polonia 2 -...
TRANSCRIPT
POLONIA 2.0
A segmented reportage about a young Polish-American entrepreneur and a young Polish photojournalist, traveling across major cities in the USA to meet the latest generation of ambitious Poles and Americans of Polish origin that are both known and unknown in Poland.
Through 10-15 minute episodes, Polonia 2.0 explores the stories, lives and works of these musicians, filmmakers, actors, painters, photographers and others. They will reveal their lifestyle: jobs, bars, clubs, hot spots, restaurants, meetings and ups and downs. By highlighting their mindset, experiences and the road they traveled to prosper creatively in American society, Polonia 2.0 will expose how they are innovatively taking advantage of the American market to expand their opportunities and reach for their dreams.
How can “Polonia 2.0” influence the contemporary generation in Poland
The aim of the project is to introduce, inspire, influence and expand the viewpoint, creativity, ability
and belief in the potential of the contemporary generation in Poland in a new and expansive scale.
Through real life examples of Polish artists living and working in the USA, the Polish youth has a chance
to discover a new way of thinking, creating, working and progressing ambitiously in a global and
modern marketplace. Through entertaining personal and creative pieces, the segmented documentary
will reveal the unique attitudes, actions, ethics and methods as to which people built their works and
missions to a noticeable and successful point.
LOS ANGELES
examples
ACTORS
Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski/Paul Thomas Wesley
American film and television actor of Polish descent. Played in Agnieszka Holland's HBO drama “Shot in
the Heart”. Paul has played with the likes of Giovanni Ribisi, Nick Nolte, Elias Koteas and Sam Sheperd.
Since 2009 he has played the main role in the “Vampire Diaries.”
Kasia Kropiński
The daughter of the film editor Jacek Kropinski, Kasia was born in South Africa and moved to Los
Angeles at the age of 9. She has worked on such TV Shows as Angel, Without a Trace, ER, and The
Shield as well as voice work for films such as Big Fish and The Village. Kasia has also danced two roles in
the ballet Cinderella.
Anna Podolak
Born in Wroclaw, daughter of a theater actor. When she was 13, Anna immigrated to New York City to
begin her acting education. A year ago she moved to Los Angeles to expand her acting portfolio.
Currently she is working on a play about Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy.
Marek Probosz
Born in Zory, Mark was a successful Polish actor before moving to Los Angeles in the late 1980's. Since
being in the US, Mark has played in many films and T.V. Shows, and has played alongside such actors as
Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Katherine Hepburn, Kate Capshaw and Pierce Brosnan.
Katarzyna Sowińska
Born in a small city called Walbrzych, Kasia Sowisnka is a Polish actress and television presenter. In 1999, Kasia got discovered by the world of fashion. She then traveled and worked for some of the world's best known fashion labels in places such as NYC, Paris, Miami, Korea, Barcelona, Mexico City and Los Angeles. She studied Politics and Journalism at the University of Warsaw, while working for MTV Poland at the same time. During that work placement, she was nation's favorite host, presenting a number of the most significant TV music galas, festivals and award ceremonies. She had the pleasure to work with artists such as Snoop Dog, 50 Cent, J-Z, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Joss Stone, James Blunt, etc. Kasia's biggest passion, acting, began to flourish in 2005, while working on many Polish series and films. Kasia lives in Los Angeles, where she takes classes at the acting academy of Howard Fine. She recently appeared in an American series "Ricky and Ravy are Between Jobs."
More
Alicja Bachleda-Curuś Margot Muraszkiewicz
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Karolina Markiewicz
Born in Warsaw, Karolina moved to Los Angeles to further develop and expand her professional
opportunities. Some of her major clients are: AVON, Bally's Total Fitness, BMG, EMI, Sony Music,
Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Madame Figaro, Twoj Styl, Pani, KMAG, Machina, Tiempo de Relojes.
David Miezal
A photographer and longtime resident of the US. Among other things, he lately has been doing a
project on living survivors and participants of the Warsaw Uprising.
MUSICIANS
Abel Korzeniowski
Born in Krakow, Abel is a film and theater composer that studied under Penderecki and has won
many awards, as well as being nominated for two Golden Globes.
Władysław Marhulets/Wlad Marhulets
Polish film music composer who came to New York to study at the famous Juilliard School. Thanks to
his determination and a little bit of luck, the rags to riches story developed only after a month in the US
when he started working on projects for known American musicians.
Tola Szlagowska
Polish vocalist and composer. Daughter of the known Polish percussionist Jaroslaw Szlagowski. She was
the vocalist of the group Blog27 (along with her brother Jan) and a winner of an MTV Europe Music
Award. In 2008 Tola came to Los Angeles to advance her career and start music school.
Darek “Oles” Oleszkiewicz
At the age of five Darek began his music education at the State Music School in Wroclaw. In 1983, he
was the most awarded musician at the Jazz Juniors in Cracow. In the following five years Darek
Oleszkiewicz worked steadily with some of the best jazz bands in the country. In 1988 Darek arrived in
Los Angeles, at the California Institute Of The Arts he began studies with legendary bassist Charlie
Haden. After graduation, he accepted a teaching position at the Institute. Darek has been very active as
a performer and became one of the most sought after bass players on the West Coast and has had the
opportunity to perform and record with the greatest masters in jazz.
Nigel Williams/DaZe
American rapper, raised by a Polish mother, which influenced his creative work, personality and
identity. He has been writing music since he was 10 and has been building his independent career
along with Russian producer/rapper Pete Millz, together they have been continuously releasing
projects through music and videos.
CINEMATOGRAPHERS
Jacek Laskus
A native of Poland, cinematographer, Jacek Laskus has extensive film, television and documentary
experience. While in New York he shot numerous Saturday Night Live shorts and music videos. In the
90’s he moved to Los Angeles where he shot his first Hollywood production “Square Dance” starring
Winona Ryder and Rob Lowe. Working with Robert Altman gave him a ASC nomination for Outstanding
Cinematography. For his work on the Michele Oyahon documentary “Colors Straight Up,” he was
nominated for an Oscar in 1998.
Ireneusz Hartowicz
Born in Warsaw, Ireneusz has worked with some of the biggest names and on many films, TV Shows,
and commercials in Hollywood. Some major films he has worked on include “A.I.-Artificial Intelligence”
and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”
OTHER ARTISTS
Balbina Bruszewska – Director, Screenwriter, Editor
A Polish director, screenwriter, and creator of animated films, TV programs and music videos. Balbina
has a Masters in Animation and Special Effects from the Film School in Lodz. She is the Artistic Director
at the film production studio Se-ma-for, an Expert at the Polish Film Institute and the President of the
Lucid Life Foundation. She also enjoys being a DJ. Currently, she lives and works in LA.
Tadeusz Torzecki – Painter, Interior Designer, Sculptor
Born in Poland, Tadeusz is an the alumni of the Academy of Art, Warsaw, MFA, Interior Architecture
and Graphic Design, has an extensive practice in sculpture (steel, glass, concrete, wood), painting
(oil, acrylic, mixed media) and installation (multimedia). He has been the owner of Tadeusz Design
Studio in Los Angeles since 1995.
Elwira Miezal – Stylist
For almost a decade, Elwira has successfully followed her dream of styling, creating and working with
some of the most innovative individuals in the photo industry. Currently, she resides in Los Angeles
where she helps create a number of advertising campaigns and editorial and catalog shoots. Her
expertise falls into wardrobe, props and product. Among many others, her clients include Adidas,
BCBG, Toyota, Target, Chase and Nordstrom.
Maks Naporowski – Computer Graphics Artist
Born in Kielce, Maksymilian is a computer graphics artist whose credits include "Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone,” “Bewitched,” “Matrix Revolutions” and Oscar winner for animation “The
Chubbchubbs!” In addition to the production work, in recent years he has been teaching character
rigging and animation at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.
Tomek Opasiński – Digital Graphic Artist
Prior to founding the Hollywood based boutique agency “rev-creative” in 2011, Opasinski served as a
digital artist and creative consultant at multiple prestigious advertising agencies in Los Angeles and
abroad. Additionally, Opasinski has been recognized by multiple professional and creative associations
and publications and has served as a participant, finalist and jury member at many national and
international competitions.
Maciej Kuciara – Gaming graphic artist/concept designer
Born in Poland, Maciej has worked for a number of high-profile companies and clients over the years, including stints at Crytek (Crysis series), CD Projekt (Cyberpunk), and Blur (Halo 4's launch trailer). These days, he's doing a lot of movie work for projects like the Wachowski's “Jupiter Ascending” and Marvel's upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Michał Dąbal
Michal was born and raised in Warsaw. During his undergraduate studies at the American Film
Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles, Michal directed and photographed the short film "Pralnia."
The film earned numerous awards at international festivals. Michal served as an apprentice to
master cinematographer Janusz Kaminski on "Hania", Steven Spielberg's "Munich", James L. Brooks'
project "How Do You Know?" and other projects. "My First Claire" earned him the William A. Fraker
HeritageA. Fraker Heritage Award Honorable Mention for outstanding artistic
achievement - the highest honor bestowed upon a young cinematographer.
Monika Lenczewska
Monika is a Polish-born cinematographer based in LA. She completed an MFA in cinematography at the
American Film Institute. Her work has been selected for numerous international film festivals including
Cannes, Tribeca, Rotterdam and Cleremont-Ferrand.
Agatha Dominik – Producer, Screenplay Writer
Born in Poland, Agatha is the screenwriter for such films as Boot Camp, Human Trafficking, and
Left to Die. Actors such as Donald Sutherland, Rachel Leigh Cook, and Mila Kunis have acted in
her movies.
Tomasz Smolarski – Cultural Event Organizer
Born in Poland, educated in NY and now based in LA, Tomasz is the founder of Kulture+Productions,
which organizes cultural and artistic events and happenings.
NEW YORK
examples
in progress
Ilona Szwarc - Photographer
Born and raised in Warsaw, Ilon is an award winning photographer, who lives and works in New York
City. She has won multiple awards and her work has been featured in numerous publications
worldwide including The New York Times Magazine, TIME, The New Yorker, The UK Sunday Times
Magazine, The Telegraph Magazine, Surface China, PDN.
Daniel Horowitz
Daniel Horowitz is an mixed media artist who has become a favorite among publishers and journals. He has won multiple awards and his work has been featured everywhere from The New York Times and Random House, to GQ, The Wall Street Journal, and Knopf. He is now the cover illustrator for The American Reader.
Filip Pągowski
New York based graphic artist. Studied painting, illustration and poster design (under professor Henryk Tomaszewski) at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts. Works for a multitude of clients in the US, Canada, France, Japan and Poland. Clients include: The New Yorker, Comme des Garcons, Talk Magazine, Skas 5th Avenue, Le Monde, Travel+Leisure, The New York Times, Visionaire, Random House, etc.