Unity Studios Update 10/22/09
Unity Studios Moving Forward
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The following statement is from Jimmy Lifton, president, Unity Studios. Lifton is commenting on a news story expected to air tonight on WDIV-TV based on an ambush interview conducted yesterday with representatives of Unity Studios. We believe the story is likely to create the impression that Unity Studios is not moving forward or is somehow facing significant difficulties. That is simply false.
Unity Studios is moving forward. It is important however, for us to acknowledge that certain project milestones have been slow to reach its desired goal due to many factors out of our control.
This project, one that requires significant financing and government approvals, has been hampered by the depression engulfing our economy. In addition, the negative perceptions created by some politicians in Lansing who threatened to reduce or eliminate Michigan’s best-in-the-nation film tax credits have slowed down all the state’s studio projects.
Even with these hurdles, Unity is moving forward. The Lifton Institute for Media Skills begins its first classes next week. The construction process for the film stages, production services and post-production suites, all within the walls of its 600,000 square foot production building, has begun. The firm of Burton Share Management has been selected by Unity Studios as General Contractor for studio construction activities. Hobbs and Black out of Ann Arbor has been brought on as Architect for Unity. Movie projects have been slated and begin pre-production next month.
If Unity Studios has created public expectations we have not met based on those announced deadlines, we apologize. However again, Unity Studios is moving forward and any news story that creates a contrary impression is simply false.
We are proud to be moving forward, and doing it in Allen Park, Michigan.
We look forward to making important announcements in the coming weeks and months.
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tony bremner says:
October 22, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Hang in There
ABeaudoin says:
October 22, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and even the greatest of plans sometimes require adjustment.
Just like life you gotta’ roll with the punches, and stand strong until it works out right. The greatest accomplishments achieved took hard work–sometimes more work than expected. In the end it does not matter if you were knocked down, but how you stood back and shined.
I believe Unity Studios will shine.
Kyle - There is Hope says:
October 27, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Having been in large scale commercial developments for over 10 years, I have seen the nay sayers throw their stones. It is as if they have given up their own dreams and now glee in attacking those brave and noble souls who seek to create and build. The media is the worst of all; they sleeze for a living; this is why real people seek news from other real news sources. We used to have journalists in America, now the only real journalists are the bloggers.
Part of the sleeze mentality has forced developers to shun the media, and create their own PR. The problem here is that the public then has a loss of info; the developers have no choice, as often the media will spin the facts into a negative; sad but true. After having several hundred media pieces done on me and my projects, I learned that media writers like to focus on the negative, and stress doubt when writing about development projects.
My recommendations for our heroes at this film company are as follows:
1. Each month release a small feature on the website. Some of these could be documentaries, or short — very short pieces.
2. To create a feeling of momentum, people look for real items to see. Therefore, using artists in the community, host a monthly onsite event. This also helps with fundraising; donors like to be part of something real.
3. Each month — or two, throw up an inexpensive modular building and put something in it. The film company could begin with a modest museum of sorts.
4. Start throwing up some statues of famous actors; they do not have to be bronze but rather plastic/resin. Each month you could add one; keep the mo going forward.
5. Start classes; throw in a few contests for free tution to create more positive PR — and free advertising.
6. Remember most people support you, so give them something every month to find favor with. Again, creating small movies, and documetaries, and pieces will go a long way.
7. Have a monthly meet and greet event. Call it something; like; Day WIth the Stars” (or something that people can remmeber). It does not have to be a mega crowd, but a regular event where industy hopefuls can mingle with the leadership. Should be the same day (date) each month. For example: the third Saturday, or the second Tuesday. Stay away from Sunday; people are busy attending Church, sports and other family related activities.
8. Create your logo now; start offering mugs and tee shirts. Start a series issue of various trinkits that pepople will want to collect; like they do car models that change each year or Christmas orniments that have a different years listed on them; have the year on the mug and tee shirt; this way people will want to buy the next edition.
9. Issue your 2010 collector’s calendar. Each month should list famous Hollywood types’ birthdays; stress MI Hollywoood celeb and stock birthdays.
10. Be more careful with the press; follow the example of some corporations when they were interviewed by 60 Minutes — they would have their own cameras, and would produce their own version.
11. Part of the challenege is that there are plans for several film production facilities now in the works; produce real things and you become real; the size of the monthly product for now is not as important, copared to just producing. Remember; a little bit forward each week keeps investors and those who are considering investing; happy.
12. Try to produce a weekly TV show each week onsite; even if it is only web based.
13. One idea is to offer a course free online through a webcast.
14. Throw something up on Youtube; create your own Youtube Channel.
15. Before Disney Created Disney World, he created Disneyland, before that he made TV Shows, before that movies, before that he created movie shorts, before that he found investors. Each step he had to refind investors; he always was creating new products and thus meeting short term development goals which allowed him the freedom to realize the larger goals.
16. Put something new up on a specific day, on your website, so that your fans can check back each week for updates. People are emotionally drawn to Hollywood and movies and the stars; we are a celebrity fixated and media fixated nation; feed the fans with ews each week. “The weekly update” is a proven generator of momentum.
God Bless you in all you do in this great effort; wade through the mire to the shores of accomplishment.