Made in Michigan: Movies Still in Production

Latest west Michigan film could be headed to Sundance

By Victoria Mullen

ilm tax incentives recently took a hit, but is that any reason to stop making movies here in Michigan? No, says DJ Perry, a Lansingbased actor who stars in 7 Stones, which filmed in Grand Rapids earlier this summer.

The 7 Stones crew comprised a number of working industry professionals from West Michigan.

The film credits were scaled back, but that doesnt affect a production like this, says Perry. Were still making movies in Michigan there were movies made here before the incentives. There is a lot of great talent here in Michigan, and business people are taking note of this they will continue to invest in Michigan movies.

The set was constructed to resemble a third-world prison, and the ambient heat and humidity made it that much easier for Saugatuck actor Melissa Anschutz to get into the mentally and physically challenging role of Laura. No damsel in distress, this. Laura has purposefully placed herself in prison to atone for her sins. In the film, Laura is determined to avenge the death of a young boy a death she could have prevented, but didnt. Its placed her in a prison of guilt driven by her cooperation as a reporter with a political regime thats successfully corrupted her. Fallen from grace with the regime, Laura is sentenced to Aquila, and one of the notorious guards is the young boys killer. This is her chance to avenge the boys death and relieve her guilt.

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September 2011

photo courtesy Dan Irving. www.Irvingimage.com

The film inspires for its use of local talent in production and acting and will be a strong addition to the local creative community, said co-producer DJ Perry Norton says he hopes people take away some Girbe Eefsting, a principal with unique lessons from the movie. writer-director Tom Norton at 3rd Coast Film Partners (www.3rdcoastfilm.com). This is a film that could I think people will take away from the film that help encourage film incentives for creative talent from changing your life is always costly at the 11th hour Michigan, especially West Michigan. and new beginnings can happen, Norton says. This woman, this reporter Laura, goes through a true dark A portion of the old Steelcase building (now called the night of the soul, and she emerges on the other side. Paul Building) near 36th Street was transformed into a working movie set to accommodate a six-day shoot on The plan is to complete the 45-minute featurette in a set designed by west Michigan production designer time to enter into the Sundance Film Festival in John Despres. An Emmy award winner for his work mid-September. A late September screening in Grand on the childrens television show Come On Over, Rapids is planned. Despres also managed set design for the feature-length film The Steam Experiment starring Val Kilmer and Armand Assante, which filmed in Grand Rapids several years ago.

In prison, she meets the mysterious Joseph (played by Perry) a man trapped but unknown to his captors who is determined to destroy their prison from the inside out. In a cell where it is always raining, these two people form a bond based on unsteady trust and shared grief. With seven stones, Laura and Joseph find hope and deliverance.