Traverse City State Theatre

Members from Trent Design’s team were invited to attend this Year’s 4th Annual Traverse City Film Festival.

Arriving early Thursday morning, the staff leapt at the chance to take part in screenings for films like Baghdad High, Redacted, Religulous and Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. They sat in on panel discussions that focused on politics, film and the nature of making movies that become timeless works of art. Panel discussions were moderated by Festival founder and director, Michael Moore, and featured other media personalities such as Phil Donahue & (Body of War) Stanley Donen (Singin’ in the Rain, Funny Face).

More pictures are on the way but for now, take a look at the festival through the eyes of some it’s volunteers and devoted staff photographers:

It was a full house for the opening film, Vicky Christina Barcelona, at the State Theatre on Tuesday July 30, 2008. (Image by Gary L Howe)

Concessions tray and musicians at the opening for Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind.
(Image courtesy Geoffrey Vail Brown)

Will Ryley from the film fest office posing at the singing in the rain opening

The Film Festival Loop bata bus. Photo by Geoffrey Vail Brown

Michael Moore responds to Phil Donahue during friday’s panel. Photo by Geoffrey Vail Brown.

Comedian Elaine May was brought onto the Friday panel at the last moment, and had the crowd laughing and thinking within minutes of beginning her talk. Photo by John L. Russell.

Director Stanley Donen during friday’s panel discussion. Photo by Geoffrey Vail Brown.

“The Phil Donahue Show, Live in Traverse City!” Phil Donahue with guests Michael Moore and Stanley Donen

Crowd at Open Space. Photos by Beth Price

Rounding off a busy Friday night, the team sat in for a public screening of Back To The Future (directed by Robert Zemeckis). Referred to as “Open Space”, the film was shown as a projection and cast onto the festival’s enormous inflatable screen which sat just off the banks of Lake Michigan. Movie-goers came from every possible direction and settled in for a relaxing evening.

Our incredibly talented production artist & manager, Chantal was married this past Saturday. Congratulations Chantal!

Re-design by Lippincott (?)

Everyone hates Walmart right? The majority of the people i’ve met are pretty bipartisan about it across the board. I foster no strong feelings about Walmart being good or bad, really. We’re cool, me and Walmart. BUT when the opportunity to buy a garbage can with a collapsable revolving top shows itself, i’m left with no choice. I spring for the cheaper of the 2 options. Sorry Target. Let me know when Archer Farms is ready to mass-produce plastic kitchen waste receptacles but until then we’ll always have Paris.

For all you Walmart-hating, coffee drinking, tree-hugging, human activists out there, get a load of this: In a concerted push to soften their public image, the retailer is updating its look which now features a brighter color palette, friendlier typeface, and people-centric abstraction: an interpretation of it’s trademark ’star’. Try not to be too critical. Trust me, i could talk to you about this until you’re blue in the face. It’s not worth it.

What you’re seeing is an evolution from an identity that used a boring typeface and a stiff design element to symbol with a mission. I’d like to think it’s telling us the walls are about to give way to a brand with a little humanity in store. That or more civic-minded rights for it’s employees but don’t hold your breath.

Tip-off via Brand New