Making movies in Macomb

 

Emily is a 16 year-old competitive jump-roper who is driven to the edge when her self-absorbed and emotionally absent parents miss her championship finals.  Desperate for their attention, she impulsively takes them hostage for a madcap weekend while unwittingly involving her eccentric siblings, far-out grandma and ex-BFF in the fray.   

Such is the story for the most recent feature film to use Macomb County as its backdrop.  “Family Weekend” features Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Modine and Shirley Jones.  Olesya Rulin (“High School Musical”) plays the tormented Em. 

Filming occurred in late-January/early-February in Harrison Township at a private residence overlooking Lake St. Clair.  Other locations included Fraser High School and Lakeview High School.  In all, the project was in town for 45 days. 

More than 350 locals were invited to Fraser High School in early February to serve as extras for a pivotal scene.   “This was a wonderful experience in every way,” said Dr. Michael Lonze, school principal.  “They involved our students in ways we never thought possible and certainly exposed them to a real-life work environment that is not easily replicated.”

Students of the school’s Performing Arts Academy were invited to shadow the crew for the day to see first-hand the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a movie.  To cap it off, cast members pulled together an impromptu assembly for students and spent more than an hour talking with them about careers in the industry. They graciously answered questions as well. 

“The experience could not have been better,” reiterated Lonze.  “The opportunities it created for students far outweighed the challenges the day brought.”

Area businesses also were involved in serving the needs of the film.  “The businesses we worked with were a joy!” said Adam Saunders, co-producer who also plays “Rick” in the film.  “Susan Bullotta and Vic Martin of Best Western Sterling Inn went above and beyond the call of duty and were an absolute blessing to our production in so many more ways that just housing us.” 

Saunders notes that some of the other local businesses included:

• VP Catering of Harrison Twp. which managed to deliver delicious meals in the midst of a blizzard
• Nearby ice-creamery Lori's Lick Em Up provided parking space for the dozens of tractor-trailer trucks that follow a production.
• Dan Briere of Little Creatures Company provided exotic pets to stage the bedroom menagerie of one of the characters

Other local businesses contributed special treats to gift bags distributed to cast and crew by the Macomb County Film Office. Among them were The Mall at Partridge Creek, Champagne Chocolates, Moon River Soap, Stahl's Bakery, Pic-A-Nut, Everfresh Juice and Achatz Pie. 

Specific details about the final cost of productions are still being tallied by local production accounting firm Kahn & Company, PLC for submission to the Michigan Film Office. 

Unlike other movies that have filmed in Michigan, this movie is set in “Macomb County, Michigan.”  Watch carefully and you will see that the police officers are driving squad cars and wearing uniforms on loan from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office!   We don’t want to give anything else away but, trust us, this movie is going to be FUN, FUN, FUN! 

Family Weekend is planned to debut in early 2012.  Stay tuned here for advance notification!