Mambo lessons at Stage 3 were being offered for cast and crew with the filming of of the music video "Lets Mambo"  sung and signed by local artist deaf singer Sean Forbes. This great project was supported by Academy Award nominee Marlee Matlin who showed us all some great Mambo moves. Three days of fun and laughs for a very serious cause of bringing hope and awareness to the deaf community. This worthwhile project was covered by both Channel 7 and Fox 2  local news, click here to see Fox 2 coverage.

The first week of the New Year brought with it some new and exciting business for Stage 3. A professionally staged Fashion Show was created for a video promo piece for Stahls ID Direct, a local Michigan company that produces heat transfer designs and embroidery appliques for all types of apparel and fashion wear. These runway worthy designs took to the stage featuring 12 models and over 60 garments. We were especially fortunate to have a few celebrity models showing off their swaggar; Channing Pierce is the current reigning Miss Michigan and Jerry Reid from VH1's Hogan Knows Best showed us all how to walk the walk.

Check out the blog post and pictures from the fashion show here.

Andre LaRoche, owner and photographer of Stage 3, recently went to the "Big Apple" as the lighting director for both video and stills of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The complexities of lighting for both fashion models and vehicles at the same time was a challenge for only the best in the business. Click here to see the amazing results that showcase both Victoria's Secret model Karolina Kurkova and Mercedes Benz CLS Coupe.

GM is back at Stage 3 with their first, of hopefully many, press and media events showcasing their many new products like the Chevy Sonic and Buick Verano. This unveiling was attended by many writers of the world press and media in splendid style with food and beverage provided by Forte Bellanger.

Our annual Halloween celebration, Stage Fright at Stage 3, on Friday, October 29th was a great success! The studios at Stage 3 were transformed into heaven and hell with our creative community of producers, directors, models, actors and artists throughout. Check out the Halloween party photo gallery here!

Life At The Studio is a bimonthly webisode designed to entertain, inform and inspire the creative side of you. The show takes you behind the scenes of motion picture, television and new media development at Stage 3. This first webisode includes a studio tour, how to attract the attention of thousands of people, how we make you look your very best in front of the camera, a peek at our events, how to protect your screenplay and how actors get chosen for more roles in film and television.

Written and produced by J. Lauri Filmworks. Narrated by Bill Premin. Event footage by Terry Warde.

George Kamper, a Stage 3 photographer, was recently showing and discussing his work and the Commercial and Editorial Markets at his portfolio showing at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta March on 11th. Jerry Burns, Department Head of the Photography Curriculum, coordinated the event. It was a “Brown Bag” format where students and professionals attended while bringing their own lunch to the 2 hour talk.

Images from the event can be viewed here.

The Michigan Production Alliance (MPA) and members of the local film community are proud to announce the release of a PSA that says that we live here, we work here, and we want the film industry to be given the chance that it deserves to grow and bring jobs to the state of Michigan. Teresa Leming, of Mid America Cine’ Support, teamed up with Producer Connie Dillinger Johnson to deliver the message of the PSA. “We wanted the message to be simple, and concise, and we wanted it to be valid for all incoming businesses coming to Michigan to set up shop” said Johnson, “‘I live in Michigan; I want to work in Michigan’ does that”. Ringside Creative then took charge, handling creative and post production.

A meeting with Storyboard Artist, Dave Chow from the College for Creative Studies, set the tone for the PSA. Johnson and Leming then contacted vendors and crew for support. Mid America Cine’ Support was first on board with the donation of the grip and lighting equipment for both the Lansing location and studio shooting. “I couldn’t believe how easy it was to get people excited about this project, we were not turned down by a single individual or company”, said Johnson. A full list of credits will roll with the web version of the PSA at www.iliveinmichigan.com.

Jeff Moon Productions Services provided camera, sound, and crew support. “When Connie approached me with the PSA idea, I had to say yes. With the economy here being so soft and the auto industry hurting, we have to find ways to promote ourselves and develop new business. What a great opportunity to do so with the “I LIVE IN MICHIGAN, I WANT TO WORK IN MICHIGAN” campaign. We look at this as a way to give back and to help rebuild our industry and those people around us that count on our work,” said Moon.

Ringside Creative offered up the Combermere Stage, which was the base for the one day shoot. A Crew of 30 people worked a nine hour day to shoot just under 30 different people for the series of PSA : 30 spots. The production crew included production assistants who had recently completed training programs from TicTock Studios and Macomb County Community College. Hopwood DePree of TicTock in Grand Rapids was excited to hear that students from his training program were utilized. “Michigan is brimming with talented, hard-working people — many of whom are out of work. Boosting the film industry in Michigan could go a long way toward kick-starting our ailing economy and putting our residents back to work in an exciting industry that offers a wide range of job opportunities.”

The PSA features Governor Granholm, Kid Rock a host of other Michigan based celebrities, and professionals. Mitch Albom, who was not able to be part of the shoot because he was on location in Anaheim with the Detroit Red Wings, said about the project, “I have always been proud to live and work in Michigan and know that anyone coming to work here – or make movies or TV shows here – will find it the same. The state’s efforts to entice new, creative and growing businesses – such as digital gaming, movies and TV – should be applauded and supported.”

Michigan Production Alliance is the non-profit sponsor of the PSA, and was behind the project from its inception. “MPA strives to be the voice of the production community, it only makes sense that we would fully support this kind effort”, said Mark Adler, head of the MPA. Watch “I LIVE IN MICHIGAN, I WANT TO WORK IN MICHIGAN” now!

Stage 3 recently hosted the annual Cinco de Mayo fundraiser for Gilda's Club which provides programs of emotional and social support for people living with cancer. Event coordinator, Angela Butorac, who selected Stage 3 to host the event because of its' unique movie studio environment said, “The third annual Terry's Team Fundraiser for Gilda's Club at Stage 3 was our best yet! The room was packed with people until late in the night, it was a great venue, the atmosphere Colonial Events provided looked amazing in the space. Every aspect of this event was simply wonderful and we could not have asked for a better night!” The evening's festivities included delicious food from Abuelo's Mexican Cuisine, beer, wine, entertainment, a Chinese auction, and door prizes.