Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Call for Zombie Movies

Howdy you crazy Michigan filmmakers! This state has an amazing tradition for horror movies - especially one's featuring Zombies! November 6 is Zombie Night at the Main Art Theater! We're looking for your movies! We want your shorts, Trailers, Videos - just make sure they have the walking dead in them! Please send your submission on DVD to:MMP C/O Jamie715 E. MilwaukeeDetroit, MI48202Submitting is absolutely free! And there is enough time to make a zombie flick if you don't have one already!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Detroit Film Competition October 6 and 7

The Detroit Film Competition focuses on theexceptional talent base in Detroit and surroundingMidwest states with the intent to assist unknownfilmmakers, screenwriters, music composers, actors andactresses gain national exposure in the entertainmentindustry.Detroit, MI - The Detroit Film Competition is a 2-Dayregional competition organized by Galore Enterprises,LLC and sponsored by Reel Tyme Entertainment and InnerCircle Enterprises, LLC. The event will occur at TheDetroit Fine Arts Theater located at 2952 WoodwardAvenue, Detroit, Michigan on Saturday and Sunday,October 6th and 7th, 2007 from 8am to 6pm EST. GaloreEnterprises is contracted by The Vine Entertainment(www.thevineent.com), a film production company basedin Los Angeles, CA to search for talent in the MidwestRegion. The competition consists of 2 categories:Films and Screenplays. In addition, there will be aMusical Score Search and a Casting Call held. Theparticipating states for this regional competitioninclude Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois andIndiana. The winner of The Detroit Film Competitionwill win a three-night four-day trip to The VineEntertainment Film Festival. The ultimate goal ofthis event is to uncover the unknown talent in thisregion and to assist these individuals with obtaininga possible movie distribution deal.Day 1: Saturday, October 6thCasting CallAll experienced actors and actresses are invited to aCasting Call for an upcoming Thriller to be producedby The Vine Entertainment to begin shooting,mid-November 2007 in Vancouver, Canada. They areseeking experienced actors and actresses to cast forvarious roles in this movie. Those individualsinterested in this opportunity are encouraged to visitwww.galoreent.com to pre-register online and to bringtheir headshots, resume and biographies to the eventon October 6th. There is no registration fee for thecasting call.Musical Score SearchGalore Enterprises is seeking music composers tosubmit their music for the possible consideration of amusical score deal for upcoming film projects throughThe Vine Entertainment. Composers may register theirwork online at www.galoreent.com or onsite on October6th. There is a non-refundable registration fee forsubmissions.Talent Networking EventA Talent Networking Event will be held Saturday night,October 6, 2007 at The Detroit Fine Arts Theater from9pm to 2am EST. Admission to the networking event iscomplimentary to those applicants who havepre-registered online or who registered projectson-site during The Detroit Film Competition on October6th. The admission fee for non-registrants is $10.00USD.Day 2: Saturday, October 7thFilmmaker & Screen Writer CompetitionAll filmmakers and screenwriters are invited to submittheir works of short films, feature films andscreenplays. The top 20 film and screenplaysubmissions combined will be sent to The VineEntertainment for the possible consideration of adistribution deal. The number one submission will beannounced as the winner of The Detroit FilmCompetition and will win a three-night four-day tripto The Vine Entertainment Film Festival held in SantaMonica, California, November 8th through November11th, 2007. There is a non-refundable registrationfee for submissions.For more information, to Pre-Register, or tovolunteer, please visit www.GaloreEnt.com. Thedeadline for Pre-Registration is October 1, 2007.A percentage of the proceeds from this event will bedonated to charity.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Detroit Film Society Screening at Russell Free Fest

Yesterday was the First Free Fest at the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit on Clay and I-75. The Detroit Film Society held a screening in the ground floor. The room was a cavernous former assembly line that was transformed with the addition of church pews and a large screen a cozy showing room was created to showcase films made in and around Michigan. The program lasted approx 6 hours and was shown twice in the day, with a steady stream of people entering the theatre..

The program included the following films and a couple of late additions....



FILMMAKER
DATE
TITLE
TIME
David Moroski
2003
River
00:03:30
Aaron Trudgeon
2006
Impatient Exorcist
00:16:00
David Moroski
2004
Ghost Continuum
00:02:30
Karen Ostrovitz
2005
Self Improvement
00:20:00
Michael Pfaendtner
2006
Texas Hospitality
00:03:04
Matt Peach
2006
Friday Night Kings

Cate Caldwell
2006
Snapshot
00:14:32
Michael Pfaendtner
2006
Iwo Jima Diary
01:00:00
Suzanne Janik
2006
Inzero episode 9
00:35:00
Suzanne Janik
2006
Inzero episode 10

Mike Madigan
2007
Demeter: Surrender
00:11:07
Maggie Patton
2007
Shooters. Get The Picture
00:15:00
Leni Sinclair
2005
MC5
00:35:00
Dan Sheridan
2006
Musical Therapy--Mardi Gras 2006
01:05:00
Rev. Drak-ul-lah
2006
Breathscapes
00:29:00

The entire festival was amazing, Kudos to Eric and the staff of RIC for a great job..

Feast of Love

MPA's September screener "Feast of Love" Will be shown on Thursday,9/27 - 7:00pm at the Showcase Theater in Ann Arbor.I have tickets but if I miss you say I'm with MPA! Directions may befound at this linkhttp://www.nationalamusements.com/theatres/current_theatre.asp?theatre=3164

Thursday, September 13, 2007

PA Bootcamp

MICHIGAN PRODUCTION ALLIANCE INSTRUCTIONAL EVENT
LOCATION: SPECS HOWARD SCHOOL OF BROADCAST ARTS

***This Event Sponsored by AICP***

The Michigan Production Alliance (MPA) presents an event to promote the education of entry level media professionals by offering a one-day seminar on Production Assistant skills and ethics. The seminar, hosted by Specs Howard School will be held on Saturday October 20 2007 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Session breakdown -

Lecture.

The lecture will provide more than just an overview of what is expected of Production Assistants on both film and video sets. It will include production equipment overview as well as set and client etiquette. There will be a discussion about local production companies, organizations and unions and the different resources they have to offer.

Session 2 -

Moderated Discussion.

A panel of local producers, coordinators and assistant directors will discuss their experiences on the set and expectations from crewmembers during production and post-production. The discussion will be followed by a question and answer session.

This seminar begins promptly, so arrive early to sign in.Refreshments will be served. MPA members are admitted FREE Everyone else $20.

For details on the location call Mark Adler at (248) 349-2666 or Specs Howard School (248) 358-9000.
For directions click here - Map and info http://www.specshoward.com/aboutspecs.htm.

You may also check our website for images from previous sessions and information. http://www.mpami.org/

Michigan Production Alliance P.O. Box 1059Novi, Michigan 48376info@mpami.org

People's Art Festival

Join the DFC at one of the last free summer festival's in Detroit.

The People's Arts Festival is a free event in Detroitthat features local bands, crafts, fashions, restaurants,artists, and organizations such as the DFC. The event goes from 11am - midnight (located on 1600 Clay Avenue off I-75), so come on down and join the festivities with us.

Screenings and projections will take place at the People's Arts Festival courtesy of our friends at the newly launched Detroit Cinematheque (including DFC instructor Matt Kelson). Programming will include work by: Mathew Kelson, Daniel Davies, Nathan Faustyn, Brandon Walley, Alan Scheurman, Chris Puidokas, NicoleMcDonald, and David Allan.The Detroit Cinematheque is a collaborative effort to reinvigorate film awareness and appreciation within the city of Detroit. To learn more about the endeavor contact: cinemathequedetroit@gmail.com

Ringside Creative - GTN's Combermere Stage Up for Sale by Mark Adler

In the continuing spiral of infrastructure disintegration here in Michigan, another stage is in danger of being lost. Ringside Creative, formerly GTN has the Combermere Stage up for Sale.Combermere, one of the finest stage facilities in Michigan was build by photographer Vern Hammerlin in the mid 80s. Build in a western motif, it is a fine structure for use in our industry. I recall being on the first crew to work there...gotta make sure to grab the commemorative photo in the kitchen!!!I believe it was 2000 that we lost PCS to Verizon which turned what had been Michigan's largest Stage into a switching/call routing center.We can not afford to lose stages or other infrastructure. I may be a bit premature in calling out its demise as it has not been sold as yet. I hold hope that someone will buy it up and operate it as a shooting stage.Stay tuned...

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Michigan Filmmaker’s Distribution and Marketing Seminar

The Michigan Production Alliance (MPA) in partnership with Detroit Women In Film and TV (DWIFTV) and The Detroit Film Society (DFS) has organized this event to educate media professionals by offering a one-day seminar, 9a-5pm.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Bob Brown Producer for Charity Island and Purple Rose Films will provide more than just an overview of how to market and distribute your film.
Kodak will award a door prize worth $1000 in film stock to one participant. (Other small prizes will be offered)
Bob Brown (Executive Producer, Managing Partner) entered the feature film business in 1998 as Executive Producer for Purple Rose Films first feature, Escanaba in da Moonlight. He also produced the Purple Rose Films documentary on the making of A Picture From Home - The Journey Through Escanaba in da Moonlight - The Movie , Producer/Writer The Trouble With Dee Dee, Executive Producer, Super Sucker, Silent Scream and most recently Bonneville starring Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen. With twenty-three years of business experience, Brown has acted as Managing General Partner, General Partner, and Associate Partner in creating, developing and selling start up ventures using private investor funding. Brown has been active in franchise development for Blockbuster Video and Boston Market. In addition, he was instrumental in the creation, operation and sale of several other business opportunities, including performing arts instruction, a golf course resort and workplace child care centers. Brown is a graduate of Albion College, where he received his BA degree in Economics and Management. He received his Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College.
A registration fee of $65 ($50 for MPA members & students with ID) includes 7-hour seminar cost, beverages and lunch. Registration form can be found at http://www.mpami.org

DATE:

Sat, November 10, 2007
TIME:
9:00 A.M. to 5 P.M.
WHERE:
At Lawrence Technological University in Southfield MI
Directions: Lawrence Technological University, Room S321, Bldg 6 Lot D Campus at 21000 West Ten Mile Road, W of Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48075-1058
If you have any questions or to confirm registration, (by October 27) please contact: Mark Adler: 248.349.2666 Send check or Money order to MPA P.O. Box 1059 Novi MI 48376 (proof of student status will be required at event registration) 1+248.349.2666 www.mpami.org

Friday, September 7, 2007

Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour

Beginning in May and continuing through January, the Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour is a collection of awarded films and highlights selected from the festival-week program. The AAFF Tour provides wider exposure for independent and experimental film and filmmakers, as well as offering a representative sampling of the current state of alternative cinema. It is for this reason that the Tour is an integral aspect of the festival. Notable participants in past tours have included Barbara Hammer, Jules Engel, Emily Hubley, Ross McLaren, Paul Winkler, Sally Cruikshank, James Duesing, Jay Rosenblatt, and Gus Van Sant.
The tour provides filmmakers the unique opportunity of having their work screened in front of audiences for whom, in some places, the tour venue is their only access to this form of film art. The work of independent and experimental filmmakers is brought to thousands of new viewers each year.

Tour Program
The tour program is not categorized or theme-related. Each program is a unique mix of content and genre. Income from the tour directly benefits participating filmmakers. A rental fee of $1.50/per minute/per tour stop is paid to each filmmaker for use of their film. Click here to see the program

Tour Schedule
June

June 9th & 10thFoothill CollegeSan Francisco, CAPrograms 1-4

August

August 11thCapri TheatreMontgomery, ALPrograms 1-4
August 18th & 19thAurora Picture ShowHouston, TXPrograms 1-4
September

September 4th Cornell CinemaIthaca, NYPrograms 1 & 4
September 7th & 8thDelta FilmWorksMonroe, LAPrograms 1-3
September 13th & 14thRose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute, INPrograms 1-3

September 27thOakland Community CollegeFarmington Hills, MIPrograms 1 & 2
September 27th & 28thUniversity of Tennessee, KnoxvilleKnoxville, TNPrograms 1-4
October

October 5th & 6thPittsburgh FilmmakersPittsburgh, PAPrograms 1-3
October 6thCollingwood Arts CenterToledo, OHPrograms 1-4
October 12th & 13th College of the AtlanticBar Harbor, MEPrograms 1-4
October 13thBowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OHProgram TBD
October 22ndFordham College Lincoln CenterNew York, NYProgram TBD
October 25th & 26thCentral Michigan UniversityMt. Pleasant, MIPrograms 1-3
November

November 14thRhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RIPrograms 3 & 4

To Be Determined

TBDUnion Theater - University of WisconsinMilwaukee, WIPrograms 1-4
TBDThe Film Theatre at U.I.C.A.Grand Rapids, MITBD

Booking
The tour can be booked as a one or two-evening event. It is packaged in such a way that the entire four hours can be shown in one evening. Or: Programs 1 & 2 can be shown at a 7:00 show and Programs 3 & 4 shown at a 9:30 show, or Programs 1 & 2 can be shown in one evening and Programs 3 & 4 shown the following evening.
Fee
Tour Package

$700
3-hour DVD and 1-hour 16mm program

$525
3-hour DVD program

$400
1-hour DVD program and 1-hour 16mm program

$350
Includes 2-hour DVD program

To assist tour stops in promoting the event, a one-hour DVD of a selection of films on the tour is available for press screening purposes. In addition, we supply a printed program of the films on tour, list of winners from the festival, stills from several films in the program, and Ann Arbor Film Festival graphics.
After you book the tour, we will send you promotional images and graphics from the 45th festival, as well as program materials.
To book the tour at your venue, email Chris Csont!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

One Half Gone - the Movie

Www.onehalfgonemovie.com

This may be the first feature film Alan Bernstein has directed but he is certainly no stranger to the world of filmmaking. The movie bug sank its teeth early into Alan when he was in elementary school and it has had a firm grip on him ever since. At the age of 6, he appeared in a few short horror films made by Sam Raimi’s gang and quickly learned that filmmaking was to be his future. Alan has been involved in nearly every facet of film production; from swing gang to cinematography, from production assistant to producer, all the while building up a database of knowledge and insight.

One Half Gone is the story of Sam a fastidious engineer must spend the day with his estranged and unkempt brother, Cub, as they look for a missing wedding ring. The day becomes filled with accidents and frustration until the two brothers explode. As the emotional dust settles, sam realizes that life is not just one road, but can go in many directions.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Frank Nemecek - Making movies in Motown

Story on Model D Detroit

A group of independent filmmakers is gearing up to add movies to the list of Detroit’s cultural legacies — a list that includes cars, Motown and rock ‘n’ roll.

Most of these dedicated filmmakers, many of whom could easily do their thing somewhere else, have done their work on a small, independent basis. But their work and profile are growing.

“I have no interest in Hollywood or New York,” says Detroit filmmaker Jeff Carlson, whose music video was named Best of Show at last year’s Moving Media Film Festival, sponsored by Wayne State's Department of Communications. “They just seem like a place where too many people try to go and make it, but most of them get lost in shuffle.”

Ready for take off

“Detroit has always been primed for large-scale production with the skilled work force that was used in automotive commercials,” says Robert Andersen, one of the founders of the Detroit Film Center. The DFC is in its 12th year as a nonprofit media arts center in downtown Detroit, featuring filmmaking classes, film exhibitions and equipment rentals. Andersen’s short films have been exhibited throughout the Midwest and Canada as well as in Prague and Zurich.

Transforming that workforce from making commercials to making independent films, Andersen points out, only would require the addition of enough working capital to finance those films

.One other thing that would help move motion picture production forward is the prospect of Michigan joining the ranks of states that offer tax incentives to make movies there. State Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, introduced a package of incentive legislation last year. It has passed in the House and is pending before the Senate.

Huizenga’s legislation is modeled after a package that was first used in Louisiana. Film production was almost nonexistent there before the incentive package when into effect and gave production crews an exemption on sales taxes and reduced corporate taxes if they met certain criteria. In 2004, film production was a $320 million industry for the Pelican State.

Motown in video

Detroit’s long track record of great music also has meant opportunities for filmmakers to create music videos. Detroit’s own Anthony Garth created the video for the White Stripes’ “Hotel Yorba.” It was the first music video ever shot for the Stripes, and it continues to draw fans to Southwest Detroit from around the world so they can snap a photo of themselves outside of the Hotel Yorba on Lafayette.

Garth went on to direct the White Stripes’ “Friends” video, as well as other videos for the Detroit Cobras, The Sights and Lo Pro. He also did a series of commercials for Chevy and filmed a documentary about Eminem’s first European tour.

His young protégé, Zaakim Kareem, is a Flint native who now works predominately in Detroit on music videos and commercials. He also founded his own production company, Dark Chapter Films, and has worked on a total of 24 different projects. Most of his work has been music videos for hip-hop artists, but he also worked an educational video for the Detroit Science Center, a pair of short films and a documentary entitled “Life After Eight Mile.”

“Detroit is a great learning tool,” Kareem says

Grounds for creativity

The streets of Detroit could be looked at as the world’s largest art incubator.“Detroit is fertile ground for personal expression,” says experimental filmmaker Brandon Walley. “Whether it’s music, fine arts or film – something about this city fosters tremendous creativity.”Walley’s films have been shown throughout the United States and Canada. Commercial production studios in New York, Chicago and Minnesota have expressed interest in his work. For the time being, though, he is staying here to enjoy Detroit’s fertile ground for creativity.He isn’t the only filmmaker to take advantage of the synergy of filmmaking and other artistic media in Detroit. Last year’s “The Passenger" a feature-length film that was directed by Jamie Sonderman, was not only shot in Detroit – Motor City-based musicians provided its soundtrack, while painters and sculptors from Detroit found their work into the background of Sonderman’s set. Some of Detroit’s coolest restaurants, like Agave and Vicente's, as well as venues like the Hastings Street Ballroom and John King Books, served as shooting locations.

One scene from “The Passenger,” which Sonderman co-wrote with Michael Zawacki, seems to describe filmmaking in Detroit perfectly, shedding light on why Detroit is the location of choice for cutting-edge filmmakers. It featured an exchange between the film’s protagonist John and a fictional artist named Holiday Martin.

Holiday: Let me tell you something. I could live in Amsterdam or Paris or New York or London or a dozen other cities but I live right here (in Detroit).

John: Why is that?

Holiday: Because those cities are done. Their histories are written. They produce some good art, and the sushi is good, but it’s someone else’s scene. Anything you do is part of that scene.

John: What do you mean?

Holiday: Did Rembrandt paint on DaVinci’s canvases?

John: Uh … no.

Holiday: No. Rembrandt painted on his very own canvas. And that’s what Detroit is. My very own empty canvas. And your very own canvas. It’s anyone’s canvas if they have the brass to use it. And that’s why it’s like no place else right now. People say Detroit is a has-been city. I say it’s a city between breaths. I say it’s waiting. And what is going to be is more amazing than you or I can imagine.

Detroit – a city between breaths.

A city that is waiting.

A city on the verge of becoming more amazing that most folks would care to imagine.

And it will all be captured on film.Detroit has already seen its share of major motion pictures. "8 Mile” and “The Island” were filmed here in recent years. Low-budgets films like Crossover also came to Detroit to take advantage of it as a shooting location. There’s no reason why Toronto should have to stand in for the Motor City in movies like “Four Brothers” and “Assault on Precinct 13.”

With the continued efforts of indie filmmakers, music makers and a little bit of help from the state Legislature, Detroit won’t have to wait between breaths much longer.

Want to check out some great mitten-made movies? Detroit filmmakers are regularly featured at Michigan Movie Night. The event held the first Tuesday of each month. The Landmark Main Art Theatre on Main Street in Royal Oak.Also, Hamtramck's Planet Ant Theatre holds an annual film fest.

"Phantoms of Route 13" raises hell while shooting feature in Detroit

DETROIT, MI – A Michigan-based production team is haunting the rural countryside this summer. “Phantoms of Route 13,” a supernatural thriller currently filming in Michigan’s wooded wonderlands, is the first feature film of producer/director Lee Martin and director of photography Michael Kuentz.

“It’s a trilogy of unrelated stories sharing a common, haunted location—a lonely stretch of 2-lane dirt highway nestled in the woods called ‘Route 13,’” says Martin. “Each story has a ‘Twilight Zone’ type twist ending, with plenty of suspense and scares along the way.” Top Michigan talent has been recruited to support the immense task of filming the feature-length movie. Kuentz, a seasoned media instructor at ITT Technical Institute in Troy , supervises the eight-person crew and runs a consulting business on the side. “This is what I want to do,” he says. “I’ve worked on a lot of projects, mostly short films, but I’d like to do this full time.” And what about actors? Some of Michigan ’s most compelling new personalities are showcased in the feature, like newcomer Kristin Oliver. “I’ve been waiting for a part like this,” she says. “The woman I play in this film has some of the best lines I’ve ever seen.” Mischievously, she adds
“It’s a part to die for!”

Also cast is talented leading man Don Cochran, an alumni of the prestigious Actor’s Studio in Troy . “We were really lucky to get just the right people for this film,” says Martin. “We have the best script in Michigan right now, but without a good cast, it would have been wasted.” And what’s next? According to Martin, “We finished filming in early August. Now it’s on to the festival circuit while we court the distributors, though we already received an offer for the film four days into shooting. We’re also planning a theatrical premier in early 2008, so the community can finally see what all the buzz has been about.”

Until then, “Phantoms of Route 13” will be haunting a forest near you.