Anyone know about the upcoming mini-series on Planet Green called "Detroit in Overdrive"? It premiers August 3rd and is 3 parts, Planet Green website doesn't have info and I only have seen the commercial last night.
Stromberg2
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Anyone know about the upcoming mini-series on Planet Green called "Detroit in Overdrive"? It premiers August 3rd and is 3 parts, Planet Green website doesn't have info and I only have seen the commercial last night.
Stromberg2
probably something to do with the nascent electric car industry? Just a guess.
Don't tell me...the savanna on the eastside is getting some national exposure. Far out.
http://www.redapplepost.com/recent
ROCK ON!!!
Detroit was once known for dominating the world's automotive production, creating the Motown Sound, and its one-of-a-kind blue-collar work ethic. Currently, however, the Motor City finds itself at a crossroads. Global competition, a global recession, and a declining population have taken a severe toll on what was once America's industrial backbone. Despite these challenges, die-hard Detroiters still have not given up on restoring this once thriving metropolis.
It's half YAY DETROIT! and half GM commercial.
General Motors presented by Detroit In Overdrive
They blur out the red wings logo on that kid's hat and shirt? WTF
Am wondering the same. I am noting that a number of other items are blurred. On the Cass Community homeless aid van, wording below the name is blurred. A license plate was too, but that's understandable.
I think all the cars that weren't of GM were blurred because they didn't want to give the competition any free advertising.
It gets my thumbs up. It is positive and interesting, definitely well photographed and edited. To our jaded eyes, sure, there is a sniff of plugola and a touch naive at points, but I have enjoyed it all so far. The CCS student with her bizarre but charming homeless survival garment, how she make some self discovery, takes a 'we don't need coats, we need jobs' criticism in stride and creates some jobs was thoughtful and interesting.
Im watching now, Im diggin it.
Who the heck is the guitar/singer in the "It Takes a Village" episode? I know him but cant remember his name. Doh! I only caught the last 15 minutes of that episode and am now watching the next one, "Reinventing the Motor City". The next one after that is "Art Saves Detroit" Thats the one Im looking foward to. After that one the first episode is played again at 1 am. After that its some other show on NYC.
Thumbs up.
SPOILER POST.
Oh man, it wasn't until the 3rd episode that I realized it was Detroit. I'm not used to seeing that much positivity in one sitting. I thought it was cool how they used they local artists' music during parts of the show and the trailer. I learned some stuff I didn't know before and I actually wish I knew earlier about some of these community groups. Hope I'm not spoiling the show for anyone but it definitively shows the reality of Detroit without sugarcoating it more than it needed to be [[or at all, really).
It's heavy on the GM mentioning but it's not really out of place or anything since it is Detroit [[and GM sponsored the show). I don't think they ever mentioned Ford, though. They mentioned Chrysler once. But overall I enjoyed it a lot.
I too enjoyed all the episodes and thought they did a pretty good job without the sugar coating. I have to tip my hat to the woman from CCS who came up with the design for the coat/ sleeping bag for the homeless. What I found particularly impressive was how she got $45,000 in donations and grants to hire two people to produce the coats. Anyone who has had experience in raising funds knows how difficult it can be to secure the money.
Also, anybody know how well Detroit Denim is doing since the taping and where are they located at?
I enjoyed it last night. Heavy on the GM stuff, but that's OK with me.
I won't be buying any of Detroit Denim's jeans. Who spends $195.00 for a pair of jeans??
http://motorcitydenimco.com/shop/jeans/
I'm almost positive that they have to blur the Wing logo. It belongs to the NHL so if they REALLY wanted to show it they would probably have to get permission. As far as people complaining about the GM presence....who cares? They paid for it. They had positive things to say, so I couldn't care less if everyone in the series had to wear GM shirts. When you guys put out documentarys, you can do whatever you want. I thought it was great, but wish it could have been filmed more recently with all the things Dan Gilbert is doing and bringing. Talking about the incentives and the retail support now to bring people back to the city.
I watched all three episodes and really enjoyed the positive spin on the city. However, I couldn't help but notice the connection between what I saw in Detroit in Overdrive and what I saw in Roger and Me, which was airing at the same time on Current TV.
Michael Moore interviewing a woman in Flint who had resorted to selling bunnies as "pets or meat" had a certain resonance with the images of a Detroit woman buying up 12 lots and putting them back to agricultural use.
1953
Ok...so..I only half watched this because I was doing other stuff, but lemme get this straight... A Sterling Heights manufacturing site is re-purposed to make jeans. The guys have their heart to heart/business planning meeting at the Rochester Mills Brewery and they they go sell their ridiculously overpriced jeans at a Birmingham boutique.Quote:
RedeemerKid
I enjoyed it last night. Heavy on the GM stuff, but that's OK with me.
I won't be buying any of Detroit Denim's jeans. Who spends $195.00 for a pair of jeans??
http://motorcitydenimco.com/shop/jeans/
no one is going to comment on that bit of irony?
Everything about that segment is a microcosm of what is wrong with Detroit. "Nothing" is actually done IN Detroit. It should be looked at as what's wrong with the city, not what is a "bright spot".
Look, all I'm saying is if this were about Chicago, would any of that segment been shot in Aurora or Naperville?
I was a bit price shocked by the $195 as well. Yet when I look at it from a different perspective, I could see justifying buying at least one pair. I've been buying good running/walking shoes for the past 10 years or so, often spending $125 or so. I have to replace these shoes on average once a year. Yet when you compare my jeans, my jeans last...I don't know, 8, maybe 10 years? I'll often "outgrow" them before they ever wear out. One can argue that you can get the same wear out of a $30 pair of jeans, but by comparing how much I spend on shoes that only last me a year, I could perhaps pull the trigger for one pair of designer jeans.
I have to agree with Lowell on the girl from CCS. It was still the most laughable moment for me and my wife. I could just picture this happy go lucky girl, volunteering her time to feed the homeless, then coming up with this coat idea. She had spent probably 100's of hours on her 12 prototypes, only to have some homeless person tell her "your dumb coats ain't gonna change a thing, we need jobs." I think a fair number would have taken that to heart, given up, and perhaps even stopped volunteering at the soup kitchens. She took the criticism, agreed with it, then hired the homeless to make the coats.
It would be nice to see future episodes, or even at a minimum, once a year 3 part series with updates on what's changing. I believe these next 5 -10 years, Detroit is going to see more development, companies, new entrepreneurs, and energy than the city has seen in the past 60 years of gradual decline.
We will likely never rise to 2 million people in my lifetime. We won't be the manufacturing capitol we once were, but in a sense, Detroit really is reinventing itself, and is doing so in a way that will make it a truly unique city that will seperate itself from other big cities USA. Detroit has a long way to go, but I think this is the most promising chance at a true renaissance since the term was first injected into Detroit 30-40 years ago.
Veronika, the woman who made the coats, had the most interesting segment, I thought. If course, I may be biased, because they shot a lot of that in my bar, ha. I'm happy that Small's and Michigan-made Hard Luck Vodka got some air time! I'm glad they showed a lot of Hamtramck, too.
The singer in the "It Takes a Village" is Andrew in the band NOMAN
First of all it's called Motor City Denim, They also sell T-shirts and accessories, we carry them [[not the jeans) at our store in Berkley, if there is a store downtown that would like to sell some of their merchandise, I'm sure Joe would be more than happy to oblige. The reason they had to use the manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights is because they were the only ones in the area that had the machines capable of producing the denim. They accually had to buy the american made industrial sewing machines in China to sew them. they also had a hard time find production seamstesses, apparently a lost art anymore in this country. Yes the jeans are expensive, though not out of line as far as fashion jeans go. They are planning on producing jackets as well. It seems everybody bitches about not being able to buy items produced in the USA, but are unwilling to support the companies that are trying. It cost a lot more right now to produce items here than it does in China, but the more that things are produced and bought here, the sooner the costs and the prices will come down. If you can't afford the jeans, buy a T-shirt or something, support local manufacturers.
look, i get the reasons WHY they had to do what they did, but there was no discussion of that. You're telling me that the fact that there is no factory space that can work with denim in 135 square miles of a city built on industry shouldn't raise an eyebrow or two? that should be part of the discussion about the massive problems facing the city. Multiple times it was mentioned they needed to go to China to get machines, but no mention of having to go to Sterling Heights to get a factory. Was this a news story or a puff piece? I didn't watch the whole thing, its dvr'd.
I did see that Bob Ritchie made an appearance. Is he going to discuss his "made in Detroit" label? I'm betting he didn't mention the part about moving it to Warren. Are we going to get a soliloquy about how bad-ass Webberville is?
The thing I found ironic was that from what the segment showed, they [[like bob) could have been in Cleveland. There was nothing "detroit" about the stuff except that they used the auto industry and a gritty image as fashion and marketing inspiration ...that and the closest they came to Detroit in the segment was Maple road.
Ok, but again, this wasn't a story about stuff made in the USA, this was a show called "Detroit in Overdrive". More power to the guys in making millions... I hope they do, but the segment was a bit like making an "Imported from Detroit" commercial for a company that is 51% Italian with it's American HQ in Auburn Hills. It rings a bit false.Quote:
It seems everybody bitches about not being able to buy items produced in the USA, but are unwilling to support the companies that are trying
Sometimes this board thinks people from the suburbs need to claim they're from Detroit, and other times they complain when they're not in the city limits. It's hard to keep up.
As far as Motor City Denim...I believe the reason they're in Sterling Heights is that they are being made by a company that also makes an industrial product. The factory and company already existed. It was a partnership that grew from the Sterling Heights factory seeing a downturn. Sure, they could have found a factory in Detroit...but not one that was as ready for production.
Before you make statements like your last one, I suggest you watch all the episodes. There was plenty of Detroit representation, with CCS, the Heidelberg Project, urban gardens, the artists setting up shop in the Russel Industrial Complex and community clean up efforts.
And it may be shocking to some, but to the rest of the country Warren, Sterling Heights and Auburn Hills is Detroit.
What a pain in the arse the ongoing discussion is. Does Detroit mean the region, or the city limits?
It usually means whatever is convenient to someone who wants to bitch about an issue.
The larger region has been impacted by the very same things that have impacted the city limits. The city can't do well without the region doing well, and the region can't do well without the city doing well.
We're all Detroit. We're all in this together. All of our thoughts and opinions and hard work matters when it advocates positive change for the city or the region.
The special last night that I saw showcased a LOT of cool stuff within the city limits as well as the extended region.
I'll agree Webberville is a bit of a stretch being closer to Lansing than Detroit. But again, the facility was already up and running and able to take on the Bad Ass production much more easily than any other place, including any in the city.
just watched all three hours and was very moved by what i saw. im a product of da burbs and never had much pride in being from the metro detroit area.. that has changed. my 21 year old daughter is very active in revitalizing the city and now i better understand her disire to make that change .
I wasn't talking about the rest of it. The REST of it was completely on point for all the reasons you noted. What found to be glaringly inconsistent was the Bob Ritchie and designer jeans segments. They just hit a completely wrong note for me in what was otherwise a really entertaining and encouraging series.
it wasn't Ann Arbor in overdrive. It wasn't Royal Oak in Overdrive, it wasnt Michigan in Overdrive, and it certainly wasn't Brimingham in overdrive. So, in this particular instance... Detroit means Detroit. They weren't driving around Hazel Park, or Novi or Royal Oak for those gritty street scenes and other B roll. The entire focus was on a rust belt city clawing it's way back. IIRC every other segment focused on business, industry, or education going on IN Detroit.Quote:
What a pain in the arse the ongoing discussion is. Does Detroit mean the region, or the city limits?
Again, as I've said repeatedly. This is not to say someone from SEM can not say they're from "Detroit" or that only people from Detroit can be Detroit focused, or have a say in, or be all about Detroit things. I am saying that if you're going to trade on the "Detroit" label....be a Detroit "bad ass"... be all about the "motor city cool factor", doing it from Sterling heights or Birmingham, or Warren or Webberville is just weak. It would be nice if Bob put his considerable monies where his mouth is and actually invested in Detroit instead of coasting off it's perceived "gritty" image. Same with these jeans guys. you're telling me there isn't ONE clothing entrepreneur in Detroit, employing Detroiters that they could have featured? Not one? Oh yeah, this guy was on a game show, so... of course they wouldn't look anywhere else.
Again, you define "Detroit" as just the city proper. Others, clearly including the makers of the mini-series, define Detroit as a region.
I'm sorry but in this particular instance, Detroit clearly means the region.
There is nothing wrong with that in my opinion. No one should be made to feel like they are pulling a fast one, or being less than genuine.
Ok. look. agree to disagree I guess, but I'll go to the source.
...not "region", or " State"Quote:
Laura Michalchyshyn, president and general manager of Planet Green. “It was our goal to document and inspire new awareness of a once-thriving city being resurrected by its devoted citizens and communities. We are thrilled to offer America a close look at the struggles Detroiters have had to face — and how they are fighting back for the city they love.”
and then there is this:
not important "region" or "state"Quote:
Added GM chief marketing officer Joel Ewanick: “In addition to doing everything we can to support the city of Detroit, we also need to support the efforts to communicate the City’s progress and positive stories. Working with Planet Green, we are pleased to present this story about the great American spirit and the great stories behind the rebirth of this important American city.”
then there is this:
Except that per Mr. Faris' own profile on his website it'sQuote:
Episode One, ‘Reinventing the Motor City,’ tells the story of Joe Faris, a fashion designer who moved back to Detroit from New York City to start a garment company. His line of jeans, Motor City Denim, are designed and constructed in a retrofitted factory — TDIC – that has made protective covers for robots for the automotive industry for more than 30 years. Joe’s new denim designs incorporate seatbelts, rivets and other car inspired elements found around the factory.
which kind of calls into question that first part about him. They then leave out the fact the factory isnt in the city that is allegedly the focus of the documentary thus not helping that city "fight back".Quote:
Joe Faris
Senior Designer at Motor City Denim Co.
Greater New York City Area | Apparel & Fashion
Except he's a native of Romeo. And they miss the fact that the beer is made an hour and half from Detroit, creates no Detroit jobs and, for the life of me, I can not figure out what connection it has with Detroit.Quote:
Five-time Grammy nominated rocker and Detroit native, Kid Rock created his own beer label, Badass Beer, to create jobs and give back to the city he loves.
Frankly if I were Motor city Brewery or Atwater I'd be a little pissed. They actually invested in the city and not in Webberville....where I'm sure it would have been far easier to do. Of course...they don't have a rocker from Romeo as a celebrity owner.
So yeah, I think Bob Ritchie is being a lot less than genuine when he rambles on about Detroit love and helping Detroit when he clearly isn't. I'd like someone to ask him that question because I would like to understand HOW he actually is helping because it appears nothing he does impacts Detroit in any real way. by that I mean in other than in a negative way as he did with "made in Detroit" when he removed a business from Detroit.
It seems pretty clear to me that your very finite, by-the-book and specific definition of what makes up the city of Detroit is not the one that the makers of that mini-series [[and at least some of the people featured in it) prescribe to.
It seems they are using the term "city" more loosely, much in the same fashion as someone that lives in Redford does when asked while visiting New Orleans "Where are you from?". The answer is often "Detroit". Same often happens if they are from Sterling Heights, Romeo, etc....
But if you want to paint the show itself, and some of the people that appear in it frauds to some degree, fine by me. We can agree to disagree.
I for one am glad that they are doing what the do in Michigan, near Detroit, and in many cases within the city limits of Detroit proper. It beats the alternative. It's better for Michigan, the SE Michigan area, and Detroit city proper.
I completely understand what you are saying bailey and it makes sense. I know SO MANY entreprenures who are doing their thing w/in the COD borders and the program supposedly is focusing on that important American city. Now as far as those who show their support from far away I still have some love for them BUT I feel that more people who are actually doing their thing IN the city which is where the struggle is should have been featured.