{image1}Milwaukee native Jeanne Spicuzza has been out in California for about a decade now, where she has been working hard as a performing poet, a writer, a producer and an actress. She's had her share of acclaim but things really seem to be coming together for 30-something Spicuzza now.
In addition to an exciting new project she hopes to be able announce shortly, in April Spicuzza begins shooting "Field Day," a high-definition digital short film about, she says, "a surreal experience of the horrors of Vietnam, which prove to be a worthy lesson in the true cost of war."
It's all been something of a dream, both figuratively and literally.
"Most of 'Field Day' -- the characters, storyline, dialogue, even specific camera angles -- was a actually dream I'd had," Spicuzza says. "George Bush Jr. had just been appointed president. In fact, there's a sound bite of a news broadcast in 'Field Day,' much like that of Fox News and Bush's cousin about the supreme court justice declaring his cousin's new position. I shelved the script for three years while touring performance poetry in the U.S. and Europe and developing the two feature films I mentioned.
"Then Jon Hemmings, a DVD producer from London, offered international distribution for any high definition short film that I'd written and would produce. Given election year and the recent war, I thought it timely to produce 'Field Day.' Jon read the script and, finding it controversial, he boldly wanted to proceed."
So, how does Vietnam fit in?
"I've always been impressed by the courage of persons who are willing to make statements in accordance with their conscience. The story touches on the horrors of Vietnam as a reminder that, like the old adage, if we don't learn from our history, we're doomed to repeat it. When we wage war, we tear ourselves apart. I'd like to help change that if I can."
"Field Day" and other projects that are now on the front burner are helping to raise Spicuzza's profile in Hollywood and beyond. And they are energizing her.
"Well, let's put it this way, whoever said that being calm is all about staying still wasn't me! I'm always working on a few projects at once," Spicuzza says. "However, that there is a vital quality to this time in my life."
As is often the case, years of hard work are beginning to pay off and a lot of long-term projects are emerging.
"All of the film-related efforts that I've been engaged in for several years appear to be emerging into public view," Spicuzza says. "I'm meeting incredible people and building teams, raising funds, organizing shoots and more. I've brought more people into my insane creative ventures than ever before!"
Remarkably, Spicuzza expects the film, which will she will oversee, but which will be shot by Director of Photography Patricia Van Over ("The Thin Red Line," "Practical Magic," "L.A. Story"), to be released on DVD and video on May 15.
"I do place tough but executable deadlines on myself to insure that I get the job done," Spicuzza says. "I set a goal this winter to complete the novel adaptation of "Making Angels," one of two feature screenplays I've written and am developing into films, and met it. Scheduling goals has been very effective when I'm the only one doing the work or making the decisions."
But Spicuzza doesn't mind collaborating, even if it means sharing some control on her myriad projects, because it helps her broaden her horizons and it can lead to some satisfying moments.
"It's great to see people whose work I admire noticing the quality and value of mine. It has, in turn, helped me to see this value, too," she says.
Although her tight deadline will certainly be a challenge, Spicuzza says it's not the hardest part of her work these days.
"One of the greatest challenges facing the artist in current society, particularly in America," she says, "is the recognition of the importance and value of artists' work and contributions. With shrinking funds and grants, arts education programs and the like, the message that administrations, especially since the 1980s have been sending out is clear: the arts aren't important, not nearly as important as arms. But ... without them, our society is like bones without tissue, devoid, words and communication without reflection or meaning. I'm happy to be in a place where I can see and experience their value. I'm hopeful that more people will come to recognize this value, too."
Jeanne Spicuzza's Web site is, seasonsandamuse.com.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
