It’s been 15 years (!) since Chris Smith’s documentary American Movie introduced the world to embattled Milwaukee filmmaker Mark Borchardt. That film famously tagged along with Borchardt and lotto-loving BFF Mike Schank as they tried to bring Borchardt’s long-in-the-works dream project called Northwestern to life, only to meet with frustration, the troubled production of another film (Coven), and the occasional uncooperative kitchen cabinet. The film would go on to win the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, launch the career of Smith, and land Borchardt some delightfully bizarro gigs like “election correspondent” for the Late Show With David Letterman. In more recent years, Borchardt has appeared in Frankie Latina’s 2009 exploitation flick Modus Operandi, as well as Bobby Ciraldo and Andrew Swant’s “new” Hamlet A.D.D.
But what has Borchardt done for us lately, man? Well, according to a press release, he’s set to star in a new web series called “Out And About.” The series promises to follow Mark “around his hometown of Milwaukee and beyond as he shares adventures with colorful people (celebrities and otherwise) who fascinate him.” Announced guests include “Drunk History” creator Derek Waters, director Calvin Reeder, and magician Rob Zabrecky. The series will be produced in part by Mark’s filmmaker daughter, Dawn Borchardt.
“I don’t know how the hell this happened but it did,” Borchardt says in the very Mark Borchardt-y press release. “Like many things in life, a lot happens out of the blue, including this. Along the way, on this route of life, I’ve encountered a lot of cool people. So, we thought we’d share some of those experiences with our friends out there hanging by a thread in the electronic universe. We hope you’ll enjoy these singular encounters in extravagant existential circumstances, all the while reflecting on the beauty and brilliance of your own lives as well. And if this sounds like a press release—well, that’s because it is.”
Check out a trailer for “Out And About” below. Jesus told you so.