Meet Kathleen Glynn

July 25, 2007

During the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF) while her husband
Michael Moore is bouncing around town overseeing the Festival as its founder and president, Kathleen Glynn will join friends and take in some of the films, parties and the pure enjoyment of being in downtown Traverse City.
“For me it’s like a mini-vacation. I love shopping downtown. Everyone is so happy and all the festival-goers look like they know a secret,” said Glynn. “The great thing about the TCFF is that you can walk everywhere, the restaurants are great and you can dress up or down.”
Glynn was born in Flint and met
Moore at Jiffy Prints where she worked and “dreamed of being a graphic
designer.” For those not in the know, it might appear that Glynn lives in the shadow of Michael Moore. In reality she is his shadow and relishes in a “job well done” versus concerning herself over the public spotlight.
Glynn is an internationally-known, award-winning film and television pro-ducer. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences (Academy Awards), and serves on the executive board of the Documentary Branch. She is quite comfortable in her behind-the-scenes role as producer.
“The Mustang convertible gets all the press, but it didn’t build itself.It took a team to design and build.
We don’t know their names and we haven’t seen their faces, newspapers don’t write articles about the men and women behind the scenes,” said Glynn. “We have a great team and our
‘Mustang’ does a great job grabbing headlines.”
GET THE JOB DONE
While the media fixates on Moore, Glynn’s focuses on her role as producer:
“My job is to get the job done. I am intimately involved in the story, editing, style and intent of the film,” said Glynn. “I oversee delivery of the film, on time, on budget, legally buttoned up, and cleared to be distributed worldwide. I set up all the production offices, hire the staff, supervise the pre-production, production, post-production, delivery, distribution, marketing, and promotion of the film. I then close the offices and production down and start all over again for the next project.”
Both Glynn and Moore learned their filmmaking craft “on-the-job” with the making of “Roger & Me.” Glynn sees a connection between their previous careers that helped in the transition to making films.
“We both ran our own small businesses. I was a graphic designer and Michael published a newspaper. In business you handled whatever came next, stayed creative and innovative, and tried to make a living while really being excited about and loving your work,” said Glynn. “Subsequently, the job of making a film (or starting a film festival) fits that model. It is work, sometimes grueling, but the final package is extremely satisfying.”

NEEDED A BREAK
When her husband began to conceptualize the idea of a film festival, Glynn opted to not to join him in administering the front lines of the TCFF.
“At the time the TCFF was conceived I had just come off Fahrenheit 911 and I needed a break. It was an international phenomenon and I felt like I had been on a rock and roll tour for the last two years,” said Glynn.
“Although it was hard to stay away from the birth of the festival, I decided to be more of an e-mail buddy and added my two cents and ideas as I could. I have had a lot of experience with festivals around the world and certainly planned premieres and opening night parties and events, so I have been happy to share some of that experience as needed with the staff at the TCFF. I also wanted to enjoy living here and practice some other personal pursuits.”
Glynn has been an active financial contributor to the TCFF. Sponsoring theaters, films and parties. This year she and her production company Blue Lake Entertainment are sponsoring the Opening Night Party and the film “Once.”
“I have an Irish background and I am very excited about sponsoring the opening film ‘Once,’ since it was made in Ireland,” said Glynn. “I also do have input on the films shown at the TCFF and I am very opinionated.”
As for her “personal pursuits,” Glynn is busy with her own production company. Her current projects include fiction features. One is about the early life of Marlon Brando from an original script by Northport/New York writer Bob Sloan and one is adapted from the book, “Local DJ” by downstate author Peter Cavanaugh.
“Michael is very generous and supportive with my projects,” said Glynn. “I was encouraged into ‘formally’ producing by Michael. Growing up, I never really thought about the long-term aspects of a career. But I’ve always had a long list of things I’d like to do.”

WELCOMING COMMUNITY
Glynn has been active locally in support of the Democratic Party (Antrim Dems as vice-chair) and in several cultural endeavors.
I have been able to try my ‘voice’ at public speaking here in Traverse City to a very welcoming and supportive community,” said Glynn. “Since my experiences have often been different from my husband’s, I like to share my viewpoint with others.”
One different experience and perspective from her husband is being a female filmmaker in a male-dominated industry.
“Any woman can pick up a video camera and make her own independent film. It’s the reading, writing, arithmetic, plus a little rock and roll that will make it great,” said Glynn. “Working in the traditional industry is different since a lot of landing a job relies on networking and the jobs have traditionally belonged to men. However, the tools of independent film, film festivals and alternative media bring recognition to the exponential talent of women. The smart guys will get this and want their films to look and sound great. Trust me. Then they’ll take all the credit for discovering the women.”
So how do the two very strong-willed, opinionated people in their household settle their differences?
“We prefer to settle our differences by seeing who can skip a rock the furthest,” said Glynn. “Oh, and I do have superpowers. For instance, I can see
things in the refrigerator that Michael cannot see.”

ONE WITH THE AUDIENCE
Glynn, like her husband, has the ability to separate herself from her career while watching films at the TCFF.
“While I’m watching, I forget that I’m a producer. I don’t think about the shots, I don’t think about the editing, I don’t think about what they might have paid for the helicopter in the scene, or the cost of the costume, or the music,” said Glynn. “It’s great when I just meld into the experience, become one with the audience and think, wow, now that was a great movie.”
While Glynn and Moore spend time in New York and traveling the world for their work, they call Bellaire home. Besides the people, Glynn finds the beauty of the area wonderful and is a four-season person, even enjoying the snow. She feels obligated to preserve the area from over development.
“I get to see a lot of friends from the ‘industry’ during the TCFF,” said Glynn. “Of course they love the area until we tell them about the 560 inches of snow that starts falling here every September.”
So any predications for the 2008 presidency?
“I’d like to be proud of the next president. My hope is that over the coming year I can work to help elect a candidate with vision and leadership,” said Glynn. “I have just one very precious vote and it will be spent very wisely. I think anyone running for president this election cycle had better sharpen up and realize we expect greatness.”