Any fans of the TV Show, Survivor?

A brief story about my experiences with Examiner.com....(trust me, it leads into the topic of Survivor...)

As many of you know (or may not know...) I began writing a column for Examiner.com last July, the Detroit Wedding Examiner (they call all of their columnists "Examiners.") It has been an overwhelming success, and since then I have published over 100 articles to help brides in the Detroit area plan their wedding, and give them free inside tips and tricks on everything weddings.

As fate would have it, in October, the local position of Detroit Movie Examiner opened up. I am a huge film buff, and applied for the position simply as a way to maybe "blog" about movies that I see. I saw no potential in it business wise....boy was I wrong. In February I was selected as part of a nation-wide promotion by Examiner.com and NCM.com (National CineMedia), and I was flown to Denver to create a 30 second commercial featuring me...to promote my movie reviews that appear on Examiner.com and NCM.com. Since then, I am hoping to join a few Film Critic Societies, and have gotten free screenings to many movies to supply early reviews to my readers. Close to my 40th movie review, this column is going strong as well, and my commercial is playing in local Detroit theatres all over the place (prior to show time on-screen), through the summer...Oh yah, I also appear in a nation-wide spot as well, and have been seen by friends in New York City and in Kansas.

So you're wondering...what does all this have to do with Survivor? Well, I have just been appointed as the national Survivor Examiner! I have been a HUGE fan of the show since the very 1st season, and have not missed one episode...ever. This is my first "national" column, and again I don't foresee any "business" benefit, just an opportunity to discuss my favorite show with other fans (and possibly future exit interviews with actual cast-aways!)

So if you're getting married, well great: check out the Detroit Wedding Examiner, and get in touch if you are looking for award-winning Videography.

If you love movies, and want the latest on the emerging film industry in Michigan: check out the Detroit Movie Examiner.

And if you love Survivor like I do, be sure to check out my Survivor Examiner column. I will be covering from now thru the end of Heroes vs. Villains, and then all summer too, leading into next fall's new season.

If you like all 3 then great!!!!

Thanks to everyone for your support, and I hope to have you subscribe to the columns, tell your friends, and participate by leaving comments!!!!

Sincerely,

Tom Santilli

Owner - Complete Video Solutions

Movie Theatre List where you can see me on screen!

I'm officially up on the big screen, as mentioned before (click here to see the video spot that is playing in local theatres.)

I apparently was wrong, as I thought I wouldn't be shown at MJR theatres...but I am! Cool. So anyways, here's the list of theatres in Michigan where my local Detroit Movie Examiner/NCM.com Movie Review Promo will play:

• AMC Livonia 20
• AMC Forum 30
• AMC Star Rochester Hills
• AMC Star John R
• AMC Star Gratiot
• AMC Star Southfield
• AMC Star Great Lakes Crossing
• AMC Star Fairlane 21
• Cinemark Warren (Universal Mall)
• Goodrich Krafft 8 (Port Huron)
• Goodrich Quality 16 (Ann Arbor)
• Goodrich Oxford 7
• Goodrich Canton Cinema
• Regal/United Artists - Commerce Township 14
• Dollar - Allen Park Cinema
• MJR Brighton Town Square 20
• MJR Chesterfield Crossings
• MJR Southgate Cinemas
• MJR Waterford Cinema
• MJR Marketplace Cinema 20 (15 & Van Dyke)
• MJR Partridge Creek Cinema 14
• National Amusements - Ann Arbor Showcase Cinemas
• National CineMedia - NCM.com Media Network Detroit (on-line)

Again, it's quick (only 30 seconds) and is part of "First Look", which runs about 25 minutes or so before the showtime. The spot may appear in different places within First Look, depending on the movie. But it will be shown within First Look for every movie, every screening, at every listed theatre, running through August 19th!!!

So if you haven't already, go check out my Detroit Movie Examiner column and subscribe to it for free, and get my articles sent to your inbox.

Thanks for your support, and see you at the movies!

Tom Santilli - Complete Video Solutions

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You.....ME!!!

Well I have exciting news...and due to everyone I know asking me about my experiences last week, I just thought I'd post it here instead!

In case you missed it, here's the scoop: I was one of 20 people selected nation-wide to participate in a national ad campaign for Examiner.com and National Cinemedia (ncm.com.) The campaign is called "The Best Film Critics in America." As you know (or may not know) I write two different columns for Examiner.com: as the Detroit Wedding Examiner and as the Detroit Movie Examiner. Through my reviews on my Movie Examiner column and through a video I had to send in, I was selected.

Read on for details on my experiences, but first I want to share with everybody exactly what Examiner.com is and what National CineMedia is.

Examiner.com. Examiner.com was the #1 Fastest Growing News website according to Nielsen ratings, and continues to grow. Click on the previous link for a bunch more. Examiner.com employs a slew of writers that they refer to as "Examiners" in over 240 markets including 6 in Canada. Last August, Examiner.com had over 7.5 million "unique" hits on it's website, and currently receive around 17 million uniques a month, and over 40 million page views (thanks Matt Sandy from Examiner.com for the updated stats!!!!).

National CineMedia (NCM). From their website: "NCM operates the largest digital in-theatre network in North America through a venture of AMC Entertainment, Cinemark USA, and Regal Entertainment Group, which are the 3 largest theatre operators in the U.S. NCM network includues approx. 16,800 screens in over 1,325 theatres in 46 states, reaching more than 660 million moviegoers annually.

In more familiar terms, NCM is responsible for the "First Look" Video that plays in front of every single movie at local theatres (except MJR theatres). This "First Look" normally plays 15 minutes prior to the actual listed show time, and before the Previews.

The "Best Film Critics in America" Campaign. Basically, I was flown out to Denver, CO, where they produced a 30 second promo video on me specifically. Here is what I know about the video:

• Beginning March 19th, this 30 second video starring me will play in front of every movie, at every theatre, as part of "First Look" in every AMC, Regal Cinema, and Cinemark Theatre in and around the Metro/Detroit area.
• The spot is currently slated to run for a period of 6 months, or thru September 19th.
• The spot is promoting me as the "Detroit Movie Examiner" and will prompt people to check out my column and movie reviews.
• The spot will prompt people to access my reviews via ncm.com, where all of my Detroit Movie Examiner reviews will be posted.
• IN ADDITION: On a side note, from the 20 people selected for this, 4 of us were chosen for a National Spot that will air nationally in various markets. I was selected as one of the four!!!

My Experience. Although it was a quick trip, it was totally paid for by Examiner.com and was one of the greatest experiences of my life! The first night was more of a mixer, where I got to meet the other Examiners from across the country, as well as important people from Examiner.com. We bonded and I truly made some friends that I will keep in touch with.

The next day was the shoot, where we were brought to NCM studios and given the full treatment: Hair, make-up. They made me take off my Detroit Tiger "D" T-shirt for fear of copyright...oh well. My shoot took about 20 minutes. The group shoot for the national spot was more intense but also more fun, and we finished that only minutes before I was rushed out of the studio and on to a shuttle to catch my flight back to Detroit.

What all this means...For those who know me, you know my passion in life are Movies. I began writing the Movie Examiner for no purpose at all other than to do something that I love. Now it seems, that this career path is taking off more than I could have ever dreamed. In the past few weeks, it has become a full-fledged career opportunity. Don't worry brides reading this...none of this will effect my availability for your wedding! But it is a step in a direction of a dream of mine that I've had since childhood: To have it be "Siskel, Ebert & Santilli", or at least, that was my vision of it...

So look for me in theatres beginning March 19th, and be sure to check out (and subscribe) to my column which can be emailed to you for free. From this opportunity, I am now being added to receive (Free!!!) Advanced Screening Tickets so I can post reviews before the movies come out to general public. I am hoping to be admitted to the Online Film Critics Association as well as the Detroit Film Critics Society in the coming year, which both would be extreme honors. There is also interest to have me host a local TV Show that would deal with all things movies in the Detroit area.

I write because I love it. I love movies because of how it effects me and I find it fascinating how a movie can effect each person differently. I am not a "film snob", I just write about how a movie impacted me, good or bad. If you do read my column, please give your comments on the review (it allows you to post your comments). I am never "right or wrong" when it comes to movies, and I would love to hear your opinion and your reaction to each movie as well.

Until next time, the balcony is closed!!!! (I've always wanted to say...or type that...)

Tom Santilli