“The central thing is the story, but the visuals are what draw you in more and help you focus on it,” said filmmaker Tim Gaetz. The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District and other physicalities of Northeast made filming here a natural, he said.
His new endeavor, “For Art’s Sake” is about a once famous New York City art critic, now two-bit
professor, who struggles to keep his volcanic personality in check to retain his job so his estranged daughter can attend college for free.
Conceptually, it’s a pilot for a proposed television series that would run four years with eight episodes per season (roughly following the months of the school year for Frida, the main character’s daughter).
Gaetz, who is an architect by trade, served as director and producer, teaming up with Steve Hauge. They are both long-time Northeast residents and have made five other shorter films, most available to watch on YouTube. Dick Zonneveld co-wrote the pilot.
Most of the film was shot in Northeast Minneapolis, with streetscapes, alleyways, and artist studios serving as context of the gritty main character, played by John Kremer of the California Building Company.
They held a casting event at the Thorp Buildling. A dozen core cast participated as well as 50 or so extras, most practicing artists, all volunteer. Another attraction was a network of talent in grips, lighting, and other production needs, and artists and galleries willing to let their work be used as backdrops.
The pilot is 50 minutes long, designed for an hour program slot. Most television hopefuls shoot a trailer to pitch an idea to the executives who decide what will move forward. Few shoot an entire pilot like “For Art’s Sake.”
Their next step will be to enter the piece in film festivals, and they plan an overture to Twin Cities Public Television. If accepted, it could become the first locally produced TV drama in Twin Cities history.
There will be a world premiere screening Saturday Oct. 22 at Honey, 205 E Hennepin Ave., 8 p.m., public invited.
Photo by Shelly Mosman