Comments on: Ann Arbor Park Gets Movie Stimulus

By: FRIDGEMAN

FRIDGEMAN — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:18:52 +0000

I visited the tree yesterday with my daughter, and while we had a wonderful time climbing the tree and appreciating the late summer day, I was extremely disappointed at the graffiti and carvings which are now defacing the tree.

While a couple of those carvings are shown in the pictures above, there are literally several dozen now all over the lower limbs.

Treating a tree in this way is disrespectful, possibly illegal (vandalism), and even increases the chance that the tree will become infested or infected.

If you or your friends are damaging the tree in this way, please stop.

Just remember – if the tree ever really wants tattoos, you will see it at the Lucky Monkey!

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:09:52 +0000

I just came across a new website for fans of "Flipped". It looks pretty new since it does not have a lot of postings yet. Here's the link. Also, my kids were extras in the movie and they had a blast. All the crew and cast were excellent to work with and they treated us great. I really believe that with the state of the economy in Michigan, the film industry is providing us with at least one bright spot. Let's not be so critical or the industry will decide to film in more hospitable places.

By: Nancy Harvey

Nancy Harvey — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:27:21 +0000

Sue Perry… yawn… can’t see the forest for the tree.

By: anna ercoli schnitzer

anna ercoli schnitzer — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:56:44 +0000

When the filming of “Youth in Revolt” took place on W. Liberty and First St., last year, the people who constructed the sets did a fabulous job, making the old house at the corner look much better than before (although I wish they had created and left a REAL Italian grocery store in the former Schlenker Building–through the window, the wares looked so mouth-watering and tempting). And everything in the area was cleaned up beautifully afterwards. There was a lot of work involved in staging that scene, it was all very well done, and everyone controlling the filming area was polite and pleasant!

By: colliesue

colliesue — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:16:13 +0000

The production company is putting a lot of money into the community. 3 Local hotels are housing a couple of hundred crew that came from California. I know, the next argument is that they brought their own crew instead of hiring locally. Well they did that too. For example their hair and makeup department might have brought 6 “heads” but then hired locally another 6-8 people. Same with wardrobe, set, electric, etc. The hundreds of “extras”- one day there were literally hundreds- and featured extras were all paid. The local establishments that the transplanted Californians frequent on their 40+ day stay is something isnt it? The local catering companies that have been hired to feed the cast and crew and the one hired to feed those hundreds of extras throughout a 10 hour day had to be paid. How can people say that this is not helping the local economy.

Typical Ann Arborites have to fight the battle though…even if there is no enemy. A simple tree trimming and you are all up in arms. Give me a break! They trimmed a tree. The branches will grow back. It will probably need another trim again some day and the taxpayers will pay for that one. Trees need trimming anyway. But that was really smart blocking the workers. Wow lady, maybe your day could have been spent more productively. Wonder how much money that useless strike wasted?

Why cant people just welcome the new industry and make it work for you? Sometimes change is good. This has been exciting to Michiganders and good for the economy. Stop trying to turn everything into an issue, a platform for something else and a reason to “stand up”even if there is nothing good to stand up against. This film company followed the rules and is leaving good things in its wake. The end, oh and thanks to the film company…its been exciting!

By: Michael K.

Michael K. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:55:04 +0000

Why are there special tax credits or breaks for the movie industry, but tax hikes for all other businesses that already exist or may move here for good?

I can’t believe that people think the economy can be stimulated because of a short-term project or payout. Economic “stimulation” can only occur through something SUSTAINABLE.

BTW, I found out about the movie the hard way…I bought a basketball for my son and I to play with there. We walked up to the park just to find out that it was roped-off, the basketball net was ripped out, and a strange structure grew from beyond. I live about 300 feet from the filming and I knew nothing about any of this. Also, the basketball net was on its last leg. It was pretty bad. Any replacement would be better than what was there.

By: John Sea

John Sea — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:58:45 +0000

Nice story and great photo of the sycamore by Matt Callow. I live a few blocks away on Virginia Ave and all in all think the filming is a good thing. Sue, I agree on some transparency with the true cost of all this and what the net $$ gain really is for the city. But regarding the trimming, where were you when the city cut down at least 4 trees on my block ;) Trimming… at least with trimming we can give it a few years and the trees probably won’t even show. Hopefully the b-ball court will be even better than before too.

Looks like filming is about to happen this week … they definitely picked the right location given the plot. A2 = the new Hollywood ?!!

By: Omari

Omari — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:43:00 +0000

I was wondering why they had ripped out my basketball court. But hey, if you’re gonna make a movie about a tree, why not make it in good ol’ Tree City Ann Arbor.
Side Note: I’m watching them film right now.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:25:53 +0000

Daniel, thanks for writing here! It’s wonderful to know who wrote the letters in the tree, and it’s wonderful to know how much you love that tree! I’m glad your tree is going to be famous. And I think climbing trees is one of the best things in the world.
Julie

By: Daniel R

Daniel R — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:31:36 +0000

I was the person who wrote the letters in the tree. Also, I have been climbing this tree since I was 5. Also, take notice that the tree is shedding it’s bark, which gives the tree a green color, which would be very colorful tree in the movie. You set up this scene in the right place, and the right time. At first I thought those people were building a new basketball court. Today I met with one of the security people and I showed him the writing. He said my tree was going to be famous. The words I wrote in the tree were, “This tree belongs to Daniel R.” “Give Peace, not War.” “God bless this tree!” I also wrote the note about cutting the dead branches off my tree. I learned in school that cutting the dead branches off trees extends their life. Plus, the sycamore tree is my favorite tree. Also I want to tell you a little about myself. I have Autism, and I’am 13 years old. I live near this park on Charlton St. Please take good care of my tree. Dear Ann Arbor Chronicle, please tell the Ann Arbor News to come to my house to take pictures of me! I feel like the best citizen in Ann Arbor. I LOVE ANN ARBOR! And Ann Arbor loves me!

Sincerely, Daniel R.

P.S. My mom said it is okay for me to send this note!