Andy Westra - WKTV Journal

By Lindsay Papciak

WKTV Community Writer

In Oscar-fashion, nominees and guests arrived in ballgowns, suits, and bowties as they were escorted to their tables for the 2018 Eclipse Awards which took place Thursday, May 3, in the Ballroom at Mckay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Eclipse Awards has aimed to celebrate achievements in the growing film industry across Michigan for the past seven years. Filmmakers submitted their work to a board of past Eclipse Award winners in order to narrow down to more than 100 nominees across 21 categories. Past winners then casted their votes, and winners were announced at last nights event.

Guests mixed and mingled at the 7th Annual Eclipse Awards.

Sara Hogan along with Eric Schrotenboer won for Promotional Segment in Television or Online. “[The Eclipse Awards] are a wonderful celebration of what’s happening in Michigan,” Hogan said.

“Small films with good stories, they do impact people,” said first-time filmmaker Bryce Cameron. His film Kid Brother won this year for Narrative Feature and Screenplay Feature Length. “This was the little movie that could. It had such humble beginnings, it’s hard to believe that we’re here.”

Peter Harold, winner for Acting in a Supporting Role, felt the moment was very surreal. “Anybody who is foolish enough to make film in Michigan doesn’t necessarily do it for the accolades,” Harold said. “For an event like this to be put on that’s so immaculately curated and so much care is clearly put into it means a lot. It’s very humbling and I am honored.”

Roy Wallace was the winner of Sound Editing for his film Frankie. He said his win also came as a surprise. “I’ve been doing this for a long time so just getting the validation from my peers has been great.”

Mark Adler received the 2018 Hyperion Award.

To continue with validation from the Michigan film industry, for the past four years, the Hyperion Award was presented to an individual within the Michigan film industry that has continually made strides to maintain high standards in their craft while inspiring others to do so as well.

The 2018 Hyperion Award was presented to Michigan Production Alliance founder and director, and author of “Production Algebra: A Handbook for Production Assistants” Mark Adler. Adler has been working in the industry since 2003. During this time, he has contributed to the growth and professional status of the state work force by improving performance standards as well as by providing an access path for working in the industry.

“I had no idea that I was in consideration for [the Hyperion Award] so it came to me as quite a surprise,” Adler said. “I’ve just been keeping on because it’s important and I guess people recognized that.”

With honoring both veterans of the awards along with newcomers, Bryce Cameron says its never to late to start in the industry. “You never know creatively when you’ll turn a corner and find something worth showing to the world and being proud of.”

Congratulations to all of the 2018 Eclipse Award winners!

Sound Design
Roy Wallace — Frankie

Direction in a Narrative Short
Scott Magie — Four-Ninety

Cinematography in a Narrative Feature
Matthew Von Dayton — Thaw of the Dead

Acting in a Supporting Role
Peter Herold — Kid Brother

Television and Online Programming
Verify — Eric Schrotenboer, David Bailey, Emma Nicolas, producers

Screenplay Feature Length
Bryce Cameron, Devin Cameron — Kid Brother

Cinematography in Documentary
Angela Peavey — Stories of Us

Original Score
Gregory De Iulio — The House on Oak Street

Documentary Short
Everything Happens Somewhere-Joppa — Eric Schrotenboer, producer

Editing in a Narrative
David Marek — Thaw of the Dead

Cinematography in a Narrative Short
Dane Covey — Small Town