Team Member Profiles
July 19th, 2008 Posted in Crew, Crew BackgroundTeam members can post their profile here.
Click the Comment button. You can post some information about yourself, everything that you think may be interesting for the other team members (such as your contact information, your background and ideas about this project, comments etc.).
For integrating images in this section just send your photo or other material via email, and I will upload it with pleasure (cummings@tc-storyboards.de).
Greetings, Tanja
18 Responses to “Team Member Profiles”
By Tanja on Apr 26, 2008
Hello everybody!
My name is Tanja (Cummings) and I am together with Jakob and Wiola coordinating, producing and organizing this Lodzermensch film project, perhaps also directing one of the Lodzermensch films together with Jakob/Wiola depending on further developments.
I will be in Lodz in May for the first meeting as well as for the main shooting in September.
Between May and September I will be available for all sorts of questions you may have regarding film ideas, concepts, feedback, possible interview partners, possible “experts”, locations, the team(s), etc.
You can best contact me via email:
cummings[at]tc-storyboards.de
cummings[at]eva-verein.de
http://www.tc-storyboards.de
http://www.eva-verein.de
Telephone: ++49-(0)30-8513260
Mobile: ++49-(0)176-20021098
I am co-administrator of this blog. So if you have ideas on how to optimize it or have questions about how to use it let me know. This is my very first blog experience - I am a newbie.
When I am not involved with EVA projects, I work as storyboard artist for film productions and commercials, as copy editor, illustrator, translator, script writer for fiction film productions, and also as headhunter for agencies. I co-founded EVA a few years ago, and co-organized another similar and yet very different EVA project together with Jakob and Wiola in 2006: “Spuren der Kreisauer” (Śladami Krzyżowian):
http://www.eva-verein.de/spurenderkreisauer.html (in German)
http://www.eva-verein.de/PL/spurenderkreisauer_pl.html (in Polish)
Currently, I am busy with a documentary film production as researcher, writer, and director (on a film about Helmuth James von Moltke, a man of the German resistance) together with Waldemar Czechowski and Marek Iwicki, who are also team members of LODZERMENSCH…….
Talk to you soon or see you in May,
Tanja
By Jakob on Apr 27, 2008
Hi Lodzermenschen!
My name is Jakob, brother of Tanja, husband of Wiola. I am excecutive director of EVA e.V. Together with Tanja and Wiola I am coordinating the project Lodzermensch. My main job is to keep an eye on the financial part of the project.
You can best contact me via:
jakob.weiss[at]eva-verein.de
++49 172 30 50 943 during our meeting in May
++49 30 971 51 08 in Berlin
My background is forestry, journalism and public relations. I am (again) studying Forest Information Technology at University of Applied Sciences in Eberswalde and Warsaw University of Life Sciences. So in September/October I hope to finish these to big projects successfully: Lodzermensch and my master thesis.
EVA has already mastered a couple of projects together. These projects always addressed different people. But always groups of people coming from different directions, trying to join them in a common project. I am looking very much forward to this project, it has been haunting in our minds for a couple of years now and I can`t wait for it to finally start. I was very much inspired by the novel “Die Brüder Aschkenasi” by Israel J. Singer (the older brother of Isaac Bashevis Singer). It is the life story of Meir Simcha and his brother Jacob Bunin. Meir Simcha is a smart business man and owner of weaving mills in Lodz. Jacob Bunin is more of a bon vivant, enjoying live. It is a detailed description of the rich Jewish history of the city of Lodz and history. A lively description of the living environment of entrepreneurs and hard working people - Germans, Russians, Poles and Jews. You must read it!
I am sure we chose the best participants from many applicants for this project - and I am curious to meet all of you soon in May!
By Wiola on May 3, 2008
Hi everybody!
My name is Wioletta. As you can see the “Lodzermensch-project” is some kind of a family enterprise of the Weiß and the Cummings. It has been developed by Jakob, Tanja and me and some other people, who do we managed to get enthusiastic about our idea. My job is to help you to develop a good concept, find interesting protagonists and to organize your shootings in Lodz. Unfortunately I can’t be with you during the research weekend in May, because I am expecting a baby and have to do without traveling at the moment.
But feel free to contact me every time:
You can best contact me via:
wiola.weiss[at]eva-verein.de
++49 172 30 50 943 during whole the time
++49 30 971 51 08 in Berlin
I am Polish, came to Berlin 10 years ago for studies and stayed by chance until today. I work as a journalist for rundfunk berlin-brandenburg and for Arte. A couple of shootings lead me to Lodz. And I really quickly fell in love with the city and its unique character. You can recognize it in the special Lodz architecture, which you don’t find anywhere else. To be honest I was wondering about my discovery, because I grew up only 100 kilometers from Lodz and have never been there. In my polish time it was the last place somebody would voluntary plan a trip to. It rated as one of the ugliest and most neglected cities in Poland. Nobody talked about it multicultural history, because of the former political correctness. It has changed very much since this period. And presently Lodz offers a fascinating film scenery and a lot of undiscovered stories. So, in a word, I hope to infect you with my passion for Lodz.
I am looking very much forward to communicate with you in the next time and to meet and work with you at our September shootings.
By Guido on May 5, 2008
Hi everybody,
My name is Guido Rambeck and I will be one of the cameramen with the “Lodzermensch”. I am 27 years old and currently studying cinematography at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Dortmund (www.fh-dortmund.de), Germany. Before that I took a one-year camera course at the Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen (www.fernsehakademie.de)and attended several internships.
The focus of my studies is on documentaries but I also often participated in feature productions. During my practical term at the university I worked for a wildlife film production in Italy which I enjoyed a lot and I am very interested in natural history film making.
Unfortunately I don’t speak any Polish at all but I think we’ll manage in English. I know very little about Lodz, so I’m very excited about our trip next weekend. I’m looking forward to meeting you guys!
Guido
contact:
guido-rambeck[at]gmx.de
0049(0)1797445296
By Kamil on May 5, 2008
Hi, everybody.
My name is Kamil Chomiuk.
It’s a great pleasure to work with all of you. For the beginning something about me. I was born in 1979 in Piła ( Poland ).
I am graduate of the Adam Mickiewicz’s Univesity in Poznań: Classical and Polish Filology with the major Cinematography. Theme of my thesis is: About the film imagine of Wojciech J. Has. During the study I worked as reporter in Radio Wielkopolska and I cooperated with culture and literary association Pro Arte.
In this time I met prof. Kazimierz Karabasz and his wife prof.Lidia Zonn. They directed the documentary film workshop which I took a part. Then I’ve realized first film in my life: Czartoria 5. Nowadays I’m director, screenwriter and sometimes cameraman. I work for Ad Spectatores Theater in Wrocław and also I realize my own film projects. In the 2006’s I’ve been co - organizer The Foto Fest in Wrocław. There I’m the don of the photos workshops Formaty.
Now I’am participiing in the Script Laboratory which organize Polish Filmmakers Assosiation. I’m looking for a partners for my projects, esspecialy international cooperation. I hope that the Lodzermensz project will open and widen my possibilities. Great greetings for you and see you soon.
Contact: kamil.chomiuk[at]gmail.com
Tel: +48 600 264 475
Kamil Chomiuk
By roksana on May 6, 2008
Czesc and Hello!
My name is Roksana. You can find me under “Extra positions – expert on achitecture”.
although… I’m sure there are thousands new things to discover… Please have also a look at the city above groundfloor-level! It could be very surprising. I hope, you’ll like it. Wish you all a very good time.
It’s a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to work with all of you on this amazing film-project. I’m very fascinated in film, theater, literature and fotography.. and Lodz.
But who am I? I was born in Lodz 1975 and spent there my childhood for 15 years. Then I went to Germany and have been here for 17 years now. Actually I’m working on my diploma in architecture at the Univerity of Karlsruhe. There are only 5 weeks left to finish my project… Regrettably I won’t be able to be in Lodz this weekend, because of many consultations/appointments etc. So it’s not possible for me to make a trip to Lodz these days to get to know you. I’s a pity and I’m really sorry for that. But I’m lucky to know my city Lodz so far
If you feel like writing me, asking me anything or communicating your impressions even sharing the film-work (researches etc.) with me please feel free to contact me. You can do this in german, polish and english. Via email: roksana.schoenbein[at]web.de
fone: +49 (0)179 5475809
or Skype: roksana.schoenbein
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Greetings, pozdrowienia & Grüße
Roksana
By Gosia on May 8, 2008
Hello Everybody,
My name is Gosia Kozera-Topinska. I am from Warsaw, but I’ve been studying film directing in Lodz. Before my “Lodz period” I’ve studied cultural anthropology in Warsaw and in Copenhagen. During this studies I’ve done fieldwork in Lithuania. My research took place in Vilnius region, in multicultural environment of Poles, Jews, Russians, Romes and other nationalities. I was a member of a team which established a Museum of Vilnius Region. I am also an author of a few short films, fiction and documentary. Now I work on a project that began at garbage place in Warsaw, where my friend found a suitcase with someone’s life history inside. The ghost from a suitcase took me in an fascinating journey through time and space, beginning in Lodz in 1946, and lasting for nowadays… I work on this for a three years now, seems a bit too long, so I hope soon you will have possibility to watch this movie. (Please, pray on this intention). What fascinates me most is the problem of the MEMORY, as a constitution of our identity, and delicate links between past and presence. I am moving in the area between history, anthropology, and art. For such a travel Lodz is an extremely exiting place, so I am very happy to participate in this workshop.
What else… I am very much interested in Jewish history and culture, because of my roots and family connections. Today I am going to interview my husband’s grandma, who was born in Jewish family in Lodz in 1915 and has lived there until the WWII.
See you tomorrow!
Gosia
By Paul on May 8, 2008
…difficult to understand this site but: i`m looking forward to our short trip, to meet and find a team, to shoot, to talk… you know what I mean.
I`m director, working on a long term documentary in Poland since 2004. In Lodz I hope to feel free to try things out which I cannot try in more commercial projects (which I like also because I will have a baby to feed in August).
You can find a short bio on http://www.gegenschuss.de
See you
Paul
By bearesse on May 8, 2008
Hi,
my name is Urszula Polec and I come from Lodz, Poland. I graduated from philosophy here in Lodz, also studied film and drama here and there. I am interested in so many things, mostly philosophical, antic and deconstructed, I’m drawn by what is beautiful, hidden, forgotten, unspoken. I’m very much into sound, image and interactive art (you can check one of my music projects at http://www.askband.com).
I feel personally attached to the city (infected?..) and am curious about it’s past and present. I believe many things still await recognition here.
Last year I started postgraduate studies at Lodz Film School - it’s a 3 semester course in new media production. Professionally, for the past 3 years I’ve been working as a EU project manager, a freelance translator, editor and a DTP/graphic designer… To be honest, I prefer taking pictures, writing or designing to management
In the future I’d like to spend more time on independent film projects and I am glad to be a part of the team.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Best wishes
Ula
By Susanne on May 10, 2008
Hi everybody!
My name is Susi. I am 24 years old and I studying currently economics and media scienes in Erlangen. At the moment I am working on my master thesis. So unfortunately it is not possible for me to be in Lodz this weekend. I am very sad about that, because I could not to get to know you.
Something about me: I am very fascinating in documentary films. I am curious about people, who tell me their stories. I like to take pictures, do sports and a lot of more.
In the university, I made some little film projects but for two years I have made a documentary film in Czech Republic. It was a great experience. The country, the people and so many things were so amazing. So that I fell very attached with this people, country and film making.
If I have forgotten something important and if you would know something else about me or if you would write me somethinge else , please, feel free to contact me.
Via email: susannekettner[at]gmx.de
I wish you a great trip to Lodz!
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Greetings & Grüße
Susi
By Karin on May 15, 2008
Cześć!
so, my name is Karin Hammer I am living and working in Vienna, which also happens to be the place where I was born. Right now I am finishing my film editing studies, writing my final thesis about the Polska Kronika Filmowa, the polish newsreel during the time of communism in People’s Poland. I’ve edited several documentaries for cinema („FAQ“ about the Slovenian minority in Corinthia/Austria, „No Island – the kidnapping of Palmers“ about a group of people kidnapping the owner of „Palmers“ (Austrian company that produces underwear) in the 70ies, trying to get money for the activities of the RAF…), fiction films and music videos. As I director I produce experimental films and music videos. I also love to shoot with my father’s super8 camera, I do visuals for music concerts, …
I came to Lodz for the first time about 2 years ago and fell in love with the city and its inhabitants immediately. Since that time I try to come to Lodz as often as possible. So it was obvious for me to take part in this project.
As I got to know a lot of musicians and people from other art categories in Lodz we often had the idea of connecting Austrian and polish people - and as the first project there will be a 2 day festival in June, where about 20 people from Austria will come to Lodz showing videos, doing performances, installations, photography, music. (So if anybody of you is in Lodz at that time, I’d be very happy to see you there – 20/21. June in the Grohman Villa/ ul. Tymienieckiego 24, Lodz/20.00 – open end) – in autumn people from Lodz and Poland will be invited to exhibit in Austria.
I think the Lodzer Mensch project is a wonderful idea and it’s apart from getting to know filmmakers from other countries a good opportunity to escape from the everyday-filmediting-life in Vienna, as it hardly happens that the film editor is included in the actual process of doing researches, finding the subject and the actual shooting.
Film I shot in Lodz just recently (DIVX file, approx. 20 MB)
Getting to know all of you in May was great fun, and it was a sad moment when you all left trying to catch your train, although you were detained by the holy people’s procession. I am looking forward to seeing you again and working together on our films!
Na razie, Karin
By shizmo007 on May 15, 2008
I’ve had lots of different jobs and I continue to have lots of different jobs, but if I could just pick one it would be as a director. The past three years have been dedicated to making a 30 minute film with help from the Polish film school. It is nearly done so if you want a copy drop me a line and I can send you a dvd when it is ready. I’ve been working on little film sets since I was 17 and feel very comfortable in most aspects of production.
I’m very pleased to be part of the Lodzermensz program because I see this as a super opportunity to work with like-minded people and most importantly to make a film. Jacob and Tanja and Wiola have done something very good in making this whole project and of course choosing you all and me to take part =)
I’m eager to help people out on sets, with ideas, with production stuff, and because I am in Lodz I have more possibilities to find things out then those outside of Lodz. So contact me and if time allows I can help.
Best,
Mathew Szymanowski
By alenka_pl on May 16, 2008
Hi guys,
most of you have already met me in Lodz, I’m Alicja and actually I’m sociologist who is really interested in filmmaking. I edit films and different ‘things’ most of the time for about year now. I’m a member of Archiwum Etnograficzne which is a group of scientists who lead sociological/anthropological researches usually in polish villages. We go there with students and have interviews with people who live there and can remeber the times of war or know stories connected with it. The subject of our interests is blood label myths and in general polish antisemitism.
After some good experiences we decided to use films in our activity, actually to make films and that is what I’m trying to do and what I do :). We showed our first film ‘Pseudo’ in April and we organized discussion about it, there is also our manifest http://www.obieg.pl/text/08042101.php (only in polish unfortunately) as a second part of the project.
I’m interested in (critical) contemporary art, I first get to know polish artists-filmmakers then I get involved in filmmaking myself. I’m beginning to realise what are the differences between artist(sculptors, painters) who aren’t professional filmmakers and professional filmmakers - it’s very, very interesting to me and I’m sure that our meeting will be very important experience to me :).
I love travelling especially to weird places, meeting new people, dancing, and do all sorts of things that I havent done before - that’s why I think I’m so glad that I can participate in the project!
Ok, I’m looking forward to see you (again),
ciao, ciao,
Alicja.
By Adrenalina on Jun 5, 2008
Finally I found some time to fill this out. Sorry for the delay.
OK, where do I start? I was born in Poland, but in 1989 my parents were sick of the Communism so we moved to good old Germany, namely near Lake Constance. After school I went to Australia and NZ for a couple of years to check myself out, which worked out quite alright. I can survive without having neither money nor credit card. I’ve learnt for life.
Currently I’m still a student at the University of Dresden, just finishing my Masters in British Cultural Studies/Film. I got involved in film making for about 4 years now, mainly in writing and directing. I also do some stuff at a few of Dresden’s theatres, which is different but still fun. I’m just about to set up my sensational web page; I’ll let you know the details.
I really enjoyed the meeting in Lodz, I think we are a pretty cool bunch of people. My team and I might as well call ourselves ‘Harmony.’
OK, that’s it. Feel free to contact me any time.
Coolio.
Alina
By Andrea on Aug 21, 2008
Hi,
my name is Andrea Neese and I live in Berlin, where I had different jobs in the media business, focusing on editing since 2003.
I am mainly interested in documentary films, to tell stories that are worth to be told (like social subjects). From graduating in literature and philosophy I went on to find my way to be an editor, finishing my education in 2005. Since then I have worked as freelance editor mainly for small productions. I got some experience by editing independent documentary films. Besides I did a few jobs for TV productions (I would not necessarily watch myself :)).
I am happy to be part of the Lodzer Mensch project to get to know filmmakers from other countries and thus getting some new influence and inspiration. It is surely a good experience to be included in the actual process of shooting before editing!
Looking forward to meeting you again in September!
Andrea
By Martin on Sep 3, 2008
Hi everybody!
my name is Martin, aged 31. Born in Poland, now living in Berlin for 23 years. Here I studied communication design at the Design Akademie Berlin. After that I worked for several years in different media branches as graphic designer.
Then i took further education, to become salesman for audiovisual media. In the last three years I took part in several fictional and nonfictional filmprojects, assisting in organistion and realization. Some of them were german-polish coproductions. I directed and shot some fictional studentshortfilms. „Lodzermensch“ is my first documentary project. I am very curious about everything german-polish in history and the present.
I am looking forward to meet all of you in Lodz.
See you there,
Martin Karmasz
+49 - 179 - 696 98 11
karmasz[at]gmx.de