Detroit Dog Rescue: Denied

Rapper Hush has reached over 50,000 views in just 4 days on a 4-minute video he posted to YouTube. His video documents the problem Detroit faces with stray dogs. With over 70,000 abandoned buildings, the city's stray dog problem has reached numbers exceeding an estimated 50,000 and continues to climb.

Teaming up with California producer Monica Martino (of Whale Wars and Deadliest Catch fame), the Detroit rapper intended to produce a 10 part series for the Discovery Channel that would shed light on this problem; raising awareness and funds to do something about this in a compassionate way. All of these intentions came to a halt when the city shut down the project.

Claiming the documentary series would shed a negative light on the city, the city also implied that dogs which should be considered dangerous and captured would be used as actors for the show. According to the Detroit Free Press, the proposed show would have spent $1.4 million in the city for production.

Hush and Martino now plan to continue to raise awareness through town hall meetings, and have set up an online site for donations and information at detroitdogresuce.com.

Take a look at the video and let me know what you think. Is the city correct in their statement that the potentially dangerous dogs would be used to "get a good shot" rather than actually being rescued in the series? Do you think that the controversy surrounding the issue is actually working to raise awareness more than the series itself would? How does this infringe on the idea of the media's "freedom"? Does the city actually have the right to say no? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Remember to include your name when posting.

The Lens Skirt

Check out this new gear! The Lens Skirt is an attachment for your camera that will allow you to shoot shoot timelapses and video through windows without the reflective issues that often show up.



The LENSKIRT is a portable, flexible hood which you attach to the end of your camera lens. The LENSKIRT allows you to shoot pictures and video through glass without internal environmental reflections such as people movement, room lights, camera flashes, light leak from under a door, etc showing up on footage.



The LENSKIRT seems reasonably prices, totally portable and easy to use. Simply attach the four corners of the LENSKIRT to a clean glass surface via the heavy duty suction cups. Setup your camera and insert the lens through the flexible opening. Tighten the enclosure and you are ready to shoot.

What do you think? Cool idea or waste of money? What other ways might you eliminate reflections when filming through glass? How have you dealt with this issue in the past or what might you do in the future? Have you ever shot time-lapse video? When might you use that? Remember to include your name in your comment for extra credit.

Unity Studios in Allen Park

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Part 3



A movie producer promising 3,000 jobs and almost $150 million in investments. A downriver city eager to reinvent itself, and hungry for economic development. It seemed like a match made in Hollywood, but as Action News Investigator Heather Catallo tells us, this is a story that’s not following a script. Take a few minutes to watch the clip from Channel 7 News WXYZ and tell me what you think. Does this damage the film industry's reputation in Michigan? How did this situation get so out of control? Would you attend a film school that is so new it hasn't established its credentials?

I did an online search for any information on Lifton Institute for Media Skills and came up with little other than the school's website which didn't provide any tuition rate information and a comment that was left under the Oakland Press article:

Jimmy Lifton as well as all the other "film schools" that have mysteriously popped up in the last 2 years are just a bunch of scam artists. They use Michigan WORKS! tax payer dollars to line their pockets.
Jimmy Lifton charges up to $12,000 a class for "film training"- you will never see a true film camera in his classes- you will never be taught by an industry professional. He holds his "classes" in beat up abandoned automotive office space with free rental equipment that he has borrowed from local rental houses- the gaff house and william f white.
He is stealing power from the plant next door, clearly a fire hazard as well as thievery. (please investigate if you have the means)
only saving grace...
You will make a short video on a prosumer digi camera starring JIM LIFTONS DAUGHTER!!!- hope its worth 12 grand!

I'd love to hear your comments on this issue. How did you react to the news story?

The Arcade Fire Music Video

Click here for the Wilderness Downtown Video

When we had a visit from some representatives of Specs Howard School of Digital Media, one of the reps, Jason pointed out this incredible, interactive, new music video from the band Arcade Fire. Users can enter their home address and see video of their street incorporated into the music video. We tried this in class using the school's address and it was pretty impressive.
In order for the video to work you must download Google Chrome as your web browser. This idea links marketing with music, and it is not the first time this has been done. Click here to download Google Chrome.
What do you think about this? Jason mentioned in class that next you will be able to take your own picture, and put yourself in a music video. Where do you think this technology is headed? What did you think about the images you saw of your own house using Google Earth? Where does individual privacy end? I'd love to hear your comments after viewing this video. Remember to include your full name...

Film Company Eyes Warren for New Studio

This H.B. Stubbs Company building may soon be home to film and television production. Macomb Daily staff photo by Ray J. Skowronek

A Los Angeles based movie and television company plans to open a studio in Warren, a nearly $22 million project expected to create 350 jobs within 6 months.

Krane Media is scheduled to produce five feature films annually, and each will have a crew between 125 and 135 members, according to documents filed with the city.

Through the H.B. Stubbs Company’s building, Krane Media will ask the Warren City Council to create an Industrial Development District at the 272,000-square-foot facility at Mound and 11 Mile Road.

Krane Media was founded by chairman and CEO Jonathan D. Krane, who has produced full-length feature films for more than 35 years. Among his films, Krane was executive producer on “Face/Off,” a 1997 film starring John Travolta and Nicholas Cage; and producer on “Swordfish” (2001) and “Look Who’s Talking” (1989).

According to Warren city records, an estimated $13.6 million would be spent on film production equipment and office furnishing.

Another $8.1 million would go toward construction of production and other areas, including two green rooms estimated at $250,000 each; a cafeteria extension and “private dining area for stars” valued at $750,000; and a guard house and landscaping at $500,000.

What do you think about this new venture? How will this impact you? What direction do you see film production in Michigan headed? Leave your comments and include your full name for class credit.

Fitzgerald HS Graduate featured in Football Movie

Scott Gajos, who graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 2003, will work alongside Kurt Russell in his upcoming football movie titled "Touchback", which will be filmed near Grand Rapids.

Two former Western Michigan football players will be getting a taste of Hollywood this month, albeit in Coopersville, Mich. Walk-ons Tim Balice and Scott Gajos have been cast in the movie "Touchback", starring Kurt Russell. Balice, a punter, holder and receiver at WMU from 2006-09, will play a player on Team Coldwater, coached by Russell's character, along with Kalamazoo College defensive back Adam Powers.

Gajos, a linebacker from 2005-08, is cast on Team Cuyohoga.

The football scenes are scheduled to be shot at Coopersville High School. Those interested in being film extras can e-mail the Touchback extras coordinator for more information at: touchbackextras@gmail.com.

Here is a complete list of the two team rosters:
TEAM COLDWATER: Coached by “Coach Hand”, played by Kurt Russell

Ryan McManus from Stow, OH and played at Wake Forest
Stephen Wasil from Commerce Twp, MI and played at Grand Valley State
Jacob McGuckin from Grand Rapids, MI and played at Grand Valley State
Chris McKinney from Lawrenceville, GA and played at NC State and Arena football
Timothy Balice from Kalamazoo, MI and played at Western Michigan
Everett Stephenson from Detroit, MI and played at Wayne State
Jeff Hachigian from Macomb, MI
Dennis Rutka from Marne, MI and played at Coopersville High School
Andre Benjamin from Grand Rapids, MI
Dwayne Holmes from Van Buren Twp., MI and played at Michigan State
Mike Sheldon from Royal Oak, MI and played at Albion College
Matthew Carter from Allendale, MI and played at Allendale High School
Michael Simon from Kentwood, MI and played at Grand Rapids Community College
Jordan Havercamp from Nobleville, IN and played at DePauw
Thomas Bissett from Jenison, MI
Josh Lanser from Jenison, MI and played at Hope College
John Preston from Newaygo, MI and played at Ferris State
Mitch Cummings from Big Rapids, MI
Adam Dekyger from Fremont, MI
Kevin Shurlow from Lakeview, MI
Quentin Sweat from Grand Rapids, MI
Beau Hoffman from Chesaning, MI
Aaron Higginbottom from Detroit, MI and played at Wayne State
Adam Powers from Plymouth, MI and played at Kalamazoo College
Matt Anderson from Grand Rapids, MI and played at Hope College

TEAM CUYAHOGA: “Cuyahoga Coach”, played by Mark Ellis

Bernard Faithful from Detroit, MI and played at the University of Toledo
Jake Visser from Grand Rapids, MI, played at Coopersville High School and Ferris State
Philepae Phillips from Grand Rapids, MI, played at Grand Rapids Community College
Tyler Moore from Comstock Park, MI and played at Purdue
Scott Gajos from Kalamazoo, MI and played at Western Michigan University
Zach Nichols from Brighton, MI and played at Northern Michigan University
Jason Kelly from Auburn, MI and played at Saginaw Valley State University
Blake Smolen from Grand Rapids, MI and played at Grand Valley State
Matt Flutur from Allendale, MI and played at Grand Valley State
Ryan Sloth from Greenfield, IA and played at Iowa State University
Daryl Graham from Detroit, MI and played at Wayne State University
Brian Grysen from Hudsonville, MI and played at Elmhurst College
Justin Trumble from Macomb, MI and played at Grand Valley State

Construction on New Studio

Oakland County welcomes Raleigh Michigan Studios. This is part 1 of a time lapse video showing the construction of studio located in Pontiac MI.
The booming film industry in Michigan is providing jobs, and economic growth to our state. Watch the timelapse video of the construction on this new studio and let me know what you think. What does this mean to you? What opportunities might this provide, or how might you benefit from a new studio in Pontiac? Look for more updates throughout the year!