July 6th, 2008 10:45 pm
Donahue to screen film at Film Festival

Talk-show host's documentary is on the Iraq war

By Melissa Domsic / Traverse City Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY -- Longtime talk-show host Phil Donahue will present his Iraq war documentary at the Traverse City Film Festival.

Donahue wrote, directed and produced "Body of War," a documentary that follows an injured Iraq war veteran upon his return to the United States.

"It's a very powerful story," said filmmaker and festival founder Michael Moore.

Donahue will participate in a panel discussion with Moore sometime during the festival that runs July 29 to August 3.

Donahue became friends with Moore after interviewing him for "The Phil Donahue Show" when Moore's "Roger and Me" came out in 1990.

"I've known him and admired him for a long time," Moore said. "Actually, while he was making "Body of War," he asked me to come to the edit room a number of times."

Moore also said Thursday that Hollywood director Stanley Donen will come to town for the film festival.

Donen, 84, directed 1950s and '60s hits such as "Singin' in the Rain," "Damn Yankees!" and "Charade."

Other stars, including Madonna, are slated to appear at the festival. Moore said he'll announce more special guests next week.

June 23rd, 2008 6:15 pm
Northern Michigan's film industry from Michael Moore's perspective

By Rick Coates / The Northern Express

(Editor’s Note: During his two hour exclusive interview with Rick Coates, Michael Moore shared his insights on the film industry in Northern Michigan as well as some details and thoughts on the upcoming Traverse City Film Festival.)

At the start of the very first Traverse City Film Festival four years ago Michael Moore walked onto the stage to welcome the attendees. He made several comments about the impact the Festival was already having on Northern Michigan as well as its impact for the future.

Moore promised stars and celebrities and he has delivered Malcolm McDowell, Jeff Daniels, Christina Lahti, among others. This year he is bringing in Madonna. He promised that Traverse City and the region would see a new culture. Just ask downtown businesses if things are different since Moore came to town.

Eventually Moore promised (at last year’s Festival) to renovate the State Theatre, and in a feat that would make any general contractor jealous, Moore delivered what many thought would be impossible. Whispers around town were that it would take years to do what he was proposing to do in four months. Moore simply took a play from the Larry the Cable Guy play book “Git –R-Done.”

So back to the first Film Festival. On that same stage Moore also made bold predictions about how the Film Festival would serve as a catalyst for economic development, and how the culture of the region would change. If you ask merchants in downtown Traverse City, they will tell you that is exactly what has happened. Moore also made another bold prediction.

“We are going to bring directors and producers to this Film Festival and they are going to see how great this area is and how conducive it is for making films,” said Moore. “The film industry will create a whole new year round economy for Northern Michigan.”

Moore was right again.

His phone is ringing off the hook from those in Hollywood.

“When the new film incentives were established, some in Hollywood said that it was an Internet rumor,” laughed Moore. “My agent Ari Emmanuel called and asked if this was real. I told him, yes it is real, and he responded ‘I am getting this out to all of my clients because no state has anything close to this.’ Ari has been to the Film Festival and knows what this area has to offer.”

As word has spread through the industry about Michigan’s new film industry incentives, the number of film projects has escalated. Prior to the incentives, only a couple of projects were on the books. Moore was working on his latest documentary and producer Bob Brown had planned to film his next movie in Michigan.

“Just after the incentives went into effect, about a dozen projects came into play. Then two months ago we were at 20, and as of today I am aware of 32 projects being considered for Michigan,” said Moore. “Some of those are being planned for Northern Michigan.”

As for particulars of projects planned for Northern Michigan, Moore is aware of several, but is not in a position to provide too much information.

“I have offered my services as an unpaid ambassador to promote filmmaking in Northern Michigan,” said Moore. “So yes, top producers and directors have been in contact with me about the viability of film projects in Northern Michigan. But I can’t comment on them at this time as my conversations have been in confidence. Some information has leaked out, such as the Stephen King movie.”

While Moore is unable to give insider information about possible film projects for Northern Michigan, he is willing to share what he feels is something more important: what Northern Michigan needs to do to prepare for the film industry.

“Let me start first by saying what this industry will mean to the economy of Northern Michigan,” said Moore. “It will mean jobs and money being poured into the economy that won’t require building new roads or factories.”

Moore was quick to point out that these won’t be your typical low paying seasonal jobs.

“Here is the thing about this industry. The 22 year old right out of college working the lowest paying job on the set makes $800 a week. The medium income on the set is $1,500 a week,” said Moore. “If you factor in overtime pay, most people working on a film will make more money in three months than they would make at other seasonal jobs in the area for a whole year.”

But aren’t these jobs seasonal?

“Look, if the typical project lasts six months, and say with overtime you make $2,000 a week. That is $52,000 in six months. For many in this area that is more than they make in a year,” said Moore. “My staff usually takes a year off after working a year because they have made the equivalent of two or three years’ worth of wages in one year. So then you have free time to maybe write that book you wanted or open that business you dreamed of.”

Moore also emphasized that as Northern Michigan builds a reputation for making films, that would result in several projects keeping people gainfully employed. He also said that he hopes this industry would encourage the many young film industry professionals who have left Michigan to return.

“I have my own Michigan affirmative action plan,” chuckles Moore. “I have based my filming operations out of New York (he has now closed his NY office and is based in Northern Michigan) and have always given a hiring priority to Michigan residents. I am hoping this new industry here will bring them back and will keep the ‘brain drain’ on this state from continuing.”

But what does Northern Michigan need to do to prepare itself for the film industry?

“There are several things. My biggest concerns right now is we lack the trained people. We don’t have the production facilities, such as a soundstage for the indoor scenes,” said Moore. “Here is the biggie and that is our attitude. Are we willing to work together and think outside the box to make this a viable industry here?”

Okay let’s start with the first issue–a trained staff. What do you propose?

“I suggest every state university and community college implement courses and degree programs to create a trained film industry workforce. But this business is also about hands on experience and I think incentives should be created to encourage production companies to hire ‘directors in training’ or other positions on the set for on the job training experience. I am a member of the Directors Guild and we have a program like this in place,” said Moore. “I am also going to set an example with my current film project. I am bringing in a veteran team but I am hiring people from Michigan without experience to learn this business. I believe this model will work and I will share it with others.”

What about facilities?

“This is going to take investment and entrepreneurs to step up to the plate,” said Moore. “The big thing is the soundstage. Without one, that part of filming will have to be done elsewhere. I have offered the State Theatre for one important part and that is viewing the dailies. Every day after the filming, the footage from that day is sent overnight to a lab and processed and shipped back to be viewed. So the producers and director want to watch the footage the next day in case something is not right and the scene needs to be reshot. So with the state of the facility here, this will be a big plus. Here is the kicker–the studios will pay a rental fee to us that we will reinvest into the State Theatre.”

Moore is somewhat reserved in his comments about “attitude” as he doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

“Look, to put it simply, you have people like Clint Eastwood (Moore would not confirm that Eastwood is looking at Northern Michigan for his next endeavor, even though there have been Eastwood sightings in Petoskey and Grayling) planning their next projects in Michigan. I have witnessed certain businesses and people jacking up the prices on the "Hollywood types" when they come to town. If you do that, they are going to throw up their hands and not come back,” said Moore. “It is important that we have a united and cooperative front. What we need are people who are going to inspire, we need leadership out of our community officials. I have seen that side of Northern Michigan and that is what I am telling directors and producers who exist here. So our attitude will ultimately determine our future.”

So looking to the future, what do you see?

“A lot of films will be made here in Northern Michigan and we will have a new year round economy with solid paying jobs. We will see a return of the middle class Northern Michigan,” said Moore. “When you factor in the best incentive program anywhere and the fact that in Michigan we can make any setting work here, this is going to work in our favor. Even our diverse weather will ultimately help us more than it will hurt us.”

Any other predications?

“Yes, I see within five years we will have a Northwestern Michigan Film Office, with a full time paid staff person who will facilitate film projects,” said Moore. “Also in five years we still won’t find any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.”

Inside The Film Festival

Okay, Michael, how about telling us some things about this year’s Festival that we don’t already know?

“We are definitely going to have a music theme this year,” said Moore. “I can’t say who because we are still working the details out but we are planning on some more big name musicians, including the possibility of a major rock band.”

What are your thoughts about the Madonna tickets that were sold for $25.00 a piece, now appearing on E-bay for more than $1,500 a piece?

“Look, when Madonna agreed to do this, we were just going to charge the regular ticket price,” said Moore. “I called her back and said how about we charge $25.00 with the money going to help your cause, and she agreed. We only sold two tickets to each person in line. I walked the line at 1 a.m. and saw single moms in sleeping bags with their kids, because their kids were eligible for two tickets. These are not professional scalpers, these are single moms and others struggling to make a buck. So I can’t fault them for what they are doing. It really paints a picture of the economy and the types of jobs we have here. I have asked that E-bay pull down false statements, such as these tickets will guarantee meeting Madonna.”

How about giving us one big name besides Madonna who will be in?

“I will give a clue,” said Moore. “We have one of the biggest television personalities of all time coming in for the Festival.”

So you have found a way to bring back Lucille Ball from the dead?

“No,” laughs Moore. “Another thing we are going to do at this year’s Festival is make a major announcement about our Fifth Anniversary Film Festival in 2009.”

Michael, you haven’t written a book in awhile. You are probably too busy for that?

“Not true,” said Moore. “On August 19 my new book will be out. It will be a humorous pocket guide to the 2008 election.”

What about your new film? What is the focus?

“I am not releasing details,” said Moore. “I will say this. I am making it in Michigan, I am hiring Michigan people and it should be released next year.”

June 16th, 2008 4:47 pm
Obama takes economic message to Mich.

USA Today

FLINT, Mich. — Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said Monday he wants American workers to be able to compete in a global economy.

"Not only is it impossible to turn back the tide of globalization, but efforts to do so can make us worse off," the Illinois senator told a crowd of more than 1,000 at Kettering University in Flint that cheered loudly when he talked of his plans for universal health insurance, grants for students to attend college and more support for research and development.

"I know as well that more than anything else, success will depend not on our government, but on the dynamism, determination and innovation of the American people," Obama said, giving a decidedly local twist to his remarks. "Here in Flint, it was the private sector that helped turn lumber into the wagons that sent this country west; that built the tanks that faced down fascism; and that turned out the automobiles that were the cornerstone of America's manufacturing boom.

"But at critical moments of transition like this one, success has also depended on national leadership that moved the country forward with confidence and a common purpose."

The crowd cheered as Obama talked about how his policies would help Americans cope with high prices for gasoline, food and education. It was a message well-suited for Flint, where the metropolitan area had a seasonally unadjusted April unemployment rate of 9.3%.

Obama was to speak Monday evening in Detroit, where the area unemployment rate was 6.9%. The state's seasonally adjusted rate in April also was 6.9%, the nation's highest. Details weren't yet available on an Obama campaign event Tuesday in Wayne County.

During his speech in Flint, Obama repeated his claims that Republican rival John McCain simply will repeat the policies of President Bush.

"President Bush's policies have put us in the hole, and John McCain's policies will keep us there. I want to get us out of the hole," Obama said. "I'll double federal funding for basic research and make the R&D tax credit permanent. We can ensure that the discoveries of the 21st century happen in America — in our labs and universities; at places like Kettering and the University of Michigan; Wayne State and Michigan State."

But U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, in a teleconference set up by the Michigan Republican Party, said Obama's policies would hurt the state's middle class. Rogers said those policies would raise taxes on coal and natural gas and lead to higher gasoline prices.

"This guy is completely out of touch with the average Michigan family," said Rogers, a Brighton Republican.

Obama met before the event with Flint residents Nicholas and Candis Letterman and their children. They make less than $40,000 a year and are having trouble making ends meet, let alone save for retirement or their children's education, according to the Obama campaign.

Nicholas Letterman left his job in property management to go back to school to retrain as a medical assistant. He graduated Friday and is looking for a job in his new profession. His wife is a health care technician. The Obama campaign said McCain's policies would offer the Lettermans $113 per year in tax relief, while the Obama plan would provide $1,400, plus additional savings on their health insurance.

The number of Flint-area automotive workers fell from 79,000 in 1976 to around 12,000 now, said Genesee County Democratic Party Chairman Dan Kildee.

"Access to higher education in the knowledge economy is part of Obama's message," Kildee said. "You have a city that's part of the old economy and needs to reposition itself for the next generation of jobs.

"There's a lot of hope that with Obama, we can have an industrial policy that embraces the new economy."

Politically, Kildee said, Flint is a Democratic hub of the so-called I-75 corridor from Detroit to Bay City. That makes it important for a Democratic presidential candidate, though nominee John Kerry didn't visit Flint in the 2004 presidential race.

Flint gained international notoriety in filmmaker and Flint-area native Michael Moore's 1989 documentary "Roger and Me," which cast Flint as an emblem of industrial decline.

Kettering spokeswoman Patricia Mroczek said the Obama campaign's choice of Kettering turned on more mundane issues: The university's recreation center has adequate size, power and air-conditioning for an event that will probably hold fewer than 2,000 supporters. Tickets were given out Friday and all of them went in 90 minutes.

Mroczek said Obama's appearance is an opportunity to promote Flint as a college town. Besides Kettering, there is the University of Michigan-Flint, Baker College and Mott Community College.

"We have more than 25,000 students who come to Flint on a daily basis," Mroczek said. "It represents a new and different and engaging future for our city."

Mroczek said Kettering also is deeply involved in alternative energy research, such as fuel cells.

Kildee said Obama's pending visit has energized local Democrats.

"I've got a lot of old friends I haven't heard from in a long time who want me to get them tickets," he said.

Obama was joined at the event by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Gov. John Cherry and other top Michigan leaders in Congress and Democratic politics.

Contributing: Chris Christoff, Detroit Free Press