Tag Archives: SCA Saugatuck Shorts

Top Ten Finalists Announced in Saugatuck Shorts Competition

October 30, 2015Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projectsfinalists, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, SCA Saugatuck Shorts, short film, top tenJoanne

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts announced the top ten final films for its 2015 Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition. A panel of judges from the entertainment industry scored all entries, whittling the field down to five films in the student category and five in the adult category.

The top ten short films will be screened at the award ceremony at the SCA on Saturday, November 7 at 6:30p.m.

This year’s top ten short films are a mix of cinematic drama, comedy, and lifestyle stories. The films are all under five minutes and each has a “Michigan-flavor” (filmed in Michigan, filmmaker hails from Michigan, story line about Michigan, etc.). At the November 7th screening the winner of the juried student film will receive a $500 prize, the juried adult category winner will receive a $1,000 prize, and the audience will vote on its favorite film for an additional $1,000 prize.

Finalists in the student category include filmmaker Jared Friedrich from Aurora, Illinois. Friedrich’s film James Cagney Junior is a comedic look at the art of storytelling with subtle references to work by the late actor James Cagney.

From Holland, Michigan comes the film People Like Us by CultureWorks’ Legendary League of Leaders exploring the tremendous challenges of teen mental illness. Holland Christian student Ben Eizenga created the short film Ben there. Done that. highlighting the little moments that make up a day in his life.

Dario Lirio, of Hudsonville High School, submitted Grand Rapids Junior Rowing, showing the team’s hard work and spirit. Mitchell Ross created We Are Hudsonville, Michigan, a short film highlighting the Hudsonville community, specifically referencing the Hudsonville Football program and their “Eagle Pride.”

The winners in this year’s adult category are all West Michigan locals. Alex Bolen is a Grand Rapids native and the owner of Opensail Production Company who made the top ten with his film Sleeping Bear Dunes, a time-lapse of the dunes and surrounding area shot over the course of a week.

Zachary Clark of Clark|Camera|Cinema created the film Lay with Love, a dramatic interpretation of the song “Lay with Love” by fellow Kalamazoo-based band The Go Rounds.

From Grayling, Michigan comes filmmaker Nicholas Gascho with the film Locked. The short film was conceived and shot in 60 hours and tells the tale of a family social issue.

Ron Lechler’s (Fennville, Michigan) top ten film explores how people use comedy and humor to overcome the hurt in their lives in his short film The Best Medicine.

The Outdoor Discovery Center (Executive Director Travis Williams) of Holland, Michigan made the top ten with its film Little Hawks Discovery Preschool about the Hamilton Community Schools’ nature-based preschool.

“It’s always an exciting event, particularly since the winners go home with generous cash prizes” said Kristin Armstrong, SCA Executive Director. “Plus, this year’s media partnership with WKTV is really going to make people feel like stars. The station’s mobile unit will be on site getting all the action – it’s really going to be an exciting evening of media magic.”

Tickets to Saugatuck Shorts are $20 for adults and $10 for students and include light appetizers and the chance to cast your vote for the “Audience Favorite” Award at the show. A cash bar is available from 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. with the screenings begining at 7:15 p.m. More information and tickets can be found at sc4a.org or at 269-857-2399.

Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition Announces Judges and Sponsors

October 15, 2015Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, WKTV ProjectsAnthony Griffen, Curt Anderson, Doug Remtema, Elizabeth Merriman, Joel Paul Reisig, Joseph Voss, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, SCA Saugatuck ShortsJoanne

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is shining a spotlight on Michigan film with the help of filmmakers and industry professionals who will be judging this year’s Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition. The 2015 panel of judges is made up of six individuals who will decide the winners of the $2,500 cash prize in the student and adult categories.

The Saugatuck Shorts competition is accepting admissions until Friday, October 16; the public screening will take place on November 7 at the SCA.

Judges for this year’s competition include a mix of independent filmmakers, a film professor, and an entertainment lawyer. The judges were chosen based on their familiarity with the entertainment industry and their ability to provide credible, constructive feedback.

The first filmmaker taking the judge’s seat is Joel Paul Reisig. Joel is the owner of Be Your Own Hollywood, a two-day film school that focuses on financing, distributing, and shooting films on a budget. Reisig has produced films such as American Scream King, Fraternity House, and Deadly Karma. With over two decades of producing and acting experience, Reisig has worked with stars Dean Cain, Dustin Diamond, Richard Karn, and more.

Co-founder of the Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival and owner of UnSAFE Film Office, Anthony Griffin, will be another judge for this year’s competition. UnSAFE Film Office has produced and shot multiple documentaries, short films, music videos, and commercials over the last decade and Griffin has served on the board for the West Michigan Video and Film Alliance and the Grand Rapids Community Media Center.

Compass College of Cinematic Arts alumni relations specialist and producer, Elizabeth Merriman, will also be serving as a judge on this year’s panel. Merriman is a graduate of Compass College of Cinematic Arts and also owns and operates her own production company, Happy Hats LLC.

Doug Remtema of Sonlight Films will also be serving as a judge at this year’s competition. Remtema started Sonlight Films in 2003 and works on producing films and television shows that revolve around positive and uplifting material.

Curt Anderson of Pine Creek Films. Pine Creek Films is a non-profit organization in Byron Center, Michigan that is dedicated to empowering amateur filmmakers by getting them involved in filmmaking.

The sixth and final judge for this year’s competition is Clark Hill attorney Joseph Voss. Voss leads the Entertainment Industry Team at Clark Hill where he represents the financing parties for film and television productions.

“We couldn’t ask for a greater group of people,” said SCA Marketing and Sales Director, Angela Peavey. ”Film is one of my passions, and to see these professionals willing to offer their time and talents is absolutely amazing. We’re very fortunate to have them.”

Peavey also announced sponsors for this year’s film competition. “We are thrilled to welcome the West Michigan Film and Media Office as a Gold Sponsor and the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance as a Bronze Sponsor. We’re also working with media sponsor WKTV.”

The Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition will take place on November 7, 2015 with a cash bar at 6:30 p.m. and the screening beginning at 7:15 p.m. More information and ticket purchases can be made at sc4a.org or by calling 269.857.2399.

WKTV partners with SCA for Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition

October 2, 2015Education, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, WKTV ProjectsFilm contest, Saugatuck, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, SCA Saugatuck Shorts, WKTVJoanne

Crave a sliver of the limelight? If you’re a Michigan filmmaker, here’s your chance to win big and have your film aired on Television.

Deadline to enter is October 16.

For the first time, Wyoming Kentwood Community Television and Media (WKTV) is teaming with the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA), at this year’s Third Annual Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition. Professional and student filmmakers are invited to compete for $2,500 in cash prizes for their short films.

Films must be five minutes or less (including credits and fade time) and each film must have a Michigan ‘flavor’ (made in Michigan, filmmaker from Michigan, Michigan mentioned in the script, etc.).

“This is an exciting new partnership for Saugatuck Shorts,” said Kristin Armstrong, Executive Director of the SCA. “WKTV’s mission is to educate the community about how to create video content; through Saugatuck Shorts we are providing the station with an exciting outlet to highlight Michigan video. We couldn’t be happier to work alongside WKTV’s talented professionals and volunteers.”

For individuals entering the competition, another benefit of the WKTV partnership is the chance to be featured on the station. WKTV will broadcast the top ten juried films after they’re announced in late October.

“We thought this would be a great way to celebrate making the top ten,” said WKTV Executive Director, Tom Norton. “We’re giving those ten people just another sliver of limelight to get them excited for the live audience screening on Saugatuck Shorts’ night.”

In addition, there will be a live broadcast of the November 7 event on WKTV. For those living in Wyoming, Kentwood, or Gaines Township, the station’s programming is on Channel 25.

Student submissions (high school students and younger) are free, and adults (college and up) are $15.00 per entry. Video projects by schools, clubs, and religious organizations are eligible to enter. Registration for Saugatuck Shorts has been extended to October 16 and can be completed online.

Registration information and questions regarding Saugatuck Shorts can be found here or by calling 269.857.2399.

WKTV, which celebrated 40 years in 2014, is one of the oldest community television stations in the country still in operation. The station is located at 5261 Clyde Park Ave. in Wyoming, Mich.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a more vibrant lakeshore community in West Michigan and beyond. For more information about the SCA and upcoming events, visit SCA’s website or call 269.857.2399.

Longing for a place to screen your short?

September 22, 2015Local Entertainment, Movie Review, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming EventsCash Prizes for Film Shorts, Film shorts competition, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, SCA Saugatuck ShortsJoanne

How about winning up to $1,000 on top of the excitement of seeing your film short (five minutes or less) on a big screen? If those are the kind of thrills you seek, the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) has just the contest for you. The SCA is registering filmmakers for the third annual “Saugatuck Shorts” film competition. Registration is open now until October 9th, and can be completed online at the link below. Winners will be screened on November 7, 2015 at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck.

If you’re young enough, your entry is free. However, keep in mind your short has to include some sort of Michigan “flavor,” whether the film is set in Michigan or simply contains a reference to a unique Michigan feature such as “Yoopers.”

The two basic filmmaker categories come with different entry fees:

Student—Age 18 and Under; Film Entries are Free
Adult—Age 19 and Up; Film Entries $15.00

“Saugatuck Shorts” is the only film competition in West Michigan that offers a cash prize for short film submissions in three categories: one for adults and one for students where winners are determined by a panel of judges; those ten shorts will be shown at the November screening of “Saugatuck Shorts.” A separate prize will be awarded at the end of the evening to recognize the “Audience Favorite” out of both juried categories. Winner of the “Audience Favorite Prize” will be awarded $1,000. Another $1,000 prize will be awarded to the Adult Winner and $500 goes to the Student Winner.

“Over the past three years, the SCA’s “Saugatuck Shorts” competition has brought in filmmakers from across the state for a wonderful night of engaging entertainment on the big screen,” said Kristin Armstrong, SCA Executive Director. “The competition is a great way for students and professionals alike to get their work in front of the community. We are very excited to bring this special competition back!”