It comes with great difficulty and sorrow that I, Michael Walkey announce my resignation from Famous Players on this day, October 22, 2002.  Though I do not want to leave, I have simply accepted an offer I could not refuse.  I have an opportunity to realize a dream.  I have been accepted to the New York Film Academy, a prestigious school for aspiring film-makers, in New York City.  I will be leaving Winnipeg and moving to Manhattan in early November as classes start November 11.

It's very impmortant for me that everyone, management and players know how much they've meant to me over the past four years; and I'd like to take this opportunity to do so.  The impact that working for this company has had on me has been nothing short of enormous.

My parents got divorced when I was 13, and the years that followed were troubling for myself.  I became very anti-social, shy, and lost interest in many things.  By the time I graduated high school, I felt like I didn't have very much.  I was fortunate to land a job at Northstars Cinema (after St. Vital had rejected me on several occassions!) on November 22, 1998, when Jayson Hayes muttered the words, "Kid, I can make you a star!"  And alas, the Mike Walkey era was born.

After a year and a half of working at both Northstar and Portage Place Cinemas, I was excited to get transfered to Silver City St. Vital.  It was slow going at first, but over time I began to become more comfortable with my job and the players.  I was accepted onto their team and loved being a part of it.  They gave me an identity and a sense of unity.  I loved the  many people I worked with and loved interacting with them outside of the workplace too.  My co-workers became my friends.  I became more outgoing and more vocal, and eventually blossomed into a leader. I'm proud of who I've become thanks in part to they many people I've worked for and with.

I never complained much about my job.  I took pride in my work in a hope that others would follow.  My only regret that I could possibly have, is that I couldn't do more for the place that did so much for me.  I really wish I could have been given a bigger platform for me to lead, but the opportunity just never fell into my hands.  It's difficult for me to know that recent opportunities have arrived for myself, but I couldn't accept them because sadly, they were simply too late.

I don't just love movies.  I have a passion.  A passion so great that I want to devote my life to it, and make a career out of it.  I'd like to thank my dad who gave me this passion.  Roy Walkey worked for Universal Pictures for 16 years, managed the Convention Centre for two, and was diagnosed with Hodgekin's Disease four years ago.  He's currently in intensive care, not able to breathe on his own, or speak clearly.  But the one thing he said to me a few days ago was to keep the dream alive.  And that's exactly what I am doing.

That's why I have to leave.  That's why I'm going to New York.  And that's why for the first time since 1990 the name Walkey will not be on the Famous Players payroll.  I always run into ex-employees who ask me why I'm still at the theatre or when I'm going to quit.  I used to get mad at these people.  But now I just feel sorry for them. I feel sorry because I had something they didn't.  I had the pride in knowing that I loved my job.