Keeping Things Moving

Digital film is a new addition to Eloqui’s services. Mark began producing digital shorts for the nonprofit, Engage Mountain Maryland, to fill the void of having no local television broadcasting. In the course of a few years, and squeezing them in between assignment work, Mark has published close to 100 videos that include stories about politics, events, information, and breaking news.

Now, Laura and Mark are teaming up to integrate digital film with advertising and branding needs to round out a client’s exposure. The pair launched two campaigns last year that merged the use of still with moving imagery.

Mark also produced his first feature-length documentary, “Wings of a Dove” which premiered at a local theater to over 450 guests. Mark also produced a documentary series, “Mountain Chautauqua Stories” that shares the rich history of his home town, Mountain Lake Park which was founded as a unique vacation railroad destination in 1881. The project was funded in part by the Maryland Heritage Area Authority, the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West, and the Town of Mountain Lake Park.

Mountain Chautauqua Stories

Mountain Chautauqua Stories is a series of digital films (40 min. each) that illustrate a vibrant Victorian resort founded on Christian values, neatly nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Maryland. From the original founders of 1881 to the Chautauqua’s slow decline in the 1930s, director, Mark Stutzman assembles a collection of archived postcards, family photos, documents, and captivating interviews from historians, residents, and eye-witnesses.

You’ll travel back in time when the B&O railroad transported city passengers to extraordinary rural Victorian cottages and boarding homes that lined the streets of a bustling summer community. A recreational lake, prestigious hotels, boardwalks, tennis, golf, and inspiring presentations by notable personalities were all part of the Chautauqua experience.

Dressed in period costume, Stutzman presented a “making of” his latest series during the 2019 Chautauqua revived event in Mountain Lake Park. He now serves as creative director for The Victorian Chautauqua, a new an annual event that unfolds the weekend following the 4th of July.

Wings of a Dove

This award-winning film features Kevin Martin, an artist in residence, teaches the complex art of steel drum making to a small rural school that's looking to expand their music program. Under Heather Roth’s music program, Martin guides teachers, students, and volunteers through the painstaking process of hammering and shaping metal barrels into working, musical instruments.

With an ambitious goal of creating 15 drums in five days, Principal Dana McCauley and her teaching staff keep the energy level high with enthusiasm, humor, and touching moments of tenderness and compassion. WINGS OF A DOVE will take you on a heartfelt journey to learn the value of small, community schools. Infusing personalized, experiential learning leaves a lasting impression on the endearing students of Crellin Elementary School.

2019 Queen City Film Festival

Seymour Art Show & Sale

The Garrett County Arts Council was embarking on new mission to promote the arts. The previous annual event had dissolved into a craft show that attracted a lot of people but no longer met their mission.

Laura worked closely with the Council board to redefine the show so it would erase previous notions of what to expect. She suggested the name, Seymour as a way to personify an entirely new and modern direction. With nothing more than a vacant space, Laura and Mark romanticized an art show that had never existed. The imagery both still and moving jetison the show into the 21st-Century. Attendees were not disappointed made evident by record-breaking sales over the three-day event.

The Chautauqua Song

The Victorian Chautauqua faced a big challenge as it kicked off its first season. Many people don’t know the word “Chautauqua” let alone what it means, how to pronounce, or worse yet, how to spell it. Mark jotted down some playful lyrics and asked his friend, Francis “Ranger Champ” Zumbrun, a retired park ranger and songwriter to help him turn it into a fun song. Ranger Champ was quick to oblige with the help of sound engineer Mark Gowan. This collaboration resulted in an endearing and catchy singalong. The video was used as a social media campaign leading up to the festival weekend.

The Wheelman

Brian Birkner showed off his riding skills at the Victorian Chautauqua weekend festival. He was a huge hit with people since the penny-farthing bicycle is not something you see every day. The video was used to promote the festival’s following year when Birkner and fellow riders will return.

For The Love Of Birds

Photographer, Caroline Blizzard, and glass artist, Julie Turrentine, join forces to assemble an exhibit that raises awareness about bird populations, climate change, and migrating species. The full 18-minute documentary captures the passion behind two women determined to make a difference through art and education.

For The Thrill of It!

Brenda’s Body Shop wanted to set a new record by gathering the most Zombies together to perform the iconic Thriller Dance by Michael Jackson. Willing participants dressed in full costume to inspire others to join the herd.

The digital short previewed feature films at Garrett 8 Cinemas throughout the month leading up to the culminating event. Laura and Mark co-produced and co-directed the video to build excitement around the official Thriller Dance. SHORT FILMS MATTER accepted the work into their online platform with a flattering three-star review.

The Tintype Man

Rob Gibson is a noted tintype photographer who’s work has been used in major motion pictures such as in the 2019 release of Harriet, Gods and Generals, Cold Mountain, National Treasure, and Assassination of Jesse James. He as resurrected a technique that was popular with field photographers from the Civil War well into the 1900s. He explains his method which is still astonishing today.

Black Magic

To bring draw a younger audience to The Victorian Chautauqua festival, a fan dancer was commissioned to bring a nod to the past with a modern twist. Mariah Hines worked with Mark on a choreography that would infuse a new energy in to traditional Chautauqua programming. It worked, as social media grabbed onto this funky nugget of energy.

Green Hills

Rob Smith, lead singer of Buffalo Run, needed two music videos for a virtual Inaugural Ball for the Maryland Democratic Club. He and his bandmates had been isolating due to the pandemic and dusted off the equipment for this private re-recording of Green Hills. After a year of not performing together, they were invigorated to be back together again.

Garrett County Time

Buffalo Run re-recorded Garrett County Time as part of a virtual Inaugural Ball for the Maryland Democratic Club. A local favorite, Buffalo Run writes and records original music indicative of Appalachian life. Lead singer, Rob “Levy” Smith has a long career in the music industry dating back to being a young roady for leading musical acts.

Meadow Mountain Hemp

The legalization of CBD from hemp has opened up a new agricultural opportunity to farmers in Garrett County, Maryland. Through a series of video shorts, Meadow Mountain Hemp works to educate the public to the many health benefits of CBD oils. Unlike marijuana, hemp has low levels of THC associated with psychotropic effects. Distinguishing the difference is an ongoing challenge so consumers recognize the difference.

Krish Runs For Governor

Engage Mountain Maryland introduced a series to showcase candidates running for the 2018 mid-term election. Krishanti "Krish" Vignarajah, a seasoned Obama White House Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and State Department Senior Advisor under Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, visited Garrett County to kick-off her run for Governor of Maryland.

Mark arranged to capture Krish’s visit and share her political message with local residents. Her campaign bid was unsuccessful but her impression on the state remains positive.