Welcome to the West Michigan Film Video Alliance!

• Latest MFO Semi-Annual Report

  The Michigan Film Office released its latest semi-annual report showing a significant downturn in applications for Michigan film incentives. Read details and other information about the last half of 2011.

  [read more]

  
  

  [document]

• WMFO Film Commissioner Rick Hert Appointed to MFOAC!

  

  LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment Richard Hert, of Ada, and Ronald Holzgen, of Shelbyville, to the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council. The 14-member council advises the office, governor and Legislature on how to best facilitate successful film, digital media, television, and related production in Michigan.

  "Richard and Ronald will be tremendous additions to the council as it works to advance this industry in Michigan," Snyder said.

  Hert is the West Michigan Film Office film commissioner and he serves as the executive director of the West Michigan Tourist Association. He previously worked for Destination Marketing and North Olympic Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau. Hert earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Central Washington University and an MBA from Baker College Center for Graduate Studies. He will represent local film offices and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Christopher Baum. Hert will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Sept. 30, 2012.

  Holzgen is the secretary, treasurer and principal officer of General Teamsters, Local Union 406. He previously worked for Spartan Stores, Inc. and is currently a business agent for the Teamsters where he represents workers in the motion picture industry in west Michigan. Holzgen will represent residents of the state and fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Bill Black. He will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Sept. 30, 2014.

  The appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

  [read more]

  
  

• MFO Announces New incentives Application Available

  

  Friends –

  I wanted to send out a reminder that the new application for the Michigan Film and Digital Media Incentive is now available at the link below. Please be sure to read the new FAQ document as well. This document lays out the policies and procedures the Film Office will be utilizing as we review applications moving forward.

  The Film Office will begin accepting applications on Monday, January 9. Please note that moving forward, incomplete applications will have 5 business days to submit any missing information requested by the Film Office or the application will be considered insufficient and the file will be closed. Once the Film Office determines an application is complete, a final determination of approval or denial will be delivered within 21 days.

  And for the latest in bringing you new and timely information, be sure to check out the new RSS feed feature in the upper right hand corner of the Film Office website. Available RSS feeds include cast and crew opportunities, as well as press releases and information on film festivals in Michigan. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

  The Michigan Film Office wishes you a Happy New Year. We are looking forward to a busy and successful 2012 in Michigan’s film industry.

  Best, Carrie Jones, Director, Michigan Film Office

  Phone: 517-335-7197 / Email: jonesc@michigan.org  /  Web: www.michiganfilmoffice.org

  [website]

• WMFVA 2012 Calendar of Events

  

  The WMFVA Events Team has announced the tentative schedule for events in 2012, all FREE to WMFVA members. If you have a suggestion for a speaker or an event please contact Karen Kleinheksel, Darius Mathis, or Leland Wyrick. Find their contact info on this site under "About WMFVA" > "Contacts." Watch for details of time and location to be announced here and on the listserve.

  January 27  Annual Membership Party, 6:30pm - 11pm, Lincoln Lanes

  February 22  Producer Showcase - Award Winning Films of Anthony Griffin (see "events" for line up)

  March 28 Table Read - WM Scriptwriters and Actors

  April 25 Business of Doing Business - Round Table - Michigan's new film/digital tech incentives

  May 23 Lighting and Make up for Interviews

  June 27 4 Wall - Shorts

  July 25  Managing Location Shoots - On-site Power, Permissions, Shot Breakdowns, and the Big ETC.

  August 22 Production Community Picnic

  September 26  Producer Showcase - Shorts

  October 24  Fix it in POST!?! The Editor's Casebook

  November 28 Audio and Video Acquisitions

• Meet the WMFVA Board Candidates!

  The candidates for trustee positions on the WMFVA Board of Directors will be selected by the membership at the 7th Annual Membership Party held on January 27th, 2012 at Lincoln Lanes on Lake Michigan Drive.

  Check out their introductory statements below. And plan to attend the Annual Membership Party -- sign up during the Early Bird registration and get $10 off! More details coming soon. In the meantime, meet the candidates!

• Meet WMFVA Board Trustee Candidate Dawn Butler

  

  I am a trained makeup artist with over 13 years’ experience creating any look from straight makeup to special FX for print, stage, film, video, and TV media. I’ve traveled across Michigan and the Midwest and I know the demands of filmmakers and commercial productions large and small. I’ve also seen how important it is to know the people who are in the business, to network, and to keep expanding my list of contacts hey, I’ve even had “face-time” with President Obama! Everyone I meet in this business is a potential employer. I’m a big fan of building community. I served for a number of years as member of the board for the MCA-I Mid-Michigan chapter planning events and mini-suppers for our members. I’ve brought that experience to the WMFVA since I was appointed to the board in 2010. I’d like to serve a full term to continue building our membership and expanding our community. As our industry grows we need to know each other. I’d like a chance to work on that.

  You can find out more about my credits at the link.

  [website]

• Meet WMFVA Board Trustee Candidate Gabriel Del Castillo

  

  Over the past decade, I have gained experience in the acting community through multiple projects and numerous training courses, including the well-known filmmaking workshop by Dov S-S Simens. Although I have performed in different medias including print, commercial (national and local) and theatre, my interests and attention are drawn primarily to filmmaking.

  Having lived in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California for nearly 25 years, I also have had a great amount of exposure to the film community. I have attended numerous film festivals, industry events and functions, in addition to speaking and working with respected professionals in the field.

  In addition to my acting knowledge, I am a third-generation fine carpenter, furniture designer and interior artist. Being a business owner, I have much experience with cultivating new relationships and brainstorming new ideas to grow my company.

  In the summer of 2011, my wife and I relocated from Santa Barbara to Grand Rapids. I was extremely excited upon moving here to learn of the WMFVA and the energy and talent that reside in this area.

  I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for the WMFVA Board of Directors. I feel that my passion, life and work experiences, coupled with my Latino heritage, would bring a unique perspective to the board and be very beneficial in furthering the development of the film industry in West Michigan. I thank you for your consideration.

  With best regards, Gabriel Del Castillo

• Meet WMFVA BoardTrustee Candidate Liz Merriman

  

  WMFVA Members,

  I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for the 2012 West Michigan Film Video Alliance (WMFVA) Board of Directors. I was a proud WMFVA member from 2008 to 2010. While a member I was privileged to be a part of the Membership Committee and then named the Vendor Coordinator. As Vendor Coordinator I looked for tools members could use to help them achieve their goals as film professionals and attractive incentives that would entice new members to our great organization.

  For the past ten years I have been in the industry working as hard as I could to learn everything I needed to succeed as a filmmaker. I have experience as an assistant director, production coordinator and producer. This past year I studied at Compass College of Cinematic Arts recently graduating with honors and being named their first valedictorian. Throughout the year I have begun to master the art of producing, marketing and organization through numerous projects and internships.

  If elected to the board I would love to concentrate on marketing for the WMFVA by engaging in more outreach to film programs across West Michigan. By reaching out to the community the WMFVA can begin to grow as a resource not only to students and seasoned professionals but also to others learning what it is to be a filmmaker. I would also like to focus on reaching out more to the local media so we can feature our members and their accomplishments. It is our duty to educate as well as entertain.

  I would be honored to serve on the board of the WMFVA and assist as it moves into the next steps of being an amazing organization.

  Yours truly, Liz Merriman

• Editing Your STARMAP Profile

  Whether you have signed on as a WMFVA Member or you have registered for a "Non-member" listing, you still need to take on the added step of editing your profile.  If you don't take this step, you will not be found in any STARMAP searches.  It's not difficult.  But for those who would like to see an overview of the process of editing your profile, we've created a video tour of all the features you can enable to make yourself stand out.  It's 8 and a half minutes long.  If you want to watch the video in a higher resolution, click on the VIMEO link and expand to full screen.

  [website]

Read more news...

Coming Up

4Wall Features Award Winning Films/Filmmaker

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wealthy Theatre Koning Micro-Cinema (map)
1130 Wealthy SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

WMFVA is pleased and proud to present three award-winning films by West Michigan filmmaker Anthony Griffin. Please join us on the 4th Wednesday at the Wealthy Koning Micro-cinema for the following terrific lineup!

TUMBLER: the boom (Drama, 2009 - 11 min) Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9jYJq2W7Q
Spencer comes to New York and meets a group of friends, but they quickly realize that what he says and what he does are two completely different things.

A film by Chris Kapcia & Justin Muschong of Hardboiled Productions (hardboiledpro.com) produced by Anthony E. Griffin. Winner of the Best Writing Award at Project Twenty1, 2009

TUMBLER: the echo (Drama, 2009 - 9 min)
Facing a crisis of conscience after helping his friend Spencer scam people in New York City, Wayne returns home to Chicago in an effort to reconcile what he's done with his life to his ex-girlfriend, Michelle.

Directed, produced, shot, edited and co-written by Anthony E. Griffin. Winner of the Best Score Award Project Twenty1, 2009, Winner of the Silver Reel Award for Best Short Film at the MCAI 41st International Media Festival, Best Michigan Short Film (Honorable Mention) at Detroit Independent Film Festival, Lake Michigan Film Competition finalist at East Lansing Film Festival.

The Girl with Blue Eyes (Action Thriller, 2011 - 10 mins) Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZnetgE-15g
Jocelyn hunts down the men responsible for creating the perfect assassin.

Directed, produced, shot, co-written & co-edited by Anthony E. Griffin. Winner of the Best Director Award at Project Twenty1, 2011. Nominated for Best Marketing, Best Sound Design, Best Editing & Best Film.

WMFVA members free / public $5

www.unsafefilmoffice.com

Oscar Night America

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Take advantage of the WMFVA offer - $25 off a VIP ticket if you buy it Friday, January 27 at the Annual Membership Party! Benefits the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck.

Oscar Night® America and the Waterfront Film Festival come together for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® telecast.Sunday, February 26, 2012. Red Carpet Arrivals 5:30pm, Live Music, Auction. 7:30pm Auction closes. 8:00pm 84th Academy Awards® Telecast begins. Hosted by Billy Crystal. Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St., SW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (Complimentary Valet Parking)

For details, click link below.

www.waterfrontfilm.org

The Eclipse Awards

Friday, April 13, 2012

Enter your work in the new regional celebration of creative and production excellence, the Eclipse Awards! Sponsored by the WMFVA in partnership with the founding sponsor, WKTV. Entries are accepted from now until March 2. Winners will be notified and an "Excellence in Craft" gala awards ceremony held at the Grand Rapids Art Museum on April 13 will feature the award of statuettes. For more information including entry forms, rules, and categories click on the link below.

www.theeclipseaward.com

See our complete calendar of events.