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Unity Studios and Its Lifton Institute for Media Skills Report Hiring Stats on First Graduating Class

Unity Studios and Its Lifton Institute for Media Skills Report Hiring Stats on First Graduating Class

More than half find work within 90 days of graduation

Allen Park, Mich., (May 25, 2010) – Unity Studios and the Lifton Institute for Media Skills (LIMS) today announced that more than half of the LIMS inaugural class, which began in October 2009, reported finding work on at least one film, TV or music video production within 90 days of their January 2010 graduation.

“We are committed to leading the growth of Michigan’s burgeoning film industry by training the next generation of movie and television workers in southeast Michigan,” said Jimmy Lifton, president of Unity Studios and founder of LIMS. “It speaks to the quality of our programming and the talents of our 105 graduates that 53 have already found work in the film and television production industry.”

Some of the productions that LIMS students have worked on include

Transformers 3, FOX TV’s “24,” the Lifetime Network’s movie Guilty Innocence, the upcoming Randy Travis movie Jerusalem Countdown, the locally produced movie, West Bloomfield, and a music video by Detroit-based rappers D-12.

“We hired 15 recent LIMS grads as crew members for our upcoming film,” said West Bloomfield producer Juan Shannon, who is also the owner of Modern Tribe Communications. “They are all very creative and thoroughly qualified. Based on my experience, I’m confident their skills can compete with anyone in the industry.”

Unity Studios and its affiliate companies have also hired 36 graduates from its inaugural class for positions in administration, film production/post production and the construction of two sound stages. Two graduates are also now on staff at Lifton’s Oracle Post, one of Los Angeles’ largest independent post-production audio studios.

“In addition to working with our students to help them find employment throughout the country, Unity Studios is also working to bring projects from Los Angeles to Michigan,” said Lifton. “In one recent case, we hired 12 of our LIMS sound editing graduates to do post-production work for the feature-length documentary film, “The Rescuers.”

LIMS can also take credit for bringing together the five students, who upon graduating, formed their own film production company, Poison Apple Entertainment, LLC, which is now producing short films in the horror genre.

“Attending LIMS was a life-changing experience for me,” said Poison Apple Entertainment, LLC co-founder Dan Smith.  “I entered the program as a laid off hi-lo driver for General Motors with absolutely no film experience. Now, after graduating at the top of my class, I not only own my own film production company, I’m also co-producer and editor for a local TV show.”

Smith added, “LIMS changed the way I think. It really helped me develop the creative part of my brain.”

Graduation of LIMS second class, which currently has 93 students enrolled, is scheduled for June 2010.

About Unity Studios

Unity Studios is a full-service production and film industry training facility in Allen Park, Mich.  It is owned and operated by Jimmy Lifton, formerly of Southfield, Michigan.  With 30 years in the entertainment industry, Lifton has produced 13 feature films and is a principal of Oracle Post, one of the largest independent post-production audio studios in Los Angeles. Among its clients are ABC, Fox, HBO, NBC, Disney, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Lionsgate, Universal, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, VH1 and MTV.  For more information about Unity Studios, visit www.unitystudiosmichigan.com.

About the Lifton Institute for Media Skills

Located on the grounds of Unity Studios, the Lifton Institute for Media Skills (LIMS) offers 14 programs in film production, including production management, set construction, camera grip & electric and post audio and video.  For more information, please visit www.liftoninstitute.com.

Media Contact:

Michelle Zdrodowski

Franco Public Relations Group

(313) 567-5017

zdrodowski@franco.com

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Facts about the Michigan Film Incentive:

Today’s Lifton Institute for Media Skills Graduates Will Work ]]> Unity Studios and The Henry Ford Create Jobs With First Feature Film

Today’s Lifton Institute for Media Skills Graduates Will Work on Civil War-Era Film

ALLEN PARK, Mich. —Unity Studios and The Henry Ford today announced they are partnering to produce a Civil War-era feature film, “A Christmas Dream.” The film is the first Unity Studios production and was announced at today’s graduation ceremony for the first class of Lifton Institute for Media Skills (LIMS) students.

Many of the 106 LIMS students graduating today will be hired to work on “A Christmas Dream,” a heartfelt movie about a mother and daughter living in the south during the Civil War.

“Today we are celebrating the fulfillment of a promise – the promise to train and hire Michigan workers on film projects,” said Unity Studios President Jimmy Lifton. “Unity Studios is proud to partner with The Henry Ford to take this Civil War-era story into production creating economic opportunities for our state.

The Henry Ford will co-produce the movie and will provide filming locations and lend their unique Civil War-era expertise to the production. The Henry Ford annually produces one of the nation’s most authentic Civil War reenactments on Memorial Day weekend.

“The Henry Ford is a global resource for American history and innovation with unparalleled collections and expertise. We are happy to have been invited to collaborate with the institute and Unity Studios on this project,” said Patricia E. Mooradian, President of The Henry Ford.

“Civil War Remembrance” will be held at The Henry Ford May 29-31, where guests are invited to become a part of living history as they travel through reenactments of the American Civil War. Union and Confederate soldier re-enactors, civilians, musicians and historic presenters—all in period costume—are eager to immerse you in the life of this turbulent era. Civil War Remembrance is free to members of The Henry Ford and free with Greenfield Village admission.

Production for “A Christmas Dream” will begin in March. The movie is being financed by a group of private investors.

Enrollment for the Lifton Institute for Media Skills’ next class is open until February 15, 2010. Classes begin March 1, 2010.

About The Henry Ford
About The Henry Ford: The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, is the world’s premiere history destination and a National Historic Landmark that celebrates American history and innovation. Its mission is to provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate more than 1.5 million visitors annually: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre. The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school which educates 485 students a year on the institution’s campus and was founded in partnership with The Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company and Wayne County Public Schools. For more information please visit our website thehenryford.org.

About Unity Studios and Village
Unity Studios is owned and operated by Jimmy Lifton. Originally from Southfield, Michigan, Lifton has been in the business of entertainment for 30 years. He has owned an internationally distributed record label, produced 13 feature films, and is principal of one of the largest independent post-production audio studios in Los Angeles, Oracle Post. Some of the most famous and familiar TV and film industry giants use Oracle Post including Fox, HBO, NBC, ABC, Disney, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Lionsgate, Universal, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, VH1 and MTV. For more information about Unity Studios, please visit www.unitystudiosmichigan.com.

About the Lifton Institute for Media Skills
Located on the grounds of Unity Studios, the Lifton Institute for Media Skills (LIMS) has begun what will be one of the largest retraining programs ever in Michigan. Out-of-work skilled and unskilled workers will receive on-the-set training and production experience, giving students production credits. All aspects of production will occur at Unity Studios: workforce training for LIMS, production, post-production, distribution and marketing. LIMS currently offers programs for 14 different below-the-line film production careers. For more information, please visit www.liftoninstitute.com.

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Penguins of Madagascar: What Goes Around The Nickelodeon Penguins of Madagascar Team: Bob Schooley, Mark McCorkle, ]]> BEST SOUND EDITING: ANIMATION IN TELEVISION FOR

Penguins of Madagascar: What Goes Around

The Nickelodeon Penguins of Madagascar Team:
Bob Schooley, Mark McCorkle, Producers
Brett Haaland, Nick Filippi, Directors
Oliver Pearce, Post-Production Supervisor

Senior Director of Post Productionar Team:
Bob Schooley, Mark McCorkle, Producers
Brett Haaland, Nick Filippi, Directors
Oliver Pearce, Post-Production Supervisor

Special thanks to
Jason Stiff
Senior Director of Post Production

The 57th Golden Reel Award ceremony was held on February 20th, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles where the winners were announced.

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