Phoenix Art Museum to Screen Documentary by Arizona Filmmaker

Lisanne Skyler has a passion for films that has led her through careers as a screenwriter, director and professor of film studies at the University of Arizona.

“I have always loved theater, taking pictures and creative writing, and with film I found the crystallization of all three,” Skyler said.

Her latest film, “Dreamland,” a documentary that revolves around the struggles and recoveries of gamblers living in Las Vegas, was released in 2001 by Icarus Films and received positive critical reception. The film will be screened April 26 at the Phoenix Art Museum hosted by No Festival Required.

No Festival Required is a film series that started in 2002 in response to a lack of avenues for local and independent filmmakers to showcase their work in the Phoenix art scene. Since then, it has grown exponentially and now hosts screening events at various venues including the Phoenix Art Museum.

Steve Weiss, executive director of No Festival Required, said he was referred to Skyler from previous Arizona filmmakers whose work had been showcased.

“I got a chance to see her documentary ‘Dreamland.’ I thought it was such a wonderful and important film and thought it would be great to have her come here to not only show her film but to also be able to talk about it and her reasons for moving to Arizona,” Weiss said.

Skyler moved to Arizona about three and a half years ago, after living and working out of California because a friend told her about a position available at the University of Arizona.

“It was an unexpected opportunity but one that I really enjoy,” said Skyler. “When you are an artist and you are teaching your craft on a regular basis, it makes you look at your own work more critically and makes you want to push it even further.”

Before becoming a professor, Skyler had written and directed numerous projects from short films to feature-length documentaries.

“Dreamland” is a feature-length documentary that was born out of an interest she had in the gambling lifestyle and the issues of addiction and recovery. To study these issues, she went to various Gamblers Anonymous meetings in California and made connections in Las Vegas.

The film follows a variety of Las Vegas residents, including some struggling with gambling addiction, some in the process of recovery and some who have survived it.

“Like any film about recovery and addiction it can be very challenging for both the filmmaker and the subject for how to best convey that,” said Skyler.

Skyler said that an original idea for the film that did not pan out was to present communities where casinos and gambling issues were just starting to appear. She says that this event at the Phoenix Art Museum will be the first screening of the documentary in Arizona that she has been present for and she looks forward to hearing the feedback from people in a state where the casino business has expanded in recent years.

Along with teaching at the University of Arizona, Skyler is currently working on a fictional feature film that she hopes will go into production soon.

“Dreamland” will be playing Sunday, April 26 in Whiteman Hall at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.. Doors open at 12:30 PM and the screening will begin at 1 PM. The event is free but ask for a movie pass at the front desk.

For more information about Dreamland: http://www.icarusfilms.com/new2001/dreamland2.html
For more information about No Festival Required: http://www.nofestivalrequired.com
For more information about the Phoenix Art Museum: http://www.phxart.org

Guest article contributed by Alexander MacLean, Student
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Technorati Tags: Alexander MacLean, Arizona, documentary, Dreamland, Icarus Films, Lisanne Skyler, No Festival Required, Phoenix, Phoenix Art Museum, Steve Weiss, University of Arizona