Where They Have Gone: Adams Grad Shows Off Rochester Winter in New Film
Elliot Gray Van Orman has a production business and a passion for film.
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Elliot Gray Van Orman has been making films since he was 10 years old.
It was his passion as a kid growing up in Oakland Township and remains his passion today. So the 26-year-old Van Orman is making a career of it. A graduate of Adams High School, Van Orman recently produced a documentary of his hometown through his film production business, Elliot Van Orman Productions.
The documentary is called A Rochester Winter and features seasonal scenes of some of his favorite local spots.
Growing up: Van Orman attended Baldwin Elementary School and Hart Middle School before Adams, where he graduated in 2004.
After Adams: Van Orman attended film school at Columbia College where he graduated in 2008 with a degree in film and video directing and editing.
Why did you make the film? Van Orman said his intention for the film was to be creative and get his name out there. He does a lot of video work in the BMX bike industry, but he is always looking to branch out. "It has been my lifelong passion and I never plan to give it up," he said. "I am always looking for new projects and work and love staying busy!"
Why all the love for George's? Van Orman has several shots inside George's Coney Island in Rochester Hills. "Ha ha," he said. "I have a lot of those shots in this film simply because I am a big fan of that place and their food. I go out to eat there more than any other place in town. I think my love for them shows in the film."
Van Orman has a video blog at www.egvoproductions.blogspot.com
For more stories about Rochester grads, see our Rochester Alumni page on Patch.
In This article
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Adams High School
3200 W Tienken Rd, Rochester Hills, MI -
Baldwin Elementary School
4325 Bannister Rd, Rochester, MI -
Hart Middle School
6500 Sheldon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI -
George's Coney Island
1437 N Rochester Rd, Rochester, MI
sandi
9:50 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012
What a great video. I truly enjoyed it and even sent it to my brother and sister. Thanks! Sandi
Elliot Van Orman
12:17 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thanks Sandi !
I appreciate it.
-elliot
Cheryl Junker
12:43 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Fabulous.....will be giving George a call with some ideas for a screenplay. This town has a lot of drama....
patricia ozybko
2:16 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Great work, Elliot. I forwarded this on to some friends in other parts of the country who have never been to Rochester. Thanks.
Suzanne Hester
7:14 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
I too sent it to out of town friends....To show off our hidden little secret:) Love Rochester:)
Linda Balas
10:05 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Congratulations, Elliot! The video is great; I always knew you would be successful when were allowed to do what you love.
Elliot Van Orman
11:07 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thanks Mrs. Balas,
It's great to hear from you! I'm doing good and trying to keep things going. Hope teaching is going well for you if you're still at Adams. Thanks for the comment! :) -elliot
Rodger Mangold (Pastor)
10:10 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Had to share on my FB Elliot - You captured some great moments and places in our favorite town! Look forward to more of your work.
Elliot Van Orman
11:07 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
THANKS EVERYONE!!
I really appreciate it!
-elliot
DJV
12:42 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
Elliott,
Congrats! Great job. Happy to see that you're making your dream work. Wishing you every success.
Best,
Donna Vogt
ps: Perhaps you could be in the "circle of trust" now -- though you weren't back in the old AHS LC days. ;)
Elliot Van Orman
7:10 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
:) Thanks Mrs. Vogt!
Great to hear from you as well.
I miss the AHS LC Days!
Hope you guys are doing good!
-elliot
Brian Light
1:51 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Elliot (the maker of this video) is a bowler in Strikers Autistic Bowling League that I am coaching. This is an amazing video. I am truly inspired and proud to be part of the history of Rochester in the Winter.
Brian Light (Coach B)
Ruthann Bajorek
10:40 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Very nice, Elliot! But, I have a question: why no shots of the wonderful Rochester Hills Public Library? It's such a vital part of our community~
Elliot Van Orman
10:47 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thanks!
I have a shot of the Library sign while it snowed in the beginning of the film. I probably should have gotten more shots of the building itself, but with time and the production of this it was hard to cover everything and some things get missed.
Tammy M Kero
9:40 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Enjoyed the visit to Rochester in your film...even brought a tear to my eye--hard to admit to since my husband and I just moved back 'home' from Rochester to Ontonagon (in the U.P.) in October. Didn't think I'd miss 'downstate' but for 10 years Rochester was a nice place to live. I'll never have a delicious Chicken Greek Salad from George's Coney again---and it was where we most often spent our weekly dinner out. Don't suppose you could get their recipe for Greek dressing for me? I miss that salad. Sigh. The shots of the snowbanks in the center lane--when they were bad it was challenging trying to get home from work without turning left! Home Bakery--my second home down there all the years I lived there...I wonder how many cakes I decorated? And oh, the library! I wish we had a library that beautiful up here...now that we're retired and have the time to read! Thanks again for the visit...