2nd Annual Filmmaker’s Night at the Maple Art Cinema

Other Prior Events

2^nd Annual Filmmaker’s Night

at the

Maple Art Cinema

by Tara Moreno

Photography by Kuba Ingram

The Maple Art Cinema in Bloomfield Hills, MI hosted the 2^nd Annual Filmmaker’s Night August 11. Approximately three hundred people attended the event hosted by Robert Butler of Nu-Wave Films. Six short films by five different Michigan filmmakers made their debut.

Mike Madigan and Matthew Peach created a satirical horror film entitled Dealbreaker which delivered a few laughs. Butler introduced two shorts. Retreat, a beautiful interpretation of silent teenage angst and Solitude, a puzzling, yet entertaining take on the Hollywood film industry.

But, it was Chuck Grady and Bryan D. Hopkins that delivered the highlights of the night. Chuck Grady’s, The Point, based on a true story, portrays a young man’s tribulations, and the healing power of friendship both on and off the basketball court. The story tugged at the heart strings of the viewers, drawing roaring applause at the rolling credits.

Grady spoke with great affection for his cast and crew, relating that his talent was in picking the right people to do their respective jobs and making sure not to get in their way. Grady proved to be a strong force this particular night.

Bryan D. Hopkins’, Qing Lou Nu introduced a dramatic story mixing Chinese and American cultures with a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s, Tell-Tale Heart. Hopkins says, “The crowd seemed to respond really well to the film. I was surprised a lot of people got it. I want to be edgy. I want to be dark. But, I want to have a story people can connect with at the same time”. Hopkins delivered, and the continuity of this drama made for a well constructed film.

Maple Art Cinema overflowed with great talent in quality short filmmaking. It was a stellar night in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.