The Pulice Report

Q&A with Donald Harrison, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Film Festival

 

Donald Harrison, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, graciously took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the 47th installment of this internationally renowned gathering. I wrote about AAFF in this space a few weeks ago, and am pleased to present it here from the perspective of the visionary Harrison, who has crafted a remarkable six-day event that kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, March 24 and runs through Sunday, March 29. I should note that I was heavily involved this year as a volunteer, which included screening more than 300 of the 2,600+ submitted films, and assisting with media relations and other publicity. Flattered and thrilled to be part of the process, I strongly encourage you to attend the festival's themed competitions and special programs, and to check out its content-rich website, where you also can receive updates, rate/review films, and more. 

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This year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival received more than 2,600 submissions from around the world, up 25% from the 2008 event. Why do you think there was such a spike?

Donald Harrison: We received a record number of submissions for several reasons: a) there are more people with stories to tell and access to the equipment to produce a film b) the international publicity the AAFF received defending artists and free speech c) as an independent filmmaker myself I know how to get the word out to that community.

Talk about the process of choosing from that large group the 125 films that made it into the competition section of the festival.

DH: We took a lot of time and care to find the best work for this year's festival. We have more than 40 screeners in our community, 2 rounds of the selection process and additional measures to give films a second chance for consideration. I personally reviewed over 400 films, as they came in, and wish I could have watched even more. It's a large-scale process, but one we take seriously and with appreciation for the massive collection of creativity we receive.

There are numerous themed competitions in this year’s AAFF, one of which is “Terra Firma,” a program spotlighting works that have feminine perspectives. During the selection process, do you actively look for themes, or do they emerge on their own?

DH: We look for the best films and let the themes emerge from there, which sometimes results in closely knitted themes or other times in loosely related ones. We value variety and surprise within our programs, and see the themes much the way you can imagine geographic lines on a map -- they're not actually real on the land, but they're useful guides.

This is the 47th annual event; is the Ann Arbor Film Festival a brand?

DH: Yes, the AAFF has an international reputation and a "brand" for showcasing cutting-edge, challenging, creatively inspired films. This become clear when we cold-called venues across the U.S. and overseas and received great responses from some of the world's leading contemporary art museums, cinematheques and new media galleries.

If someone has never been to the festival, but is planning to attend this year, what should they expect?

DH: The first time AAFF audience-goer should expect artistically-crafted films, an adventurous spirit, a welcoming atmosphere and an engaging experience. We don't expect everyone to like or understand every film, but we believe in the quality and artistic vision of the films in our programs. There's a tremendous range of the type and styles of films in our festival and I believe there is at least one program that any fan of film, story or art will love.

©Copyright 2009, Tim Pulice. All rights reserved.

Betty Anne Waters

What a week! My wife Mary and our German Shepherd Kate worked as extras in Chelsea on the set of Betty Anne Waters -- starring Hilary Swank and directed by Tony Goldwyn -- on Tuesday, then I got the nod for an extras gig yesterday in Ypsilanti. They even used my car in scenes both days. As was true of my time last summer as an extra on Whip It!, this was an adrenalin-generating experience, and the cast and crew were magnificent.

The equipment and stars drew quite a crowd in both cities, and understandably so. Michigan's alluring tax credit has continued to bring in A-list talent, and there are numerous films scheduled to shoot in the Great Lake State the remainder of 2009, which is helping put many Michigan-based production assistants, electricians, carpenters, etc. to work. Hotels and restaurants are busier, too. Long may that be the case.

Arresting Site of the Month, March: Michigan Recovery & Reinvestment Plan

Focusing on the impact Michigan will feel as a result of the stimulus package -- the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- that President Obama signed into law on February 17, Governor Granholm and her staff have assembled an online resource that lays out the details, answers questions, and provides links that allow citizens to dig deeper to uncover additional information. As such, I've selected the Michigan Recovery & Reinvestment Plan pages (at Michigan.gov) as the "Arresting Site of the Month" for March. Now, these pages are not an individual "site," per se, but as they help clarify and demystify the stimulus package, I feel strongly they merit this monthly award.

Check out the tax cuts for Michigan families, which include the suspension of taxation of unemployment benefits and the deduction for sales tax on automobile purchases. Also see the tax benefits for Michigan businesses, among them bonus depreciation and expanded small business expensing. There also is a page that focuses on grant information. 

Also note the link near the bottom of the page to Recovery.gov, which gives a national snaphot of the package, including the State-By-State Jobs Impact and ARRA Summary and Funding Breakdowns. 

Hopefully, these pages will help us all better understand this complicated matter. I'll announce the next Arresting Site or Blog of the Month on Monday, April 6. Please submit candidates for that award by Monday, March 30. Thanks.

 

Michigan Creatives Has Launched

 

I launched the social network Michigan Creatives today on Ning, and here is the introductory post: 

Thanks for joining us. Our goal on these pages is to connect the myriad creative professionals who live and work throughout Michigan and, as a result, make this a better state for everyone. The term "creative" definitely covers a lot of territory, but we're talking artists, photographers, filmmakers, actors, writers, musicians, broadcasters, teachers, librarians, designers (Web, game, fashion, etc.), hair stylists, interior decorators, and so many others. If you're not a full-time creative -- often a tough gig to find, eh? -- no worries. We want you in the fold, because it makes us that much stronger, more visible and, we hope, better able to attract new business to and for Michigan. Oh, and let's have some fun here. In these times, that's vital.

This site is built on the Ning platform, which allows users to interact much like they do on Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and other social networking venues. Take a look around, because Ning has plenty to offer. Customize your profile, set up events, add badges and widgets, post videos/photos/music, start discussions in the forum section, make new professional and personal contacts. Please remember to invite friends, family, and colleagues who, like you, have a creative vision, and a shared interest in helping spark a turnaround in the Great Lake State.

We can do this; we're Michigan Creatives. Enjoy.

Tim Pulice and Mary Potts
February 4, 2009

Arresting Site of the Month, February: TechTown

Working diligently to "...become the world's foremost business incubator, leading to an economic renaissance in the city, state and region," a splendid organization has for the past five years led the charge to inject new life into Detroit's economy which, in turn, can help Michigan as a whole regain its footing. Wayne State University, General Motors, and Henry Ford Health System collaborated in 2004 to launch TechTown — located on Burroughs off Cass in the city's New Amsterdam district — which continues to bring together entrepreneurs, students, community partners, and others in order to promote growth in such industries as alternative energy, life sciences, and advanced engineering. Thus, I have selected its online component as February's Arresting Site of the Month.

The TechTown website is packed with information, from business resources and details on centers of excellence to information on a range of international initiatives and podcasts. The latter is a new development, and you can listen to an interview with Executive Director Randal Charlton, who discusses a $750,000 grant his group received near the end of 2008.

Given the challenges of the region's economy, TechTown deserves plenty of credit and attention, as well as support, to help keep it vibrant and moving forward.

Just Hours to Go!

At last.

Arresting Site of the Month, December: AutoJobsMatter.org

Anyone whose livelihood is tied directly or indirectly to the automotive industry knows just how vital it is to their economic health, and to that of the country as a whole. Unfortunately, many in Congress just don’t get it, and would prefer to kick General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler to the curb, rather than approve the much-needed, overly-debated bridge loan. Two forward-thinking Detroit-area residents have said ‘Enough!’

Steve Still and his wife, Jenny Arnold-Still, have just launched a website that demonstrates clearly why we still need the Big 3, and helps dispel numerous misconceptions. (In the spirit of full disclosure, my wife and I have known Steve and Jenny for years, we’re also friends with Steve’s daughter, and I’m working a contract position for a business that administers the main website of one of the aforementioned companies; hence, I have a vested interest in this matter. Nonetheless, this isn’t about us, it’s about millions of people who soon could be out of work). As such, I have selected AutoJobsMatter.org as my “Arresting Site of the Month” for December. Please note the calls to action, including the December 4 rally in the Motor City, the auto industry fact sheet, the link that takes you to a printable window sign that will allow you to show your support, and more. Learn about Steve and Jenny, and spread the word about their important, fact-filled online resource.

Note: Nominations for January’s site or blog of the month are due on Monday, December 29, and I’ll announce the winner on Monday, January 5. Thanks for your participation.