Welcome to this, the first entry of the Michigan Independent Film blog. We'll be using this as a way to keep you updated on what we are doing, and let you know what we think of the things that have gone on.
This may not always be on topic, but when it's not, we'll let you know it's not.
#Yesterday, 30 June, there were two meetings of note, which we'll tell you about. First, the Detroit Workforce Development Department and the Detroit Film Office sponsored a meeting about film opportunities at the Northwest Community Center in Detroit, which is at 18100 Meyers between Six Mile and Seven Mile. The audience chairs were filled, and there was a good selection of exhibitors on site. They included Cleary College, Specs Howard School, the Center for Film Studies, people from the New Center area office of Michigan Works, and vendors that stayed over from the morning session, which was examining "Green Companies", and the growing impact that environmentally friendly companies have on the business climate in the region as a whole.
There was also a producer, who's relocated to the area because of the incentive package the Legislature passed and the Governor signed last year, by the name of Yolanda Braxton. She gave a talk that would have been discouraging to someone who wasn't serious about doing film, but it was no surprise to us.
Many contacts were made, and we'll be using these contacts for the benefit of this organization as time passes.
The next meeting was back here in our "home port" of Hazel Park, sponsored in part by our district's United States Representative, Sander Levin. There were many organizations represented who serve the needs of various sections of this population, including older people, people with disabilities, people who lost their jobs, people who need job training, and their families. Again, many productive contacts were made, and this information goes into the database for use by our target audience.
#Coming up: On July 12th, from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, there will be the "Michigan Makes Movies" Film Expo. There's a reasonably impressive list of sponsors, and the session lists get bigger daily.
You can find out more at michiganmakesmovies.com (this link will open a new window). The cost is $20.00 in advance, and $25.00 at the door - we consider that cheap enough at the price.
Until next time, keep shooting!

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