2019 Wisconsin's Own Films: The Artist

The Artist by Craig A. Knitt
Marion, WI (Milwaukee Premiere)

Running Time: 5 minutes
Screening Time: Sat, Sept 7th 6:45pm
Comedy

A seasoned artist briefly struggles with a creative block.

Director's Bio:

Craig Anthony Knitt was raised in Marion, Wisconsin where he developed a strong interest in storytelling and filmmaking at a very early age. Unfortunately many of his first endeavors are lost to technology. He was also involved in local theatre as a member of the Clintonville Community Players.

After a few years of college at UW-Oshkosh Knitt returned to his hometown to teach Art. Because of his interests he developed classes on Medieval Technologies and Cinematography. He also taught Fundamentals of Design at the Menomonee College in Keshena and Green Bay. As the head of Marion High School's Drama department he is responsible for two original productions, "Twang, a Comedy of Arrows" and "On The Air" along with numerous other productions.

Throughout 1995 to 1998 Knitt teamed up with long-time friend, Tom Thorne, to create the "Out Of Whack Show" which played on public access in Appleton, WI. The show ran for thirteen episodes and some of the later episodes were actually watchable! Out of Whack Productions, Knitt's production company, was born out of those early efforts.

In 1999 Knitt played a background character in Paul Rinehart's "Afterbirth". Aroud this time he also became a member of Green Bay's Comedy City improvisational comedy troupe where he's performed at least once every month since.

Later on, Knitt with the help of Thorne and a small crew of friends went on to create his first feature film "The Hunt", a dark comedy about an accidental shooting. The attention generated by "The Hunt" was to propel Knitt and Out of Whack Productions forward enough to create his Viking epic comedy "Stonecutter's Quest". Unfortunately that didn't happen.

In 2002 Knitt and Thorne teamed up once again. This time with the help of Jason Buss (another star of "The Hunt") they developed the Wildwood Film Festival which is dedicated to showcasing Wisconsin film talent. Over the years the Wildwood Film Festival has became one of Wisconsin's top film festivals.

Knitt is one of the founding members of the IFG (Independent Filmmakers Guild) in Green Bay where he continues to hold a position on the board. Besides being an active member of the IFG he is also an active member of the Wis-Kino filmmaking group in Madison.

Knitt was the Director of Photography and the Chief Editor for Paul Rinehart's "Damaged" which premiered at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay in August of 2007. He was involved with Krist Rufty's "Psycho Holocaust" in which his friends at Autumn Nights Studios are providing the special effects.