November 11-13, 2010 |
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The Community House Celebrates the Life and Work of Michigan Legend Elmore Leonard with “Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival” Birmingham, MI—October 8, 2010--The Community House, a nonprofit dedicated to cultural, social and educational enrichment, presents the Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival, November 11-13, at The Community House, 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, MI. “After months of planning, The Community House is thrilled to present The Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival to our community,” said Shelley Roberts, President and CEO of The Community House. “Keeping true to our mission, the event will provide attendees with an educational overview of the burgeoning film industry in Michigan, as well as opportunities for cultural enrichment. We would like to extend our thanks to Elmore Leonard and congratulate him on his outstanding contributions to film, literary arts and the state of Michigan.” The festivities begin on Thursday evening, November 11, with an award presentation followed by panel discussion. The competition, which took place from July 1-October 1, was open to all and included three categories: Short Film, Teen Short Story and Screenplay. Submissions were required to reference a location within the State of Michigan (a specific city, landmark, building or locale). Remaining in line with the Elmore Leonard theme, all works were also required to be in the genre of mystery or crime. At the award presentation, an esteemed group of panelists will discuss “How to Get in the Film/Screenplay Industry in Michigan.” The discussion will be moderated by Richard Jewell, Michigan Film Office’s Work Force Development Officer. Panelists include Elmore Leonard, author; Emery King, Michigan Film Office Advisory Council; Steve Blackwood, actor; Tom Grace, author; and Steve Enright, entertainment attorney, Dickinson Wright; Edward P. Stencel, producer, director and cinematographer. The event is sponsored by the Detroit Medical Center and provides attendees with the opportunity to network with top experts in the Michigan film industry. Doors open at 6:30pm and the event will start at 7pm. The public is invited to attend. No charge, seating is limited. Reservations are appreciated, 248-644-5832. On Friday evening, November 12, The Community House will present a screening of Elmore Leonard’s “Fire in the Hole,” the pilot for “Justified.” Adapted from Elmore Leonard’s novella, this is the pilot for the hit television series “Justified” on FX Network, developed by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant. After the screening, expert panelists will discuss “How to Take a Book to a Screenplay to a Movie/TV Series.” Industry experts include: Elmore Leonard, author; Mitch Albom, author, Detroit Free Press, columnist, screenwriter, broadcaster; Mike Lupica, author, sports columnist-Daily News and ESPN; Carrie Jones, director, Michigan Film Office; Charlie Matthau, director, writer, producer (Freaky Deaky); Michael Meltzer, producer (Freaky Deaky); Tod “Kip” Williams, director, producer, screenwriter; Jim Burnstein, Hollywood screenwriter and professor at University of Michigan; Mary Jane Skalski, producer. The discussion will be moderated by Richard Jewell, Michigan Film Office’s Work Force Development Officer. The evening, sponsored by Greenleaf Trust, will present attendees with an excellent opportunity for networking. Doors open at 7:00pm and the screening will start at 7:30pm. No charge, seating is limited. Reservations are appreciated, 248-644-5832. “I think the event will inspire all of us, young and old, to write a story, since there is a book in all of us,” said Kathy Wilson, co-chair of The Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival. “This is our moment to reach out to those whose interest is within the arts and film. Everyone who attends will have an opportunity to listen/participate with the experts in their fields. The panel discussions will also be a time where one can network, get motivated and be inspired by Elmore, who at age 85, has never stopped writing!” Birmingham’s own Elmore Leonard has a writing career spanning 60 years. He began writing western stories and novels in the early fifties and eventually switched to the crime fiction genre of which he is considered one of the all time masters. All told, Elmore has published 43 novels, over 40 short stories and a notable work of non-fiction, his famous Ten Rules of Writing. Elmore’s 44th novel, Djibouti, will be published on October 12, 2010 – the day after his 85th birthday. Almost 30 films and TV movies have been made from Elmore’s books and stories, including 3:10 to Yuma, Hombre, Get Shorty, Out of Sight and Jackie Brown. In March, 2010, an original television series entitled Justified premiered on the FX Network, developed by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant. Justified is based on Elmore’s novella, “Fire in the Hole,” featuring Raylan Givens, his iconic U.S. Marshal character who previously appeared in two novels, Pronto and Riding the Rap. Elmore is one of the executive producers of the series and is currently writing new Raylan Givens stories for use in the show’s second season. Elmore lives in Bloomfield Village, MI with his wife Christine. He has five children, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The mission of the Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival is to honor, Michigan native, Elmore Leonard and his outstanding contributions to the film and literary arts, our community and the state of Michigan through education, outreach and entertainment. Future annual Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festivals will continue to celebrate and showcase the lives, works and themes of other writers, producers, directors, composers, actors, etc. whose success and contribution to the arts can be traced to their connection to the state of Michigan. This annual festival will showcase the brilliant works of the honoree, emerging creative talent and our Michigan youth while enabling the perpetuation of the mission of The Community House. ###
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380 South Bates Street - Birmingham, MI 48009 - P (248) 554-6586 - F (248) 644-2476
email: info@elmoreleonardliteraryartsandfilmfestival.com
The Community House is a non-profit organization