7 Cylinders Studio

04/14/2026

Thanks to A2 Pulp for covering this special sneak preview of our studio's latest film SEND MORE CLOWNS!

03/05/2026

Real voices from across Ann Arbor with real concerns about students and cell phones in schools. We produced this video (and the upcoming full version) in strong support of ScreenWise Ann Arbor's efforts to improve the learning capacity & mental health of young people in our community.

Governor Whitmer recently signed a statewide ban on cell phones during instructional time (effective Fall 2026). Soon, the Ann Arbor Public Schools board wil...

02/15/2026

A good time of year for reflecting.

01/22/2026

IFFY is gearing up for its 7th season(!) and this rocking benefit show is a super fun way to help keep it rolling. Our studio is proud to sponsor this year. Let’s get iFFY!

11/11/2025

7 Cylinders Studio's newest project is a short, independent documentary directed by 7CS filmmaker Toko Shiiki. "Send More Clowns" delves into what it means to be human and to connect in these polarized, uncertain times.

We are excited to finish "Send More Clowns" and share it with you in 2026! Post-production is an intensive & expensive process, however, so we are inviting our community to help us complete this funny & poignant film. Today we are launching a one-month Seed & Spark campaign to raise $12,000+ for the film's finishing funds.

With an intimate cinema vérité approach "Send More Clowns" will immerse audiences in the 'Fool School Clown Class' taught by Rose Carver in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Rose is a q***r, charismatic, and deeply compassionate clown who developed this class with legendary clown Jango Edwards prior to his passing in 2023. Her classes have become a sanctuary for marginalized people to break through fear and heal with humor. We believe this film will provide viewers with inspiration—through lots of laughs, tears and brave moments of vulnerability!

These first few days of the campaign are especially critical to generate support & momentum for this kind of community-powered project, so we encourage you to contribute to our campaign today! And, as you will see, there are plenty of fun, clown-filled "perks" for backers at every level!

In a world of rising conflict, maybe clowns can save us. This film follows Rose, who devoted her life to the art of clowning, helping students heal with laughter and brave acts of vulnerability. Together they transform fear through humor, heal traumas & open a path to more joyful ways of connecting.

10/23/2025

This piece we produced for Girls Group shows how they're expanding their support for young girls in Ypsilanti. As Kepriah says in the video, "I think it's a perfect example of why we exist."

Girls Group empowers young women to achieve emotional and economic self-sufficiency by ensuring they graduate from high school and begin their college or car...

10/21/2025

The crisis of affordable housing in our area (and well beyond) is all too real with solutions seemingly too slow or scarce. So when Avalon Housing approached us to share a success story we were keen to focus our lenses and get to work. The Grove at Veridian opened this summer in Ann Arbor with 50 units of affordable housing, which is now home to families, people aging out of foster care, and residents who recently exited homelessness.
This short video we produced shares that story.

The Grove at Veridian, 50 units of affordable housing in the heart of Ann Arbor, opened in the summer of 2025. Located on land that used to be a juvenile det...

07/09/2025

Our studio's excited for the premiere of Zach Damon's documentary produced for the Ann Arbor District Library, followed by audience Q&A on Sunday, July 27 @ 6pm. The film brings important voices and perspectives to the screen, as it focuses on the history of disability rights and advocacy in the Ann Arbor area. 7 Cylinders got to play a part in support of this project, but kudos to Zach & Chris for doing the heavy lifting that makes an important project like this come to life. See you there!

Resilience Revealed | Film Premiere and Discussion When Sunday July 27, 2025: 6:00pm to 7:00pm  Add to Calendar /   Add to Google Calendar Where Downtown Library: 1st Floor Lobby Description Join us for the premiere of Resilience Revealed, a new documentary on the role Ann Arbor has played in th...

07/02/2025

Hard hats, safety glass and serious security permissions to film at the GM Proving Grounds for washtenawisd about the role CTE (career technical education) can play in our community. We’ll share the series this fall—for now a few BTS with lots of big equipment in action!

Big thanks to Andrew at for rolling up his sleeves and leading the way, as well as Ashley & Andrew at WISD for super producing the series.

05/21/2025

Hot off the presses—we produced this short *About Us* piece for Washtenaw Literacy to help share the story of their important work (for over 50 years!) and resources they provide (for free!) in our community. If you or anyone you know might benefit from literacy support (which also includes digital literacy, math, ESL), please spread the word.

O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o
Director & Producer: Donald Harrison
Cinematography & Editing: Toko Shiiki
Illustrations: Yen Azzaro
Graphic Design & Website: Linette Lao
Writers & Exec Producers: Carole McCabe & Neil Steichen
Featuring volunteers for Washtenaw Literacy:
Darlene, Blair, Allison & Hamza
Thanks to all the additional tutors & learners for participation!

Washtenaw Literacy is the oldest and largest adult literacy organization in Michigan. We partner with learners as they work towards their goals. Learn more a...