Sheila Dvorak - Sheila falls in love with the Mississippi Delta

When I flew into the Mississippi Delta, I was captivated by the patchwork created by the fields below me. The magic of the place had just started to wash over me. After I landed, I drove across the Mississippi river and strolled by Lake Chicot in Arkansas, just so I could say I had been there too. It was beautiful and peaceful.

The next day I was off to the B.B. King Museum in Indianola. While the audience of local film makers, film lovers, and students enjoyed the film in the auditorium, I walked through the B.B..King Museum exhibits, and got caught up in learning the story of the legendary musician. The hour and a half film wasn't even enough time to soak in the whole exhibit, but duty called. Another engaging Q&A unfolded, and then our evening of Mississippi Delta blues fun began. A group from the audience joined me for a post film dinner with Erin and Laura who work for the museum at the Gin Mill restaurant, and then we all strolled over to the original juke joint, Club Ebony. There was a huge welcome banner for the Teach For America students to work in the area. Then we finished our evening at the Blue Biscuit where Stan Street, who I was surprised to learn is from Rochester, NY, and his blues band with Alfonso on Flute, Soprano Sax and "Big Dave" on guitar were tearing it up. As usual, I couldn't keep myself off the dance floor, and at one point I joined the band, rocking out on the fugal horn. My night in the Mississippi Delta was full of energy, enthusiasm, and local film maker Landry joined me the following day as I conducted an interview for my next film project, a documentary, with new friends Tiffany and Mark fans of Children of Invention I had made friends with the night before.

All in all, Mississippi exceeded my expectations in every way, and I am eagerly awaiting the next time I get to go back.

Sheila Dvorak - Lights, Camera, and a Moderated Q&A in Gainesville GA

When I arrived at the Arts Council in Gainesville Georgia, I was struck by the beautiful building and excited by the platter of Petit fours set out for the reception. After the film, while the audience milled in the atrium with the goodies, I was wired up for the Q&A. The Film Club at Gainesville State College works in partnership with the Arts Council, and they were going to film the moderated Q&A and create an edit of the interview. Sounded good to me!

Dr. Jeff Marker, a professor in the Media Studies department was the moderator, and had prepared a lot of great questions. His colleague David Smith was one of the two camera operators. Dr. Marker blew my mind when he said that he has watched my short film Vacation Bible Lemonade in preparation for the interview, and that he found many similar themes in that film, which I wrote and directed, and Children of Invention. He asked if I was drawn to stories about industrious children. It was a very unique question, and I was flattered he had taken the time to watch my film, which is available on IMDB. (Click the link to watch the movie)

He said that the performance by Adamina Giselle Smith was another one of those that blow you away. Thanks Jeff! I'll be sure to let her know. Adamina is my niece, and I wrote that part in order to showcase her talents. Great job!

I really enjoyed the Q&A because it was an excellent opportunity to discuss the state of independent film and encourage the film students to work hard if they want to succeed. I shared that Tze and I made twelve short films before Windowbreaker got into the Sundance Film Festival, so it's important not to get discouraged, and to keep exploring your art form until your craft meets your expectations.

Tonight I am off to the BB King Museum in Indianola Mississippi for the third screening in the series. Very excited. Thank you South Arts!

Sheila Dvorak - Madison, GA - A Picturesque town for our film

When I arrived in Madison, GA, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the place. It is the Southern City that was too perfect for Sherman to burn, so there were historical homes and buildings everywhere I turned.

The auditorium where we held the screening made me feel like I was going back in time. It was once an old school house, and it just has the best energy.

The screening was very exciting, and I got a lot of interesting questions asked of me during the Q&A. We had a reception afterward, and I had these some soft home made molasses cookies I won't soon forget.

The next day I went to the middle school and told the drama and production classes that our cast had never acted on camera before, and that explained how they could get a chance to be a part of a film if they looked out for the right opportunities. I loved my time in Madison, especially the hospitality of the Cultural Center staff and volunteers. I suggest everyone find the time to stop here and take a walk back in time.

Meet Sheila Dvorak

Welcome Sheila Dvorak to the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! Sheila is the producer of Children of Invention. Her first screening will be hosted by the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.

Sheila Dvorak began working in independent film in 2003 when she and Tze Chun joined forces as "The Complications." They produced twelve short films, including Document, which premiered as part of the New Directors-New Films series at Anthology Film Archives, and Windowbreaker, which appeared at Sundance in 2007. Sheila also worked on Sundance NEXT feature "Armless" and the documentary See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary. She is currently writing and producing a documentary about the United States Postal Service and working on preparations for her first directorial effort, Artificial Dissemination.

Sheila Dvorak - Just Starting Out!

Hello Southern Circuit Tour!

I am very excited about all of the screenings of Children Of Invention. I feel very honored to be traveling with the film, and with such style! Today I got into my red Ford Mustang and felt like the grueling life on an independent film maker is finally paying some style dividends. My first screening is tonight in Madison Georgia, so I had better go and start getting ready!