Center for Film Studies

Mort Meisner, President, Executive Director

7-time Emmy Award winner, Mort Meisner, presents the Center for Film Studies. Meisner’s 32-year career has spanned the media/entertainment industry, working in top news management positions at NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox as well as a successful on air talent agent. He has lectured at numerous universities and has authored a book on media and crisis management. Now, Mort Meisner has put together a team of professionals with a vast knowledge of Film and Media to educate our students and give them the opportunity to enter the rapidly growing Michigan Film Industry. Please contact us to learn more about our curriculum at the Center For Film Studies–your path to employment in the exciting film or television industry.

Roger Fowler, Director of Props & Mold Making

Instructor: Set Construction & Prop Design Program

Jonathan’s experience has excelled in customizing major projects. Some of these projects include several Award winning National Trade show & Auto show displays, World tour concert sets for Black Sabbath & REO Speed Wagon, a 17’ tall Giant Football Player for the 2010 Super bowl, Themed bedroom designs for two Episodes of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, as well as providing unique props and decorative materials for several nature centers, museums, theme parks, casinos, theaters, & a variety of other theatrical productions including film, and video.. Areas of specialization include mold making and casting, material science, props, special effects, and unique textures and finishes.

Ric Viers, Director of Location Sound

Instructor: Location Sound Program

Ric Viers has worked in the film and television industry for over fifteen years. His location sound credits include nearly every major television network, Universal Studios, Dateline, Good Morning America, Disney, and many others. His sound design work has been used in major motion pictures, television shows, radio programs, and video games. Viers is the author of The Sound Effects Bible and is considered to be the world’s largest independent provider of sound effects, with more than 175,000 sounds and more than 160 sound effects libraries to his credit. In 2007, Viers launched his own sound effects label, Blastwave FX, to celebrate the release of his 100^th sound effects library. He has produced sound libraries for numerous publishers, including Adobe, Apple, Digital Juice, Sony, Sound Ideas, and The Hollywood Edge. Viers owns his own studio, The Detroit Chop Shop and serves as a spokesperson for companies such as Rode Microphones and Sony Media Software.

Dan Noga, Director of Camera and Audio

Instructor: Camera and Audio Program
Daniel Noga has the knowledge and experience that comes with the twenty-seven years he has spent working in film and television. Initially acting as a Camera Assistant, then a Grip and later a Gaffer with his company North Wind Films, he quickly went on to become a Cameraman/ Director of Photography. Some of his credits include Special Effects Cinematography for “Evil Dead II”, Director of Photography for the Sundance Film Festival Grand Prize Winner “Chameleon Street”, Cameraman for “Roger and Me”, Second Unit Cameraman on “The Polish Wedding”, and most recently, Cinematographer for “Intent” staring Eric Roberts and Seth Peterson. Dan was nominated for a regional Emmy for his work on the tv special “Miracle on Fort Street”. He has also been the Cinematographer for assorted music videos, including R&B artist KEM, and shot both commercials and corporate image pieces. Dan is a member of the International Cinematographer’’s Guild Local 600 I.A.T.S.E.

Dan Phillips, Director of Make-up and Special Effect Make-up for Film & TV

Instructor: Make-up for Film & TV 101 / Special Effect Make-up (202)
Dan Phillips, owner of DP Studios, studied directly under Oscar winning Effects and Make-up Artist
Before graduating from Fashion Make-up School in L.A. With over 15 years experience, Phillips’ expertise in make-up applications for every need including airbrush make-up application, special effects make-up utilizing all blood and gore techniques as well as fantasy, the use of prosthetics and plaster casting has made him one of the most sought after MUA’s in the state.
Recent credits include: Key Make-up artist for the prestigious Tiffany Awards, Key Make-up artist and Key Special Make-up Effects artist on the New Castle feature “Intent” with Eric Roberts and Brett Rice and Make-up artist on the Detroit Emmy winning children’s program “Come on Over.”

Jim & Claudia Saliba, Directors of Film and TV Production

Instructor: Production Program
Jim Saliba has been the owner and the driving force behind the highly successful Burke Video Company since 1986. Burke Video is a full-service production house, established in 1981 by long-time television veteran Jerry Burke. With 26 years of experience, and specialties in production, direction, shooting and editing, Burke Video has produced over 1,000 commercials for some of the biggest Ad Agencies in the world including; Campbell Ewald, JWT, Doner, and Young and Rubicam, and has shot for Major League Baseball, NCAA sports, and the NHL. A Telly and Teddy Award-winning studio, Burke Video has shot documentaries internationally and produces weekly programming for NBC-Detroit and PBS.

Robert J. McQuiston, Director of Curriculum

Instructor: Film & Media Production
Former adjunct instructor of Broadcast Writing at the University of Detroit-Mercy, and Co-founder and owner of Word Pictures, Inc., a multi-media communications design and development firm, McQuiston has been at the forefront of Michigan’s media development, film, communications and education for over 30 years. He played an integral role of the development of the Film, Radio and TV curriculum at Ferris State University, and has written and developed education and training programs for Chrysler, General Motors and other large corporations. McQuiston will oversee the development of the curriculum at the Center for Film Studies and will instruct in the area of Screenwriting and Production. McQuiston graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Detroit in 1977 with a B.A. in Communication.

Meet the Executives:

Mort Meisner
President, Executive Director

Kim Haveraneck
Director of Education, MA, LLP

Jack B. Grushko
Chief Operating Officer