Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/23723
Philadelphia Performers March for Labor Appleville student filmmakers and SAG members with Jim Burnstein (far right), film writing professor at University of Michigan. LARGE UNIVERSITIES FORM FILM ALLIANCE W hen three major Michigan universities joined together to form the SAG- signatory Michigan Film Creative Alliance, their students would finally get the opportunity to work with professional actors. Tis year, the team filmed Appleville, about a man who needs money for child support and robs a bus full of senior citizens. Te script gave students the chance to work with veteran senior performers. Student director Bhanu Chundu admitted he was at first worried about directing actors who knew more about acting than he did, but the actors put him at ease. Tey said that the experience of working with Chundu and the other students was incredibly worthwhile. One reason for creating the alliance is to hopefully entice the trained production talent to stay in Michigan aſter graduation. And what is the Detroit Branch’s point of view? Answer: To keep the students in Michigan and entice them to sign SAG contracts in the future. PREMIERES, CHEERS AND BIG BOX OFFICE BOWS IN NEW ENGLAND audience at the September 14 premiere drew in a collective breath, and then cheered. Tere’s something magical about a Boston story—made in Boston— being honored at Fenway Park. Before the film rolled, writer-director and star Ben Affleck remarked on the great experience he had working in Boston, encouraging others to take advantage of the attractive tax incentives for film and television. Incentives in Massachusetts and Rhode Island continue to attract high-profile I projects. Knight and Day, also shot in New England, was screened in June to a packed theater. Tis was just one of the 11 feature projects shot in Massachusetts in 2009, each of which brought significant direct spending and thousands of jobs. Te Social Network became the seventh Massachusetts-made film since 2007 to open nationally as the No. 1 movie in America. It is joined by Te Town and Shutter Island as the third Massachusetts-made movie of 2010 to open at No. 1. Tis is the second year in a row that Massachusetts films snagged box-office bragging rights and 2010 could see a new record set as two more highly touted, locally produced films, Te Company Men and Te Fighter, open nationally between now and the end of the year. Te success of these films, as well as countless other projects filmed in New England, leaves us looking forward to more work in 2011. SAG.org Fall/Winter 2010 - SCREEN ACTOR 65 n Ben Affleck’s box-office smash Te Town, there is a scene in which the view sweeps across Boston and into Fenway Park. At that moment, the captivated U nion members of SAG, AFTRA and Equity proudly marched together in Philadelphia in the AFL-CIO’s 23rd Labor Day Parade. Tey were especially visible because of the AFTRA radio vehicles that followed behind them. And adding to that visibility was a booth manned by SAG, AFTRA and Equity members. Many of the estimated 10,000 participants visited the booth and learned more about the life of an actor. It was an effective kickoff for a series of planned meetings where union brothers and sisters will work together to create greater unity and increased work opportunities. Film School Reps Tout SAG Partnerships t Chicago’s annual membership meeting, reps from area film programs discussed the value of the Student Film Agreement to students, SAG members, and the health of the city’s film industry. From leſt, Branch President Ilyssa Fradin, JoAnne Zielinski of DePaul University, Amy Rising of Tribeca Flashpoint Academy and Carrie Houck of Columbia College.