Scenes From the Uptown Film Festival, Day 2: Second Annual Awards Show Celebrates Movies Made in Michigan

11 p.m.
Festivals ends by honoring regional filmmakers

While the theater full of filmmakers were competing against each other Saturday night, there was more of a feeling of camraderie among the honorees at the second annual Michigan Film Awards, the final event of the two-day and Detroit Independent Film Festival.

Answer This and Sleeping Bear walked away with most of the evening's awards while Amy Weber, co-writer and director of Film Awards nominee Annabelle and Bear, was honored as this year's Best Michigan Independent Filmmaker.

In addition, Randall Emmett and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson received Michigan Producers of the Year awards for their work with Things Fall Part, a film made in Grand Rapids that premiered at the Uptown Film Festival Saturday night.

"As down and out as Michigan has become, and as political will continue to complicate things," Weber said "the bottom line is filmmaking is about emotion and expression ... Use your troubles for inspiriation. Never stop fighing. Call out to people and have them join your dream."

Besides words of hope for the industry's future — several filmmakers, including the festival's co-excutive director Jeffrey Spilman, spoke of fighting the attempt to rein in the Michigan film incentives — most honorees expressed their affection of Detroit and the mitten state.

"Michigan, you got it going on," said John Kaplan, who directed the night's Best Documentary Not As I Pictured It, to a long round of applause.

For more winners, check out the complete results tomorrow in the Birmingham Patch.

3 p.m.
Industry insiders discuss film incentives, provide tips for aspiring filmmakers at morning panel

As the hit its stride during its second day, Michigan’s film elite gathered at the Saturday morning to discuss how a film becomes a reality in Michigan — while also pushing for those in attendance to do everything they can to save the state’s film industry.

Panelists included producer Warren Zide (producer of Demoted, which premieres at 5 p.m. Saturday); Michigan Film Office Director Carrie Jones; Chris Baum, senior vice president of the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Dale Johnson, managing partner of ITS Capital, which finances area film projects.

Jeff Spilman, Uptown Film Festival’s co-executive director and founder of Ferndale's S3 Productions, moderated the panel, telling attendees — whether they were aspiring filmmakers or curious community members — that if they want the state film tax incentives to stay, they have to get involved.

“We need your support,” Baum added, speaking of the endangered 42 percent tax credit filmmakers can receive for filming in Michigan. When Gov. Rick Synder released his budget proposal Feb. 17 — “black Thursday,” Spilman called it — plans included capping the incentive at $25 million a year. In 2010 alone, $115 million in incentives were awarded to 58 film projects throughout the state.

Spilman recently spoke on the film incentives alongside Jim Burnstein, vice chairman of the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council, and Emery King, chairman of the same office. The trio sat on a panel at the 's on Thursday, where Burnstein noted that without the incentives,

“It’s not just numbers,” Baum said. “It’s jobs, it’s businesses, it’s a developing economy. Let your lawmakers know how this has affected your lives.”

Though the planned topic for discussion Saturday morning was the nuts and bolts of how a movie works, panelists diverged from their comments to discuss the incentives at length.

“Some people have been spreading rumors that the state is out of money and won’t pay their incentives,” Baum added. “This sends out the message that Michigan goes back on their promises.”

But for those looking for practical advice on making movies, the panelists had plenty of tips:

• From Carrie Jones: The Michigan Film Office doesn’t consider a film's commercial viability, only the numbers, Jones said. To receive any incentives, 80 percent of financing needs to be in place, and the project must benefit the state, she said. “If you’re hiring Michigan people, and you’ll be spending money in Michigan, then that’s all we’re concerned with.”
• From Warren Zide: Know what you’re doing when you present your pitch. Find a management agency who can connect you with producers and studios, Zide stressed, and whittle your pitch until it’s short and succinct. Plus, if you’re considering writing and directing your first film, you may want to set aside your ego. “Make a hit movie first, then you can direct,” Zide said. “Plus, what better experience can you have … than to learn from an experienced director.”
  
  Zide also recommends that aspiring filmmakers read Save the Cat by Blake Snyder to improve their writing skills. “You have to write at the level of your competition,” he said. “You don’t get a pass for being a new writer.”
• From Dale Johnson: If you’re wondering whether you should wait and see what happens with the Michigan film incentives, Johnson said he encourages his clients to be proactive. “Look at other areas (for filming),” Johnson said. “Unfortunately, there is uncertainty now.”
  
  He also admits that there’s a reason why so many horror and action-adventure films are produced: They’re more likely to make money. When you’re considering pitching your own film, Johnson said it’s good to keep the total package in mind: not only the strength of the plot, but track record of the director, the cast, the genre and how the movie can be sold.
  
  Ultimately, Johnson said, screenwriting is about being honest with yourself. “Naturally, you do have to stay true to your passion. If you have a story to tell, you have to do that.”