Troy Hale came to Michigan State University (MSU) a year and a half ago to teach students to make documentary and fictional films. Now he is extending his award-winning expertise into the community via television.
By airing the work of student and Capital region filmmakers on the new "Indie Film Show," Hale teaches and encourages a growing industry here.
He’d already won six Emmys for various documentary projects and an Edward R. Murrow award for a critical look at the Transportation Security Administration, to mention just a few awards. He’d worked for radio and TV studios from Minneapolis to Miami to Memphis, with a few stops in between. And he’d started his own film production company, Trickyhale Films, with his wife, Nicky.
Then he saw the ad for the MSU position to teach TV journalism in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media.
“I got a great job offer,” he says.
It’s the cross departmental approach that is appealing. For a start, the Arts and Letters students are making films, and the Theatre Department is sending over actors.
"The Indie Film Show" will reflect those cross currents. It will appear on WKAR-TV soon, but Hale does not have a specific date yet. PBS requires $200 per program to implement closed captioning and Hale seeks underwriters to cover that cost.
Featured films will include the following:
“Goth Am City,” made by students, takes a look at Goth culture in London, through the Goth people’s eyes. Another film, “Beginning of the End,” examines local businesses leaving East Lansing and the following large corporate takeover.
Hale has particular kudos for the work of Nick Tootalian, a recent MSU grad, who produced “Sam Meridian,” a 20-minute film noire drama that uses local actors and businesses. “Home Grown Music” is a documentary exploring the link between local farming and local music.
His hope is that the new TV show will be a voice for the independent film community.
“In most cities, the independent filmmakers are underground and few are aware of what they’re doing. We want them out in the public, showing the great work that is being done here.”
Source: Troy Hale, MSU’s Indie Film Show
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.
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