Tuesday, October 29, 2013

An event in Grand Rapids: Thriller! Chiller! 2013 Groovy Awards! (Original)

     Thriller! Chiller! awards certain movies shown during the festival. While speaking with Anthony Griffin I asked him to break down the process of selecting the winners, here's what he had to say:

"About 15% of the movies that are in Thriller Chillier are formally submitted to a jury process and this year we had five different jury members and they watched the movies in five different categories for Features, Short, Best Thrill, the award for the movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Best Chill, the award for the movie that makes you want to recoil and tear and then Best FX, which honors the use of speacial effects to help tell a story, as far as the main awards. We also have The Radical Award, for the best post apocalyptic and or zombie movie, and then we have the fabulous, famous if you will now, Boomstick Award for best Michigan movie."



    Groovy awards


The 2013 Groovy award winners!

Best Feature- For No Eyes Only

Best Short- Killer

Best Thrill - On Air

Best Chill - Cold Turkey

Best FX - NOVR

The Radical Award - Dust of War

The Boomstick Award - Break Glass in Case Of..

                                        
                                                                Awards ceremony 
                                                      
                         


Monday, October 28, 2013

An event in Grand Rapids: Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival (Original)


     Scary, thrilling and out of this world. A few words that describe the films showcased during the Thriller! Chiller! film festival. Thriller Chiller is an international film festival held yearly in Grand Rapids Michigan inside of the Wealthy Theatre. Running for 8 years, it has become one of Grand Rapids largest events. The festival invites independent film makers on a global scale to submit their short or feature films to be screened to an audience sitting readily on the edge of their seats. It's called Thriller! Chiller! for a reason. Thriller Chiller showcases action, suspense, syfy and horror films with a touch of drama and comedy here and there. Though the festival focuses on these particular genres it does not exclude others.


     One of the great things about Thriller Chiller is the level of engagement. The directors, producers and actors that attend the festival talk, take pictures and even joke around with movie goers, giving the event a very welcoming and down to earth atmosphere. Every one that attends is sure to have a good time. However, parents be mindful as there is alcohol served and some movies may contain content not suitable for children.





     I sat down with Anthony Griffin, one of Thriller Chiller's founders, to talk more in depth about the original idea behind the festival and to discuss it's defining moment along with the best compliment it has received.

                                                                          





Saturday, October 5, 2013

An event in Grand Rapids: ART PRIZE 2013 Top 10 (Original)

   Before the winning places were announced and prize money was given away there was a top 10. They all worked hard on their pieces for ArtPrize to make it to the final stage. The biggest award was the 1st place prize of $200,000. However, the other nine place holders received hefty sums as well. The 2nd place prize was a cash reward of $75,000. 3rd place was awarded $50,000. While those in 4th - 10th place each received $5,000. I got a chance to speak with the top 10 finalist two days before the winners were announced and asked them about their inspirations, time duration of their projects and their plans if they were to win first place.




 "Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore"


 Artist: Ann Loveless



" Polar Expressed"


 Artist:Anni Crouter



"UPlifting"

Artist:Andy Sacksteder




" Dancing Wiith Mother Nature"

 Artist:Paul Baliker



" Botanical Exotica a Monumental Collection of the Rare beautiful"

  Artist:Jason Gamrath


" Earth Giant"

Artist:Benjamin Gazsi


  " Myth-or-Logic"

 Artist:Robin Protz



   " Finding Beauty in Bad Things: Porcelain Vine"

  Artist:Fraser Smith



   " Taking Flight"

 Artist:Michael Gard


" Tired Pandas"

  Artist:Nick Jakubiak




The winners of ArtPrize 2013 from 1st to 10th place:

  • 1st place: Ann Loveless "Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore"
  • 2nd place: Anni Crouter "Polar Expressed"
  • 3rd place: Andy Sacksteder "UPlifting"
  • 4rth place: Paul Baliker "Dancing Wiith Mother Nature"
  • 5th place: Jason Gamrath "Botanical Exotica a Monumental Collection of the Rare beautiful"
  • 6th place:  Benjamin Gazsi  "Earth Giant"
  • 7th place:  Robin Protz "Myth-or-Logic"
  • 8th place: Fraser Smith "Finding Beauty in Bad Things: Porcelain Vine"
  • 9th place: Michael Gard "Taking Flight"
  • 10th place: Nick Jakubiak "Tired Pandas"


Congratulations to all the winners.


Friday, October 4, 2013

An event in Grand Rapids: ART PRIZE 2013 (Original)


   What started off as a "radical idea" has now become a huge success. In 2009, Rick DeVos, entrepreneur, debuted a new idea for an art competition. An idea in which winners are selected solely by the vote of the people and artist worldwide are welcomed to participate. All competing for a chance to win a $200,000 prize. During this competition Grand Rapids Michigan is transformed into a giant display for works of art. From parking lots, bridges, to building interiors, no space is left unfilled. Welcome to ArtPrize, now on it's fifth year, one of the biggest art competitions in the United States.





   For the past five years people from all over have come to visit Michigan's 2nd largest city every fall to experience the 19 day long gala known as ArtPrize. In it's first year it drew over 80,000 visitors, a number which has since grown to a whopping 300,000 or more. ArtPrize draws more than just your average painter of course. Some artist work in 3 dimensions, video, photography or sculpting, a little bit of everything to say the least. The local communities support is also impressive. Many shop and property owners open up spaces to allow artist to set up venues.  
Powered by Cincopa
While walking through ArtPrize it's hard not to notice the singers and musicians throwing in their bit to gain a little exposure. Not a bad idea considering how many people turn out for this once a year event.