Confidence of a Lansing Man

Johnny DeMarco as "Tommy" in Confidence of a Tall Man.

Photo by Dan Irving.

Mid-Michigan takes the big screen this Sunday at Tavern & Tap. A special showing of Confidence of a Tall Man will air in the very city it was filmed: Lansing.

“You can watch the film and definitely notice a lot of locations and places that you see every day,” said Michael McCallum, the director, producer and co-editor. “We shot a majority of the bar scenes at Zoobies. We shot some stuff walking down Michigan Avenue where Emil’s and that sort used to be. They’re gone now but they’re captured forever in the film, which is something that I love. We shot at the former Tavern on the Square, which is no longer there, which is why we’re doing the showing at Tavern & Tap. “

The film by Rebel Pictures was written by Justin Muschong. It has won the Jury Award at the DIY Film Festival in Santa Monica, California, and earned seven nominations at the 6th Annual Eclipse Awards in Grand Rapids, Michigan, including Best Actor and Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

“It was seeing a lot of new places come up in town, but a lot of older places kind of falling by the wayside,” said McCallum — a Lansing native. “It was kind of seeing a city somewhat decaying a bit and trying to fight back.”

Confidence of a Tall Man stars Johnny DeMarco and Ken D. Orlich as brothers Tommy and Teddy respectively. Tommy tries to sell his father’s failing business on its fiftieth anniversary, but Teddy — who McCallum describes as the film’s “screw up”— blows all of their money on advertising, adding to their failure.

McCallum said the film’s message is about responsibility.

“Really comes down to obligations that you have sometimes work-wise and a lot of the time family-wise, and that perseverance it takes to get through a tough life,” said McCallum. “It really becomes a day-to-day thing. It celebrates that perseverance that we all have or should have and be striving for.”

The showing will last from 8 p.m. to midnight, with a $10 admission at the door. Movie Posters, DVD’s of the film and CD’s of the original score by Michael Smalley, Gary Clavette, Geoff Lewis and other Michigan artists will be available for purchase too. The event also includes a live performance from artists Alex Mendenall and Jim Shaneberger, whose music is featured in the film.

McCallum said he is proud of the fact that “Confidence of a Tall Man” is a product of Lansing.

“A bigger film comes to Michigan and they shoot in Detroit or Grand Rapids,” said McCallum. “This movie is shot right here in Lansing. It features local businesses, mid-Michigan artists, musicians, actors and that kind of flavor of Lansing. As much as I love Detroit and I love Grand Rapids, this is a different area. I love to be able to make work that celebrates that.”

“Confidence of a Tall Man” 8 p.m.–Midnight $10 Tavern & Tap

101 S. Washington Square

Lansing, MI

(517) 374-5555

Tavernandtap.com;

rebelpictures.net