Digital Arts, Film & Television



		Welcome to DAFT ONLINE! This home page is your navigation tool to the world of the Digital Arts, Film and Television organization. You can learn about becoming a member, our latest happenings and upcoming movies. K-12 students can enter our annual film festival and participate in the several educational programs we offer throughout the year. Please feel free to contact us with any questions! Professional Development Scholarships: Deadline July 1 Michigan Youth Arts is thrilled to announce six $250 scholarships available for professional development for arts educators! Made possible through a generous gift from MEEMIC Insurance Company, each scholarship recipient will be presented by a MEEMIC Representative with a check for his or her school. Two educators will be selected to attend workshops hosted by each of the three participating organizations listed below. Selections will be made by lottery. To apply for the scholarship lottery, send an email to stacey@michiganyoutharts.org and include the following information: Educator name School Grade(s) taught Art discipline Email Mailing address Summer telephone Emails must be received by midnight, July 1 to be entered into the lottery. All applicants will be notified of the results, via email, on Thursday, July 2. Good luck! Former DAFT student, Dan Scanlon, to screen independent movie! Click logo to visit the movie's website. The film will be screened at the Detroit Windsor International film festival at 9 PM at Wayne State Law School. Here is a link below to buy tickets and watch the trailer... http://www.dwiff.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=283&Itemid=132 Here is the movie's website... http://www.tracymovie.com/ There is also a free screening for cast and crew at the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak on July 4th at 10:30AM that DAFT members are invited to attend. Seats are limited. ABOUT THE MOVIE Tracy is a mockumentary about Tracy Knapp, host of the 1970’s children's show, “The Imagination Train Station”. Thirty years after the show’s cancellation an ambitious filmmaker sets out to find the person responsible for Tracy mysterious shooting. Through interviews with the people that knew him best the filmmaker is reminded of the controversy behind the 'educational' children’s show, how Tracy loved to call out his trademark, 'Correct!' after every answer given, even the wrong ones. This made him wildly popular with children, but fueled the hatred of so many parents, teachers and other possible suspects, including his ex- wife and former clown cast member “Tess Tickles', as well as their resentful son Jim Knapp, a successful business man struggling to distance himself from his father’s “childish” image, a difficult task when you’ve inherited his unmistakable neon blonde hair. The filmmaker is determined to find out once and for all who shot Tracy Knapp, no matter how damaging, humiliating, or irrelevant the truth may be. Click here to download the movie poster DAFT offering animation workshops, presented by Huron Valley Council for the Arts July 6-10 or July 13-17 9am - 3pm 205 W. Highland Rd Highland, Michigan call 248.568.4526 for more information. Workshop fee: $240 Click here to download the application. DAFT volunteers at Detroit Public TV's 2009 Pledge Drive We enjoyed renewing our ongoing friendship and cooperation with Detroit Public TV, assisting in their pledge drive by answering telephones. DAFT members pictured above, left to right: John Prusak, Len Radjewski, Annette Frank, Andrea Beaudoin, Jere Stormer, Tom Mansell Steve Julin recognized as "Film & Video Educator of the Year" at 2009 Michigan Youth Arts Festival DAFT Board Member Emeritus, John Prusak, with his former student, Steve Julin, who graciously receives his recognition as DAFT's Film & Video Educator of the Year. Doug Blush, former DAFT student, edits new documentary "OUTRAGE" We are very excited to be releasing OUTRAGE, the new documentary directed by Kirby Dick (This Film is Not Yet Rated, Twist of Faith) and edited by yours truly, NATIONWIDE this past week, with theaters in LA, NYC, DC, SF and Philly. In the coming weeks, we'll be opening in Chicago, Seattle, San Diego and many more cities, including several in Florida. PLEASE help us spread the word to friends, family and neighbors across the country to help get this controversial, entertaining and very important film seen and discussed! Even if the film is not yet showing in your city, please forward the email to those who might be interested, and see below for ideas on using Facebook, MySpace and other web sites. Below are links to everything about the film, provided by Amy Ziering, our producer. THANKS! Get OUTRAGED! Doug --------------------------- Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outrage/74368974338 Outrage URL http://www.outragethemovie.com/ YouTube Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgESXQccWi8 Magnolia Pictures Site http://www.magpictures.com/mailer/outragethemovie/index.html Buy Tickets http://www.movietickets.com/movie_detail.asp?movie_id=72692 Below is a list of things people can do to promote this film Send out an email or Facebook update to all of your contacts, recommending the film and linking to the trailers and how to buy tickets. Change your status to "I am OUTRAGED" and link to trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgESXQccWi8 Post links, recommendations, and the trailer itself on the walls of popular film, gay issue or political groups, indivduals or organizations Invite friends to group showing of the film. Chris Houghton, former DAFT student, featured in the news! Detroit Free Press 05/10/2009 ARTISTS +THEIR ART CHRIS HOUGHTON If you want to get a feel for the illustrative art of Chris Houghton, perhaps a gallop with the bearriding cowboy would be in order. Houghton is a junior at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, an illustrator and cartoonist who has earned national attention for his playful animation style. “Gunther and the Steak Snacking Snake!” — a kid-friendly comic that combines Western and fantasy elements and features that bear-tripping wrangler — is an example of the kind of work that recently won him a $5,000 scholarship from the National Cartoonists Society. “Gunther,” which he drew and his older brother wrote, will be available along with a few other of his pieces, plus thousands from other CCS students, at the college’s annual Student Exhibition, which opens Friday. The exhibition is a highlight of the year for CCS students and area art fans, providing a great way to scout up-and-coming talent. Houghton, who is freelancing professionally while attending school, certainly fits that bill. He says he’s driven by “a mix of passion and the desperation to constantly improve” and that he will do “anything I can” to make a career via his cartooning skills once he graduates. “It’s been an incredible amount of work,” Houghton says of his time at CCS. “The three years has been packed full of learning, experience and picking up new tools.” -- BY STEVE BYRNE, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER This illustration from Houghton’s portfolio was drawn with pen and ink and colored on a computer. Houghton hopes to make a living using his cartooning skills after he graduates. TOMMY SCOTT/College for Creative Studies Poetry Foundation Prize CHICAGO -The Poetry Foundation and Facets Multi-Media are proud to announce the second annual $10,000 Poetry Foundation Prize, to be awarded in October 2009 at the 26th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival (October 22-November 1). The Poetry Prize recognizes excellence in the arts of poetry and film through the presentation of a cash award for the best film based on a poem. The Prize will be awarded to a filmmaker whose use of verse in film opens new artistic vistas and inspires children to a deeper appreciation of poetry. This unique competition was created to encourage filmmakers around the world to incorporate poetry into their films in new and compelling ways. Both animated and live action films will be eligible to compete for the Poetry Foundation prize and a special jury will be convened during the summer of 2009 to determine the award winner. The prize will be awarded to the film that truly captures, reflects and expresses the spirit of poetry in film for young audiences. In order to compete for the Poetry Foundation prize, films submitted must be based on poems that are written by a poet other than the filmmaker. For more information, please visit www.cicff.org DAFT Announces 2009 Film/Video Educator of the Year: Steve Julin Steve Julin has been editing, directing and producing video for over 24 years. He was a principal partner in developing Media Power and is an Apple Certified Instructor as well as Michigan's first Avid Certified Instructor. He has edited and provided training for such companies as Ford Motor Company, Kmart, Comcast, The Discovery Channel, CBS, PBS and NBC. In 2000, Steve received a Golden Eagle Award for documentary editing and was nominated for an Emmy in 2001. He also served as Senior Avid Editor at Grace & Wild HD Studios. Steve is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where he received a B.S. in Television Journalism. In March of 2004 Steve’s first book, “Avid Xpress Pro: Power”, was released and published by Muska and Lipman. In 2008 Steve create Postapalooza, a retreat and conference for anyone interested in post production. The two-day conference is held every fall in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. Currently Steve serves as the Director of Curriculum Development at the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts and teaches at Media Power. Steve Julin's high school film / video production class photo. Steve is on the far right. His mentor, John Prusak is the fellow in the top row with the moustache. Student Animation Workshop Featured in Traverse City Newspaper! "Students' art comes to life" By CAROL SOUTH Special to the Record-Eagle TRAVERSE CITY -- Fade in. Interior, The Art Place, Saturday afternoon. Sixteen high schoolers engaged in a vibrant hum of creativity: generating animation cels ... shooting sketches for an animation morph ... meticulously moving fruit characters around for a stop-action scene ... placing cut outs just so for the camera. To read the entire news story, click on this link: http://www.gtherald.com/local/local_story_055192333.html Meijer Great Choices Student Film Festival DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: MARCH 16, 2009 Just four weeks remaining for Michigan high school students to meet the March 16, 2009 deadline for the "Meijer Great Choices Student Film Festival," targeting CHARACTER ED, DIVERSITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLES! For complete information/directions click on the link below: www.meijergreatchoices.com More than $20,000 in prizes! Top ten 30 second A/V winners to be recognized in the categories of: -Character Ed (K-6 audience) -Celebrating Diversity (K-6 audience) -Healthy Lifestyles (K-6 audience) -Character Ed (gr.7-12 audience) -Celebrating Diversity (gr.7-12 audience) -Healthy Lifestyles (gr.7-12 audience) Top three winners receive cash prizes! Who better to communicate with Michigan K-12 population that our own talented high school students? Meijer Inc., the Meijer Family Foundation, the M.E. Davenport Foundation, and the Van Singel Fine Arts Center in Byron Center, Michigan are sponsoring this statewide film festival open to all Michigan high school students to create inspiring Public Service Announcements promoting GREAT CHOICES! Please forward to your contacts and students! Together we can promote our Michigan high school students as they use their skills and creativity to impact youth statewide! DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: MARCH 16, 2009 Mail DVD entries and application forms to: Meijer Great Choices Student Film Festival c/o Van Singel Fine Arts Center 8500 Burlingame SW Byron Center, MI 49315 Announcing Digital Arts, Film & Television's 2009 Focal Point Workshop! click here to download the application An intensive week of “hands-on” video study for adults and mature high school students. In one week, participants will work with video from concept to finished product. The course covers camera operation, script writing, storyboarding, special effects and non-linear editing. All skill levels are welcome. Course work can be geared to accomodate specific interests and needs. Announcing Digital Arts, Film & Television's 2009 Michigan Student Film & Video Festival! click here to download the application This film festival is unique in the nation for providing a public venue for the work of students in grades K-12, as well as giving recognition and significant awards to young media artists. The 38th annual Michigan Student Film & Video Festival will be held at the Detroit Film Theatre in 2009. Announcing Digital Arts, Film & Television's 2009 Art In Motion workshop! click here to download the application Have you ever wanted to add a new dimension to your own art? Or sought to bring an exciting multi-disciplinary art form into your classroom? Art in Motion is designed to provide an intensive hands-on experience in animation for classroom teachers and other interested adults. The instructors have many years of classroom and professional experience in animation and promise a week full of learning and fun. 2008 Michigan Student Film & Video Festival CLICK HERE to view the 2008 Best of Show winners! DAFT Announces 2008 Film/Video Educator of the Year Kevin Walsh is a 21-year veteran teacher of video production at West Bloomfield. He designed curriculum and help design the school’s television studio, editing suites and classroom. He is a 1987 graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he received his bachelors and in 1991 received his masters in English from Oakland University. Prior to teaching at West Bloomfield High School, Walsh taught for 13 years at Royal Oak Dondero High School as a video production and language arts instructor (with past award recipients Maureen McCarthy and Dick Rockwell). In 2006, Walsh published Video Direct, through Teacher’s Discovery (www.teachersdiscovery.com). The workbook merges language arts analysis skills with hands-on projects for any district's video budget. In its first year, the book sold to districts in over forty states. Kevin will be honored along with Educators of the Year from other arts disciplines at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in Kalamazoo. NEW! American Film Institute Launches "Screen Nation" An Online Video Posting and Sharing Community for Middle and High School Students and Teachers CLICK HERE TO READ MORE DAFT featured on PBS Detroit Public Television produced a mini-documentary about DAFT in conjunction with our group's recognition at the 2006 Governor's Awards for Arts & Culture. You can view this video by clicking the link below. The video is hosted by YouTube, a great online source for independent video content. Click here to watch the video. Exciting News: DAFT wins in the Small Cultural Organization Category at the 2006 ArtServe Michigan's Governor's Awards for Arts & Culture click here for photos Become a DAFT member (Choose a member option below) Regular Membership: Student/Senior Membership: When paying through PayPal, please e-mail your home address and phone number to DAFT at areyoudaft@hotmail.com You can now contribute financially to DAFT via PayPal. Click the button below for more information.