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
I’m glad to report that once again, Specs Howard grads have proven to be winners. Starting with the Michigan’s Associated Press Broadcast Awards, I’m delighted to report that 14 of our grads will be honored at the ceremony on April 12. The list includes:
Amy Miller - WDET-FM
Craig Fahly - WDET-FM
Shelley Irwin - WGVU (2)
Jon King - WHMI (4)
Jessica Matthews - WHMI (2)
Lindsey Smith - WHMI
Rob St. Mary - WDET-FM (3)
Note: These were won while he was News Director at WOOD-AM in Grand Rapids
Charlie Rood - WSGW
Bob Mundie - WWJ
Bill Stevens - WWJ
Florence Walton - WWJ
Tony Ortiz - WWJ
Corey Adkins - WWTV-WWUP-TV (4) - Corey is a photojournalist
Donn Bosquet - WXYZ-TV - Donn is a Director of the 6 & 11 news
Also in this week, Gerry Gava – a 1980 graduate -- was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Quarter Century Club. Gerry is the Manager of of Distribution Services for CTV Television in Toronto.
After talking about Stacey Szostek’s new job at Postique last week, I thought I’d ask Operations Manager Brian Chidester(also a grad) to do some research for me. Imagine my surprise to discover that a third of their creative and technical staff are Specs Howard grads!
BREAKING NEWS...Stacey has already been promoted to Assistant Editor & recent grad Fred Sczykutowicz has been added to the graphics department.
Other recent shout-outs from grads:
Mark Sadrack - AV Event Coordinator - Encore Productions - Las
Vegas
Scott Hooker - Air Talent - WPCV - Lakeland FL
Kathy Aune - Traffic/Continuity Dir. - KDKB - Mesa AZ
Steve Jones - Promotion Coordinator - Magic 105.1 - Detroit
Sara Fouracre - Morning Show - 97.1 "The Ticket" - Detroit
Mindy Pauris - Anchor/Reporter - WLIO-TV - Lima OH
As you can see, our grads wind up all over the place. But when I heard the latest from Erin Fleming, a 1999 grad, I knew this was one letter worth sharing:
Mr. Kernen,
I am off to Cairo, Egypt of all places! I am going to be part of a group of English-speaking radio stations that are bringing western culture not only to the Egyptians, but to the Americans, Canadians, and the British abroad. I am tying up lose ends at the "BEAR" (in Northern Michigan) before I head off to the Middle East to hopefully help educate the people in Egypt and surrounding areas on American culture, Western Civilization, entertain Americans and other people abroad, and shed light on what democracy can do for country.
I never thought in a million years that radio would allow to do the things I have done, to see the things that I have seen, and to experience some of the best and worst of things that life has to offer.I have had a chance to work with some of the most talented people in the world through out my career and all of them told me the same thing: “Work Hard, don't complain, go the extra mile and enjoy every challenge and opportunity that presents itself.”
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts changed my life. I am looking forward to the next set of challenges that the radio industry throws my way. Mr. Kernen, I sincerely want to thank you for opening my eyes to all of the wonderful things that can happen in radio if you want it bad enough. I have partied with rock stars, seen Barry Bonds break a home run record, and now I am traveling to foreign lands.
I am truly grateful! Take care and you can bet I will keep in touch.
Erin Fleming
RTV-99
Also, just to let you know, it’s Open Enrollment Month for Specs Howard graduates that are interested in registering for the Graphic Design Program. Don’t forget, we’re offering alumni a $1,000 scholarship. Call the admissions office for details and make an appointment. We’re making it really easy on you, folks. We’re even going to be open on Saturdays through May 3rd, (10 AM- 2 PM). The admissions department is going all out to make it festive with bagels, coffee, and lots of giveaways. I understand they even have some Pistons and Tigers tickets!
You know, the more I learn about this program, the more excited I get! It’s really going to be so cool. --uk
