A short film on the Minnesota All-Stars, referred to as the “Minnesota Mean”, due to their tough playing style and worldwide ranking (11th out of almost 400 leagues), while coming from a state known for polite people wearing parkas or “Minnesota Nice”.
A short film on the Minnesota All-Stars, referred to as the “Minnesota Mean”, due to their tough playing style and worldwide ranking (11th out of almost 400 leagues), while coming from a state known for polite people wearing parkas or “Minnesota Nice”.
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Story
Mission Statement
Women’s roller derby is all about powerful women, inclusive of gender-identity, sexuality, and race. They are highly competitive with one another on the track and as athletes, but their dedication to one another off the track, above all else, is revolutionary. Also, the director is a woman.About The Project
A few years ago, my friend Lisa dedicated herself to joining the Minnesota RollerGirls. Lisa was 40 at the time and it took her a few years of training to be accepted to their local league. Since that time, I’ve watched “Bernasty” (Lisa) come into her power. She’s physically and emotionally stronger than I’ve ever seen her. Last year, she broke her ankle in 3 places while skating. The team rallied around her, delivering meals and taking her to doctors appointments. Instead of quitting, Lisa was back the next season. Seeing how derby changed Lisa’s life is what drew me to tell the story of the top-ranked players of the Minnesota RollerGirls in their international season.
In a media culture that still tends to play women against each other as adversaries having cat fights, the culture of derby is the opposite. Yet, roller derby has consistently been portrayed in the mainstream as a frivolous hobby with girls in short skirts and fishnets, fighting for the titillation of male fans. The Minnesota Mean are done with that portrayal and so am I. As a woman, a mother of two young girls, and a filmmaker, I find myself crying every time I watch them, because the convey something rarely seen in film: a group of powerful women who are dedicated to each other and who simultaneously embrace and defy any gender stereotypes.
In addition, I have discovered through the making of this film that I need to consciously change how I work as a filmmaker. Historically, most of my collaborators have been male. As production continues, I have added only female and gender-non-conforming members to the crew.
I was originally developing this project as a series from the start. Unable to secure a broadcast partner quickly (this began in April of 2017), I decided to pare it down to a short documentary film of the 2017 season.
I am still hoping that this short will help show the powers-that-be that the Minnesota Mean can carry a broadcast season.
Incentives
$15
Digital Download of Film
See Minnesota Mean first! Partners at this level will receive a personal link to view the film online before its premiere!$25
Your Own Derby Name!
Some of the best roller derby players have FABULOUS derby names. On the MN Mean, those names include: Smoka Hontas, Hurtrude Stein, Brickyard, Riotchu, Brutal Brit, Crust Almighty, Diamond Rough, Hal'Luci-Jen, Jacked Pipes, Madrad, Manila Ice, Polly Punchkin, Rhea Volt, Scarmen Hellectra, Second Hand Smoke, Shiver Me Kimbers, Shock Therapy, Switch Please, and DJ Fart Noize.
Give at this level and we will supply you with a personalized derby name of your own! Bringing you one step closer to your dreams of derby glory!!!
You will also receive a digital download of the film, because you deserve a sneak peek.
Photo credit: William Clark Photography
$150
RollerGirls Thank You Personally!
The team will make you a personal THANK YOU VIDEO and post it online for your support! That's right, the amazing women of the MN Mean will say your name for all to see and hear. :-)You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$250
Night of Derby and Meet the MN RollerGirls!
Two tickets for an evening of Roller Derby during the Minnesota RollerGirls Home Season (October or April). Cheer for the Dagger Dolls, Garda Belts, Atomic Bombshells, or Rockits as they skate in one of the best venues for Women's Flat Track Roller Derby in the Country! (Seriously, we've heard this from teams across the country, it's not just us saying this.) Then meet a few of the MN RollerGirls IN PERSON, behind-the-scenes!!!! Travel to the Roy Wilkins Arena not included with this incentive.
You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
Photo credit: William Clark Photography
Claimed: 0 of 2
$500
Night with the Minnesota RollerGirls and MN Mean Director!
Join MN Mean Director Dawn Mikkelson at the beautiful Roy Wilkins Arena in St. Paul, MN for an evening of Roller Derby during the Minnesota RollerGirls Home Season. Cheer for the Dagger Dolls, Garda Belts, Atomic Bombshells, or Rockits as they skate in one of the best venues for Women's Flat Track Roller Derby in the Country! (Seriously, we've heard this from teams across the country, it's not just us saying this.) We'll even supply snacks and a beverage!
Then meet a few of the MN RollerGirls IN PERSON, behind-the-scenes!!!!
Travel to the Roy Wilkins Arena not included with this incentive.
You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit
As someone who went above and beyond to make Minnesota Mean a reality, donors at this level will receive an Associate Producer's credit, both in the film's credits AND on IMDB.You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
$5,000
Two Tickets to Festival Premiere
Join the filmmakers at the International or National Festival premiere of Minnesota Mean.
Travel not included, but we'll definitely buy dinner.
You will also receive associate producer credit, a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Digital Download of Film
See Minnesota Mean first! Partners at this level will receive a personal link to view the film online before its premiere!$25
Your Own Derby Name!
Some of the best roller derby players have FABULOUS derby names. On the MN Mean, those names include: Smoka Hontas, Hurtrude Stein, Brickyard, Riotchu, Brutal Brit, Crust Almighty, Diamond Rough, Hal'Luci-Jen, Jacked Pipes, Madrad, Manila Ice, Polly Punchkin, Rhea Volt, Scarmen Hellectra, Second Hand Smoke, Shiver Me Kimbers, Shock Therapy, Switch Please, and DJ Fart Noize.
Give at this level and we will supply you with a personalized derby name of your own! Bringing you one step closer to your dreams of derby glory!!!
You will also receive a digital download of the film, because you deserve a sneak peek.
Photo credit: William Clark Photography
$150
RollerGirls Thank You Personally!
The team will make you a personal THANK YOU VIDEO and post it online for your support! That's right, the amazing women of the MN Mean will say your name for all to see and hear. :-)You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$250
Night of Derby and Meet the MN RollerGirls!
Two tickets for an evening of Roller Derby during the Minnesota RollerGirls Home Season (October or April). Cheer for the Dagger Dolls, Garda Belts, Atomic Bombshells, or Rockits as they skate in one of the best venues for Women's Flat Track Roller Derby in the Country! (Seriously, we've heard this from teams across the country, it's not just us saying this.) Then meet a few of the MN RollerGirls IN PERSON, behind-the-scenes!!!! Travel to the Roy Wilkins Arena not included with this incentive.
You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
Photo credit: William Clark Photography
Claimed: 0 of 2
$500
Night with the Minnesota RollerGirls and MN Mean Director!
Join MN Mean Director Dawn Mikkelson at the beautiful Roy Wilkins Arena in St. Paul, MN for an evening of Roller Derby during the Minnesota RollerGirls Home Season. Cheer for the Dagger Dolls, Garda Belts, Atomic Bombshells, or Rockits as they skate in one of the best venues for Women's Flat Track Roller Derby in the Country! (Seriously, we've heard this from teams across the country, it's not just us saying this.) We'll even supply snacks and a beverage!
Then meet a few of the MN RollerGirls IN PERSON, behind-the-scenes!!!!
Travel to the Roy Wilkins Arena not included with this incentive.
You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
Claimed: 0 of 10
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit
As someone who went above and beyond to make Minnesota Mean a reality, donors at this level will receive an Associate Producer's credit, both in the film's credits AND on IMDB.You will also receive a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
$5,000
Two Tickets to Festival Premiere
Join the filmmakers at the International or National Festival premiere of Minnesota Mean.
Travel not included, but we'll definitely buy dinner.
You will also receive associate producer credit, a digital download of the film and derby name, because you rock.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Dawn Mikkelson - Director/Producer
A 2015 Emmy Award Winner and 2010 McKnight Filmmaking Fellow, Mikkelson has shown her work on PBS and international festivals including the Galway Film Fleadh, Cambridge Film Festival, IDFA, Leipzig DOK Market, and Washington DC Environmental Film Festival. Mikkelson has completed four award-winning independent feature documentaries, “The Red Tail”, “Green Green Water”, “THIS obedience”, and “Treading Water: a documentary”, all of which illuminate larger societal issues while creating understanding through the intimate stories of individuals. Her fifth film, “Risking Light” is set to premiere in fall 2017. From a mother's meeting with her child's killer to a genocide survivor's decision to reject vengeance, “Risking Light” is a documentary feature about four remarkable people traveling from trauma through resilience. A former television news reporter, Mikkelson often speaks and writes for MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) and produces for TPT (Twin Cities PBS). Mikkelson is a Minnesota Film Fatales member.
Jim Tittle - Cinematographer
Jim Tittle is an artist/filmmaker from St. Paul, Minnesota. He received his MFA from the University of California, San Diego, where he studied studio art. After returning to the Twin Cities, he became involved in the local art scene, exhibiting his installations and photographs at galleries and museums. In 1989, he co-founded the largest alternative art gallery in the region.
A growing interest in narrative motivated Jim to transition from still photography to filmmaking. He has worked as a director of photography on assorted independent film projects, and regularly produces video for corporations and non-profits.
Tittle has received fellowships and awards for his art work from the Bush, Jerome and McKnight foundations, as well as the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Nanne Sørvold - Cinematography
Maribeth Romslo - Cinematography
Carolyn Draayer - Cinematography
Carolyn is a director, cinematographer and editor based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born with a passion for storytelling, Carolyn found a love for strategic communication during her time at Gustavus Adolphus College where she earned a B.A. in Communication Studies. She now gets to merge the two to create dynamic storytelling for a wide variety of clients, including Fortune 500 Companies, Olympic athletes, colleges, wedding couples and families. She loves collaborating with her clients to create captivating films.
Cliff Dahlberg - Cinematography
Cliff Dahlberg is an up-and-coming producer who has become a jack-of-all-trades around the office. By dabbling in nearly every project that has come through the door, Cliff went from production intern to Emmy-nominated producer in nothing flat and has become a key business strategist for Twelve Plus. With a major in Classics, he could not be more well-rounded.
Michael Sutz - Cinematography
Brenda Piekarski - Camera Operator/Media Managment
Brenda Piekarski has 15+ years of production, editing, and motion graphics experience. With a background in corporate communications, she can make logos dance, CEO's shine and tradeshow displays rock. To balance out the business side of things, her true passion is outdoor adventure sports and producing the Among the Wild film series that will give you an inspiring adrenaline rush.
John Sims - Sound
John has been a sound professional in the film and television industry for over twenty years. Working both as a location sound mixer and post production engineer, some of John's film credits include, A Prairie Home Companion, Thin Ice, and Factotum as well as commercial spots for Medica, KIemps Ice Cream, Famous Dave's, Monday Night Foodball, and Adidas.
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