Special Features: ART & PRODUCTION DESIGN for Short Film Workshop

The heart and soul of many film productions lie within the Art & Production Design departments. From set design, to costuming to props, these departments allow for other worlds to be introduced, sustained and transported in any film. As a key component within the pre-production process it is essential that young filmmakers know how to approach art in their films. Join us at SPECIAL FEATURES to learn more about props & wardrobe budgets, sourcing & shopping, and process / mood boards. Local filmmakers and artists, Kara Mulrooney & Amanda Tollefson, will lead us in a workshop offering their expertise and backgrounds working on films with high concept art, commercial products and indie film work. If you interested in art and production design departments, this Special Features is for you!

Kara Mulrooney is an art-driven filmmaker, actor, and educator based in the Midwest. She is currently in post-production on her debut feature film “For the Time Being,” and recent feature “The Field” (Producer, Actor) earned international distribution (Gravitas Ventures) including theatrical and VOD, and a robust festival run. Her previous short “jazzy@32 (a true story)” won the Golden Badger Award at its premiere, and her short “An Evening at Angelo’s” won the Cream City Cinema Special Jury Prize at its premiere. Mulrooney has screened her work internationally, including the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner, and she was commissioned by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center to make two short films (“It’s Gotta Be In Ya,” “The Saga of the Whittled Hodag.”)

Mulrooney is also a 15+ years freelance video & photo producer with clients include Northwestern Mutual, American Family Insurance, Baker Tilly, GE, Manpower, Milwaukee Brewers, WI Tourism, WI Department of Transportation, WI Department of Health Services, Park Bank, Landmark Credit Union, UW-Whitewater, Exact Sciences & Cologuard, Vivent Health, Dignity Health, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, ALS Foundation, Master Lock, Snap-on Tools, Wells Lamont and more. Partners include Ski Team, Jigsaw Creative, Collura Creative, Melbourne Russell III, Found the Ribbon Films, and many more.

Amanda Tollefson is an artist, props & wardrobe stylist, and seamstress living in Milwaukee, WI. Highlights from her 15 years in the film production industry include costume design for the VR short film Ashe ‘68 which premiered at the US Open as well as Sundance, set & costume design for The Saga of the Whittled Hodag commissioned by the John Michael Kohler Art Center, making making raccoon & gopher puppets & a suit for a turtle for the Adult Swim show Joe Pera Talks With You, and dressing Giannis Antetokounmpo for several commercials over the last 5 years. She has frequently collaborated with Kara Mulrooney, including costume design for 2019 film The Field which Kara starred in, and set & costume design for Kara’s feature For The Time Being which is currently in post production & was partially inspired by Amanda’s real life stint making mascot costumes. She also makes quilts, clothing, & home goods out of thrifted / recycled fabric, & occasionally shows work in galleries & sells at craft fairs. She is perhaps most well known for patching holes in crew members clothing on set.