Jun 13 2010

2010 Waterfront Film Festival – Saugatuck, Michigan

Written By: Jonathan Rayos | Category: News | Comments : 0 comments

One of the movies we watched was the highly anticipated production by Tic Toc Studios.  Tic Toc Studios is a Holland, Michigan based movie production company headed by Hopwood Dupree.

“Tug” was filmed entirely in the Holland area in the summer of 2008.  “Tug” was one of the first movies to start production in West Michigan after the the passing of the state film incentives April 7, 2008.

The movie – starring Sam Huntington, Haylie Duff, Sarah Drew, David Zellner, Maulik Pancholy, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Yeardley Smith, and Zachary Knighton.

The plot synopsis from TicTock Studios:  A small town Michigan guy (Sam Huntington) has his life begin to hilariously unravel as he is torn between staying with his current girlfriend (Sarah Drew), or bouncing back to his psycho ex (Haylie Duff).  Life would be so much easier if he could just follow his better judgment.  But he can’t.

The better judgment would have been if the selection committee of the Waterfront Film Festival, to have not shown the movie “Tug” to a sold-out audience of over 750.

We initially arrived to a nearly two block line outside of it’s venue screening, with a very lively crowd.  Upon being seated, the primarily local partisan crowd was vocal and quite happy.  Mr. Dupree addressed the sold out audience touting it’s first full feature production.

We were opened to a very surprising short film called “The Thong,” which took the audience into attention mode.  “The Thong” set up “Tug” for a very fast downhill ride, and this was not a roller coaster.

“Tug” a directorial debut by Abram Makowka.  The film is a nice little picture, that is a bit unfocused.  Sam Huntington plays the film’s unnamed lead character, who is a wannabe screenwriter living in Michigan.  He has a good relationship with his girlfriend, played by Sarah Drew, but his relationship is threatened by an ex-girlfriend who won’t leave him alone.  This crazy ex-girlfriend only increases Huntington’s  uncertain life and the film follows him as he tries to gets his life in order.

The best thing about the film is the performance of Sam Huntington.  He is a very relatable presence on-screen.  You do feel like you could be his character.  Zachary King also delivers a good comedic performance as Huntington’s best friend in the film.  One problem with the film is that I didn’t feel that there were any life changing stakes involved in the story.  Some of the major plot changing scenes in the film are tired out; we have seen these scenes before in other films done better.  Towards the end of the film I grew frustrated and just wanted this guy to make a decision and move on with his life.  I liked the performances better than the film’s story.

It seems that the uncertainty in this movie is transferred to the audience, as most did not know how to clap upon it’s ending.   I am hoping that Tic Toc Studios next production to be touted from Michigan has less uncertainty, and better judgment.

The movie made its premiere April 29th at the 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival in southern California.  The movie also has a very limited website: http://www.tugmovie.com/.

A commentary by:

Jonathan C. Rayos

CEO :: Executive Producer :: Founder

FilmEmerge

http://www.filmemerge.com

Nov 24 2009

FilmEmerge Foundation: The FilmEmerge Challenge

Written By: Jonathan Rayos | Category: News | Comments : 0 comments

The FilmEmerge Challenge

Dear Friend,

You may have been disturbed by news stories about todays plight of homeless and needy people in your surrounding areas.  Todays economy has put many deserving families into situations that may have placed them out of their homes, due to job losses or other unexpected economic reasons.

Todays homeless shelters are at over capacity. They are temporary shelters for many families and individuals who have been placed into their circumstance undeservingly.  These homeless shelters provide a warm meal, and a place to sleep.  Many of the people that retreat to these shelters, have hope and the desire to change their situation.

Do you remember ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’  the 2006 American biographical film, based on the true story of Chris Gardner?  The film starred Will Smith as Gardner, an-on-and-off-homeless salesman-turned stockbroker.  In 1981, this smart salesman and family man invests in a medical apparatus that turned his investment into financial troubles.  Without money, but totally committed to his son Christopher, Mr. Gardner sees the chance to fight for his internship position, offering a more promising career.  His fight from being homeless for his independence, was created by his inner faith and hope.

There are many Chris Gardner’s out there in today’s homeless shelters.  There are many stories, like ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ that the FilmEmerge Foundation would like to help.

For many homeless people, the circumstances vary.  But typically, they need positive reinforcement and assistance towards the will to become independent again.

The FilmEmerge Foundation is raising awareness towards the homeless, raising funds for it’s Movies For Shelters Program.  The Movies For Shelters Program, provides homeless shelters with spiritual, positive, and uplifting films.  

The FilmEmerge Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, assist in the retraining of displaced workers in job retraining programs for the film and motion picture industry.  Additionally, the Foundation assist deserving students in scholarship programs for film schools and theater arts programs.

On behalf of the deserving and homeless, we are pleading for your generous support.  Can you find a way to support during these most difficult times?  

Supporting the Commercial Film Challenge by participating your small business in the commercial competition, or a direct contribution to The FilmEmerge Foundation, will help the plight of the deserving homeless.  

Generous supporters like you will insure that we can assist in the positive reinforcement of hope, faith, and independence for the homeless.

Bless you and yours today and throughout the upcoming Season.

Sincerely,

Jonathan C. Rayos – President | Founder                  

Scott Paul Dunham – Executive Director 

 

FilmEmerge Foundation  |  440 Burroughs Street  |  Suite 93  |  Detroit, Michigan  48202  |    248.229.5502  |  filmemerge.org  |  filmemerge.com/challenge/

Oct 19 2009

FilmEmerge Foundation Inaugural Commercial Film Challenge

Written By: Jonathan Rayos | Category: News | Comments : 0 comments

Commercial Film ChallengeLeading film and movie portal, FilmEmerge creates a venue for budding filmmakers to help promote their cinematography skills, while assisting local businesses with their marketing and advertising.

The FilmEmerge Commercial Film Challenge is the first local business and filmmaker commercial competition in Michigan, bringing filmmaking teams together to make a :30 second and 1:00 minute commercial from scratch — teams write, shoot, edit and score a commercial. FilmEmerge plans on rolling out the competition to other major markets.

“With the current economic environment for small businesses, in conjunction with the emerging Michigan Film Industry Tax Incentives for filmmaking, we had to create a forum in which we could give back to the small business owners,” says FilmEmerge CEO-Jonathan Rayos.

“The Commercial Film Challenge proceeds will help benefit local homeless shelters, will help create the ‘Movies For Shelters’ program and also help in creating scholarships for filmmakers,” adds Mr. Rayos.


Filmmakers compete to see who can make the best commercial. The winning commercial receives a $250 cash prize. Other electronic prizes will also be available. All commercials will be promoted online.

Mr. Rayos says, “local Businesses will get a :30 second and 1:00 minute web commercial made to promote their business by local filmmakers,” he adds, “Where else can you get a commercial made for less than $100?”


FilmEmerge is a movie production resource center providing social media for the Michigan film and entertainment industry. Originally begun as a film production directory for those offering production services, it quickly grew into also a non-profit film foundation for training and education. Currently, FilmEmerge has more than 270 production categories. The differentiator technology of FilmEmerge includes a customizable profile page for directory listings, a marketing-friendly URL to attach one’s business name, a customizable banner, personalized and up loadable news, events, videos, an area for verified film credits, and a Save/Share component to share profiles with other social media sites
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Contact: Charlie Ploughman,
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