Local filmmakers plan 10-part Michigan football series
In the past two years, a pair of local filmmakers have taken on projects ranging from a documentary on a Detroit-area priest to a feature-length horror film.
They’ll broaden their scope with their next project - a 10-part documentary on Michigan football scheduled for premier in late May or early June.
“Victors” will then air during the football season, with the first five parts debuting in 2011 and the second five in 2012.
“We’re taking a different approach with this,” said Buddy Moorehouse, senior creative director at Detroit-based Stunt3 Multimedia. “It’s not a look at the 10 greatest players, but 10 defining stories about Michigan football.”
The series, loosely modeled after ESPN’s "30 for 30" documentary series.
Some of the topics will be one ardent Wolverines fans know well - or at least ones they think they know. Episodes are planned on Ron Kramer, Rick Leach and Bob Ufer, as well as the 1997 championship team, the 1969 Michigan-Ohio State game and "The Victors."
The series will debut with an episode on the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech game, in which the Yellow Jackets threatened to pull out of the game if Michigan played Willis Ward, the school’s second black player.
Ward’s teammate, future President Gerald Ford, contemplated quitting the team in protest of Ward’s exclusion.
“We’re finding out more about how important that was in shaping a future president,” said Moorehouse, a Michigan graduate.
“We think it’s going to be a fascinating film, one that really opens up a lot of people’s eyes to the fact that Jim Crow was not only a problem in the south, but in the north.”
The segment will include footage from a never-before-seen interview with Ward, who went on to a career as a lawyer and probate judge in Wayne County.
Currently, the Ward-Ford episode is in production. Stunt3 hopes to hold a premier in late spring or early summer, in both Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, Ford’s hometown.
Moorehouse said the series will cost $250,000 to produce, and that Stunt3 is looking for investors to buy shares in the project.
Pete Bigelow covers the Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2551, via e-mail at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
umgoblue47
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
superbuck. . . i have a better jerry springer show. . . how about we call it the osu football player's that broke ncaa rules and still got to play in there bowl game! i can see the crowd rushing the stage and the chairs flying across the stage as the osu players hit the floor and jerry saying who booked this circus and how come the vest dident come. . . when there done filming the 10-part michigan football series maybe they can shoot a 1-part documentary on osu, " how to brake the rules and not get caught ". . .
aareader
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Thanks for the info about this project. I am looking forward to viewing it. GO BLUE!
superbuck
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
This should be hosted by Jerry Springer You actually think Mich is going to make this big come back. Did you see all of those high powered recruits that went to the SEC I'll agree back in the Bo era you didn't have all these great athletes to choose from or the schools that were no names that have built super programs. Back then you would never had given Oregon or Auburn a second thought. Keep living in the past. Look at Detroit 20- 25 years ago.
missionbrazil
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
Did you ever notice that animals are always aware of an impending disaster (like a storm or an earthquake...) ahead of time ? Superbuck and his cohorts are acting just like that ... they sense the impending disaster coming their way.
D21
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 8:34 p.m.
RudeJude, Yes, Superbuck and his OSU co-horts are getting more nervous with each passing day leading to Armageddeon when UM shall prevail over OSU hence this taunting cuz they are respecting Hoke and us now. Bring em on Brutus!
RudeJude
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
So, wait, let me get this straight, a Buckeye DOESN'T think Michigan is going to make a comeback? Wow, I thought you guys had our backs? It's funny you bring up Auburn, a team the Buckeye's owe their 1957 National Championship to. Auburn went 10-0, while the Buckeyes went 9-1. The Tigers won the AP title but were ineligible for the Coaches poll due to recruiting violations, defaulting the championship to the Buckeyes. Champs by default, how exciting! This concludes another chapter in the gilded history of the Buckeyes.
Keith
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
Instead of "Hard Knocks" can we call it "The House Knocks"...TiM
Buddy Moorehouse
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.
If you'd like to see the trailer for the film about the Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech game, here it is. It includes a clip from a never-before-seen 1976 interview with Willis Ward: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye8D5IjKdW0" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye8D5IjKdW0</a>
riverraisin
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
That's not a trailer...that's a teaser!....arghhhh! Can't wait for more. It looks like quality work.
Mick
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
Also, I forgot to ask, where can we send proceeds to help you fund this project?
Buddy Moorehouse
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.
Hey, Mick! Thanks for the questions. We're not sure where the documentaries will end up in terms of TV in the fall, but all the films will certainly be available on DVD in time for Christmas! If you'd like information on helping to fund this project, please send an e-mail to info@stunt3.com. Go Blue! - Buddy
Mick
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
Thank you so much Buddy for this endeavor and you coming on here and chatting with us. I live in San Diego, so how will I be able to watch these films? Will I have to wait for a Blu-Ray DVD? Please advise and Go Blue and Go Buddy!!!
Mick
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 4:17 a.m.
Thank you kindly River, you're a good Wolverine!!!
riverraisin
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 1:43 a.m.
Mick, I emailed Brian Kruger @ stunt3 that very same concern. This was his reply... You'll be able to purchase the DVD box set starting this fall. Volume 1 will be completed and ready for the holiday shopping season, and Volume 2 will be ready the fall of 2012. The entire collection in on box set will be released then as well. He went on to say that we should monitor their website for further announcements.
Buddy Moorehouse
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.
Whoops! Correction - the Bo/Texas A&M incident happened in 1982, not 1981.
Buddy Moorehouse
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
Hi - this is Buddy Moorehouse from Stunt3 Multimedia. Thanks to Pete Bigelow for the great story, and thanks for all the enthusiasm for this project. It's going to be a great series - Michigan fans certainly deserve this. To answer some of your questions: • We aren't sure yet where the series will air. Our last film ("The Legend of Pinky Deras," about the greatest Little Leaguer of all time) aired on Fox Sports Detroit last fall. The first five films in the series will air in the fall of 2011, with the second five airing in the fall of 2012. • As Pete indicated in the story, the first film in the series ("Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Game") will premiere in May or June in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids (in a couple theaters, not on TV). This is a fascinating story that's never been told on film before, and it played a huge role in forming Gerald Ford's opinions on equality and civil rights. • The first five films in the series will cover the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech game; Ron Kramer; the 1969 Michigan-Ohio State game; the Wistert Brothers; and the revolutionary role that Rick Leach played in Michigan football history. The second five will cover the 1997 national championship; Bob Ufer; "Bo Says No" (a film about Texas A&M's attempt to steal Bo away in 1981); the history of the Michigan Marching Band and "The Victors"; and the redemption of Billy Taylor. If you have any other questions, please post them here, or e-mail us at info@stunt3.com. Go Blue!
Mick
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Interesting stuff Jude Man, and now because we split the atom and made a bomb, aliens might come and find us, ugh!!!
RudeJude
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
The somewhat famous quote by Oppenheimer, who regretted his work in the creation of the atomic bomb, enabled by the work done at the laboratory at the former Stagg Field: "I wish Chicago had never given up football." Tragic in so many ways.
RudeJude
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
If the films are successful, which I assume they will be, is there a chance stunt3 will expand beyond 10 films? There are plenty of pieces of Michigan football history I'd like to know more about, especially the history of the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry, specifically about the origins of how Michigan brought football to South Bend as well as the feud between Yost and Rockne that caused the 35 year hiatus between the two programs. Or maybe you could expand to cover stories regarding the Big Ten Conference? I've always been fascinated by the rise and fall of the former Big Ten member, the University of Chicago Maroons, whose fall resulted in bringing Michigan State into the conference. From what i've read, Chicago's administration antagonistically worked to end the football program, culminating with a strategic vote to end football while the students were away for Christmas. The Maroons' stadium, Stagg Field, was later converted into a government lab where the first successful splitting of an atom was accomplished during the Manhattan Project of the 40s. I'd love to watch that film! Either way, thank you for making this series. I hope the it will be a great success!
InsideTheHall
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
Perhaps the title should be: "This is Michigan for God's sake!"
Keith
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
The title will be : "Those Who Stay"
rreidannarbor
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
They reference doing a feature-length horror film as part of their past work. Maybe one part of this could also include parts of the past 3 seasons? It could culminate with a Marlon Brando look alike (General Kurtz - "Apocalpsye Now") watching the end of the UM - Mississipi State bowl game while whispering the words..."the horror, the horror".
riverraisin
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
ROFLMAO
Frank99
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:23 p.m.
It would be nice to include where one can actually see this series. BTN? ESPN? The internets?
Terry Star21
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
This looks to be most excellent.....as we can never get enough of the 'behind the scenes' action - can't wait...MgoBlue !
Theo212
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Each episode should be 100% devoted to The Glorious Spread and Our King. He Who has led us out of the darkness.
riverraisin
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
"He Who has led us out of the darkness." Ah yes...you must be referring to University of Michigan Head Football Coach Brady Hoke
Edward Vielmetti
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
Here's the Stunt3 web site with contact info <a href="http://stunt3.com" rel='nofollow'>http://stunt3.com</a>
riverraisin
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
Thank You!
riverraisin
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
Couldn't come at a better time in UM football history.
riverraisin
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
OK, the $64,000 question... Where will it air and what is it airing on? Wolverine Nation needs to know.
Mick
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
I'm a Michigan Football Historian, there are never enough stories for me to learn or re-learn about. I look very forward to the release of these films. Ford gets made fun of a lot and all, but this shows way before it's time that he was a great man of character!! Go Blue!!!
RudeJude
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
Wow, very exciting! I've never heard anything about the Ward-Ford story, but it sounds like it's one worthy of the hollywood-treatment. Also, it wasn't mentioned as an episode topic, but I'm assuming there'll be one focusing on Fielding H. Yost. Go Blue!
Keith
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 6:30 p.m.
Sounds great!