The Skeleton Factory's Todd & Tommy Brunswick  have churned out a total of 9 intense B-style horror flicks over the past several years and are now bringing their dark and dangerous sensibilities to life with their first-ever, all-out horror convention, aptly named Motor City Nightmares Weekend of Horrors, on July 18, 19 & 20 at the Crowne Plaza in Novi, Michigan.

The festivities will include a special Motor City Nightmares Film Festival (featuring movies by The Skeleton Factory and a host of others); photo opportunities and autograph sessions with celebrities such as George Romero, John Russo, Linnea Quigley "The Original Scream Queen," Tony Todd and more; unique vendors selling the newest or rarest classic horror toys, t-shirts, artwork, jewelry, posters, DVDs, and other assorted horror goodies; film auditions; a creepy costume contest and more!

In June, Motor City Nightmares is also presenting "Fright Nights" every Wednesday at the Emagine Theatre in Canton, Michigan (June 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th), 39535 Ford Road, Canton, MI. Show time is 8 PM | Admission $10.

For more details on what Motor City Nightmares has to offer you, click here.


 SIGN UP FOR THE ACTORS 4-1-1 WORKSHOP

Don't forget to register for the acting workshop on Saturday, June 7 here at Specs Howard School. The 6-hour "How-to-be-a-working-actor-in-Michigan" workshop is only $99 -- a small price for loads of valuable information on getting yourself on the film sets of all these movies that are being shot in Michigan. Even if you're more of a behind-the-scenes kind of person and want to work on the crew, I am told you should come too. Click here to find out more about how this workshop will help put you in the center of it all!

CHUCK WILBUR INDUCTED TO CCA HALL OF FAME

The Career College Association (CCA) inducts one or two graduates of its members' schools into their Hall of Fame every year at their annual convention in Las Vegas, and I'm extremely pleased to report that Chuck Wilbur, Senior Advisor for Education and Communication to Governor Jennifer Granholm, will soon join two other Specs grads (Ron Bachman and Joe Wade Formicola) in receiving this national honor. 

Chuck is a former News Director at WDET-FM and Chief of Staff for Michigans Senior Senator, Carl Levin.

EMMY NOMINATIONS

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Michigan Chapter) has released its nominees for their annual Emmy Awards and, as always, I am delighted to see how well represented our graduates were.

*Corey Adkins, PhotoJournalist, WWTV-WWUP, Traverse City/Cadillac (4 nominations)
*Charlie Langton, Host/Producer of "Legally Speaking," Macomb Cable
*Glenda Lewis, Anchor/Reporter, WXYZ-TV, Detroit
*Stephanie Mills, Executive Producer, WWTV-WWUP, Traverse City/Cadillac (2 nominations)
*Loren Plant, Host of "State Champs," WMYD, Detroit
*Paul Pytlowany, PhotoJournalist, WWJ-TV, Detroit (6 nominations)
    
I anxiously await the results and wish them all good luck. They're all winners to me!
'Til Next Time!
uk

Of course, the big news this month has Michigan rolling out the red carpet for the motion picture industry and believe me, these folks are rolling in!!  We are fired up about it over here at Specs Howard School and we’re already meeting with all sorts of film folk to insure that our grads are well represented among the locals for hire.

First and foremost, we are hosting a casting call here at the school this Wednesday, May 7, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM with Michigan Talent and Associates. Specs grad Fallon Jamil has been working with them and from what I understand, will be here as well. Whether you’d like to begin an acting career or just be an extra on a film, bring your resume and headshot!

Also coming up is the Actors 411 Workshop on Saturday, June 7, with grad Ross Marroso and his new company Casting Motor City. He and his team -- led by established casting director Kathy McKee – will spend the day giving you the who-what-where-when-how-and-why of the acting business. Click here for details!

While I’m as surprised as anyone that the gap between film and video narrowed so abruptly due to changes in technology the past several years, Detroit has been a major player in the teleproduction industry for years, thanks again to the automotive industry. When you consider all the players that are already in place here, attracting filmmakers to our fair state isn’t as odd as people might have you believe.  

Thanks are due to Jeff Daniels, Mike Binder and Mitch Albom for using their considerable influence to get the new film incentives passed in Lansing.  I would be remiss if I didn't also credit our good friend Mark Adler (students and grads may recall that he’s the force behind our regular PA Bootcamp Workshops).

Mark never gave up on it.  He has worked tirelessly to convince people to support this effort -- many of whom were no help.  Despite this, Mark never lost his enthusiasm and belief that this could happen. Way to go, Mark!

I have to say that lately, I’m just enjoying taking it all in. Changes in all facets of the industry— radio and television — are coming fast and furious. I can barely keep up but I am so thankful to still be a part of it.

RADIO STARS

In celebration of their 40th anniversary, trade magazine FMQB (Friday Morning Quarterback) has created their very own Hall Of Fame, and I am so proud that three Specs Howard grads are among the inductees.

Major Market Music Director (CHR Format)
Billy (the Kidd) Green, KHKS - Dallas, TX


Major Market Music Director (Modern Rock Format)
Mike Halloran, XTRA - San Diego, CA


Secondary Market Music Director (Rock Format)
Tony LaBrie,  WWBN – Flint, MI



RETURNING TO LATE NGHT SATURDAYS:

Classic B horror and sci-fi movies hosted by Wolfman Mac and his creepy cast of monsters was off the air for a couple of weeks during a transition between editors and the Pistons play-offs. 

But Nightmare Sinema will soon return on Saturday nights  (technically, I guess it’s Sunday mornings). Look for it on late-night Saturday, May 17 at 12:30 AM). After that, it'll be on every Saturday night at midnight!

SHOUT OUTS

Thanks to Mike Blank at WDET-FM for hooking me up with his old classmate, Mark Abraham, who is now the morning show host at WKLS in Atlanta under his air-name Shaffee. 
    
I also caught up with the guys doing "State Champs" -- Jonathan Kidd is the
lead photographer & Loren Plante is the anchor. Watch it on MYTV-20 at 11:30 on Saturday.   Both started as interns with Fred McCloud several years ago.

I also touched base with grad Matt Talutto, now doing PM Drive at WHQG
"The Hog" in Milwaukee.

Our placement director, Kevin Seguin-Scollin just received word from Katey Gates that I’d like to share with y'all. Kate’s first job in radio after Specs took her to Virgina Beach!



Hey!! I am loving it here!! This job is great! 
It is beautiful here. Right now it is 72 and sunny! Beach life is very different from Detroit but it's a great change! 
Just about two weeks ago my co-worker Lacey and I, along with a few ofour friends, went to Virginia Beach for the Mushroomhead concert. So, I am still staying close to my metal roots too! I even got to meet Mushroomhead and all the bands they played with. It was a great time. It's been a wild ride and I know there will be much more to come. I can't thank you enough for helping me out!! I sound so much better now because I am on air 6 days a week!! 


Keep in touch,
K
ate

P.S. Make sure to tell dick i say hi :)

Hello to you too, Katey! Thank you for keeping us posted!

IN MEMORY

Lastly, I am deeply saddened to hear of the very untimely death of grad Bob Kozaitis of Greater Media Detroit.  Bob was one of the best sales and marketing people I've ever known.  On behalf of everyone at Specs Howard School, our sympathies go out to his family, friends and everyone at WRIF, WCSX & WMGC. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

"Til next time... uk