The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

Breaking News

CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
Browse Full Text...

» Inside

Public Notices
Links
About Us
News Stands
Subscriptions
Editorial Forms
Archives

» Deadlines

Friday, 2 pm
Inserts

Friday, 5 pm
Retail Display
Editorial

Monday, Noon
Classified Display
Service Directory Display

Monday, 2 pm
Service Directory Liners

Monday, 3 pm
Classified Liners

All Holiday Deadlines are One Full Workday Earlier

Film Office and WBRW gear
up for film training

Recent film shooting not
only one planned for area

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Even with the excitement of a major film being shot in Romeo, the Romeo Film Production Office is far from slowing down.
       With the local area proving that the film industry can depend on it for resources, locations and talent, residents may wish to educate themselves to get a piece of the film industry.
       Additionally, residents and businesses alike can contact the Film Office to become part of a resource guide that will show who and what is available for production companies looking to shoot in the area.
       A production company based in Shelby Township began filming for "Leonie!", a full-length feature movie about the life of Leonie Martin in 19th century France, this past week in Romeo.
       Michael Fiscus, production liaison for the film office, said "Leonie!" is a prime example of what can be done in Romeo.
       "We really wanted `Leonie!' because we got a lot of people from the area involved, and it was a nice walk-through of how the film office works," he said. "It went really smooth, they worked on the casting and we helped with touring locations."
       It may not be the first production in the Romeo area, but it's certainly not the last either. The Michigan Film Office announced there are 15 productions in the state that are checking out locations to film.
       Fiscus said there may be a commercial filmed in the area soon, and by the end of this week he said there might be some good news out of a "very solid rumor."
       "It's four to five weeks of prep work for these things, and you have to be really careful until you get the paperwork signed," he said. "You don't want to draw too much attention until you're ready for it."
       Aside the "Leonie!" film, there has been a number of other productions in the area, ranging from a week's worth of shooting for HBO's "Hung" and a commercial for the Ford Taurus.
       "We have easy airplane and freeway access, making it a bigger sell on why to shoot in Romeo," he said, adding that the office is working with hotels around the area to house production cast and crews.
       To help expand on that talent pool, the film office has begun training seminars for people hoping to learn about the editing side of film.
       Newly purchased iMacs will be utilized to teach about editing software like Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and Adobe After Effects. Other seminars will focus on makeup, acting and screenwriting. The equipment is located upstairs at the Washington Township Municipal Building.
       A detailed schedule can be found at the film office's Web site, www.romeofpo.com. Most classes are offered at no fee to residents.
       "We'll have experts that have been in the industry come in and let them know what their expectations need to be," he said. "We don't want people to think it's a cakewalk to get into the industry."
       WBRW Channel 6 is also offering to help teach community members how to use equipment and editing software at its studio. Residents need only prove they live in the area to start.
       "We would be offering more of the production side than just the editing," said WBRW Station Manager Richard Cory. "We can help with cameras, lighting, or if they want to be on camera."
       Established in May, the film office acts as a resource center for companies looking to film in the area or hire local talent, whether its for extras, editing, make-up or catering.
       As part of that responsibility, the office will begin the printing and posting of its resource guide this week. Fiscus said he hopes people with unique homes will contact the film office to have their locales documented.
       He said they would simply want photos for the guide, which would ideally be taken during Wednesdays.
       "We're not giving out addresses or information, we're just showcasing the variety of buildings we have," he said. "If a company is interested they'd contact us, and we'd filter it to the owners."
       Interested parties can contact the film office at (586) 677-4207.