The Wannabes

Follow six teens who wanna be pop stars even if it means dressing up like fruit and rocking out in a local café. The series begins as five freshman teens attend an arts academy boarding school where they assume they’d learn to become pop stars, but unfortunately not. The stuffy academy only teaches the classics: ballet, instrumental music, and Shakespeare. After a contemporary singing battle in the student lounge, the five teens are given one week of punishment to work at a local café, for free! The Wannabes Movie

What we supplied: Diner boothes, sweet shop props, concert staging/lighting, Mirror balls, linens, market carts, warterfall trees for exterior shots, Drapery for stage, Spandex Walls, Aluminum Divider Walls, and Stone Walls.

Street Kings Motor City

“In addition to Golden Globe-nominated Liotta (Goodfellas), the film stars Shawn Hatosy (Alpha Dog). The sequel to Street Kings, which starred Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker, follows police corruption on the streets of Detroit as an undercover narcotics detective (Liotta) teams up with a hothead detective (Hatosy) to uncover the truth behind a string of cop murders.” Street Kings Motor City Movie

What we supplied: Asian statues, lounge furniture, an exam table, and USA/Michigan flags.

Scream 4

“Ten years after the murders, Sydney has become a successful writer publishing her first book,”Out of the Darkness” based on her story. With Gail’s help, the book becomes a huge success. When Sydney’s book tour goes through Woodsboro, she asks Gail and Dewey to join her. There she connects with her aunt and cousin (Jill). Only the homecoming turns out to be deadly as ghostface returns to start a new trilogy. Who will survive?” Scream 4 Movie

What we supplied: Cut up Mannequins, Corpses, Body Parts, Ghoul Statues, Body Forms

A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (working title)

“Six years have elapsed since Guantanemo Bay, leaving Harold and Kumar estranged from one another with very different families, friends and lives. But when Kumar arrives on Harold’s doorstep during the holiday season with a mysterious package in hand, he inadvertently burns down Harold’s father-in-law’s beloved Christmas tree. To fix the problem, Harold and Kumar embark on a mission through New York City to find the perfect Christmas tree…” A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas

What we supplied: Holiday Décor; Candy Canes, Snowflakes, Large Presents, Director Chairs, Christmas Tree, Wagon, Stanchions Roping, Glass Showcases,Lighting, Lounge Furniture, Gold Statues, a Green Fountain, ornaments.

Home Run Showdown

“Two little league teams take on their coaches sibling rivalry, and end up doing battle in a place the baseball world never expected it: in the outfield of the Home Run Derby.” Home Run Showdown Movie

What we supplied: Lockers, Locker room benchs, Lounge Furniture, Coolers, Chalkboards, Red White Blue Banners, signage, an Italian bar scene.

Crave

“A downtrodden photographer, haunted by the urban violence and decay around him, retreats into an inner world of dark fantasies. Those dangerous visions explode in reality with deadly consequences when his intoxicating new relationship with a beautiful young woman goes sour.” Crave Movie

What we supplied: Stage Riser, White Poly Cyc Drape

Real Steel

“A future-set story where robot boxing is a popular sport and centered on a struggling promoter (Hugh Jackman) who thinks he’s found a champion in a discarded robot. During his hopeful rise to the top, he also discovers he has an 11-year-old son who wants to know his father.” Real Steel Movie

What we supplied: Western Bar Décor, Grass Matting, Linens, Tables, Industrial Merchandisers, Road Cases, Chrome sign holders.

Hung

“Desperate times call for desperate measures and Ray Drecker’s situation couldn’t be much tougher. The former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach is divorced and struggling to provide for his kids when his already run-down house catches fire. Looking to take on a second job, Ray decides to exploit his best asset in a last-ditch attempt to change his fortunes.” Hung t.v. show

What we supplied: Lounge Tables and Stools, furniture.

The Double

“Story kicks off with the mysterious murder of a senator bearing the marks of a Soviet assassin, who was long thought to be dead. To hunt down the killer, a retired CIA operative, who spent his career going toe-to-toe with his Soviet nemesis, is teamed with a young FBI agent.” The Double Movie

What we supplied: Low Aluminum Cocktail Tables, Stanchion and Roping.

Vamps

“Two female vampires in modern-day New York City are faced with daunting romantic possibilities.” Vamps Movie

What we supplied: Dragon Vampire, Gravely Butler, Moan Eek Waitress, Mad Scientist, Rats, Gargoyles, Bats, Skull Lamps, Stage Riser, Mohaghony Bar, Stools, Stanchions, Red Ropes.

Vanishing On 7th Street

When a massive power outage decimates the population, a small handful of people band together inside a deserted tavern in a desperate struggle to survive. Vanishing on 7th Street, an apocalyptic thriller from director Brad Anderson (Session 9, Transsiberian, The Machinist) wrestles with the nature of existence itself in a terrifying vision of the end of the world. Vanishing on 7th Street Movie

What we supplied: Street Signs, Wood Benchs, USA and Michigan Flags, Bomb Shelter Sign, Snowflakes, Candy Canes.

Detroit 187

“Fictional documentarians follow and film Detroit homicide police.” Detroit 1-8-7 t.v. show

What we supplied: Burgundy Drape, Stage Valance, Leopard Drape Walls.

That’s quite a list of movies as you can see. We’ve worked well with the Michigan film industry and look forward to doing much more as a Detroit Prop House.

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1. Prop Supply on the Rise in Michigan

With one of the largest inventories in the Midwest of cool props — items ranging from a replica of Michelangelo’s David to a huge mahogany bar — Portwood, president of Display Group, and his staff of 16 full-time and 10 part-time set and graphic designers, are up to the challenge. Housed in a 200,000-square-foot warehouse west of downtown Detroit on Fort Street, Display Group is an event planner’s dream come true.

Because we have such a large warehouse of decor and many different services that we provide, we’re usually only portrayed in articles as being a theme and decor company so it was great to see the Crain’s article go a little more in depth on the variety of projects we’ve completed lately.

Display Group’s services include basic pipe and draping for corporate meetings, elaborate theme decorations and rental furniture for major events, large format graphics and signs, temporary and permanent displays for trade shows, and exhibits for museums. Recently it has designed and created movie sets, including a room to look like heaven for the latest installation of the “Harold & Kumar” comedy film series.

They go on in the article to mention some of our higher profile clients like Compuware, Quicken Loans, The Parade Company, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. There’s also a good mention of Studio dg our event loft space for rent in our 1920′s era building.

You can read the entire article at Something to see: Display Group makes a go of being all show

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Production Studios and Temporary Offices

Production studios, for example, which normally only operate for two to four months at most, typically rent their furniture because it is more cost effective than purchasing and reselling when they are finished with the project. Additionally, these companies enjoy the benefits of renting from Display Group, such as design, setup and cleanup, which translates to a significant amount of savings. The same is true of temporary offices that expect to be in operation for only a few years, due to anticipated expansion.

Lower Taxes

It is a less commonly known fact that rented furniture can be expensed for the total price each year, whereas purchased furniture is amortized over a longer period. So, even though the business has paid a lump sum, only a portion of that is reflected in tax benefits. For a number of years, then, the company operates at a tax deficit in comparison with rented furniture. Meanwhile, inflation reduces the value of the total expense, furthering the benefits of office furniture rental.

Office Morale

Furniture has a considerable effect on office morale, efficiency and employee loyalty. Not only does it reflect company resources that reflection also sends a critical message to staff members who depend on their paycheck. By renting, new companies who do not yet have the resources to buy office furniture outright can still uphold a confident image internally, not to mention the effect on new hires, investors, and clients/suppliers, who are actively looking for assurance in the company’s future prosperity.

Flexibility

The versatility of renting can be an enormous selling point for new companies and even established companies which may be anticipating a shift in function or market. Whereas purchasing furniture sets the company ambiance for five years at least, renting can entail commitments of fewer than three years, allowing for quick adjustments to consumer demand and market price. When the business changes its function, the office needs to shift, as well. Flexibility is security.

Display Group will listen to company concerns, target goals, and requirements, draft an office environment to suit them, and with our client’s go ahead, construct the business office from the bottom up. We make the entire process as easy and painless as possible because design, set up, and execution is what we do best, so that clients can focus on their strong suits. Located in Detroit, Michigan we are easily able to service the metro-Detroit areas as well as the whole of lower Michigan.

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Here are some specifics about the Mayor Archer Collection at the Detroit Public Library

Dennis W. Archer, former Detroit mayor and Michigan Supreme Court Justice, served two four-year terms as mayor of the city of Detroit (1994-2001), and was president of the National League of Cities in 2001. After leaving the mayor’s office, Mr. Archer was elected chairman of Dickinson Wright PLLC, a 200-person, Detroit-based law firm with offices in Michigan and in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Archer gave his personal and municipal records of his mayoral years, as well as his Supreme Court papers, to the Detroit Public Library upon leaving office eight years ago. Mr. Archer and his wife Trudy also donated to the Library $25,000 to process the collection, which will reside in the Burton Historical Collection at Main Library.

Here are some pictures including the original spec drawings that we created for approval.

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1. How to Pick the Best Portable Display

A single great theme party can forge business connections, the benefits of which may be reaped for years afterward. For theme parties, external objectives may be set and met, such as increase in brand recognition or loyalty, increased sales performance, and development of rapport with clientele. Internal objectives may be met, as well, in the case of company parties, such as internal branding, increased efficiency, and improved customer service. Because these types of objectives have been met consistently by successful companies, advertising executives typically budget over 10% of their resources for corporate events.

The spicy, foreign element and the creativity of the imaginary environment of a theme party can place attendees in the perfect mood to have fun, relax, and develop rapport with a speed that conference rooms will always envy. The goal is to transport guests out of the real world, to a place, time, or idea that will reinforce the host’s project goals. Display Group works side by side with companies to develop the theme that will be most successful for their objectives and company image. After that, our clients can rest easy and forget about execution. We arrange everything, from space rental and set up, to clean up, so that our clients can focus on the event without worrying about the details.

Throwing a successful theme party requires planning, experience, talent, and connections. Every detail matters, whether it be the lighting, scent machines, or Chinese lanterns, because the more believable the world is, the more fun and effective the party becomes. Display Group is proud of our proven track record of success with creating ambiances, top to bottom that have enough flare to make it fun, but are believable and captivating enough to be impressive and elegant.

Display Group has consistently turned ideas, no matter how far fetched, into reality, mirroring worlds as unexpected and exciting as the screening of The Wizard of Oz. Down to the spools of film arranged next to a life size, vintage camera, we arranged a paradise that had guests relaxed and entertained before they sat down on the plush, contemporary yellow chairs. With lush foliage framing the decadent walls of the Emerald City and life size cutouts of Dorothy, the Scarecrow and Tin Man, the environment effectively reproduced the sentiments from the movie. Drawing on our talented staff and resources (we have a 200,000 sq. ft. rental facility, full to the brim with props, knick knacks, and costumes), we were able to set a scene for an evening that guests will never forget.

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“Lemonade: Detroit” is a film about the disarming resilience of a city that can no longer rely on a single industry for its livelihood, and the entrepreneurial strengths of those who are reinventing themselves and their communities.

Instead of sensationalizing blight, “Lemonade, Detroit” will sensationalize hope, told through the intensely personal stories of those who are turning the city into what it will become.

What they’ve done in other markets, they’re now doing in Detroit with a Motown twist. This is a great opportunity to see hope in Detroit and positive news instead of the countless negativity that we encounter every day. There are bright spots in Detroit, there are success stories in spite of the economy, and there is hope. The following trailer for Lemonade Movie shows you what they’ve done before, although they were here in Detroit shooting for a new movie on hope in Detroit, it gives you an idea of the excellent film makers that are putting it together!

I’ll put the trailer up as soon as they create it. Until then, you can go here to view one of their interviews. Also the owner of my favorite crepe place! As Torya Goes, Detroit Goes

The Lemonade Detroit crew was also nice enough to take some great shots of our loft space that they used downstairs for interviews and some shots of a portion of the warehouse they took over upstairs for a different backdrop. We would like to thank Erik Proulx and everyone from Lemonade for using our space to shoot such a great movie with an excellent message.

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Steve has been a successful corporate meeting and event producer for more than 15 years, coordinating the design, creative development and implementation of numerous programs around the country. His broad range of clients includes financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, professional sports franchises, manufacturing companies and retail chains.

Steve has created and produced high profile corporate programs on behalf of the President of the United States, Michael McDonald, Cirque du Soleil, General Norman Schwarzkopf, John Mellencamp, Huey Lewis and the News, US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Coretta Scott King, and is best known for conceiving and creating the Detroit Pistons pre-game team introduction.

We are excited to provide an even better event experience for our clients with the addition of Steve Honingford.

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1. Display Group 2010

Display Group President, Rick Portwood, posing with some Roman themed statues

There’s also an excellent interview video that not only tells you more about Display Group and our theme and prop collection but it also shows you how big and extensive that collection is.

Here’s an excerpt of the article:

Local businesses like Display Group, an events and design company in Detroit, have evolved their trade to appeal to the Michigan’s burgeoning film industry.

“We do a lot of the big, high-profile events and corporate events that are here in Detroit and Michigan,” said Display Group President Rick Portwood. “A lot of those pieces that we use to create these scenes for events can also be used for the movie industry.”

Display Group has four floors of its warehouse dedicated to storing everything and anything — 1950s telephones, mummies and giant slot machines.

“It’s kind of endless,” said Portwood. “You almost have to walk around to see it all.”

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But that presence does not come cheaply. Across the US, the average cost for displays ranges from $100-150/sq. ft. Because it is such a healthy investment, the portable displays we make at Display Group all come with a lifetime guarantee that ensures you do not suffer from any one of the mishaps that can occur on the road. We will sit down with your company and custom design your display, bringing our talent and experience to bear on the project

When it comes to deciding which kind of display to purchase, it is important to anticipate the kind of events it will be used for, the number of individuals who will be traveling with it, and how they will travel. Companies who are unsure how they may want to change their sales and promotions tactics may opt for a modular display, which has the capacity for multiple configurations, dependent upon the event, as well as add-ons that may be purchased in the future.

Banner stands, table top displays, and wire frames are all extremely cost-effective ways to draw attention to one’s brand. They can also be used for a number of different functions, either to increase internal branding in the office or on the road. By mixing high-resolution, photographic-quality graphics and text, these can be designed to promote corporate values, mottos, and products at the same time, so that your promotions team will be the center of business activity.

Whatever the marketing/sales objectives, Display Group has the experience necessary to work with companies in the development of portable displays that will achieve consistent results, standing apart from the competition in creativity, dependability, and elegance. Display Group can create light-weight environments that will prove to be significant assets that any promotions team would be proud of.

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