Getting Schneider

If you grew up in the Holylands of Wisconsin, you have definitely heard of the card game, Sheephead. You'll probably played a hand or two. My grandmother, Alice Blonigen inspired me to make this short documentary about her various Sheephead groups all over the Holylands, including Dotyville, St. Cloud, and New Holstein. I also tracked down some friends that play regularly near Madison.

As I filmed this documentary, I was ashamed to admit that I did not know how to play Sheephead. Maybe one time, my friends tried to explain this wildly complicated game, but I never caught on. Since filming, the guys that were interviewed have taken me in to their group. While we don't play often, and I still need a cheat sheet handy, I do know how to play Sheephead, now.

This documentary was made for a class assignment during my studies of Visual Communication at Madison College. I was helped greatly by two classmates, David Franciscus and Bill Gates. Without these two, the film would never have come together as it did. I owe them both a great deal of gratitude.