October Newsletter
Thriller! Chiller!, Fresh Coast, and Desmond District Demons make this October scary good
Autumn is officially in the air, colors are beginning to change, pumpkin spice has overtaken everything and there are film festivals galore all across the great State of Michigan. Tonight kicks off another outstanding Thriller! Chiller! International Film Festival in Grand Rapids. Michigan Mise En Scene is a relative newcomer, but will shine the spotlight on some great Michigan-based grindhouse films of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, happening this weekend at the renowned Senate Theater in Detroit. Explore Michigan's fresh coast up in Marquette at the Fresh Coast Film Festival; a festival which celebrates active, outdoor lifestyle's. Desmond District Demons is sure to scare the heck out you in Port Huron October 25-26. Finally the East Lansing Film Festival opens with a dynamite documentary to close out the month. Michigan is so splendid in the fall with so many great activities to participate in. As always, support #MiFilmFestivals!!
Thriller! Chiller! opens tonight with Night of the Living Dead and Shaun of the Dead at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids
*First-round limited-release EXCLUSIVE screening of THE EVIL DEAD digitally restored with a new reimagined score by original composer, Mr. Joseph LoDuca
*the Evil Dead SFX and Makeup arts TOM SULLIVAN to appear and give a presentation on his art created for the Evil Dead franchise (Saturday)
* Zom-Com DOUBLE FEATURE – “Night of the Living Dead” & “Shaun of the Dead” (Tuesday)
*BRIDEZILLA!! – (yes, there will be costumes & cake!) Featuring “Godzilla vs. Destoroyah” (Thursday) + “Bride of Frankenstein” (Friday Night Freak-out)
*Cosplay and costume contests. Private Party & Online screenings available for Passholders only.
Grand Rapids, Mich. – September 26, 2019. Thriller! Chiller! International Fantastic Film Festival announces its official selections and final schedule for this year’s festival on October 8-12 at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids.
The action, sci-fi, suspense and horror-themed film festival will screen a total of 64 independent Movies from 8 countries in the genres of sci-fi, action, suspense, and horror at the 5-day event. The lineup includes: 13 features, 40 shorts, including 10 Michigan movies.
Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Republic of Korea, Sweden, U.S., UK are the countries represented at this year’s festival. Cult classic screenings of 5, fun, fantastic films round out the event: "Night of the Living Dead” “Shaun of the Dead” “Godzilla vs. Destoroyah” “Bride of Frankenstein” “The Evil Dead” (EXCLUSIVE screening of digitally remastered, with a new reimagined score)
2019 Thriller! Chiller! Pass Information All Access Pass or Day Pass
Individual Tickets available for “The Evil Dead” screening & presentation
Pricing
Entry is priced two ways for maximum access: All Access to the entire festival; or all access by the day in the form of a Day Pass. There will be no tickets to individual screenings available except for the EVIL DEAD screening and Tom Sullivan talk sold separately at $8.
All-Access Festival Pass, $50 Day Pass, $12 Tuesday – Friday Day Pass, $20 Saturday The Evil Dead, $8 for only this film + Tom Sullivan presentation On sale now at www.wealthytheatre.org and https://squareup.com/store/thrillerchiller
For continuing coverage of Thriller! Chiller! news: Website: www.thrillerchiller.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/thrillerchiller Instagram: www.instagram.com/thrillerchiller
Media contact: Shirley Clemens Griffin, Festival Director, shirley@thrillerchiller.com Festival contact: Anthony Griffin, Festival Director, tony@thrillerchiller.com
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Studio Park hosts Grand Opening celebration in downtown Grand Rapids
by Brian Vicar, MLive.com
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Seventy-five years after opening the now defunct Foto News Theater on Pearl Street, the Loeks family is once again showing movies in downtown Grand Rapids.
J.D. Loeks, whose grandfather launched the company that would eventually become the Celebration! Cinema chain, on Wednesday showed off his family’s latest creation: Studio Park.
The $180 million development at 123 Ionia Ave. SW boasts a nine-screen movie theater, a 200-seat concert venue, a 960-space parking garage, restaurants, apartments and retail stores. It’s also set to include a seven-story office building and a 164-room Canopy by Hilton hotel.
“This is a full circle story of our family’s business,” said Loeks, who’s president of his family’s company, Studio C. “But it’s also a full-circle story, we believe, for the renewal of the city of Grand Rapids.”
The Loeks family hosted a “soft opening” for the development’s theater on Sept. 27. It will be fully open on Thursday.
Studio Park marks a first for Studio C, which in recent decades has opened theaters in suburban areas.
John Loeks, chairman of Studio C, said Grand Rapids mayors have been asking his company to bring a movie theater downtown for 20 years. But his company always ran into the same roadblock: How do you compete with suburban movie theaters when they have free parking?
“We’ve solved that equation,” Loeks said. "We are making free parking — and not just free parking but free covered parking — available in connection with the movie theater.”
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 Corey Morse, MLive.com
Studio Park is located along a dense stretch of downtown Grand Rapids, just south of Van Andel Arena and near a string of popular bars and restaurants on Ionia Avenue SW. It was built on the site of a former surface parking lot.
The development seeks to build on an already vibrant stretch of the city.
J.D. Loeks said that while downtown Grand Rapids is home to many “amazing things,” such as museums, breweries and restaurants, it’s still a place some West Michigan residents avoid because of parking and traffic.
“We want to fix that,” he said.
“We’ve got a location that’s just seconds from the highway. We’ve got over 1,000 parking spaces. We have the ability to validate free parking for movie theater guests. We’re really trying to just create this safe place where you can come and just be. You know something will always be going on.”
In a statement, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss congratulated Loeks and his colleagues for making their vision a reality. “The opening of Studio Park brings tremendous opportunity and growth to the city of Grand Rapids,” she said.
Jack Loeks began his family’s entertainment empire in 1944.
He opened the former Foto News Theater, which showed news dispatches from World War II, on Pearl Street NW between Ottawa and Monroe avenues. Renamed the Midtown Theater following the war, the operation closed in 1972, according to the website historygrandrapids.org.
In 1965, Jack Loeks built Studio 28, the first multiscreen theater east of the Mississippi River. Loeks Theatres Inc. closed the facility in 2008, citing declining attendance.
J.D. Loeks said building a theater in an urban setting like downtown Grand Rapids is “riskier” than building one in the suburbs “where you can control all the variables and know how it’s going to play out.”
His family chose to make the leap because of their “love of Grand Rapids,” and with the hope that Studio Park will add to the area’s vitality and attract more people to the city.
“We’re trying to actually get that flywheel moving to create amenities that actually attract people to want to live here, to work here,” Loeks said.
In addition to the theater, Studio Park will include a restaurant, OneTwentyThree Tavern, which is slated to open Oct. 14. The restaurant was created by Studio C.
The development also includes The Listening Room, a 200-person concert venue that will host performances by local and national musicians. The first performance, by indie rock singer-songwriter David Bazan, is set for Nov. 8-9.
Studio Park will also host several other retailers and restaurants. As of now, those include Funky Buddah Yoga, Pump House Frozen Yogurt Bar, Leo’s Coney Island and Malamiah Juice Bar and Eatery. The businesses are expected to begin opening this month.
The development also includes 106 loft apartments, the first of which have opened and begun accepting tenants. The Canopy by Hilton hotel is expected to open in 2020, and the development’s seven-story office building, being built for Caledonia-based insurance firm Acrisure, is expected to open in 2021.
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Celebrate active, outdoor lifestyle at the Fresh Coast Film Festival October 17-20 in Marquette, MI
No film festival out there embodies and embraces the outdoor lifestyle quite the way the Fresh Coast Film Festival is able to accomplish. Perhaps that is because the festival founders, all Marquette residents, are so near and dear to what the outdoor lifestyle represents to themselves and their community.
With over 140 films screening at this years festival and several curated outdoor activities for patrons to attend, such as hikes, rock climbing, harbor tour by boat, and more, it's easy to see why Marquette is such a special place, and such a fitting home for the Fresh Coast Film Festival.
Another unique feature of the Fresh Coast Film Fest, is the partnership they've formed with Northern Michigan University. NMU students actually curate and lead the outdoor expedition experiences and do so for credit. This presents a wonderful learning experience for the students and brings them closer to the outdoor wonderland that exists everywhere around Greater Marquette.
For more information on ticketing and to see a lineup of this year's films and experiences, visit: https://freshcoastfilm.com/
My Soul to Keep hosts North American Red Carpet Premiere at the Emagine Novi; film now available on various VOD platforms
Starring: Parker Smerek, Remington Gielniak, Arielle Olkhovsky
The premise: A 9-year-old boy believes something menacing lives in his basement. When his older sister leaves him home alone one night, he’s forced to discover whether his fear is all in his head. What he confronts may end up being more terrifying than his worst nightmare. Made in Michigan with a local cast crew, “My Soul to Keep” bills itself as being a kid-friendly horror film that’s suitable for families.
Directed by: Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad
Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Rated: Not rated.
Other: Available via VOD and in select theaters Friday.
Michigan ties: The film was shot in Oakland County, and much of the post-production work was done at Exxodus Pictures in Southfield. Director Ahmad grew up in West Bloomfield and attended Detroit Country Day School. Justin Hynous, a graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School and Central Michigan University, co-wrote the script and was the film’s executive producer, co-editor and post-production supervisor.
Mise En Scene Michigan pays homage to Michigan-made grindhouse films from the 70s, 80s, and 90s
Mise En Scène Michigan :
A Retrospective of Michigan-Made Independent Film
Mise-en-scène Michigan is a celebration of our state's film history through an annual film retrospective. Kicking off in it's first year on October 12th and 13th at the historic Senate Theater, the film lineup will include five independent films made in Michigan, dating from the 1970's, 80's and 90's. In addition the event will feature Q&A's with guest filmmakers.
Come connect to Michigan's film past by hearing from independent pioneers who made it here! Guest filmmakers include Bill Dear (Harry and the Hendersons, Angels in the Outfield), Academy Award winner Sue Marx, Gary Jones (Mosquito, Spiders), George Barry, health permitting (Death Bed), and more.
Michigan Department of Education and other partners join to host Michigan K-12 Summit on Computer Science October 25th in Detroit
In today's technology-driven world, careers in computer science are some of the highest-paid and fastest-growing. While many computer science careers can be self-taught, earning a degree has many benefits, including the value of educational resources, internship and job placement help, and the commonly overlooked value of a strong college network.
Join MDE and partners as we explore the area of computer science, computational thinking, and how-to guide and transform tomorrows workforce.
Friday, October 25, 2019
TFC Center, Detroit, MI
Keynote speaker, Brian Aspinall will take us down his life-long fascination with innovative people and striving to be one. In high school, he began writing software for local businesses and was featured in the media as someone to watch. His research in coding and computational thinking inspired colleagues to nominate me for the Prime Minister's Award For Teaching Excellence. Find out more about Brian.
Register Now https://macul.configio.com/pd/169/k-12-summit-on-computer-science
Partners for K-12 Summit on Computer Science 2019
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE)
Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)
Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (MFDMO)
Michigan Virtual
Microsoft Imagine Academy
Minecraft: Education Edition (M:EE)
MiStem Network
REMC Association of Michigan
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For Michigan educators and school administrators, implementing a computer science curriculum has never been easier; look no further than Google CS First
In November of 2015 the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office partnered with Google to make computer science programs more accessible and approachable for 4th-8th grade students across Michigan. From it's inception in 2015 through the end of the 2018-19 school year, the MFDMO CS First program has been immensely popular.
The Google CS First program is a free software platform that has students engaging in computer programming across nine different themes (animation, art, fashion, friends, game design, music & sound, social media, sports and storytelling). Visit www.cs-first.com for additional details about the program.
The MFDMO invites all Michigan educators, schools, school districts and school programs to sign up for CS First through our online portal which can be accessed HERE.
We also must mention that new schools signing up for CS First through the MFDMO portal will be given 20 pairs of headphones for use in the classroom. Also, every school that signs up will have the ability to reward students who complete themes in their CS First clubs with all new digital badges. These badges allow the students to add their success in the CS First program to their other scholarly achievements. For more info about either the headphones or the digital badge offer, click HERE.
For additional information about the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office's CS First program, click HERE.
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MFDMO seeking internship candidates for the 2019-2020 school years
The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (MFDMO) is accepting internship applications for the Fall '19 and Spring & Summer 2020 terms!* This is an UNPAID internship, but college credit can be earned.
This position yields many opportunities to learn about the services and programs provided by the MFDMO, work directly with the Film Commissioner and MFDMO staff and help cultivate and foster the economic growth of the creative industries in Michigan.
Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities
- Assist Commissioner and MFDMO staff members in the implementation of the 2015-2016 Strategic Plan that includes recommendations related to developing public/private partnerships, enhancing talent, strengthening relationships with colleges and universities and building the digital and creative sectors in Michigan
- Provide support to the MFDMO staff in organizing documents, streamlining processes, preparing records for reporting purposes and helping maintain office operations
- Participate in meetings with various industry partners (producers, writers, designers, and other creative entrepreneurs etc.), when available
Education and Experience
- Knowledge and experience in relevant software applications - spreadsheets, word processing, and database management
- Proficiency in spelling, punctuation, grammar and other English language skills
- Social media experience (optional)
- Ability to stay on task and ask questions for clarity (preferred)
Key Competencies
- Attention to detail
- Confidentiality
- Reliability
- Initiative
- Enthusiasm
Requested Time Commitment
- Minimum of eight hours per week (1 full day or 2 half days)
- Long-term commitment preferred (i.e. school term)
* Note: You must be actively enrolled in an academic program to be considered for an internship. Interested? Send your résumé to mfo@michigan.org or contact Lynn McNamara at the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office, 517-335-7197
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Desmond District Demons horror film fest returns to Sperry's Moviehouse in Port Huron October 25-26
Michigan has a strong tradition of supporting fall activities such as corn mazes, hay rides, visits to the pumpkin patch or apple orchards.
Michigan also has an affinity for the macabre, with an unsurpassed love for halloween, haunted houses, ghosts and horror films. Those looking to fill the void of the horror genre in their lives need look no further than Desmond District Demons.
The 4th Annual Desmond District Demons film festival is returning for screenings at Sperry's Moviehouse and Loft 912 in downtown Port Huron October 25-26.
DDD focuses on independent horror films with both local and international appeal. There will be both long and short form films screened at the festival.
The local organizers, Andrew Brown and Tyler Moldovan aim to give filmmakers quality venues and sound systems to screen their frightening flicks, which sometimes can be challenging.
For more information or ticketing options, visit - http://desmonddistrictdemons.com/
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22nd Annual East Lansing Film Festival opens with powerful gerrymandering documentary, Slay the Dragon; entertaining slate of films to follow October 30-November 7
W E D , O C T . 30 | S T U D I O C ! 6:00 PM Reception & delicious appetizers and popcorn in the Studio C! lobby | Cash Bar 7:00 PM: Film begins | Discussion Afterwards
Directed by Chris Durrance, Barak Goodman | 101 min.
This is the most important political film of the decade. This thrilling and morally suspenseful documentary explains the history and devious strategies of gerrymandering. You will gasp at the blatant manipulation by the party in charge to guarantee the votes in their districts by carving out the map to look like a child’s drawing. One Michigan woman, Katie Fahey, was so outraged by this frontal attack on democracy, she decided to go on social media to find others outraged as well. Discovering she wasn’t alone, thousands of people came together to form Voters Not Politicians, a grassroot movement to get a proposal on the 2016 ballot to end partisan gerrymandering toensure voters can choose their politicians – not the other way around. Many of you know the outcome but that doesn’t matter. This is a true David vs. Goliath, Daniel slaying the Dragon story that will swell your heart with hope and belief that the power of emocracy will conquer the present-day injustices.
Katie Fahey, Nancy Wang and Jamie Lyons-Eddy, three leaders behind the movement, are scheduled to attend.
To view the remaining ELFF lineup and for ticketing information visit - https://elff.com/festival/
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Mosaic Film Experience gives young students tools to successfully create films and spurn interest in careers within the film industry
What to expect:
Students and teachers who attend the Mosaic Film Experience can expect a day filled with career exploration and film screenings to encourage a more informed and active approach to consuming and producing media content.
Experience:
- Engaging speakers
- Interactive workshops
- Media professionals showcasing the latest in digital content
- Pathways to learning and career opportunities
The impact:
After attending the Mosaic Film Experience, students often come away thinking about media in a different way: more critically, better able to value the power of collaboration and more likely to understand career opportunities connected to their interests. Together with peers and industry professionals, students are able to realize the power of their voice as consumers of media, and – as our own feedback has shown – are more likely to become future content creators.
Career Awareness:
The Mosaic Film Experience is both an educational opportunity as well as a bridge to careers. This day-long event will help students grasp how classroom learning can be applied to future careers that they may never have even considered!
Opportunities include:
- Information on university programs
- Scholarship navigation
- Dialogue with local and national professionals
- Hands-on workshops that exemplify cross-curricular skills
- In-depth accounts of career navigation from industry experts
2019 Event:
2019 Dates: Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7
We will have guests from HBO + Hollywood Costume Concept Artist Phillip Boutte Jr. will be returning this year! Also, winning student films will be announced with cash prizes!
Cost is $10 per person and includes lunch. Seating is limited to 260 participants.
For more information about the Mosaic Film Experience or Mosaic Mobile, visit - http://mosaicfilmexperience.com/
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