FILM MICHIGAN: TRAINING EXPANDS. More than 60 students are taking the 2-week Basic Film Training Program at the Henry Ford Community College in Wayne County, now through Oct. 3, reports Dori DePree, head of Educational Outreach for TicTock Studios of Holland, Mich.
So far, 45 people have been trained in the Basic Film Set Training at the Holland location, she says.
From the pilot program launched by TicTock Studio this summer, 40% of the students found employment on a film set within 30 days.
“While most of these students are from Western Michigan, many came from other parts of the state and a few from other states, including Illinois,” says DePree.
GRANT HILL HAS LEFT DDB after 26 years, climaxing several months of rumors about his imperiled position as the agency’s head of production.
Hill’s position was eliminated, probably due to the agency’s static business and the uncertainty of what Budweiser’s new Belgian owners will do about advertising.
Well-liked and respected, Hill started his DDB career as a producer, and became executive producer on Anheuser-Busch Bud commercials before heading the production department during its many glory years of growth.
ANOTHER SAD DEPARTURE from the scene is Robert Feder, who closes shop as the Sun-Times broadcast columnist for the past 28 years. He leaves in a few weeks, having opted to take the paper’s buyout option to employees with 25-years or more service.
CHANGING TIMES. Ace sound designer Corey Coken joins ARU Chicago Oct. 1 after 13 years with Avenue, thus bringing the total number of ARU engineers to six.
Coken is best known for sound design on such high-profile spots for Budweiser, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Marlboro, ad infinitum. His credits also include sound/editing on big-budget features when he worked in L.A.
*Martyn Dean is Euro RSCG’s new group CD on Lraft and Citigroup, mvoing over from GCD at Avenue A/Razorfish.
JOE FARRIS of Visions of Light enjoyed such a busy summer that he worked regularly with second shooter Roger Steele and recently signed agreements with Studio Mechanics Local 476 and Cinematographers Local 600.
Among work completed: Many of TeamWorks’ PSAs running nationally during Big Ten games; Hyatt Resorts spots in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Key West and Orlando, and in Zambia for travel company Abercrombie & Kent.
A $5,OOO PRIZE was won by Chez Groove omposers David Steele and Nina Khoury in a national contest hosted by www.mediacurves.com for a political music video and song.
Their entry,”A Song of Hope,” can be viewed at
