Michigan Film Reel Gives Michigan ‘Two Thumbs Up’
Attila Bokor and Jason James are two self-proclaimed film and video geeks whose passion for the art inspired them to report on the burgeoning industry right here in Michigan.
Film & Video
Latest in Film & Video
Professional actor opens acting studio in Holland
Deborah Johnson WoodKurt Dreyer says his career as a model gave him fashion experiences all over the world, working with French Vogue, Perry Ellis, Giorgio Armani – and even Grand Rapids' former Rogers Department Store where he got his start. But after the acting bug bit, he turned all his energy into writing, acting and producing films. Now the thespian who received his training at the elite Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles has returned to his hometown of Holland and opened the Kurt Dreyer Acting Studio, 496 Lincoln Ave., Holland.The studio launched its first 12-week series of teen/adult acting classes on June 16, and Dreyer says there are just a few slots open in the upcoming fall classes. Dreyer wrote, produced and starred in "Underestimating Jake," a film that garnered several Indie filmmaking awards. But it was Michigan's tax incentives for filmmakers that got him back to West Michigan to produce "Blue Sky," a film he created and wrote. Blue Sky is on the shelf for now, but coming home to West Michigan inspired Dreyer. "We had over 250 actors come to auditions with great looks and great talent, but none had any training," he says. "They really are trying to work, but a lot of them won't have a shot other than as extras. Because of the film incentive program, one of the things you recognize in L.A. is that a lot of films are being shot in Michigan. So I decided to open the studio."Dreyer says his training centers around realism: emotional recalls, personal transferences and body-mind connectivity. His class, Comprehensive Techniques, teaches the techniques of actors Uta Hagen and Howard Fine. "It's really scary for first timers when they come into a studio, so we're developing this as a really safe place," Dreyer says. "We're locking the rest of the world outside and we're all here to be open to what our craft is and what our job is."Source: Kurt Dreyer, Kurt Dreyer Acting Studio Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Looks are deceiving with TreAvanti
Go behind the scenes of a photo shoot and runway show with Natasha Ohlman, Julie Strating and Erin Brown to get an inside peek at the world of fashion and beauty. You may be surprised to find how much hard work there is below the surface of effortless glamour.
Documentary on African Americans’ migration to Muskegon wins another award
A documentary sponsored by Grand Valley State University that explores the struggles of African Americans' migration from the poor South to the North in search of jobs in Muskegon foundries keeps winning accolades.
Grand Rapids production company films “Great American Brew Trail” for PBS television series
Crazy about Michigan's craft beer? Love the area's breweries and pubs? Then you'll surely toast to the new PBS television series"Great American Brew Trail" that will be showcasing Michigan breweries in the fall during its first season. Filming began this month for a series of 13 half-hour programs featuring visits to 26 Michigan breweries, their pubs and hometowns.
Vacant Creston storefront in Grand Rapids transformed into a hip photography studio co-op
Deborah Johnson WoodWith its infinity wall, a photography-ready commercial kitchen and a wide selection of portable lights, The Studio at the Hoxie might be a snapshot of photography heaven.The once-vacant storefront in the Hoxie Building, 1415 Plainfield Ave. NE, is now a 2,200-square-foot photography studio cooperative, open to professional photographers who need studio and meeting room space."We're trying to provide professional space and professional equipment for someone who doesn't want all the overhead," says Carl Heule. Heule is the son of Rinck Heule, co-owner with Jason Gordon of HeuleGordon, Inc., the print management and design firm that developed The Studio. HeuleGordon maintains its headquarters on the building's second floor."This is an extension of HeuleGordon's existing design studio upstairs, and is a perfect transitional space for photographers looking to move out of their homes or out of an expensive studio," Heule says.Inside the circa 1920s building, photographers will find a private conference room for meeting with clients. Beyond that is open space that includes acid-washed concrete floors, original tin ceilings and brick walls. Co-op members can use the contemporary kitchen as a kitchen or as a space to prepare restaurant dishes and then shoot them for menus or advertising photos."An infinity wall next to the kitchen allows a photographer to control the light, eliminate shadows and knock out the background," Heule says. "They can then insert their own background into the shot."Annual membership fee for the co-op is $300 and includes use of the conference room, a storage locker, a mailbox and a link to The Studio's web site. The studio, kitchen, and equipment are $100 per day/ $70 per half day for members. Membership is open to professional photographers and other graphic arts professionals. "This area is having a resurgence and The Studio will bring artists and their clients into Creston," Heule says. "We see that as a very positive thing for the area."Source: Carl Heule, HeuleGordon, Inc.Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Hunting for GoFers
Tired of watching sitcoms set in New York City or Los Angeles that don't bear any resemblance to your life? Then get ready for a sitcom that will be filmed and produced in Grand Rapids, says Bob Israels. And GoFers is looking for a cast of local characters to play leading roles.
Holding Heritage in a Basket
Ed Pigeon shared an intimate look at his family with about 800 other people recently during the premier of a fllm on Native American culture. Pigeon represents a long line of Native Americans who ply the craft of weaving baskets of strips taken from black ash trees.
Walker’s new Hangar42 Studios to provide job opportunities in film production
When the huge Lear Corp. automotive parts factory closed its doors in Walker a few years ago, the vacant 68-year-old building could have easily turned into a big white elephant.
No Short Cuts
While it's great to have the most advanced equipment to shoot videos in high definition, technology always takes a back seat to the art of storytelling, says Daniel Garcia. Far from a dying art, storytelling is alive and well in metro Grand Rapids through the area's film and production programs.
Professional actor opens acting studio in Holland
Deborah Johnson WoodKurt Dreyer says his career as a model gave him fashion experiences all over the world, working with French Vogue, Perry Ellis, Giorgio Armani – and even Grand Rapids' former Rogers Department Store where he got his start. But after the acting bug bit, he turned all his energy into writing, acting and producing films. Now the thespian who received his training at the elite Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles has returned to his hometown of Holland and opened the Kurt Dreyer Acting Studio, 496 Lincoln Ave., Holland.The studio launched its first 12-week series of teen/adult acting classes on June 16, and Dreyer says there are just a few slots open in the upcoming fall classes. Dreyer wrote, produced and starred in "Underestimating Jake," a film that garnered several Indie filmmaking awards. But it was Michigan's tax incentives for filmmakers that got him back to West Michigan to produce "Blue Sky," a film he created and wrote. Blue Sky is on the shelf for now, but coming home to West Michigan inspired Dreyer. "We had over 250 actors come to auditions with great looks and great talent, but none had any training," he says. "They really are trying to work, but a lot of them won't have a shot other than as extras. Because of the film incentive program, one of the things you recognize in L.A. is that a lot of films are being shot in Michigan. So I decided to open the studio."Dreyer says his training centers around realism: emotional recalls, personal transferences and body-mind connectivity. His class, Comprehensive Techniques, teaches the techniques of actors Uta Hagen and Howard Fine. "It's really scary for first timers when they come into a studio, so we're developing this as a really safe place," Dreyer says. "We're locking the rest of the world outside and we're all here to be open to what our craft is and what our job is."Source: Kurt Dreyer, Kurt Dreyer Acting Studio Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Looks are deceiving with TreAvanti
Go behind the scenes of a photo shoot and runway show with Natasha Ohlman, Julie Strating and Erin Brown to get an inside peek at the world of fashion and beauty. You may be surprised to find how much hard work there is below the surface of effortless glamour.
Documentary on African Americans’ migration to Muskegon wins another award
A documentary sponsored by Grand Valley State University that explores the struggles of African Americans' migration from the poor South to the North in search of jobs in Muskegon foundries keeps winning accolades.
Grand Rapids production company films “Great American Brew Trail” for PBS television series
Crazy about Michigan's craft beer? Love the area's breweries and pubs? Then you'll surely toast to the new PBS television series"Great American Brew Trail" that will be showcasing Michigan breweries in the fall during its first season. Filming began this month for a series of 13 half-hour programs featuring visits to 26 Michigan breweries, their pubs and hometowns.
Vacant Creston storefront in Grand Rapids transformed into a hip photography studio co-op
Deborah Johnson WoodWith its infinity wall, a photography-ready commercial kitchen and a wide selection of portable lights, The Studio at the Hoxie might be a snapshot of photography heaven.The once-vacant storefront in the Hoxie Building, 1415 Plainfield Ave. NE, is now a 2,200-square-foot photography studio cooperative, open to professional photographers who need studio and meeting room space."We're trying to provide professional space and professional equipment for someone who doesn't want all the overhead," says Carl Heule. Heule is the son of Rinck Heule, co-owner with Jason Gordon of HeuleGordon, Inc., the print management and design firm that developed The Studio. HeuleGordon maintains its headquarters on the building's second floor."This is an extension of HeuleGordon's existing design studio upstairs, and is a perfect transitional space for photographers looking to move out of their homes or out of an expensive studio," Heule says.Inside the circa 1920s building, photographers will find a private conference room for meeting with clients. Beyond that is open space that includes acid-washed concrete floors, original tin ceilings and brick walls. Co-op members can use the contemporary kitchen as a kitchen or as a space to prepare restaurant dishes and then shoot them for menus or advertising photos."An infinity wall next to the kitchen allows a photographer to control the light, eliminate shadows and knock out the background," Heule says. "They can then insert their own background into the shot."Annual membership fee for the co-op is $300 and includes use of the conference room, a storage locker, a mailbox and a link to The Studio's web site. The studio, kitchen, and equipment are $100 per day/ $70 per half day for members. Membership is open to professional photographers and other graphic arts professionals. "This area is having a resurgence and The Studio will bring artists and their clients into Creston," Heule says. "We see that as a very positive thing for the area."Source: Carl Heule, HeuleGordon, Inc.Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
Hunting for GoFers
Tired of watching sitcoms set in New York City or Los Angeles that don't bear any resemblance to your life? Then get ready for a sitcom that will be filmed and produced in Grand Rapids, says Bob Israels. And GoFers is looking for a cast of local characters to play leading roles.
Holding Heritage in a Basket
Ed Pigeon shared an intimate look at his family with about 800 other people recently during the premier of a fllm on Native American culture. Pigeon represents a long line of Native Americans who ply the craft of weaving baskets of strips taken from black ash trees.
Walker’s new Hangar42 Studios to provide job opportunities in film production
When the huge Lear Corp. automotive parts factory closed its doors in Walker a few years ago, the vacant 68-year-old building could have easily turned into a big white elephant.
No Short Cuts
While it's great to have the most advanced equipment to shoot videos in high definition, technology always takes a back seat to the art of storytelling, says Daniel Garcia. Far from a dying art, storytelling is alive and well in metro Grand Rapids through the area's film and production programs.
