Movie Magic in Mid-Michigan
The 3rd Annual Riverside Saginaw Film Festival
 The 3rd Annual Riverside Saginaw Film Festival was held August 20-23rd. Known for it’s river walk, the small town of Saginaw offers a cornucopia of entertaining attractions such as their Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House, Saginaw Railway Museum, Saginaw Art Museum and the Saginaw Bay Orchestra. However, nothing gets the locals quite as excited as the film festival, evident by the increasing crowd size over the last three years. People strolled the streets of downtown Saginaw with highlighted festival programs and maps, wearing their official tee shirts proudly.
The festival sprawled over both sides of the Saginaw River, spot-lighting the charming historical venues locals have grown up with and enjoyed all their lives. The films screened at The Temple Theater, Saginaw’s Hoyt Library, Pit & Balcony Theater, Castle Museum of Saginaw County Theater, The Court Theater and the infamous Old Saginaw City Lawnchair Film Festiva l. It wasn’t possible to go into a screening of a film and not learn a tidbit about Saginaw on your way in or out. Whether browsing the plaques and exhibits high-lighting Saginaw’s rich history or hearing a group of old friends standing around telling old stories, the strength in community you were in the middle of was very apparent. Both the films and the town itself made up equal components of the Riverside Saginaw Film Festival experience.
The films chose n included fourteen narratives, eight documentaries and five short films shown as previews to the features. Most of the films offered two screenings and future festiv als will hopefully offer more since it was difficult to choose when all the films sounded so amazing on paper. Many presentations opened with a music video for the song “Down By the Riverside”, written and performed by Shannon Lemon and produced by Saginaw’s own Jerry Seward, also a Riverside/Saginaw board member. The 2009 Festival Theme Song not only captures the hope of achieving your goals, but being able to do so right here in Sagina w, Michigan.
Another much anticipated event was the 2009 Riverside/Saginaw Film Festival Short Film Contest. Sponsored by the Saginaw Jury Foundation, nineteen short film s were chosen out of submissions that spanned the globe and shown in two separate programs. Preceding a Q&A session moderated by Jerry Seward and board member Sharon Coffey, the audience had a chance to vote for best narrative, best documentary and best experimental film.
There were also s ome Special Presentations friendly for all ages. The Temple Theater held a Mary Poppins - Singalong version that really got the kids going and supplie d door prizes to the first lucky one hundred participants. The fun did not stop there. Children also got to view the beloved animated hits Coralin e and My Neighbor Totoro while enjoying free popcorn.
Speaking with Susan Scott, board member of the Riverside Saginaw Film Festival, clarified how important these cultural events are in bringing a community together. She spoke of how people from town volunteered their time to set up for films, sell tickets and run concessions, all while making small talk with good friends. Some chose to sponsor films, a widely appreciated gift, si nce most of the selections would not be available to view without driving to Detroit, an hour and a half away on good days.
Like any film festival, people were given something to look forward to, perhaps a chance to escape into magic or take on a new perspective while viewing an unfamiliar situation. The fact that a collection of international feature films mixed with short films , some made very close to home, can all be seen in the same place with neighbors and friends calls for celebration.
Saginaw resident Cinda Shantz, who sponsored a few of the presentations, knows the importance of collective efforts such as the Riverside Saginaw Film Festival. “I love that this festival showcases historical theaters throughout the community. It also prov ides an opportunity to see films that we ordinarily would not have access to while meeting new people and seeing old friends.” When asked about bringing even more films into future festivals, Cinda had some powerful insight. “I think it’s important for film distributors to let their films show here. We’re not trying to be Traverse City or Detroit and for some reason, I think distributors figure our residents will just go to those festivals. We have our own film festival right here in Saginaw.”
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Most people believe that acting is all about exhibiting a natural, instinctive skill that you are born with, and hold inside you. In reality, acting is a trait that can be stimulated and sharpened with proper training. Do you have what it takes to be one of these exceptional people? Do you have the determination and desire to achieve your acting dreams, aspirations and goals? Or are you simply looking for a short cut, which will most likely lead to uncertainty and disappointment.
There are thousands of actors working around the world on a daily basis. However, few exceptional people, who by exhibiting their "natural talent," have made it big in tinsel-town, such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Kerry Washington, Christian Bale - even hip hop artist Mos Def has impressed me.
I was 10 years old when the acting bug bit me in the form of a great movie called Excalibur by famed director John Boorman. I was amazed by the acting and to this day - it still makes me crazy. Listen, I don't want to go see a film with acting, I want to believe that what I'm watching is taking place for real or else I wouldn't have cried like a little girl watching Schindler's List or even when Mandy Moore died in a Walk to Remember. Hey, I want to cry, I want to cheer, and I even want to be scared at the movies.
If you are willing to stay focused and work hard, you can make it as an actor in showbiz. If you'd like to learn the practical steps you should take a class or read a book about becoming an actor or actress. It is good to have a formal education in acting and drama. Start attending acting classes that actually video tape everything, that way you can review your tape with the acting coach and correct certain things. You want to see what the audience sees, so make sure your acting classes provide you with that feature.
Do you need to move to a major city to find outlets where you can practice and improve your acting chops? No! You may try getting involved with your local college or universities' film or media department. Next, you should plan to build a sound acting resume or a demo reel. With each new acting project you'll have one more entry to add to your actor's resume. Constantly be on the lookout for casting calls and audition notices in newspapers, on websites, and posted to community notice boards, etc. If you work hard, are dedicated and devoted, you will soon see opportunity come knocking your way.
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Monday, February 06, 2012