Three Made In Michigan's At Sundance

"Cedar Rapids" (which had an Ann Arbor premiere last night alongside the director), "Salvation Blvd", and "Another Happy Day" all represent the products of the Michigan Tax Incentive at the Sundance Film Festival this year. That's potentially represents a whole lot of producers and directors discussing how much fun they had making a movie in the mitten state. The Michigan Film Office in Lansing, boasts that the three films represent 475 jobs and $16.8 Million dollars in the state. According to a recent press release from the office, since April 2008, over $648 million has been spent by film and media productions.

Filmmaker Offers Home Repair Option as Entreprenurial Endeavor

It’s another world as I pursued this story relating to home repair. A world of hundreds of repair companies all trying to survive in a tough economy. Blogging about this is written in order to educate homeowners. As I investigated this unique re-occurring problem that I choose to write about, Do-It-Yourself approaches to many repair projects. I also learned that there are vast amounts of information on the Internet to help these people in their efforts as well as valuable help services at Lowes and Home Depot. Seems like everyone is turning to his or her own repair efforts due to our wonderful Internet.

I have already done a print story on independent filmmaker Dean Teaster but I thought this is the perfect platform to give him another boost as an entrepreneur as well as being an artist. Teaster's company, Mr. Sponge Waterproofing announces to a national wire service, the new “TRX Compressed Swell Plug”. Their service industry provides low cost injection processes that also use their own blend of polyurethane called SP-3 and now this, the TRX. It’s no wonder the roots of this company flash back to 1967 and are still here today. Something needs to be said for a Michigan artist who takes time to create and maintain new inventions beyond film and television projects.

Teaster's company provides a slam-dunk solution to crack repair with their wall-to-wall service or single water leak pinpoint injection. Look him up yourself at www.mrsponge.com and www.trxplug.com.

Studio Space

Did you know that Detroit hosts some of the best state of the art film space? Taking the time to think of it, I was told recently by a fellow filmmaker that the metro-Detroit area sufferes from a lack of production houses and arenas for film projects. Not including warehouses and the space across from the Coke factory (used for Detroit 187), the recently opened Michigan Production Complex in Rochester, senior platforms like Grace and Wild Studios and the upcoming frosh, Raleigh Michigan Studios. NextWave Media in Troy is also rumbling about. Will supply and demand determine how many studio films we can get? The supply is there, the demand for tax incentives is here as well. Taking advantage of a Michigan soundstage could be prominent and help the permanent residence of a series of projects here in Michigan. Let's get the word out!

Note to Actors

Do one thing every day that furthers your career, or has the potential to. Taking 15 minutes a day to work on your craft or 5 hours to work toward your headshots is a lot more satisfying in the long run than working on an indie short zombie film that one of your friends thinks could be cool - That is pure fun, and no I am not saying don't do it, but I am also not saying headline the garage premiere of that movie on the back of your resumes. Think about your decisions in life, time is money and how you spend it determines your worth. Priorities are the things you do. Do the things that make each minute count, cause they do. Take a class, network, meet people, but don't waste your time and other peoples ever on things that don't take you forward but cause you to stay stagnant.

DETROIT 187

I just wrapped up filming a supporting role in an episode of 'Detroit 187' - The day went easy. At first, finding the studio located in Highland Park was a bit hard, but once I arrived and checked in with security I felt as though I arrived on the Disney lot in LA...even though it was a home away from home for ABC in metro-Detroit. After arrival, I was treated with the kindest regards, the crew is almost like that of a community theatre show, very friendly and family oriented. The cast was very generous including Michael Imperioli whom I worked in a scene with....Thank you Mr. Imperioli.....in addition Shaun Majumder was very inviting, saying to me the first 'hello' before I could even utter, 'I'm a fan of your work.' In my opinion this was the nicest cast and crew I've worked with ever so far. The episode entitled 'Legacy/Drag City' should air either at the end of the month or in February. Stay tuned!

Charitable and Found

For those looking for something fun to do while supporting local organizations: Charitable and Found with a lil Sound? A Jazz Music/Art Show will take place January 15th from 7pm - 10pm, coordinated by Steve Blackwood (actor previously of TV's Days of Our Lives) and his wife Karen. The location is Birmingham Unitarian Church. The ad boasts a 25% tax free donation from all sales of art proceeded to 'The Pink Fund' (a fundraiser for breast cancer survivors and their families). With music starting at 7pm, a suggested donation of $10 is acknowledged for entrance - A wine and cheese fin art reception would follow at 8pm.