This autumn day is like a million autumn days I’ve spent on the Diag.
Sunlight filtering through the maple leaves by the West Hall Arch. Frisbees sailing through the air, barely missing pedestrians’ heads. Juniors walking into class at the Nat Sci Auditorium, seniors skipping class from the Nat Sci Auditorium, bewildered freshmen looking at the Grad Library thinking this must be the Nat Sci Auditorium. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Except for the giant film crew all around me. Cameramen, gaffers, grips and best boys! Actors and actresses! Lights and cameras! Action!—Action?”You’re, uh, supposed to call action now,” my assistant director whispers to me. “I can do it for you, if you want.”And then I remember—it’s September 2009. I’m not a student here. Not anymore. I’m a director, shooting my first feature film, called “Answer This!”
“Action!”
* * *
The Michigan Film Incentive has sparked a huge filmmaking boom in the whole state, and at U-M. But unlike all the other movies filmed in Ann Arbor—movies that pretend it’s Boston or Berkeley or even L.A.—”Answer This!” is an authentic Michigan story. The main character, Paul Tarson, has spent his entire life in Ann Arbor. He grew up here, he goes to school here, he’s even fallen in love here. Now it’s finally time for him to finish grad school, to choose whether to stay or go—and all he wants to do is play pub trivia with his friends. (That’s right. Trivia. In bars. Addictively fun.) Leaving the University of Michigan—his friends, his family, his girlfriend, his home—is the hardest decision Paul’s ever had to make.
Ironic, because making “Answer This!” is exactly what brought me back to Ann Arbor. Like Paul, I too was born and raised in Ann Arbor, went to college here (’98) and went to college here again, for grad school (’02). Then, eight years ago, I left. Journalism in New York for a few years, screenwriting in Los Angeles for a few more. All to make my mark, to prove myself to the world. Funny, though. For this—my biggest, most ambitious venture so far—I came home.
It was the best decision I’ve ever made.Even now, even with the film incentive, making movies is still a novelty in Michigan, something exotic, something foreign and exciting. In Los Angeles, seeing a film crew is a common experience—too common. If you talk to a business about shooting something on their property, they don’t get excited, they ask you how much money. If a sidewalk is blocked off for a shoot, pedestrians don’t get curious, they get angry. The romance is gone; cynicism reigns.Exactly the opposite in Ann Arbor. Sure, the costs were lower, but that was just a small part of the difference. Mostly it was the energy, the atmosphere. The people walking by who volunteered to be extras. The shop manager who brought us water and cookies when we spent a hot day shooting on State Street. Even the jaded film crew we brought with us was blown away by the enthusiasm. We crammed them into a house we rented on Church and Hill, and they stayed up drinking and barbecuing every night. It was the college experience some of them had never had. Minus the, um, class.For me, it was a more personal experience.We shot at places I’ve known and loved my whole life—Zingerman’s Deli, the Law Quad, Ashley’s Pub (well, since I was 21, anyway). One of our days on the Diag we spent shooting the big fight scene between Paul, played by Christopher Gorham, and his girlfriend, Naomi, played by Arielle Kebbel. It was a very public arena for a heated argument: Paul, accusing Naomi of seeing other people; Naomi firing back that she had never wanted a committed relationship in the first place. Complicating matters even further, she’s a freshman—and he’s her GSI. I loved watching the passersby pause, watch, and take it in. Their curiosity, their laughter at a funny line, their shock when Naomi storms off in a huff, leaving Paul in the dust. I wondered: are they remembering their own awkward experience in the Diag right now? The time they had a fight with their boyfriend or girlfriend? Or maybe not a fight—maybe the first time they met the person they fell in love with, just feet away from where we’re filming this fictional relationship.
That collision of memories and experiences happened to me every single day of our five week shoot. Filming in the Diag, I remembered coming here as a kid with my dad—another Michigan grad—and playing volleyball with him and my brother. Shooting in the Law Quad, I remembered’ my senior year when I ran the Naked Mile and I streaked buck nekkid through the Law Library. When we shot the Paul and Naomi fight scene, I remembered—yes—having it out with my newly ex-girlfriend there, right after I had found out she had been seeing someone else behind my back. (She was not, however, my student. Ahem.)
And now, adding a new memory to this place: shooting a movie. A movie which, in part, taps into all those other memories. Amazing how something so new can also tap into something so old. And make the old brand-new, all over again.
* * *
A year after we finished shooting “Answer This!” we’re finally finished making it. (This is not an unusually long time. Post-production actually takes about ten times longer than the production itself.) We decided it would only be right to hold the first official screening in Ann Arbor. On the night of Friday, October 8, we’ll show the film at the Michigan Theater, and everyone is invited. After that, we’ll slowly roll out our national campaign—toward the movie’s wide theatrical release. But even as we move beyond Michigan, the most important measure of this film’s success will be what it means to all the other people who have lived, worked, and studied in Ann Arbor. What is it about the University of Michigan that’s so unique, so special? What is it that keeps bringing us all home? For me, “Answer This!” answers exactly that. What about for you? I’d love to hear about the Michigan memories that matter most in your life. What campus spots were the settings for your big moments? What was unique and special about U-M to you? Why do you keep coming “home”? Share your stories in the comments section below. I can’t wait to read them.
john farah - 66,68,72 and 78
As is apparent from my graduation years I spent a number of years on campus, all very memorable. Chris, through his commentary and the movie itself, brings much of it back to life. Even though I was not born in AA, I have always considered it home. I know I am not an impartial observer but Chris\’s love of the city and campus is very apparent throughout the movie. Good job Chris and Mike, love dad
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Mark Adamy - 94
Perhaps when you decide to roll out your international campaign your foreign voice over’s could be done using the Michigan alumni in countries who speak those languages.
When you decide to do the Spanish version, let us know, we can have the Michigan Alumni Group in Peru provide authentic ´´Wolverine´´ Spanish voices to your film. There are over 70 registered Alumni in Peru. That would allow you to keep the international versions uniquely MICHIGAN as well. Good luck. We are eagerly looking forward to the international release.
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Jon Valentine - 2009
I am usually not a huge fan of these types of films but I am drawn to it simply because it is an authentic account of the Ann Arbor/U of M experience. I am very excited to see it!
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Ron Senkowski - 1995, 1998
Very cool. I was lucky to have directed a film on campus also, many years ago. It was called Lets Kill All the Lawyers. We shot in the law school, in fact I met my wife there (still married, two kids, living in LA). We preemed at the Michigan Theater which was a night I’ll never forget. And, to boot, I also had Ralph Williams as a professor! Today, because of that English learning, I’m involved only in the most erudite films. Lol. We are actually turning Kahlil Gibran’s TheProphet into an animated omnibus feature for IMAX using 15 Oscar winning directors from around the world, each doing a different chapter/poem. Check out the prophet.com if you can. Go Blue!
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Raj Banavara - 2007
Hi,
Thanks a ton for making this movie. I am eagerly waiting for its release. I am from India and graduated with Masters in Aerospace and currently working for Gulfstream Aerospace. I will be in AA for a career fair during the last week of Sep. for recruiting. I am already feeling a sense of nostalgia thinking about going back for a few days. I love UM and AA. I wish I was there for the screening.
Thanks again. GO BLUE.
Raj.
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Amy Adams - 1990
I too was born and raised in A2. I wish I could say that I still lived there but I fell in love and moved away 15 years ago. Luckily all my family is still there and I get to visit 2-3 times a year. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see this movie! I can’t wait to share it with my friends to show them what I’m constantly trying to tell them – just how awesome Ann Arbor is! It’s like no other place I’ve ever been! I’m excited to share it with my children since they have already informed me of their plans to attend the University (I’m not sure about all that out of state tuition)! Thanks Chris for making this movie – it looks terrific! Go Blue!!
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Tami Williams - '77 '79
Last night I said to my husband (’69) Ralph Williams made me read “Don Quixote” but never “Moby Dick” He was my favorite and that of many others! I produced an Ann Arbor restaurants show while in grad school for television writing and production. Reality TV in 1979!, it only showed in class, I recall. All the best!
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Alexandra Wilson - 2006, 2009
I´m so excited to see this movie! I spent a total of six years in Ann Arbor and I wish I could make a movie to capture some of the incredibly fond memories I have from U of M… Also, I had an awkward fight with my boyfriend in the plaza in front of Dennison after an Earth Science lecture 🙂
Thanks and good luck!
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caroline dieterle - 1959
If every homesick UM grad attends this movie, you will have a block buster hit!
I am out in Iowa City and can’t make it home for the premiere, but look forward to seeing it when it goes national.
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edwin rennell - 1960 DDS
To Ron Senkowski: I was asked to be an investor in “First Let’s Kill All the Lawyers”…but didn’t. I’m looking forward to seeing “Answer This” on October 8…how do I purchase tickets?
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Janet Pickett - 1970/grad/post-72
Ann Arbor will always be home to me. I was born there, my mother and my maternal grandmother. Three generations of African Americans. Then, as a first generation college grad I attended The U of M for undergrad and grad. at The then College of Architecture and Design. Great memories of the law quad–met my first husband there. So many art school memories. Remember that was the 60’s and early 70’s. Times of change. I even have two works of art on permanant display at the School of Social Work building. Even went there for the dedication ceremonies. By then both parents were deceased. The art works on display were about them…
Anyway, my daughter sent me this site and I’m glad she did. Yep, both parents lived and went to school in Ann Arbor!!! How about that. Now she’s in LA at Focus Features….who knew? Can’t wait to see the film.
-Janet Taylor Pickett
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Laurie Marshall - 1981
I LOVE being a Wolverine!!! And better than that, I love being the mom of a graduated Wolverine who sent me this link. She introduced me to “Williams” and his amazing contribution to her Michigan experience as she processed his lectures with me as a way to hold on to his passionate delivery and brilliance. Now she and her Michigan graduated fiance (they met while writing for the Daily) will have their passion for one another with their passion for Michigan. How is that for a Michigan memory!Although she “pretended” to make a decision between Michigan and Northwestern (we live in Chg), I knew dressing her in Michigan clothing beginning in infancy would pay off! It’s an amaizing place like none other as we all know!!!!
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Terri Sarris
Enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing the film. Some of my students worked on it. However, this is NOT the first film to “portray Michigan as itself” (that’s a pretty big claim). I know of at least a couple – the film “Bilal’s Stand” which showed at Sundance this past year (2010), written and directed by alum Sultan Sharrief as part of the EFEX project – that was shot at UM in 2006. And Ron Senkowski’s post reminded me of HIS film – Let’s Kill All the Lawyers – made many years ago!
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Joan Meagher - 1984
Christopher/ Michael, What wonderful memories of you as neighbor boys. Great to connect with you again. Can’t wait to see you and your film. Your write up was witty and informative. We are so proud. Love to all. Bob, Joan, Becky Meagher
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Melissa Heintzman - 1998
My freshman year at Michigan I lived across the hall from a funny, smart guy with keen powers of observation and a gift for writing. I’m not surprised at all that he grew up to write and direct this story. I look forward to seeing it. Awesome, Chris!
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