Sketch Comedies Start Production

"Sunday Funnies" scripts are adapted from TV spots performed by Mark Turner in the '80's

      A production team of seven actors and four staff have commenced rehearsals of a collection of short comedy sketches called "Sunday Funnies". 

     The sketches are part of a larger program to be offered at St. Paul's Cathedral on Sunday evening, May 20. 

     Mark Turner is directing the show composed of scripts from his past television spots and stage shows. The Sunday Funnies will culminate the larger program featuring our Film Gallery Cafe which will show two films with discussion. 

     Also featured will be the story of "The Prodigal Son" a solo dance by the Rev. Richard Lief, Canon for the Arts at St. Paul's Cathedral. 

     Light refreshments will be served and visual arts will be on display. The program starts at 6pm in the Great Hall on the 5th Ave. side of the Cathedral situated between 6th and 5th at Nutmeg near downtown San Diego. Suggested donation is $10. 

Film: "A Prayer for Beauty" Gives First Preview

Donna Turner presents our newest film to the St. Paul's Cathedral Women Together.

     The third film in our Film Gallery collection was previewed for the first time February 2nd at the Women Together program of St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego.
     Entitled "A Prayer for Beauty", Mark began production in 2005 based on his poem"Beautify Oh". He had produced a limited edition book of digital illustrations which he began animating with motion graphics. 
     This was the first attempt in the genre which combines visual arts, motion graphics, spoken word, music and sound effects. It is the only film, so far, in which he weaves the text of the poem into the visuals. 

Mark Turner modeled his film score after masters such as Maurice Ravel and Bela Bartok.

A Rich and Complex Sound Track

     The sound track also became the most complex of all three films. Mark scored the music based on models of masters Maurice Ravel, Bela Bartok, Samuel Barber and Gustav Holst. Donna joined her voice with his in both choral singing and verse choir. Even a nightingale, a flycatcher and a blue jay sang along with the wind and waterfall. 

Project Resurrected

     In 2005 other projects forced this to the back burner until last September Donna was invited to present our ministry to the Women Together and we needed a third film sooner than one started from scratch.  Production recommenced full time for five months leading up to the first DVD burn the day before the event.

Well Received 

     Audience reception was very enthusiastic as Donna led a full demonstration of the Film Gallery Cafe including the films, tangible art used to make them and table conversations after each film. Participants commented that they could have spent the whole evening discussing just the one new film. One person said full discussion would require a book to be written. The room was buzzing with intense conversations after each film. 

Composition 12 from the film "A Prayer for Beauty"

Next Stage in Development 

     Work is commencing immediately on the DVD of the film complete with menus of the poem text, stills of the artwork, and conversation cards. The next preview of the new film will be at our Artist Support Group meeting, February 19th. Artists and arts supporters are invited to join us.

Film Premieres with Music & Desserts July 23

     The first public showing of Mark Turner's film "To the Diggers" is scheduled as part of the annual Music-Poetry-Art event, Saturday, July 23, 7 pm in The Great Hall of St. Paul's Cathedral, 5^th and Nutmeg, San Diego.
     The art and sound track of the film are nearing completion but Mark will be working long hours to finish just by the deadline. Part of the presentation is intended to include some of the physical art used to make the film. This will happen if the time and expense of matting and framing the art can be squeezed into the schedule.
     The film has been in production for about two years woven through all the delays and turmoil of disengaging from our mountain home base in Julian.
     Music for the evening will feature Reiko Obata on the Japanese Koto. She will be accompanied by violinist Annelle Gregory, recently featured at Carnegie Hall. Well known local poets and artists will also present their works and luscious deserts will be served.
     Tickets for the event (suggested donation of $10) can be reserved by e-mailing Rev. Richard Lief liefr@stpaulcathedral.org .

"Glow In the Crowd"

"Glow In the Crowd" by Mark Turner

Christ said, "Let your light so shine before people so that they will see your good works and praise (worship) the Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

We offer enlarged prints of inspirational images illustrating spiritual truth signed by the artist, Mark Turner, and suitable for framing, as a "thank you" for your donation to sustain the artists engaged by our arts organization.

See all images at Mark's blog "Artingle" .

A 9"x14" print of "Glow In the Crowd" is available as a thank you for a donation of $35 or more.

To donate and receive your thank you gift reply to this e-mail stating your donation. We will send you a reply with a link to PayPal and send your print within approximately ten days of your donation.