U.P. Films
by Kristi Evans
Celebrating the heritage and culture of the U.P. through film is a tradition as old as moving pictures. A number of NMU alumni recently continued that with premieres of their short films at the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Marquette.
“All Hop’d Up” by Cameron Mattson ’20 BFA, ’21 Cert. and Kevin Paczesny ’20 BFA gives voice to some of the pioneers and newcomers behind the local craft brewing phenomenon. “We set out to tell the story of two places, Ore Dock and Black Rocks—how beer is made, why it tastes so good—but it unfolded differently as we worked on the project,” said Mattson. “It quickly turned into how breweries started popping up in general and expanded from two businesses to five. We tell each story individually, but the overarching theme is how the subculture popped up in Marquette, starting with The Vierling, and grew. That became more interesting than how beer is made.”
A number of NMU students—some now alumni—comprised the film's production team. Members included Drake Perez, Digit Goodall, Matt Key, Terese Ledy, Justin Fisher, Kenzy Platt, Eric Plettau and T.J. Fritz.
"The Iron Town" documentary by Dan Korhonen ‘06 BS and John Scheibe '15 BS delves into Negaunee's mining history, current issues and the key role that outdoor recreation is playing in guiding the city's future. Korhonen and Scheibe interview four passionate subjects in the film: Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron; Historian Troy Henderson ‘99 BA; Iron Ore Heritage Trail Administrator Carol Fulsher ‘82 AB, '91 BS; and artist Mike Lempinen '74 AT, '83 BFA, who created interpretive signs and three-dimensional pieces on the trail using materials associated with the area's heritage of iron ore, steel and stone.
