Thriller gives Michiganders a chance to get in on the action

By Laura Citino
Western Herald

Michigan’s film industry is booming, and the locals are getting in on the action.

America is blessed with two entertainment powerhouses on either coast, New York and Los Angeles, from which all the brightest up-and-coming musicians and actors seem to sprout. Sandwiched as it is between the two, Michigan sometimes has to wait awhile for new pop culture to filter down its way.

This month, one group of dedicated filmmakers and actors seek to change that.

Michigan-based Eightyproof Sunshine Films, headed by movie-making entrepreneur Heather Robinson, has just recently begun filming its first feature film, “Oblivion.” Robinson directs almost 25 actors and 15 crew members in this entirely homegrown project, all of whom are Michigan natives.

The story centers around the main character, Gaige Tandum, who has a rare form of amnesia, therefore has no idea that he is a serial killer. The audience is taken along with him on a journey to protect his loved ones from both himself, and another killer on the loose.

Robinson, who also wrote the script, cites psychological thrillers like “Se7en” as influences on her film, but “Oblivion” takes a unique twist as it follows the killer’s perspective, with plenty of other turns along the way.

“Oblivion” is being filmed at various locations all over Michigan, including Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, Waterford, and Dearborn. Michigan’s combination of natural beauty, vintage architecture and mysterious appeal was the perfect setting for Robinson’s movie.

“Michigan has so many different areas that have not been explored,” Robinson said. “So many people never know what’s here. It’s like a little piece of history.”

Due to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s recent tax incentive to filmmakers wanting to shoot on location in Michigan, the state has seen its share of cinematic activity.

Movie projects are consistently coming in, like the recently released “Whip It,” starring Ellen Paige and Drew Barrymore. Robinson and her crew, however, wanted to take this one step further.

“Hollywood comes here, but that doesn’t showcase what Michigan itself is capable of,” Robinson said.

“They might pull in locals for extras, but they still bring in big-name Hollywood actors for the major roles. It’s still a Hollywood project.”

“[“Oblivion”] really showcases a lot of talent,” Robinson said.

“It’s different than anything else going on in the area. It’s so rare that we can show ourselves and everything that we can do.”

This idea extends all the way to the music behind the movie’s most chilling scenes. Eightyproof Sunshine Films is currently in the process of interviewing local Michigan bands and reviewing submissions for the film’s original soundtrack, which will be released sometime before the premier.

Showcasing Michigan is the biggest goal Robinson has in mind with this project, the first feature film from Eightyproof Sunshine Films. After a lifetime writing stories and performing, Robinson currently bases the company out of her home in Garden City, Mich.

“The process of film-making is just fascinating to me,” Robinson said. “I’m especially influenced by directors like Hitchcock, and his unique approach to filmmaking. I just thought to myself, if they can do it, why can’t we?”

Although the $15,000 budget can seem small compared to the millions of dollars shelled out by Hollywood every year, Robinson is relying on the talent of her crew to make up for any financial shortage. Foregoing the usual independent art-house route of applying for arts grants and fellowships, Robinson remained determined to make a name for herself and her company first, and show just what Michigan filmmakers were capable of.

“I wanted to get something out there first. We can fund this one ourselves and really show people what we can do, so they’ll be more willing to help us out and give us funding,” Robinson said.

“It’s definitely not going to look like 15 grand on screen. We have so many people on board who know all the little tricks of making something out of nothing.”

According to Robinson, the film industry in the Great Lakes State is just starting to really grow.

Robinson believes that that sort of exposure is just the thing Michigan needs to overcome stereotypes and the negativity of its economic situation.

“When people think of Michigan, they always think of Detroit and they always think of something negative,” Robinson said.

“I want to show it in a good light, to show to we have good things and good people here in Michigan. It’s a win-win for the whole state.”

Filming officially began on Jan. 9, and will continue on through the beginning of February. A red carpet premier for “Oblivion” is already scheduled for July 15 at the Imagine Theater in Canton, Mich. Robinson promises a proper film premier with limousines, a red carpet, and press present.

“If you’re going to make a real film, you have to have a real premier,” Robinson said.

As one of the many Michigan natives involved in the project, lead actress Rachel Sowers, a sophomore at Ferris State University, also appreciates the community that lies at the heart of the film.

“I think it helps when big people from California come down and want to film in a location, but people are especially supportive when it’s a local film company,” Sowers said.

Sowers plays the role of Cleo Winters, girlfriend to the mysterious serial killer, Tandum.

“This is my first lead role,” Sowers said. “It’s exciting to watch a film being put together, doing so many different takes, trying certain scenes this way or that.”

Like Robinson, Sowers sees no limitations to filming a full-length thriller in her home state.

“We wanted to make this big,” Sowers said. “There is a film industry growing here. We wanted to build pride in Michigan. We’re proud we’ve gotten this much done.”

That sense of pride comes from the ambitious and successful undertaking of an original Michigan-bred project, all because of the motivation and drive within the people working on “Oblivion.”

Robinson also hands credit to her staff on the project.

“Without all the filmmakers, actors, artists, even just the people who drive us around to different locations, we’d have nothing,” Robinson said. “Anyone who works in the industry deserves a giant thank you from the state.”

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Posted by heraldstaff on Jan 13 2010. Filed under A & E. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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