Welcome to Upper Meadow Films
Please scroll down to see our our documentary offerings:
The Advernture of Arok The Robot, The Krazies, The Golden Boy, The Book of Mary and The Merry Love The Fiddle.
Ben Skora was undeniably from the future…and living in 1970’s Palos Hills, Illinois. He was an inventor that created an electronic marvel out of a Sears pre-fab home, where he lived with his robot companion, Arok.
Birthed by an array of transistors, wires, and whatever other parts Ben could scrap together, Arok was truly advanced for his time.
Controlled by remote, Arok could do everything from taking out the garbage to serving up cocktails.
The Adventures of Arok the Robot is an array of memories remembered by Arok from his display case at
Moraine Valley College.
Enjoy the trailer….more to come soon!
Director: Dan Ollman/Producers: Michelle Ortwein, Jim McVeigh
Taking care of yourself is hard enough…taking care of a group of feral foster cats adds a new level of crazy to your life. The Krazies is a film about three friends who tirelessly volunteer with Milwaukee’s Urban Cat Coalition, trapping feral cats, overseeing their well-being, and raising their young, while trying to maintain their own sanity.
To contribute to this organization and learn more about the Urban Cat Coalition, visit www.urbancats.org
Director: Dan Ollman/Producers: Michelle Ortwein, Jim McVeigh
Upon his passing, LGBTQ activist Eldon Murray's personal archive was donated to the University of Milwaukee Wisconsin's library, by Eldon's long time friend and partner, John Terhardt. Years later, John revisits the archive to chronologically piece together the extraordinary life of Eldon, a pioneer of the Gay Rights Movement in Milwaukee.
Director: Dan Ollman/Producers: Michelle Ortwein, Jim McVeigh
Milwaukee filmmaker Dan Ollman chronicles forty years of the the life of Leslie Lemke, a prodigious savant who, despite severe physical and cognitive limitations (including having his eyes removed at birth) has proven to have the deep talent of inspiring others across the world through his musical gift. Audiences will come to know Leslie's life and, in turn, the power of family to nurture the unique gifts of all individuals.
If you enjoy the documentary, please consider making a donation by click on the “Donate” button below.
Director: Dan Ollman/Producers: Michelle Ortwein, Jim McVeigh
"The Merry Love the Fiddle, The Merry Love to Dance", is a music documentary featuring Midwest Old Time Dance Fiddler, Chirps Smiths. Filmed over several years, the film features a range of traditional fiddle tunes collected by Chirps, and his contemporaries, from older musicians beginning in the early 1970s.
The documentary is a celebration of this American art form that will be treasured by the Old Time Music community and will serve as an introduction to any curious music fan.
Director: Dan Ollman/Producers: Michelle Ortwein, Jim McVeigh