Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death: August 2013

If I wasn't so busy making documentary films, screenwriting, novel writing and everyday freelance producing work - I would create a website that spells out my various projects a little clearer. I've been getting a lot of inquiries lately about what exactly I do, especially since my screenplay advanced to the quarterfinals for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting.

The inquires go a little something like this: Whaaa? I didn't know you wrote screenplays. I thought you were just into dead dolls, or Betty Crocker, or John Waters, or underwear, or goldendoodles, or what have you.

I know it's confusing because I don't do just one thing - like write books. Or two things - like documentary filmmaking and screenwriting. I do all those things because a good story is a good story is a good story. Oh and I'm also a historian because that's what my degrees are in. Yup, I graduated from grad school too.

So here's a down and dirty lowdown on me - Susan Marks. But feel free to contact me if you still have questions about my work.

BOOKS

I wrote the book, Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food. (Simon & Schuster, 2005 hardcover, University of Minnesota Press, 2007 paperback) If you want the book, go here.
I wrote another book about the history of Band-aids. That was sort of a strange gig.
I wrote a history book on Minnesota. Go here if you love MN history and archival photos.
I wrote another history book on Munsingwear - the underwear company.
I'm currently writing two novels. But I can't tell you what they are about just yet.

SCREENPLAYS

Finding Poppy Pepperdine - 2013 Quarter-finalist for Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting and a few other screenwriting competitions.
Bridal Bingo
2 work-in-progress screenplays - currently untitled

DOCUMENTARY FILMS (with filmmaking partner John Kurtis Dehn)

The Betty Mystique - a documentary film about the history of Betty Crocker
Of Dolls & Murder - a documentary film about the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, narrated by John Waters. Get it here!
Inside the Speakeasy Dollhouse - a documentary film about artist Cynthia von Buhler and her Speakeasy Dollhouses. Get it here!
Her Miniature Life of Crime - a documentary film about Frances Glessner Lee and her dollhouse crime scenes. (currently in production)

AWARDS

2014 Minnesota State Arts Board Grant
2013 McKnight Media Arts Fellowship
2012 Jerome Artist Grant
2007 Jerome Artist Grant
Many film festival awards for Of Dolls & Murder and The Betty Mystique

I know I left out a lot, but I think I hit the highlights. Thanks for your interest and support in my art and career. It means a lot to me.

To show my thanks I am leaving you with some images from my various gigs for the sole purpose of entertaining you - because you are awesome.