I started my TV cable show last week and was so excited that my first guest was an international award-winning filmmaker Dr. Stan Williams, formerly my instructor at the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan. While I knew Stan was incredibly accomplished – I call him a “film guru” – I had no idea that Will Smith called his book, The Moral Premise: Harnessing Virtue and Vice for Box Office Success, the most important tool in his tool kit. Stan has consulted with Will and his team on over a dozen motion picture projects, which have totaled over 1 billion dollars at the worldwide box office. Amazing what one book can do once it’s out in the world.
I’m intrigued that Will Smith and I have the same autographed book in our library and that we both have similar respect and appreciate for Stan’s work, but I’m not surprised that his book received this type of recognition. Since 1972, Stan has overseen over 400 projects for broadcast, industrial and dramatic productions that have been distributed worldwide. Stan holds a PhD in Communications-Film Studies from Wayne State University, an M.S. in Speech Communications from Eastern Michigan University and a B.A. in Physics from Greenville College.
Currently Stan is working on his romantic comedy film Annaliese! Annaliese! In the fall, I was part of a panel with Stan for the Rochester Writers Conference at Oakland University and had the chance to view the first Webisode of Annaliese! Annaliese! I emailed him, telling him how much I enjoyed the fresh and charming comedy. The webisode reminded me of the Woody Allen movies which are down to earth, authentic and funny at the same time. Humor is always popular, but it’s especially needed these days.
The Webisodes will premiere as a single 45-minute film on January 28, 2018 at the Farmington Civic Theater in Farmington, MI. They’re having free giveaways and a raffle. Doors open at 2pm and the film will begin at 2:30 pm. Tickets are only $5 in advance, you’ll receive a $4 voucher good at the concession counter, and they’ll give the $1 to charity. Clearly the best deal in town so I’m definitely going. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.AnnalieseTheMovie.com.
Watch the half-hour interview as Dr. Stan Williams has some good advice for up and coming filmmakers. My show will be every Wednesday at 7pm on CMN TV (Channel 18 on Comcast and WOW!) If you miss it, you can watch it on Youtube – Weam Namou. I bring on amazing and inspiring people who have a lot of talent and wisdom to share. The next show is an interview with award-winning musician and founder of Springfed.org John D. Lamb.