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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

News Release

June 4, 2007
From: Flicka Films, LLC

My Friend, Norman: The Man From Aberdeen Takes First Place at Film Conference
For Immediate Release—The independent feature documentary, My Friend, Norman: The Man From Aberdeen received first place at the Fort Omaha Film Conference, Saturday, June 2. The Film Conference was part of the second annual Great Plains Theatre Conference presented by Metropolitan Community College, Fort Omaha Campus.

Writer/Producer/Director, Laurie Richards’ first documentary, My Friend, Norman: The Man From Aberdeen was presented on Friday, June 1 at 10am. Richards was present for Q and A after the screening. The film follows the journey of Norman Geske, the Director Emeritus of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, from 1950 to present. It was well-received by the audience members who noted it was an “amazing” presentation of information regarding the influences one man continues to have on the arts in Nebraska.

My Friend, Norman is self-distributed and has been screened at Chadron State College, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, and the Ross Media Arts Center. It is a sponsored project of the Friends of the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Theatre and Film Conference ran concurrently at the Fort Omaha campus of the college. Attendees included Edward Albee, Patricia Neal, local actors, area play-writes, filmmakers and students. The Film Conference consisted of three days of presentations of locally made independent films. There were several categories of films including: short film, short documentary, feature documentary, art and experimental and music videos.

The panelists presented lively discussion on film and video history on current use in the entertainment industry and included: Bruce Crawford, film historian and producer; Jim Fields, filmmaker, Preserve Me A Seat; Tim Guthrie, filmmaker and associate professor at Creighton University; Mark Hoeger, theater and film producer, Full Ride, professor Film Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha; Lee Murray, professor of media studies, Metropolitan Community College; and Mike Pacholski. producer/director, University of Nebraska-Omaha Television.

The Fort Omaha Film Conference was organized by Bob Mass, media and digital technology instructor at Metropolitan Community College, Elkhorn Campus. For more information contact: Laurie Richards: lrichards2@neb.rr.com or call (402) 202-1905.

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Subject: Feature Film Documentary – “My Friend, Norman: The Man From Aberdeen”

“My Friend, Norman: The Man From Aberdeen” is a feature length documentary about the impact one man has had on the artistic and cultural heritage of Nebraska.

Lincoln filmmaker Laurie Richards has worked over three years to write, film, direct and produce this labor of love, a wonderful tribute to Norman Geske, Director Emeritus of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
The film captures the essence of Norman’s incredible efforts and legacy----Nebraska’s Father of the Arts. “Norman is a living treasure” and his impact on Nebraska’s cultural and artistic identity has been enormous. Even at age 91 he continues to be influential nationwide. I am so grateful to Norman for allowing me to follow him around the world with camera in hand. It’s a testament to our relationship and his patience…” Richards states.

Richards begins the journey with Norman’s arrival in Lincoln, August 1950. She brings you right up to the present day with current events and moments that will entertain and delight. She has brilliantly presented the life and devotion of this man to the visual arts in a fun and informal narrative that also educates and inspires.

You will learn about Norman’s leadership in the building of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and hear audio excerpts of architect Philip Johnson’s dedication speech from May 1963. You will see the American Wing at the 1968 Venice Biennale, curated by Norman Geske, which turned the art world upside down. You will take a trip through Nebraska’s 1976 celebration of our nation’s birth and witness Norman’s hand in creating the controversial Interstate 80 Sculpture Project. You will learn of Norman’s interest in film as an art form and his influence on the development of the state-of-the-art Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.

You will also visit his early days and influence on the Walker Art Center at Minneapolis and his efforts at establishing the Museum of Nebraska Art at Kearney. You will visit prestigious New York galleries with Norman and meet the dealers that worked with Norman to develop a world-class collection of 20th century art.

You will witness Norman’s continued involvement in the world of art and architecture with lectures at New York galleries. You will visit Monet’s garden at Giverney and walk the streets of Paris with Geske.

Join U.S. Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser, painter Keith Jacobshagen, Ross Media Arts Center Director, Danny Lee Ladely, and Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery Director, Jan Driesbach to see just who the “Man From Aberdeen” is.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center at UNL, along with Richards and her executive producers, Dan Worth and Jennifer Martin the film was screened for Norman Geske’s 91st birthday, October 28th, 2006, in the Cooper Theater at the Ross Media Arts Center at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Assistant editor and video artist, John Andrews adds his creative talents with animated transitions that set the tone for each segment of Geske’s life. The soundtrack includes the bright and refreshing music of Café Accordion Orchestra, featuring Lincoln’s native son, Dan Newton. Original music from local musician Steve Hanson is performed on guitar and mandolin. Piano compositions are heard from Ruth Wallerstedt and Jack Oliva. The result is an engaging visual and audio presentation.The film has been funded in part by a variety of local private sources and also by the Nebraska Art Association, the member support group of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and by the AIA Nebraska Architectural Foundation. Associate producers are Marcia and Harley Bergmeyer and Joyce Holtmeier.

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