How would you like to work on the set of “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon,” or a commercial for the new Ford Fiesta?

Well, a group of talented students at Center for Film Studies was lucky enough to do just that.

On the campus of Grace and Wild Studios in Farmington Hills, CFS opened in spring 2009, and has launched many ambitious students into interview slots for the opportunity to work on real film projects of all sizes.

CFS has been approved to offer financial assistance through both the Michigan Works! program No Worker Left Behind and the Department of Labor & Economic Growth’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

A full diploma program at the school takes six weeks to complete, allowing those in need of jobs to quickly begin the process of applying. There also is a longer 12-week program. All students receive a state-certified diploma after they complete training.

Read full story on The Oakland Press website

BUSINESS BRIEFS: February 2

Published: Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Scenic Prop and Design forms relationships with national film, TV and stage union

Hollywood has come knocking for Madison Heights-based, Scenic Prop and Design. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, (IATSE), has formed a manufacturing relationship with Scenic Prop and Design that will make the Madison Heights-based company the only manufacturer in Michigan producing custom prop and scenery applications for set production and application.

IATSE is a “trade union” labor union representing technicians, artisans and craftsperson’s in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, motion picture and television production, and trade shows.

Jonathan Krueger, president and founder of Scenic Prop and Design Scenic has developed specific formulas that IATSE members will help produce from lightweight brick, stone, and tree bark applications to custom effects for film, television and stage.

The alliance was developed between officers at IATSE, along with Scenic Prop and Design managing partners Jack Grushko and Mort Meisner, who also own the Center for Film Studies based in Madison Heights.

Meisner added, “IATSE holds the national contract for film so this incredible association will further develop a manufacturing base here in Michigan and give the necessary infrastructure to supply the Michigan Film Industry.”

For information, call 313-429-5900.

Growing Michigan Film Industry Creates Movie Prop Jobs

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Prop Til You Drop

by: Jeff Meyers

And then there’s Michigan’s aggressive film incentive. The more money the producers of This Must Be The Place spend in the Mitten on local businesses and talent, the better their tax rebate. Over the last two years the state has seen nearly $600 million in film-related business. Hollywood has come calling and they are hungry for resources and talent.

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Hollywood has a new favorite location. The Motor City is luring films and TV shows with tax breaks and red-carpet treatment.
Was that Demi and Ashton at the Tigers game?

May 27, 2010

Matt Sysol will matter-of-factly tell you that he grew up in a family of carpenters, and that it was his grandfather, who ran a residential company, who inspired him to start a career in carpentry. When he passed away, he left Sysol with the responsibility of turning his family owned properties into developments.

Now the Westland resident is the owner of BBD Carpentry and has worked on projects such as Asian Village and Westin Book Cadillac Hotel Detroit in Detroit along with several high-end homes, including multi-family projects.

But the biggest project to date may have been competing on The DIY Dominator, a new DIY Network series that pits three of the country’s top rough carpenters against each other in a showdown for one grand prize.

Sysol flew to Denver, Colorado in April to spend three days competing for the Dominator title. The series premieres at 10 p.m. Friday, July 30, at 10 p.m. In each episode, host Chris Grundy, also host of Cool Tools, oversees three competitors in head-to-head construction and home improvement competitions for one specific trade as they battle it out to earn the “DIY Dominator” title and a $10,000 grand prize.

Sysol has 13 years’ experience as a carpenter, including 12 years with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. He also has taken course in set carpentry at the Center for Film Studies.

“Not only by doing this was I given the opportunity to work along side a good group of skilled tradesmen, but I was also given the opportunity to use my skills hand-in-hand with CFS projects,” said Sysol. “The experience at CFS was so rewarding! All I can say is thank you to the Center For Film Studies for putting extra efforts in the work they do.”

He also has kudos for Jennifer Shane, Rachael Grushko and Ron Marcle from the MRCC along with others from the CFS staff who “went completely out of their way to help me land this job on the DIY networks new carpentry reality television show.”

“There were thousands of applicants for this, with the Center For Film Studies training and their good reputation is what helped me get on this show,” he said. “ Watch out DIY ‘cause here I come!”

Kimberly Allen, the associate producer of DIY Dominator approached Ron Marcle from the MRCC and asked him to spread the word around about the opportunity. Marcle forwarded the information, and Shane made a pitch about Detroit’s unemployment rate, CFS and its graduates to Allen.

She “loved” the concept and asked that the center pick some of our carpenters that have a lot of talent with bold personalities. They talked about who would be best for this position and Matt Sysol was on top of the list.

Mum is the word as to how well Sysol did, so fans will have to watch the show to find out.