Ten years ago, a group of college students came together to create Bob Mazooka: Fun Time Action Hour For Kids, a quirky 45-minute film that captured the imagination of everyone involved. What began as a simple project soon grew into an unforgettable collaboration, a testament to the power of creativity nurtured through arts education. As we reflect on the film’s anniversary, it’s clear that the skills and experiences gained from working on this project continue to shape our lives today.
Arts education is often undervalued, yet it provides more than just technical skills. It fosters collaboration, pushes boundaries, and encourages self-expression—qualities that were at the heart of making Bob Mazooka. Our film wasn’t just a fun college project; it was an exercise in learning how to bring ideas to life, overcome challenges, and create something meaningful with a team.
As I sit down to interview the cast and crew, we’ll not only reminisce about the fun and chaos behind Bob Mazooka, but we’ll also explore how this project—and others like it—underscore the lasting importance of arts education. Without the opportunities and lessons we gained through those years, many of us wouldn’t be the artists or professionals we are today. Let’s dive into the stories, memories, and impact of this wild ride.
Getting this film ready to be aired with maybe an hour to spare still gives me f**ing* heart palpitations.
Gary Miller: Who are you, and who was the character you played or the role you played behind the scenes?
Nate Mittelbrun: Camera Operator/Director of “Photography.”
Gary Miller: If Bob Mazooka had a sequel, what would you do differently?
Nate Mittelbrun: Lighting this stuff much, much better. I would even go so far as to actually use lights.
Gary Miller: Where are you now, and what’s next for you?
Nate Mittelbrun: I’m living in Chicago and working in TV and movies as a 2nd AC. Past projects include Utopia, Fargo, The Chi, The Bear, Mea Culpa, and the Chicago One shows PD, Med, and Fire. I’m actually currently typing this up on the set of Chicago Med.
Gary Miller: What’s one thing you wish people knew about Bob Mazooka?
Nate Mittelbrun: Guerilla-style filmmaking allowed us to be as ridiculous as we wanted. We broke any rule you could think of, and just going for whatever we wanted with a quasi-dogma mentality really made the juxtaposition of our own reality against Bob’s stand out.
Gary Miller: Which scene was the hardest to shoot, and why?
Nate Mittelbrun: The battle scene, because for some reason I had the hardest time keeping track of where the line was in the scene, and I’m pretty sure we jumped it a bunch!
Gary Miller: How did being part of Bob Mazooka impact your life or career?
Nate Mittelbrun: Big. I always wanted to work in movies, but didn’t think it was realistic. Making this beautifully awful movie showed me that if you learn and put in the time, it’s incredibly possible to make a career for yourself in the TV and movie industry.
Gary Miller: What’s your funniest memory from making Bob Mazooka?
Nate Mittelbrun: The Banana Gun.
Gary Miller: How did you juggle filming Bob Mazooka with your college studies?
Nate Mittelbrun: I managed fairly well. I still found time to study and complete my schoolwork, and part of getting the schoolwork done was the included knowledge that once it was done, we could continue filming greatness.
Gary Miller: What was the most challenging part of making a film as a college student?
Nate Mittelbrun: Lack of knowledge, experience, and mostly a budget. Films cost an exuberant amount. You need a lot of equipment and a lot of labor. You find very quickly that a film requires many, many hands to create, and even if your friends are volunteering to help you with your vision for free, at some point, they will need to eat…
Gary Miller: Did making Bob Mazooka impact your grades or study habits?
Nate Mittelbrun: It led to all-nighters that I now manage better with time.
Gary Miller: Was there a moment when you thought, ‘This is too much’? How did you get through it?
Nate Mittelbrun: The editing of this film nearly killed me. I had Gary as an amazing creative partner and visionary to keep me motivated, but I’ve despised editing my entire career. Getting this film ready to be aired with maybe an hour to spare still gives me f**ing* heart palpitations.
Gary Miller: Did making the film bring you closer to any of your classmates?
Nate Mittelbrun: I made a lifelong chum in Gary Miller. You don’t create something like this without becoming incredibly bonded and close.
Gary Miller: If you could go back, would you still make the film in college, or would you wait until later?
Nate Mittelbrun: I would definitely still make the film, as it really jump-started my drive to make a career out of filmmaking, but I would 100% do things differently knowing all I do about film production at this current stage of my life.
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