Unity Studios in Allen Park

Part 2



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!

Micro Sculptures

I stumbled upon this blog article, and thought it was so cool. Not necessarily TV/Video or Broadcasting related, but the art can certainly be appreciated. What patience it must take to create these micro sculptures all on the tip of a pencil! Would you have that kind of tenacity? Or attention span?


Brazilian born, Connecticut based, Dalton Ghetti carefully crafts the tips of pencils into amazing micro sculptures. These miniature masterpieces are a side project for the professional carpenter, who has been perfecting this art for the last 25 years. Dalton uses a razor blade, sewing needle, a sculpting knife, a steady hand and lots of patience to meticulously carve the graphite which can take anywhere between a few months to a few years. Over time he has broken many works in progress and keeps them in what he calls the cemetery collection. One of the most fascinating things about these tiny works of art is that he has never sold them, only given away to friends as gifts.

Check out the pictures, and click the link to learn more about Dalton Ghetti.

When it comes down to it, it's all about attitude, isn't it? Check out what Dalton had to say: When Dalton, from Connecticut, USA, first started he would become frustrated when a piece would break before being finished after he had spent months working on it. He said: “It would drive me mad when I would be just a bit too heavy handed and the pencil’s tip would break. I would get very nervous sometimes, particularly when the piece was almost finished, and then I would make a mistake. I decided to change the way I thought about the work – when I started a new piece my attitude would be ‘well this will break eventually but let’s see how far I get. It helped me break fewer pencils, and although I still do break them, it’s not as often”.

Let me know what you think. How has your attitude helped you accomplish things? What can be said about his patience, precision and attention to detail? How can you relate?

Johnny Knoxville Films Detroit Documentary

Trailer for Video:


Full Video:


Article Online: Luxist.com
Video Online: Palladium Boots

Johnny Knoxville leads a team into Detroit, in hopes of capturing what is currently working in a city that so many have abandoned. Rather than concentrate on the negative of Detroit, Johnny's team is looking for the artistic talent that is the heartbeat of the city. In this short documentary, you can get to know some of the people who make Detroit work. Take a few minutes to check out the documentary, explore the website and get familiar with the project. After you've done that, click on the Comment button below and tell me what you think. Do you think that this film will raise awareness? What do you think the film is trying to say about Detroit? Would you add anything or cut anything from the film? Why? How did viewing this film make you feel? Was that what the producers intended? When you think about Detroit, what are some of the emotions that come to you? I'd love to hear back from you, make sure you include your full name in your post for credit.