowitz
Production Manager………………………………………………………….…………….. Maya Salganek
Director of Photography…………………………………………………………………..  Maya Salganek
Producers………………………………………………………….  Maya Salganek, Kade Mendelowitz
Marketing/ Publicity…………………….. Maya Salganek, Kade Mendelowitz, Carrie Baker,
                                                                                                                  Tyson Paris Hanson
Costume Shop Manager…………………………………………………………………. Stephanie Rivet 
Costume Construction ……………………………….. Magnolia Altamirano, Steven Anderson,
                                        Michelle Bailey, Zorissa James, Vengre Pasilan, Stephanie Rivet
Board Operator ……………………………………………………………………………  Charlie Wolgemuth
Scenic Running Crew …………………………………………………………………………… Rori Kattnig
Linguistic Advisor……………………………………………….………………………………….  Lou Frenzl
Box Office Manager……………………………………………………………….… Sarah “Sam” Seifert
Box Office Ticketer ……………………………………………………………………………… Diana Berry
Film Production Team
Director ………………………………………………………………………………………….  Kavelina Torres
Executive Producer ……………………………………………………………………….    Charlene Stern
Producer & Film Set Instructor ……………………………………………………….   Maya Salganek
Production Designer …………………………………………………………………  Kade Mendelowitz
Casting …………………………………………………………………   Maya Salganek, Kavelina Torres
Technical Support……………………………………………………………………………..  Scott Hansen
1st AD/ Camera Switcher ……………………………………………………………………   Daisy Carter
Gaffer & Set Dresser ……………………………………………………………….   Alex Gagne-Hawes
Costume Designer …………………………………………………………………………  Stephanie Rivet
Camera Operators …………………  Bryant Womack, Jordan Gulbertson, Maya Salganek,
                           Molly Wilson, JB Brown, Naomi Green,  Hannah Greene, Eric Marshall,
                                             Payton Tobin,  Jaden Reed, Ben Rainwater, Kjrsten Schindler
Jib Operators ……………………. JB Brown, Payton Tobin, Kjrsten Schindler, Jaden Reed
Location Sound Recordist & Sound Designer …………………………………… Flyn Ludington 
Boom operator …………………………………………………….. Flyn Ludington, Tiffany Emmons
Sound Stage audio recordist ……………………………………   Scott Hanson, Seamus Knight
Script Supervisor …………………………………………………………. Nora Grochala, Jaden Reed
2nd AD ………………………………………………………………………          August “Austin” Cooper
Digital Image Transfer & Associate Editor ……………………………………………. Jaden Reed
Grip …………………………………………………………………………………………   Dawson Brannan
Editors ………………… Kade Mendelowitz, Maya Salganek, Jaden Reed, Flyn Ludington,
                                                                                                                                Daisy Carter

Photo Galleries – Production Photos and Behind the Scenes filming Earth.

Photo Galleries – Production Photos and Behind the Scenes filming Earth.

A short film by Kade Mendelowitz
Premiered November 2, 2019

“A Night for Conversation” is the story of William and Julia, a young married couple who seem to have it all: a nice home, a good income and a beautiful daughter. But there is a dark and unhappy side to the family – and Julia soon finds herself trapped in an emotional and physically abusive relationship, fearing for her life.

“A Night for Conversation” – full movie, 38 minutes.
Director
Writer
Executive Producer
Producer
Producer
Co-Producer
Kade Mendelowitz
Kade Mendelowitz
Kade Mendelowitz
Maya Salganek
Pete Van Nort
Sam Thompson
A Night for Conversation poster
Production Poster
Cast
Julia
William
Frank
Kathy
Tim
Brenda
Natalie
Peter
Dr. Rita
Father Gengulphus
Jude (Supervisor)
Diana 1
Diana 2
Blair
Pub Waitress
Bartender
Bar Patrons
On Date
Bar Patron
Mary Conlin
Darren Napoli
Jared Olin
Skyler Borane
Eric Barragan
Nicole Cowans
Nadia Nelson
Adam Gillette
Kellie Bernstein
Sam Thompson
Peter Van Nort
Kaiya Gillette
Ana Vas
Kate Casterline
Heli Valkama
Chris Garber-Slaght,
Frank Chythlook
& Emily Ross
Freddy Gryder

Interviews with the cast, behind the scenes featurettes.


Mary Conlin plays Julia

Darren Napoli plays William

Nicole Cowans plays Brenda

2 minutes with Writer / Director
Kade Mendelowitz

Behind the Scenes making
“A Night for Conversation”

Trailer – 30 seconds
We’re part of the Internet Movie Database!

Credits continue

Director of Photography Mika McCrary
Production Designer Keara Anderson
Production Designer Keziah Anderson
Editor Mackyle Bogachoff
CGI & Post Prod. Supervisor Kade Mendelowitz
Costume Designers Stephanie Rivet & Lara Lotze
Casting Director Carrie Baker, SAG-AFTRA
First Assistant Director Kyleigh Huntsman
Second Assistant Director Luke Alexander Williams
Story Editor Sam Thompson
Assistant Story Editors Keziah Anderson, Andrew Glynn
Make-Up & Hair Lara Lotze
Assistant Make-Up Artists Amanda Casterline, Keara Anderson, Keziah Anderson
A Camera Operator Andrew Glynn
1st Assistant Camera Daniel Montague
2nd Assistant Camera Sam Thompson
B Camera Operator Pete Van Nort
C Camera Operator Josh Chavez
Digital Imaging Tech, Stills Ian Borowski
Sound Mixer John Huynh
Boom Operator Fischer Knapp
Utility Sound Heli Valkama
Second Sound Zong Moua
Script Supervisor Kelsey Nore
Assistant Script Supervisor Kelsey Charlie
Art Dept. Coordinators Keara Anderson
Art Dept. Coordinators Keziah Anderson
Prop Maker Keara Anderson
Prop Maker Keziah Anderson
Art Assistants David Anderson, Adam Gillette
Prop Graphic Designers Mika McCrary, Sam Thompson, Heli Valkama
Gaffer Daniel Walker (XLVII)
Chief Lighting Tech Colby Freel
Key Grip Garrett Wilson
G & E PA Zach Locklear
Location Manager Chris Garber-Slaght
Key Set PA Eric Barragan
Set PA Chris Garber-Slaght
EPK, BTS Interviews, Website Pete Van Nort
EPK, BTS & Additional Stills Ian Borowski, Josh Chavez
Production Office Coord. Amanda Casterline
Music
“3 Seasons Grace” – Josh Eagle (ASCAP)
“My Blue Trick” – Stephen Landon & Joseph Michael McGregor (BMI)
“Centerline” – Kevin Harris (ASCAP)
“Change in Time” – Mark Chosak (BMI)
“Waltz For Josie” – Evelyne Datl (SOCAN)
“Down Home Funk” – Stephen Landon & Joseph Michael McGregor (BMI)
“Carol of the Bells” – Peter Wilhousky – (Digital Juice)
“The Little Drummer Boy” – Katherine Kennicott Davis – (Royal Rites)
“No Life” – Josquin des Pres, Nova Page & Fabien Renoult (BMI)
“Find The Way Home” – Jean Baptiste Bocle (ASCAP)
“Night Watch” – Jack Waldenmaier (BMI)
“Abandoned ” – Pierre Gerwig Langer (SESAC)
“Investigation” – Pierre Gerwig Langer (SESAC)
“Warning Signs” – Steve Skinner (BMI)
“No Life” – Josquin des Pres, Nova Page & Fabien Renoult (BMI)
Special Thanks
David Anderson
Botanical Gardens – UAF – Matthew Carrick and Katie Dikristina
Colville House – UAF Facilities Services
Hess Village Playground – Robin Johnson
Tanya Mendelowitz
Multimakers Multimedia
UAF Bowling Alley – Ryan Keele
UAF Clinic – Dr. BJ Aldrich
UAF Pub – Michael Willis
UAF Pub Parking – Sharon Dunham, Edward Tinajero
Chancellor Daniel M. White

AlaskaLand feature film

AlaskaLand Poster

AlaskaLand Poster

AlaskaLand: a feature film by Chinonye Chukwu
Produced by Film UAF

ALASKALAND tells the story of Chukwuma, an Alaskan-raised Nigerian struggling to balance the expectations of his traditional Nigerian parents and the larger world around him. After a tragic car crash, Chukwuma is separated from his younger sister, Chidinma, who moves to Nigeria with their Uncle until she becomes of legal age.
Two years later the siblings reconnect to find their estrangement has created new personal and cultural frictions in ways that bring them closer to each other and their roots, as well as help them define what it means to be a Nigerian in Alaska.
CHINONYE CHUKWU (Writer/Director/Producer): CHINONYE CHUKWU is a Nigerian-born, Alaskan-raised screenwriter, producer and director. A recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award, Chinonye’s short, THE DANCE LESSON, premiered at the Ritz Theater of Philadelphia and was later acquired by mindTV for regional network distribution The film was also a Regional Finalist for the 2010 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Student Academy Awards and an Honorary Mention at the Los Angeles International Film Festival. Chinonye’s other work include IGBO KWENU!, a recipient of the PIFVA Subsidy Grant from the independent film community and both the “Best Motion Picture Award” and “Best Screenplay Award” at the 2009 Diamond Screen Festival. She has recently completed her first feature narrative, ALASKALAND, which began its festival run in Fall 2012.
Film UAF‘s own MAYA SALGANEK (Producer): MAYA SALGANEK is an Assistant Professor of Film/Video at  the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and director of the UAF Film Program. She  as co-producer for the independent feature film, Chronic Town (2008)  released by Grey Jumper Productions – and was featured in 2008′s Sundance Film Festival; Associate Producer for the independent feature film, Dear Lemon Lima (2009) by Sanguine Films, and Director of Photography of The Messenger (2012) by Kade Mendelowitz.

The Messenger

Film written and directed by Kade Mendelowitz
May, 2012 (premiere)

The Messenger poster

The Messenger poster

If God sent an Angel to Earth, would you listen to what he had to say? That is the overarching premise of this season’s ambitious production of “The Messenger” by faculty professor Kade Mendelowitz.

After hearing reports of a self proclaimed Angel and Messenger of God, Michael is invited as a guest of America’s latest talk-show phenomenon: “The Jessie Show”. The host, Jessica Lamech, has been facing her own private crisis of faith when this unique opportunity presents itself. The network, recognizing the huge ratings potential of such an event, has heavily advertised a live prime-time special – and you will be surprised where the interview goes from there. Join us for the first joint production of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Theatre & Film Departments.

Designer, playwright, and director Kade Mendelowitz created this multi-faceted production to match the distinctive nature of the programs at UAF. “I have been percolating this idea of combining a show that could be both a live theatre production and movie for a few years now, as we have been developing the Film program. Now that the Film Degree at UAF is official, I felt this was the perfect time to produce this piece.”

Mendelowitz has authored two multimedia educational theatre titles, and produced “Water Stealers” – a platinum award-winning science fiction adventure which premiered at the Goldstream Regal Cinemas in 2004. He’s also created the animated shorts “Hounds” and “Love at First Light” which won “Best in Animation” at the Fairbanks Film Festival.

In 1999 he adapted and directed a production of “Alice in Wonderland” in which the audience actually followed an Alice and White Rabbit through Wonderland. “It was truly wonderful! We had 10 scenes located throughout the Salisbury Theatre complex. The audience had tickets that broke them into groups of 12 spaced 10 minutes apart. Each of 4 Alice’s and 4 Rabbits took each audience group on a 40 minute adventure, each going 3 times. This meant the other characters they visited and interacted with (like the Mad Hatter, Mouse, Queen and Caterpillar) each performed their scene 12 times each night. It was a blast, and the audience loved it! Some parents bought their kids numerous times to see different Alices…but the show sold out quickly…it was a great experience” says Mendelowitz.

Cast & crew list after photo gallery.

A look behind the scenes of “Seeking Guidance” – the most powerful scene from the movie “The Messenger”. Enhanced by special lighting and a few special effects and location management.Behind the scenes of “The Messenger”. While recording the (4) shots for the fictional “Jessie Show” opening; some of the audio was noisy (not a surprise, considering one was AT an active construction site!)
Carrie Baker, Associate Professor of Performance at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Theatre & Film discusses her role portraying Jessie in the original film “The Messenger” by Kade Mendelowitz.Director of Photography and Producer Maya Salganek talks about her experience working on “The Messenger” by Kade Mendelowitz.
Behind the scenes videos
Press articleMovie review - Fairbanks Daily News-MinerMessenger review thumbnail
Press articleMovie review – Fairbanks Daily News-MinerMovie review – UAF Sun Star (student paper)

Parental Guidance Suggested
Due to some mature subject matter, parents are cautioned. The UAF Theatre Department believes that if this production were rated by the Motion Picture Association it would be rated PG-13.
In the movie there is some discussion of a sexual assault. Matters of religion an other complex issues are discussed. Additionally, there is a non-graphic depiction of a sexual assault.
Parents should use their discretion for whether this is appropriate for children under 16.

Cast
(in alphabetical order)

Messenger Playbill FinalCarrie Baker as Jessica Lamech
Tricia Bates as Francine Kitchen
Rachel Blackwell as Sports housewife
Llian Breen as Larry Kitchen
Melissa Buchta as Blind Woman
Andrew Cassel as “Bad Guy” & Michael
Jasen Chausse as Kevin Kitchen
“Country” as Rider
Wesley Dalton as Anthony Hall
Danny Dicaire as SportsGuy
Kim Eames as Doctor
Adam Gillette as Testimonial Police Officer
Stephan Golux as Father Andrew
Jordan Guinn as Billy
Annabel Heyne as Jennifer Jonitas
Eric Heyne as Johnathan Jonitas
Marley Horner as Announcer
Glenn Imus as Sleepy Driver
Michael Kingston as Carney Man
Nathaniel Lange as Basketball Player
David Leslie as TextiDriver
Michael McIntyre as Jeremy
Amie Meredith as Barbara
James Opp as Young Basketball Player
Thomas Petrie as Lucas
Stephanie Rivet as Pat
Jack Christopher Sellers as Sports Son
Ashley Thompson as Tamar
Dion Torres as Flowershop Worker
Brian Tuohy as Security Guard
Siri Tuttle as Elizabeth

Production Crew:
Kade Mendelowitz – Writer, Editor, Director
Maya Salganek – Director of Photography & Producer
Bethany Marx – Costume Designer
Christopher Kern – Production Manager
Tiana Hanson – Fall 1st Assistant Director
Kavelina Torres – Summer 1st Assistant Director
Adam Gillette – Technical Director, Props, Set Dresser
Llian Breen – Larry Beats Regardless Electrician, Best Boy
Deleen Cable, David Leslie, Arvia Glass, Carl Sage, Tiana Hanson, Jeff
Buckley, Jon Bracone, Sean Guecco, Amelia Cooper-Davis, Steve Keller,
Monika Kunat, Jeremiah Lafl eur, Richard Reagin, David Riffey
– Grips
Anita Ashbaugh – Special Effects Makeup
Carl Sage – Jessie Show Set Designer
Deirdre Adams – Jessie Show Lighting Designer
Kimberley Eames – Publicity and Box Office
Jeff Buckley, Aaron Gordon – Jib Operators
Jeff Buckley, Aaron Gordon, Tyler McClendon – Steadicam
Christopher Kern, Matthew Hartman, Adrina Knutson, Tyler McClendon – Camera Operators
Nicki Karl, Nicholas Kern, David Riffey – Audio
Jeremiah Cannone – Weaponry Foley Artist
Laura Schlutt – Assistant Stage Manager
Gerri Kern – Makeup Assistant
Jerene Mosier – Costume Shop Manager
Kimberly Eames – Basketball coach and wrangler, craft services