"We're the only film festival in the state celebrating genre films ... the kind of films we grew up with as kids on Saturday afternoons," said Anthony E. Griffin, the organizer for Thriller Chiller.
More specifically, Griffin describes genre films as fitting into the categories of action, suspense, sci-fi, and horror.
Griffin is most proud of the prominent Michigan-centric feel the festival offers. He said there is a big difference between films that are "made in Michigan" versus "Michigan made."
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Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival
Premiere of GR30K
Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids Oct. 22, 8 p.m. $8 |
"Our goal is to be above the line and show [Michigan] talent. We're not just on sale," Griffin said, alluding to the numerous tax incentives the state has offered studios to film here. "Many of the other festivals don't focus on Michigan made films."
One of those Michigan made films that will be making its world premiere at Thriller Chiller is GR30K.
The film is the brainchild of local filmmaker and longtime Super Happy Funtime Burlesque performer Daniel Falicki. It contains four stories, each written by a local writer. GR30K is set in a post-apocalyptic Grand Rapids in the year 30,000. It imagines our beloved burg as the last city left on Earth.
Being a veteran of the burlesque show, Falicki is not afraid to take some not-so-subtle jabs at local people of influence. In his film, Grand Rapids is now ruled entirely by the DeVoz Family, the StealBase Corporation, and the Fillmore Collection; in other words, not much has changed. When asked if he feared any retribution from the elites of the town, Falicki did mention there is a rumor that ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos is aware of GR30K, and thinks it's a great idea.
In the film, Van Andel Arena is used as a gladiator venue. While the exterior shots are actually the arena, Falicki said people kept asking him how he got access to shoot inside. He explains all he had to do was find non-copywritten pictures online that were taken inside any arena and he could use them in his film.
At its core, GR30K is purely homage to Falicki's all-time favorite movie, the 1981 post-apocalyptic animated film, Heavy Metal. GR30K was filmed with all real (and local) actors in front of green screen. Falicki then used a software program called New Blue to digitally insert all the backgrounds.
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Other Films Playing During Thriller! Chiller!
FEATURES: SHORTS: Dark Heart |
The Dino Beat-Up Easier Ways to Make a Living Enter the Dark The Empty Space in Between The Familiar Guitar Party Nightmare Klagger Leftovers Liam and Ben Make Me The Necronomicon No Escape Not Worth a Bullet On Air Pack of Pain Patient Patient 239 Pisces, Arise! Red Revenge Robotic Panic Sacrifice Shadowpuppet Snow Blowing Over the Dead of Winter Stranger Danger Ta Ta's Last Stand The Tell Tale Heart |
In order to create a movie this way, it takes around 48 hours to edit five minutes of action.
"[I] have been working every day since October [2009] for at least 10 hours a day," Falicki says of the grueling process.
Despite the excruciating editing and use of new technologies, Falicki says he was in no way attempting to make a beautiful, HD Avatar-style film.
"I like to tell a story, I don't really care what a film looks like," he said. "It's about time to go back and get out of the age of High Definition".
Upon viewing the trailer at gr30k.com, it is simple to see that he has succeeded.
Considering all the time and effort put into the making, it is safe in assuming that the budget for GR30K must have been astronomical. Falicki says that this movie was made for $2,000. Half of that two grand was spent on a camera in order to photograph various places around the city. Beyond that, the Grand Rapids-based Collective Studios allowed him use of its green screen and permission to raid the wide costume selection. Even the futuristic-looking weaponry used throughout is nothing more than Nerf toys that have been painted with PVC tubes attached.
Another aspect of GR30K Falicki is excited about is the compiled soundtrack. 13 local bands, including LSDudes, Lazy Genius, and Bowery -- which Falicki says were one of the first bands to jump on board - all contributed music.
GR30K will make its premiere on Friday, Oct. 22 at Wealthy Theatre.
"This movie is just fun, that's all it is," Falicki said. "Drink your beer if you are a member of the Wealthy Theatre and have fun."
As of now, there is only one screening planned.
"[I] would love to see a line for a second showing after the first one is done."
Photo: Tim Motley
