Do you have ideas for events and activities you would like to see the University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition offer? Do you have suggestions for improving events we already do? Join us for our quarterly planning meeting -- Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the University of Michigan development offices, 75 Rockefeller Center, 29th floor. We'll provide some light snacks and we'll try to get you out after about an hour. If you would like to attend, we need to know: -- your name -- your graduation year and degree -- an email address We *must* have RSVPs by April 25 as we need to give a list to give to security. If you would like to participate but can't come in person, let me know and I'll set up a conference call number. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about how to make UMEC better. Contact: Colleen Newvine UMEC Tribeca Film Festival Happy Hour -- April 29, 6:30-9 p.m.
Celebrate the Tribeca Film Festival at a happy hour sponsored by University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition (UMEC). We'll gather at the snazzy Tribeca Grand Hotel, Church Lounge. The Tribeca Grand Hotel is a sponsor/ participant in the Tribeca Film Festival and has a screening room downstairs -- we'll be right in the center of all the festival fun! Ask for UMEC section in the Lounge. This event is FREE--Please bring cash for drinks and food. It will be a busy night for the wait staff and it will be easier on everyone if we don't try to do multiple credit cards at a table. Location: 2 Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave.) at Church St. and White St., in the triangle south of Walker. Lots of subways (the 6, N, W, R, A, and 1 trains) go to Canal. The Tribeca Grand Hotel is just two blocks south of Canal. Contact: Heather Smith Lutkin
University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition members now belong to a stronger organization with more support and visibility!
The Alumni Association of University of Michigan board of directors approved a request from UMEC to charter us as an officially sanctioned alumni organization. This affiliation gives UMEC a wide range of benefits including: -- AAUM's financial status, which can allow us to finally become a not-for-profit -- AAUM's outreach capability, such as its e-TrueBlue emails and its Web site. http://alumni.umich.edu/ -- AAUM's infrastructure, including liability insurance and other items a small independent club like UMEC might struggle to afford
UMEC owes a great deal to Dominic Cianciolo, former president of UMEC's Los Angeles chapter, for advocating for our official recognition for the past several years. He recognized the importance of the club's formal status to ensure our ongoing health and survival.
Ted Houser, active UMEC member and leader, accepts current UMEC President Jane Krull's appointment to Presidency!
Current UMEC President Jane Krull has recently been promoted to Producer at the advertising agency TBWA\Chiat\Day where she is producing TV commercials for PlayStation. She has decided to step down as UMEC President to concentrate her energies on her new position.
Ted Houser has been announced as the incoming UMEC President.
Jane says (lyrical pun intended), “Ted did an amazing job of organizing this year's UMEC Film Festival. I am confident that he will be able to guide UMEC in its growth and development.”
Houser is very excited about this opportunity saying, “I would like to thank Jane and UMEC for giving me the opportunity to lead this group and promote Michigan in the entertainment industry. As president I would like to continue in our tradition of skilled leadership and expand our organization, both here and in New York. I am excited to lead the next step of UMEC. Go blue!”
Pictured below is Houser at the 2007 UMEC Film Festival:
LOS ANGELES— Kim Ray, co-writer of the 2006 Oscar Award winning short film, WEST BANK STORY, will headline the University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition’s 4th Annual Short Film Festival.
Ray will be the guest of honor at a June 15 evening of screenings, during which she will receive the Reel Wolverine Award. Showcasing 2007’s best University of Michigan alumni and student short films, the event will unfold at the Clarity Screening Room in the heart of Beverly Hills, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 pm. Presentation of the selected films will be followed by a gala reception courtesy of the University of Michigan Alumni Association.
Ray is the third recipient of the Reel Wolverine Award, established by the University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition (UMEC) to honor Michigan alumni who’ve made outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and who uphold the highest standards of artistic and professional excellence in their work. Past recipients are Lawrence Kasdan and Peter Benedek. UMEC is a nonprofit organization comprised of University of Michigan alumni working in the field of entertainment.
The film festival’s top alumni and student filmmakers will each receive $1,000 in motion picture film stock donated by Fuji Film. A $500 film stock award will be given to the viewer’s choice.
Seating is limited, thus advance ticket purchase is required for this exclusive event. Tickets are $12 for UMEC members and $15 for non-members. This price includes parking validation and access to the Alumni Association reception. Tickets are available by pre-sale only and can be purchased via Pay Pal, visit www.PayPal.com, and click on the "Send Money" tab. E-mail your payment to
. Please indicate on your PayPal submission that you are paying for Film Festival Admission and indicate whether you are a member or not.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & INDUSTRY COMPS, CONTACT:
Jacqui Colston, Ted Houser
Festival Co-Directors
University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition (213) 703-5643, (310) 923-3369
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