Were it not real, the bizarre subculture surrounding the annual winter treasure hunt in St. Paul, Minnesota, would seem lifted from the imagination of some Midwestern satirist--David Lynch or Garrison Keillor on a good day. As it is, the phenomenon requires only documentary directors to make compelling screen comedy--or, rather, documentary directors who are patient enough to get to know the participants and wry enough to keep the silliness of it all in perspective. Cutting every few seconds, and splicing seemingly endless reams of DV footage shot over a span of years, filmmakers Trent Tooley and Jackie Garry pay homage to the 54-year-old local tradition like any TV news team, but also poke serious fun--and even generate some drama. What emerges is a portrait of a community built on obsession, though the film stops just short of framing the event as crazy: Nothing here will offend the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which sponsors the massive hunt, publishes 12 daily clues, offers the $10,000 reward, and hides the medallion prize somewhere beneath the snow, in one of St. Paul's parks. But the sweetness of the movie never quite overwhelms our impression of the characters' shared mania: We meet snow-diggers who overanalyze clues, outline elaborate conspiracy theories, and mock those more--or less--fanatical than themselves. Really, this could be any insular community, from ice fishermen to punk rockers, except that its pointlessness is far more pointed. (Peter S. Scholtes)
Trent's preface to this e-mail: This is written not only for my MN friends, but also for my non-MN friends, hence the over-explaining of things obvious to any Minnesotan. Here we go...
There's only one critic on this planet who has seen "No Time for Cold Feet." His name is Peter Scholtes, and he writes for the City Pages (the "Village Voice" of Minneapolis-St. Paul). He wrote a nice little review, I quickly read it in January 2005 and never gave it any thought after that.
Okay, to tell the story properly, a little background is required...
When we screened "Cold Feet" in Minneapolis in January 2005, I contacted the newspapers ahead of time and requested that the film NOT be reviewed because these were just test screenings, the film wasn't finished yet, it's unfair to publish a review of an incomplete film, blah blah blah. Everyone was cool with this, except for the City Pages.
Rob Nelson, lead critic for the City Pages, said that they were going to have to review it because it was showing at the Bell, and their readers expected anything showing at the Bell to be reviewed. I argued back that we were renting the Bell, so we didn't count, etc. So he said, "Okay, we'll just do a mini-review then, and when the film is done, we'll do a real review." I thought that was fair. Rob said he'd be at Sundance that weekend but would send another critic.
The critic they sent was Peter Scholtes (I regularly read his pieces/reviews), and he saw the first cut of the film that we showed that first weekend. Of course, we recut the film (for the better) for subsequent showings, so Peter saw the worst possible version (we have since then done a lot more editing and have an even better film).
Cut to a few months ago... I happened to be reading an article in the City Pages online, and at the end it referenced a list of "Top 100 Movies of the 2000s." I clicked on the link and was skimming the list when I saw "No Time for Cold Feet." I didn't realize that I was reading a Peter Scholtes piece. Is this our film on this list? I clicked on the link and sure enough, it took me to his review.
Not one to care about critics, I didn't blink, but somewhere in me I thought that it was pretty cool that out of every movie this critic had seen in the past six years, our little documentary that we showed in a rented theater in Minneapolis made the list. Of course, I didn't mention it to anyone. I thought that maybe I said something to Jackie, but she doesn't remember.
Okay, cut to today... I'm editing the DVD extras of Cold Feet (hey, what else have I done with my time for the past five years?), and that list pops into my head, and I tell Jackie about it. "You remember that critic from the City Pages who reviewed Cold Feet... well, we made his list of the best 100 films of the 2000s." Jackie said, "Oh, can you send me a link?"
So I just went to the list, and not only did we make the "Best 100 Films of the 2000s," but we also ranked #14 on the 2005 list. I have to disagree with the list, though, because I know for sure that we're better than "Walk the Line" or "Wedding Crashers" (actually, I don't know that because I hate movies and haven't seen one in over four years). But hey, beggars can't be choosers (well, in New York they can, but this is Minnesota).
It's also of interest that Peter saw "Cold Feet" in January 2005, and often films that are seen early in the year are forgotten by critics by the time they make their lists.
I obviously have a lot of confidence in this film and can't wait until it's finished. The obstacles have been huge, but once it's out there, it will blaze a trail.
We're still hard at work on putting the final touches on "Cold Feet." We had another setback in .....(***removed by kitch******)
We've ended up with way too many DVD extras, so we're going to have to cut at least two hours of material out for now (perhaps we'll make that available in the future). We were also hoping to include a cinema verite version of the film, but that will have to await a future release as well. It's too bad because that version of the film works really well, but hey, we just don't have the money at this time to release that version as well.
So, hey everyone, when this finally comes out, don't be MN-shy about telling people about it. Word of mouth is important, and that turnout in Minneapolis in January 2005 was less than stellar... hint, hint... Of course, many of you did come through big time, and we're grateful for that. And from what I understand, the voodoo curse that I put on MN Film Arts (after they stole lots of money from us) apparently worked -- I hear that they are in serious financial trouble. Instant karma...
Speaking of karma, hopefully the Pioneer Press will end up in good hands, so we can continue this great tradition. You MNers probably hear a lot more about this on local media... I only know what I can read online.
they were out.... not very bright, and not for very long, but they were there...
Steve and myself decided to venture outside of our normal late-night, lake walking jurisdiction of Phalen, and head over to Harriet, and Calhoun, and Nokomis...
about half way around Harriet, I look up and see some green-glowiness, and go "yo... wtf is that??"
we sat there confused for a minute, and then realized what it was.....
pretty cool... I think this is the earliest ive seen them, in the year..... usually we see them on the camping trips to Lake Ann, up in Monticello/Big Lake, during the summer.... the best times have usually been in September or whatever.....
somebody egged the car, while we were walkin, too.... was a walk-by egging, from the looks of it.... there were shells and crap all wedged under the door handle... sucky
They always catch me by surprise, in the cities... but whenever I get a chance to make it up there for camping, I half expect to see them, after doing it so many times....
This is the dumbest clue ever! I hate this clue! ::shaking head in disgust::
Published on Jan. 23, 2003
Treasure Hunt lifer, prepare to cipher
This one's yours to keep.
Was it two or three, they seem not to agree
When St. Paul made a great leap.
Explanation: There are seemingly contradictory accounts of when the park was founded -- the Web site says 1872, when the state Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy the land; the park signs and other references say 1873, when St. Paul bought the land. Also, Feb. 29, 1872 -- leap day -- was when the Minnesota Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy land for a park, which turned out to be Como.
Our Thoughts: A great historical reference to the “seemingly contradictory accounts of when the park was founded - the Web site says 1872, when the state Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy the land; the park signs and other references say 1873, when St. Paul bought the land. Also, Feb. 29, 1872 - leap day - was when the Minnesota Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy land for a park, which turned out to be Como.
Seems like ages since I've been here, but I have been slogging but then something happens here and I don't get a chance to post.
Congrats CM on the suited job!
Congrats Formerly on the dream job!
Yesterday I knew it was Wednesday. So why today did I think it was Friday until I got to work?!?!? What a blow that was. I guess now the good thing is that tomorrow really is Finally Friday.
In case any of you get bored... I found this at the bottom of a jacket I bid on... Was kind of afraid of the jacket after seeing this, until I realized I was bidding through an auction house seller... (QuickDrop)
http://www.skywarn.ampr.org/msw2006/
The event is open to anyone (but it'd probably help if you're a weather enthusiast).
http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/stories/011283.asp
http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/2006/01/2005_year_in_fi.asp
Reviewed: January 2005
Were it not real, the bizarre subculture surrounding the annual winter treasure hunt in St. Paul, Minnesota, would seem lifted from the imagination of some Midwestern satirist--David Lynch or Garrison Keillor on a good day. As it is, the phenomenon requires only documentary directors to make compelling screen comedy--or, rather, documentary directors who are patient enough to get to know the participants and wry enough to keep the silliness of it all in perspective. Cutting every few seconds, and splicing seemingly endless reams of DV footage shot over a span of years, filmmakers Trent Tooley and Jackie Garry pay homage to the 54-year-old local tradition like any TV news team, but also poke serious fun--and even generate some drama. What emerges is a portrait of a community built on obsession, though the film stops just short of framing the event as crazy: Nothing here will offend the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which sponsors the massive hunt, publishes 12 daily clues, offers the $10,000 reward, and hides the medallion prize somewhere beneath the snow, in one of St. Paul's parks. But the sweetness of the movie never quite overwhelms our impression of the characters' shared mania: We meet snow-diggers who overanalyze clues, outline elaborate conspiracy theories, and mock those more--or less--fanatical than themselves. Really, this could be any insular community, from ice fishermen to punk rockers, except that its pointlessness is far more pointed. (Peter S. Scholtes)
There's only one critic on this planet who has seen "No Time for Cold Feet." His name is Peter Scholtes, and he writes for the City Pages (the "Village Voice" of Minneapolis-St. Paul). He wrote a nice little review, I quickly read it in January 2005 and never gave it any thought after that.
Okay, to tell the story properly, a little background is required...
When we screened "Cold Feet" in Minneapolis in January 2005, I contacted the newspapers ahead of time and requested that the film NOT be reviewed because these were just test screenings, the film wasn't finished yet, it's unfair to publish a review of an incomplete film, blah blah blah. Everyone was cool with this, except for the City Pages.
Rob Nelson, lead critic for the City Pages, said that they were going to have to review it because it was showing at the Bell, and their readers expected anything showing at the Bell to be reviewed. I argued back that we were renting the Bell, so we didn't count, etc. So he said, "Okay, we'll just do a mini-review then, and when the film is done, we'll do a real review." I thought that was fair. Rob said he'd be at Sundance that weekend but would send another critic.
The critic they sent was Peter Scholtes (I regularly read his pieces/reviews), and he saw the first cut of the film that we showed that first weekend. Of course, we recut the film (for the better) for subsequent showings, so Peter saw the worst possible version (we have since then done a lot more editing and have an even better film).
Cut to a few months ago... I happened to be reading an article in the City Pages online, and at the end it referenced a list of "Top 100 Movies of the 2000s." I clicked on the link and was skimming the list when I saw "No Time for Cold Feet." I didn't realize that I was reading a Peter Scholtes piece. Is this our film on this list? I clicked on the link and sure enough, it took me to his review.
Not one to care about critics, I didn't blink, but somewhere in me I thought that it was pretty cool that out of every movie this critic had seen in the past six years, our little documentary that we showed in a rented theater in Minneapolis made the list. Of course, I didn't mention it to anyone. I thought that maybe I said something to Jackie, but she doesn't remember.
Okay, cut to today... I'm editing the DVD extras of Cold Feet (hey, what else have I done with my time for the past five years?), and that list pops into my head, and I tell Jackie about it. "You remember that critic from the City Pages who reviewed Cold Feet... well, we made his list of the best 100 films of the 2000s." Jackie said, "Oh, can you send me a link?"
So I just went to the list, and not only did we make the "Best 100 Films of the 2000s," but we also ranked #14 on the 2005 list. I have to disagree with the list, though, because I know for sure that we're better than "Walk the Line" or "Wedding Crashers" (actually, I don't know that because I hate movies and haven't seen one in over four years). But hey, beggars can't be choosers (well, in New York they can, but this is Minnesota).
It's also of interest that Peter saw "Cold Feet" in January 2005, and often films that are seen early in the year are forgotten by critics by the time they make their lists.
I obviously have a lot of confidence in this film and can't wait until it's finished. The obstacles have been huge, but once it's out there, it will blaze a trail.
"Top 100 movies of the 2000s"
http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/stories/011283.asp
"The Best of 2005" list (we're #14):
http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/2006/01/2005_year_in_fi.asp
In other news...
We're still hard at work on putting the final touches on "Cold Feet." We had another setback in .....(***removed by kitch******)
We've ended up with way too many DVD extras, so we're going to have to cut at least two hours of material out for now (perhaps we'll make that available in the future). We were also hoping to include a cinema verite version of the film, but that will have to await a future release as well. It's too bad because that version of the film works really well, but hey, we just don't have the money at this time to release that version as well.
So, hey everyone, when this finally comes out, don't be MN-shy about telling people about it. Word of mouth is important, and that turnout in Minneapolis in January 2005 was less than stellar... hint, hint... Of course, many of you did come through big time, and we're grateful for that. And from what I understand, the voodoo curse that I put on MN Film Arts (after they stole lots of money from us) apparently worked -- I hear that they are in serious financial trouble. Instant karma...
Speaking of karma, hopefully the Pioneer Press will end up in good hands, so we can continue this great tradition. You MNers probably hear a lot more about this on local media... I only know what I can read online.
Trent
at least you know someone on the list. We got the email around midnight.
but the list cracks me up....I get more forwards...cuz I'm not on the "LIST"
you're on my list!
just don't get on the $#^!list
that was strange...I just got the "official" one now...
I'm a mass murderer of jokes.
they were out.... not very bright, and not for very long, but they were there...
Steve and myself decided to venture outside of our normal late-night, lake walking jurisdiction of Phalen, and head over to Harriet, and Calhoun, and Nokomis...
about half way around Harriet, I look up and see some green-glowiness, and go "yo... wtf is that??"
we sat there confused for a minute, and then realized what it was.....
pretty cool... I think this is the earliest ive seen them, in the year..... usually we see them on the camping trips to Lake Ann, up in Monticello/Big Lake, during the summer.... the best times have usually been in September or whatever.....
somebody egged the car, while we were walkin, too.... was a walk-by egging, from the looks of it.... there were shells and crap all wedged under the door handle... sucky
It never gets old....
One of the top independant professional wrestling federations - Ring Of Honor makes its long awaited return to Saint Paul, MN:
August 25th, 2006
St. Paul Armory
600 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
8:00pm belltime
tickets on sale now, at http://www.rohwrestling.com (and probably at the venue, itself)
matches, and talent, to be announced soon....
the last time those guys came here (which was also their first time in MN), the show sold out in under 5 minutes...
That same night, the WWE was running a show, right down the way, at Excel that didnt draw very good attendance numbers.....
I posted this yesterday:
me2, "Things You Really Enjoy" #3555, 10 Apr 2006 7:29 pm
Posts: 3669 on post 3555
---DOUBLE JOE!!! COOL!
I like 69 and 5/5/5
why am I back BELOW 3669?
I guess Im claiming a 3666 Joe
not sure...could of happened anywhere...
<---wishes deleted posts still showed up on the site.
she's wondering why her overall posts went down...
...my best guess is it happen'd somewhere outside of the cooler...
it can happen anywhere in A.Minds
such as a football thread in the Atlantic..or something...
its almost impossible to figure out...
Published on Jan. 23, 2003
Treasure Hunt lifer, prepare to cipher
This one's yours to keep.
Was it two or three, they seem not to agree
When St. Paul made a great leap.
Explanation: There are seemingly contradictory accounts of when the park was founded -- the Web site says 1872, when the state Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy the land; the park signs and other references say 1873, when St. Paul bought the land. Also, Feb. 29, 1872 -- leap day -- was when the Minnesota Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy land for a park, which turned out to be Como.
Our Thoughts: A great historical reference to the “seemingly contradictory accounts of when the park was founded - the Web site says 1872, when the state Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy the land; the park signs and other references say 1873, when St. Paul bought the land. Also, Feb. 29, 1872 - leap day - was when the Minnesota Legislature authorized St. Paul to buy land for a park, which turned out to be Como.
....the park was 'formally' opened in 1894.
Seems like ages since I've been here, but I have been slogging but then something happens here and I don't get a chance to post.
Congrats CM on the suited job!
Congrats Formerly on the dream job!
Yesterday I knew it was Wednesday. So why today did I think it was Friday until I got to work?!?!? What a blow that was. I guess now the good thing is that tomorrow really is Finally Friday.
Ohh thats gotta hurt!
http://cgi.ebay.com/OUT-AND-PROUD-GAY-BOYFRIEND-CARLOS-SANTA-BILLY-DOLL_W0QQitemZ9509345369QQcategoryZ239QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Love the logo Formerly :smile:
Happy Easter everyone!