Well, last night was certainly no small success. The film meeting I posted about in the entry prior to this was moved to Laurel Manor because of the larger expected turnout, but no one expected it to be as full as it was. I had friends who arrived only to find they couldn’t get in, and last I heard we were at over 4,000 supporters who showed up. Carlson Catering was there with their familiar, friendly faces, (Hi ERIC AND JOSE!!!) providing some sustenance for the crowd in the form of these delicious little pulled pork buns with slaw. Ken Droz, Mitch Albom, Jeff Daniels, Philippe Martinez of Maxsar Studios, Mike Binder, Andy Meisner, and many more were featured speakers, all offering their thoughts on what we need to do as a group to mobilize, and make sure our voices are heard by our representatives, so that we can fight the proposal, and get the film industry rolling again.
Like any endeavor, the more people you get involved, the higher the chance of success, just like the Robocop statue. The city of Detroit didn’t want to be a part of it, so what happened? A group of devoted citizens started their own fundraiser for it, and were able to raise the necessary $50,000 in funds so that they could see their dream become reality.
So, if you are behind the film incentives, and want to stand with me, join me in raising your voices so that our government knows what we want and what we need to help this state stay alive. Write your reps, go to the rallies and the meetings, tell your neighbors, friends, family, anyone who will listen, to sign the petitions and make sure that those who represent us know where our interests lie.
In just a few days, my song of discontent has garnered over 600 individual views, through my own private YouTube page, as well as the YouTube page for rickswrong. So I have in effect shared my point of view with over 600 individuals who will maybe go on to write a letter to their state rep. Or at least are a little more aware of the situation. **As I was walking through the crowd to retrieve my workbag from a friend, a complete stranger said to me, “Hey! You’re the ukulele girl!” with a huge smile. What a precious moment! ^_^**
So please, take a few minutes out of your day, and send that email, or make that call, or write that snail mail.
If we all stand together, they will HAVE to hear our voices. They won’t have any other choice. It’s time for us to fight for what we believe in.
Peace and love,
Cindy
Robocop statue: Haters gonna hate
Haters Gonna Hate! Rick Snyder: "Get off my lawn" (Michigan Film Incentives)
Here’s my official statement regarding the new budget proposal (and this marks my first songwriting experience, so I hope you find it amusing, if not a little endearing??? But maybe that’s too much to ask.):
There is going to be a town hall meeting at Maxsar Studios Thursday night, if you can attend and show support for the incentives.
Maxsar Studios
38099 Schoolcraft Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
7:30pm-10:30pm
UPDATE THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2010 **The event has moved to this new location:
Laurel Manor
39000 Schoolcraft Rd
Livonia, MI**
Here’s some more info from the Facebook event page:
As devoted members of Michigan’s film industry, Mitch Albom and Kenneth Droz Consulting invite you to
A MICHIGAN FILM INDUSTRY TOWN MEETING
An organizational and informational event to most effectively communicate to Michigan’s legislators, governor, and voting public why the film incentive program (among other issues), should be preserved.
WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 7:30pm
WHERE: Maxsar Studios
38099 Schoolcraft Rd. (east of I-275, on south side of I-96 freeway)
Livonia, MI 48150
Featured Speakers:
Mitch Albom, Free Press Columnist
Mike Binder, filmmaker and Michigan native
Andy Meisner, Oakland County Treasurer, and former State Rep.
Philippe Martinez, Maxsar Studios CEO
Emery King and Jim Burnstein, Chair and Vice-Chair, MFO Advisory Council
Ken Droz, Consultant and former MFO Communications Mgr.
Others to be announced.
Provided will be various evidence and informational points, legislators’ names and contact info, and strategic methods on conveying the most effective message possible, for legislative officials and districts statewide.
Hosted by Mitch Albom, Kenneth Droz Consulting and Maxsar Digital Studios
Happy Chinese New Year, Happy Lunar New Year, and Happy February to you all! You know my birthday’s coming up. I won’t say how old I’ll be, because I’m just so young at heart. ^_^
FILM UPDATES
So I just got back from Sundance recently, and I had the greatest time. I met some incredible people and got to see the films I needed to see. The sad part was that after all the marvelous luck we had getting in to Salvation Boulevard, I never got to see my scene, because it was a victim of the cutting room. Fortunately, I ran into George Ratliff after the Q&A, and he was so extremely kind about it, and said that it would be on the DVD extras. Yay, something to look forward to! He’s a great director, and the film itself was very hilarious. After having seen his last Sundance baby, Joshua, I had no idea what to expect.
I also saw Cedar Rapids, directed by Miguel Arteta, and starring Ed Helms, and boy oh boy was it a riot. I really liked the relationships they showed in the film, they were very real, and the cast chemistry was great. It was nice seeing Ed Helms in a new role, too, as a small-town Iowan who has never been to the big city.
The most controversial film at Sundance (no, not Red State) was The Woman. I had the extremely fortunate experience of getting to see it twice. I had to support my friend, Lauren Petre, of course. She played Miss Hindle, a smaller role in the film, but she was great! And she looked great on film. The Woman was definitely great horror. I had nightmares after the first viewing and spent the entire night tossing and turning, thinking evil little boy actors would sneak into the house where I was staying and knife me! Lucky McKee knows how to elicit some raw emotional responses, and on the night of their first screening, a girl fainted, and he being the great and wonderful man that he is, tried to get the theater to halt the screening, but they didn’t. Then, an irate viewer got up and started spewing all sorts of horrible things ignorant thoughts about the film. He obviously didn’t see the bigger picture, the ENTIRE POINT OF THE FILM…Some people. Anyway, if you get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it. Lucky said, “It’s designed to be viewed multiple times.” So I’d say get it on dvd, and watch it a couple times, within the week. It’s one of those films that keeps you thinking and processing, and I hope you’re able to see beyond the gore and evil to see what Lucky is trying to show the audience. Sometimes evil hides in plain sight. Pollyanna McIntosh was stellar, actually the entire cast was. Angela Bettis, Sean Bridgers, and oh the children, (I’ve got to say that again) oh the CHILDREN! It should also be noted that the soundtrack is amazing, and I need it! Sound design was also superb, and really added to the feel of the film.
Q&A at The Woman screening at Sundance
Cindy Chu in front of The Egyptian for Sundance 11, in her Snow Leopard Spirithood
Lauren Petre and Cindy Chu at Salvation Boulevard screening, Sundance 11
The Woman, what I told Lucky...
PRESS
While I was at Sundance, Robert del Valle of Real Detroit Weekly contacted me about their biweekly local stars’Michigan Motion Picture column. My friend (she’s so pretty!!!) Treasure Groh, also staff at RDW, had asked awhile ago if I’d like to be interviewed for it. Of course, I said yes. I’ve also got tons of people that I think they should interview in the future, too! The link to the article is here.
OTHER STUFF
When I returned from Sundance, I was on this inspirational kick! I had a drive to make some videos pure awesome Youtubeness!
So for your viewing pleasure:
A sneak peek of my Sundance adventures. This wonderful woman who hosted us took us to this delicious sushi place called Yamato’s a few times. Her “roundeyes” son works there as a sushi chef, and I gotta tell ya, he’s good! So the fish in the aquarium clip was from there. Those fish weren’t for eating, LOL.
And then we got hit by Snowpocalypse 2011 in the Midwest (although it really wasn’t that bad in Ann Arbor) so I had to make a cutesie little video for that, and used a song from Scott Pilgrim by Anamanaguchi “Another Winter” for the backing track
Aaaaaand I was in the mood to play my ukulele after being away from it for a week, and uploaded TWO songs in one night! Then a third the next night! Talk about feeling inspired. So the first one I’d been working on learning the strum pattern for awhile, and I was sick when I made these so I didn’t sing them as well as I would have liked. The second one was the song that was in the trailers for Blue Valentine, the one Ryan Gosling’s character plays for Michelle Williams’ character while she tap dances. The third one is a cover of a song by Soko (from Paris!) called “I Will Never Love You More” and it’s very funny.
Last Friday night, Fitz and the Tantrums played at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, and it was a sold out show (it was free, but filled up immediately upon doors opening). Luckily, I had met the female vocalist, the very beautiful and talented Noelle Scaggs, back in LA a few years ago, so my friends and I were able to sneak in the back with her. I shot a decent live video of their final encore song, their hit single, “Moneygrabber”. (<—Did I get that punctuation right???)
And one last one, because I miss warm weather and am feeling nostalgic for warm sunny days. I switched the audio on my skydiving video, and now it looks and sounds cool.
Alright, my lovely readers, that was my huge February update. Remember to smile, spring is just around the corner. Appreciate the little things in life. Don’t forget to laugh, especially at yourself. And always tell your family you love them. They might not always be there.
Cindy Chu 
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