¤ visionaries filmworks, inc. ¤

Jamie A. Lee / Founder & Filmmaker / ...::aries::...

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
My Primary Star: Mirach, also called Andomeda’s girdle, bestows sensitivity, a dreamy and idealistic nature, and a refined sense of beauty. Frequently you have a gregarious and cheerful outlook, personal charm, a desire for happiness, and a love of company. The positive influence that this star carries endows you with imaginative power, inspiration, and ideas based on artistic creation. Although adventurous, you can also be devoted and visionary. Your goal may be to create the real out of the ideal.

My Vision: When I was in the third grade, I discovered the connection between my brain, my heart, my hands, a pencil and paper to create vivid stories. I wrote. I wrote. I giggled. I dreamed. I imagined. I wrote. I re-imagined. I wrote. I laughed. I wrote some more. Then in college I was introduced to the video camera and editing suite. Big changes. I shot. I looked. I stared. I giggled. I dreamed. I imagined. I interviewed folks everywhere. I edited. I cut. I laughed. I cried. I dreamed. I dreamed big.

My Story: My first “big break” in the industry happened in 1991, when I got a job as a production assistant at the ABC affiliate in Duluth, MN. In 1993, I was promoted to full-time Creative Services Director/Producer where I was in charge of producing and directing commercials and live programming. This was pre-non linear editing on computers. I was great at counting backwards from thirty and working through straight-cut editing with tape reels. Well, it was stressful, but exciting! Through limited access to anything hi-tech, I became great at “thinking outside of the box” and coming up with new ideas. Then in 1994, I met my first non linear editing system and fell in love with its ease and potential. With my trusty computer and quiet edit suite, I cranked out unique commercials and television promos and emotional feature segments for the MDA Telethon and Grandma’s Marathon. In 1997, I was promoted to run the Creative Services Department at the television station. Then a year later, I moved to Parthe Film/Video Productions to work as producer and editor. I met many new clients and truly honed my skills. In 1999, I moved to Minneapolis where I worked as a freelance creative editor and producer. I worked on projects at Target Corporation as well as served as Executive Producer for the Twin Cites MDA Labor Day Telethon. That same year I started work on my first feature-length documentary film, Treading Water: a documentary, with Dawn Mikkelson. Mikkelson and I developed a great rapport over our shared values, so, in 2001, we decided to start Aquaries Media Corporation, a production company dedicated to life-changing media. For five years, Aquaries Media Corporation worked on documentary films, fundraising videos for non profits, lobbying efforts, and corporate multimedia. We started Aquaries Media with our shared vision and then we each grew in our own directions.

Today, the ...::aries::... of Aquaries in now visionaries! In 2006, I opened my own production company, visionaries filmworks, inc.. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to use my creative mind, my skill set, my values, my words, and my heart to make my ideals a reality – progressive media for a sustainable future.

My Affiliations: Independent Feature Project/Minnesota (IFP/MN), National Women’s Studies Association, Associate Member of the Minnesota Council on Non Profits (MNCN), Unitarian Universalist Association, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), OutFront MN

My Awards:
2005: Bronze Quill Award for Best Audio/Video Presentation for the Smart Move series of PowerPoint presentations for Wells Fargo Retirement Services and ED Advertising, presented by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
(SHOT & EDITED BY JAMIE A. LEE)

2004: Pollie Award honorable mention for the video Gaming Equity, created for North Woods Advertising,
presented by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). (EDITED BY JAMIE A. LEE)

2004: Jamie A. Lee honored by her Alma Mater, University of Wisconsin in Superior,
for giving back to the community through filmmaking.

2003: THIS obedience awarded the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Central Standard Film Festival.
(SEE FILMS LISTING FOR CREDIT INFO.)

2003: Sean Conway Gardens (Marshall Field’s in-house promotional video produced by Jane Hare). Telly Award.
(EDITED BY JAMIE A. LEE)

2002: Treading Water: a documentary awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Documentary by an Emerging Filmmaker
at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival. (SEE FILMS LISTING FOR CREDIT INFO.)

2002: French Countryside (Marshall Field’s in-house promotional video produced by Jane Hare). Telly Award.
(EDITED BY JAMIE A. LEE)

2000: American Disabilities Act – Guest Services (Target Corporation in-house educational video produced by Sean Turnbull).
Silver Worldmedal at the New York Festivals. (EDITED BY JAMIE A. LEE)

MY COLLABORATORS

Justin Lee / Graphic & Interactive Designer / ...::cancer::...
www.kineticsdesign.com

Justin's Primary Star: Pollux's influence suggests a subtle yet self-reliant, spirited, and brave nature. This star indicates love of adventure and a talent for sport. Pollux also imparts psychic abilities and the courage to pursue personal ideals and goals.

Justin's Story: I've been drawing ever since I can remember, and that's how I got started in design. I created my first website when I was a sophomore in high school and have been making them ever since. I was traditionally educated at the Minnesota School of Computer Imaging, graduating in 2001 for Multimedia/Computer Graphics. Over the past four years I've enhanced my skills in the programs and techniques of design, as well as, taught myself various other programs in order to create motion graphics for video, DVD production, and non-linear editing. I certainly can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing!

Scott Lee / Photographer, Musician & Web Designer / ...::gemini::...
www.creativeoutburst.com

Scott's Primary Star: Capella grants an energetic nature, inquisitiveness, and a love of learning. This star encourages an interest in research and new inventions. It imparts honor and prominent positions of trust.

Scott's Story: Carpe Diem — Seize the Day! (make the most of the opportunity). I have always had a love for learning new things. I liken myself to the Uomo Universale — Renaissance Man. I yearn to excel in many different areas: physically, artistically, mentally and spiritually. I enjoy expressing myself through music and song. I have been playing some sort of instrument of music for the majority of my life.

My work experience is primarily in leadership, project management, and building relationships with others in team collaborations. I worked with Target Corporation for over 10 years as an Executive Team Leader. Longing to express my creativity in a bigger way I worked with Aquaries Media, leading me to launch my own business called Creative Outburst. With Creative Outburst I have been able to help others in producing awesome photos, soul-stirring musical pieces, and web tools for their personal and business lives. I am excited to see things through fresh eyes of creativity and collaborate with brilliant minds to bring new and exciting concepts to reality.

Joanna Kohler / Filmmaker / ...::pisces::...
www.kohlerproductions.com

Joanna's Primary Star: Achernar's influence stimulates expanded vision and the ability to see the whole. You are likely to have an optimistic outlook, a love of justice, and high aspirations.

Joanna's Story: I have been directing and producing social documentaries since 1998. Films produced are "Witness" 1999, "Moving In A Mirror" 2005, and "BOXERS" 2006. I received the 2005 Jerome Foundtaion Media Arts Grant and the 2006 Jerome Foundation Travel and Study Grant. I am the President of Kohler Productions and been working to develop a participatory distribution method with the "GUERRILLA Tour". I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in "Social Documentary" from the University of Minnesota and some graduate work in Public Affairs. I am a trained facilitator with the Institute for Cultural Affairs and trained catalyst with the New Mexico Media Literacy Project.

Adela C. Licona, Ph.D. / Public Rhetor, Writer & Filmmaker / ...::leo::...
www.aguamiel-documentary.com

Adela's Primary Star: Alphard's influence bestows natural wisdom and a deep understanding of human nature. You appreciate the arts and have keen ambitions and a sensitive nature. Alphard also imparts executive abilities and great opportunities for advancement.

Adela's Story: I grew up on the Mexico/U.S. border, which greatly influenced how I see and move in the world. Cross-cultural contacts and bi-national contexts were the stuff of my everyday. I understood how people across borders and boundaries are really all connected. And I understood how important it was to learn to share resources. Perhaps it's on the border that I came to understand the urgency of communication - the need to make oneself understood and to understand. After working in local politics, I left the borderlands to study at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and work on Capitol Hill. I then pursued my masters in Intercultural Communication with an emphasis on Communication for Development and feminist pedagogy. I came full circle to understand the vital relationship and potential between consciousness, activism, and communication. My love of language and my commitment to understanding and pursuing social change led me to pursue a Ph.D. in rhetorics and feminisms. Today I teach students about critical thinking, critical dialogue, and the value of communication - be it oral, visual, written, or through creative performance. I ask students to imagine new ways of communicating that might lead us to creative responses to social problems that seem to have no solution. For me, communication remains vital. I believe hope resides in communication. Dialogue can be creative and critical and it can build bridges of understanding. I am fascinated by how words work in the world and I believe in their transformative potential. Words united with action can create shared meaning and ultimately peace. What more is there?