WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE

West Virginia Film Office

Email Blast

April 30, 2006

Contents

A. Acknowledgements & Special Notices

B. West Virginia Film Office Updates & News

1. 2006-2007 Production Services Directory

2. Community / Industry Relations / Office Development

3. West Virginians in the News – "Outside the Border"

C. Production Activity By Outside Companies

D. West Virginia Crews, Production Companies, Performance Artists, and Vendors in Action

E. West Virginia Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Industry-Related Job Postings

F. Nationwide Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Industry Job Postings

G. Articles and Websites of Interest, Useful Resources, Industry-Related Activities

H. Film Festivals & Script Submissions & Other Industry-Related Festivals and Competitions

I. West Virginia Calendar of Events

J. Contact Info, Disclaimer, Subscribe/Unsubscribe

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A. Acknowledgements & Special Notices

1. Special Notice for Students and Educational Institution Instructors. If you are searching for ways to learn more about opportunities for students interested in filmmaking (including screenwriting, lighting, directing, editing, etc.), visit a dedicated site for Student Filmmakers at www.studentfilmmakers.com. The site contains valuable information on workshops, film festivals, film schools, and much more. Also available is a free subscription to the Student Filmmakers Magazine.

2. The West Virginia International Film Festival has extended its deadline for entries to its annual Student Filmmaking Competition to May 31, 2006. The WVIFF has chosen to program the student competition as a feature of the 2nd annual Charleston FestivALL celebration (June 23-25). Winning entries will be shown during the awards program on Sunday, June 25 at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater, 123 Summers Street, Charleston (Kanawha County). Competition rules and prizes remain the same. For details, visit www.wviff.org, or contact David Bailey at wviffstudentfilm@yahoo.com.

3. Congratulations to Jamie Cope, proprietor of the animation house Destiny Images of Scott Depot (Putnam County), on his latest film "News You Can Use: How Do We Balance Energy", which was selected for screening during the 9th Annual East Lansing Children’s Film Festival held February 24-March 2. This is the 8th consecutive year a Destiny Images' film has been selected to screen at this festival. For more information about Destiny Images, visit www.destinyimages.com. For more information about the festival, visit www.elcff.com.

4. In December 2005, the ICASA Film Festival held in Nigeria, Africa, announced that Duara, a short feature film made in collaboration between the Communications Department of West Virginia State University of Institute (Kanawha County) and the Fine and Performing Arts Department of the University of Dar es Salaam of Tanzania, received the "Innovation in Youth HIV/AIDS Education" award. Congratulations to all of the students and faculty of these educational institutions responsible for this film. (This Nigerian film festival is coordinated with representatives of New York's Ithaca College.) For more information on Duara, visit www.pfi.wvstateu.edu/duara.html. For more information about the festival, visit http://www.ithaca.edu/icasafilms.

5. Congratulations to Aliy Bossert and Kevin McMillan, seniors at Roane County High School, who tied for first place in the Spot Feature On-Site Contest Student Television Network National Convention in Anaheim, CA, held February 2-4. Sixty-one teams of students competed from 44 states. The students were given the assignment to tell a story of the STN Convention, in which they had six hours to develop a story and then shoot, write, and edit. Bossert and McMillian's spot focused on different cultures, and associated stereotypes thereof, that come together for one cause at the convention. Judges of the competition were Bob Brandon (CBS photojournalist) and Les Rose (photographer for the sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond"). For more information about the Student Television Network, visit www.studenttelevision.com. To reach Janet Kirby, the Broadcast Journalism Instructor at Roane County High School, call the school at 304-927-6420.

6. Wheeling (Ohio County), West Virginia native and actor John Corbett has made a career change — to musician! Best known for his roles in the feature films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Raising Helen" and his television roles on "Northern Exposure" and "Sex in the City", Corbett's self-titled album debuted on April 4 and is a collection of country-rock songs. The first single from the album, "Good to Go", debuted at No. 48 on Billboard's country singles chart. Asked by the Associated Press whether he will return to acting, he responded that music is his passion and acting is his job — if he had to pick one, he'd pick music. For more information about his band and touring schedule, visit www.johncorbettband.com.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

B. West Virginia Film Office Updates & News

1. 2006-2007 Production Services Directory. The May 10 deadline is approaching to be listed in the 2006-2007 edition of West Virginia's Production Services Directory. Please be proactive and forward this information to anyone you believe should be listed. The PSD is the most important resource published by the Film Office for showcasing the state's workforce and support services to the filming industry. If you are unsure whether you or your business offers a service that should be listed in the PSD, please visit www.wvfilm.com/directory1.htm to browse through the dozens of categories. If you have any questions, please contact the Film Office.

2. Community / Industry Relations / Office Development. The Film Office participated in the annual Locations Trade Show in Santa Monica, CA (April 7-9), sponsored by the Association of Film Commissioners International, with more than 200 film commissions from around the world in attendance. West Virginia's booth was designed by the Division of Tourism's graphic artist, Barry Wooldridge, with the backdrop being designed by the Division's agency, Charles Ryan Associates.

3. West Virginians in the News – "Outside the Border". The Soupy Sales Collection: The Whole Gang is Here! is available on a 3-disc DVD set. Soupy's hysterical performances include those with White Fang, Black Tooth, and Pookie the Lion, as well as slapstick comedy at its best when The Rat Pack shows up at a restaurant where Soupy is a disgruntled waiter and a full-scale pie fight ensues, and much more. A twelve-page booklet with pictures is a welcome bonus to supplement the package. Available via several outlets, including www.amazon.com.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

C. Production Activity By Outside Companies (These listings will include only those productions that have shot on location in West Virginia and have given authority for the information to be disseminated.)

1. Warner Bros., "We Are Marshall". The feature film "We Are Marshall" shot for 16 days on location in Kenova (Wayne County) and Huntington (Cabell County), West Virginia. The film is based on the November 14, 1970, plane crash that killed all 75 people aboard (including nearly all of the football team) returning from a Marshall University football game and chronicles the university and community's healing process. Principal photography began April 3 in Kenova and the West Virginia portion wrapped on April 22 at MU's annual Green & White game. Filming continues in Atlanta, Georgia, until June 22. A separate email will be sent during the next couple of weeks offering some of the details behind this major motion picture with an A-list cast, which includes Matthew McConaughey, Oscar-nominee David Strathairn, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, Kata Mara, Ian McShane, and many others. Marshall University is maintaining a fantastic website about the film at www.marshall.edu/movie. And the Huntington Herald Dispatch has dedicated a special section to coverage of the film, including a link for all news articles, plus dozens of photographs at www.heralddispatch.com and then click the Special Sections hyperlink "We Are Marshall coverage".

2. Edward Jones Investments. The Gauley River near the borders of Fayette and Nicholas Counties played host to a still photography shoot for a 2-page spread advertisement by Edward Jones Investments. West Virginia crew were hired and support services of West Virginia businesses were utilized for the 2-day photography shoot in November 2005. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a special water release from the Summersville Dam for the production. The Italian photographer Fulvio Bonavia shot the ad, and Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners was the agency for EJI. The 2-page spread appeared in the March 2006 issues of Cooking Light, Smithsonian, Golf Magazine, Southern Living, Time, Forbes, National Geographic, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance; the April 2006 issues of Smithsonian and Southern Living; and will continue to run through November in several of those publications.

3. Mothman Documentary. A documentary crew is currently shooting for approximately 20 days on location in Point Pleasant (Mason County), West Virginia. Additional details will be provided at a later date. The Film Office thanks Denny Bellamy of the Mason County CVB for providing assistance to the production team.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

D. West Virginia Crews, Production Companies, Performance Artists, and Vendors in Action (The Film Office will identify only productions that can be confirmed by appropriate production representatives.)

[this section intentionally left blank for this edition]

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

E. West Virginia Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Industry-Related Job Postings

1. Job Opening — Audio Engineer. An opening for the position of Audio Engineer with Pro Tools experience has been announced by Sweetsong Productions of Parkersburg (Wood County), West Virginia. For consideration, contact Roger Hoover by email at sweetsonginfo@sweetsong.com.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

F. Nationwide Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Industry-Related Job Postings

[this section intentionally left blank for this edition]

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

G. Articles and Websites of Interest, Useful Resources, Industry-Related Activities

1. Hollywood Film Institute's 2-Day Film School, Richmond, VA. Voted America's # 1 Film School and # 1 Film School Instructor by the National Association of Film Schools, the Hollywood Film Institute's 2-Day Film School travels to Richmond, Virginia, on May 13-14 to offer instruction on everything you realistically need to know about creating your film, funding your film, shooting your film, and selling your film. The 2-Day Film School sells out at every venue worldwide, so enroll quickly. For complete details, visit www.YourFilmCareer.com.

2. New York Times Book Review. The West Virginia Film Office receives numerous questions each year from West Virginia authors asking how to gain attention for books they have written. One possible avenue is to submit your book for consideration to the New York Times Book Review. Submissions should be sent to: The New York Times Book Review, ATTN: Editor, 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036. If you are sending a children's book, send it to the attention of the Children's Book Editor.

3. MovieMaker Magazine. The Spring 2006 edition of MovieMaker Magazine includes several great articles delving into the topic of distribution. A couple articles can be read online at www.moviemaker.com, but for those who do not yet subscribe to this magazine, it is a worthwhile subscription investment ($18/yr). The subscription includes MM's annual publication "Beginner's Guide to Making Movies", a valuable resource for emerging artists.

4. International Screenwriters Conference, San Diego, CA. The 19th Annual International Screenwriters Conference, "Selling to Hollywood" conducted by the American Screenwriters Association will be held September 28-30, 2006, in conjunction with the annual San Diego Film Festival (Sept 27-Oct 1). The conference is touted as the largest screenwriting collective in the country, offering unprecedented educational opportunities and exclusive access to Hollywood powerbrokers within a film festival setting. For registration and complete details, visit http://www.asascreenwriters.com/2006sthhome.shtml.

5. Manhattan Edit Workshop. Manhattan Edit Workshop is an Apple and Avid authorized education center offering courses in Final Cut Pro, Avid, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Logic Pro and Final Cut Studio. Corporate in-house and on-site workshops as well as custom one-on-one tutorials, including evening workshops, are available. For details, visit www.mewshop.com or call 212-414-9570.

6. The Edit Center, NYC. Learn the art of film editing while working on a real movie. Learn Final Cut Pro from working film editors. The Edit Center, an Apple-Certified Training Center, offers film editing classes during six-week courses. One-week and weekend intensives are available to learn Final Cut Pro, Motion, and DVD Studio Pro. The six-week Art of Editing course brings together independent filmmakers who need their films edited and beginning editors who need the chance to learn on a feature film. For complete details, visit www.theeditcenter.com.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

H. Film Festivals & Script Submissions & Other Industry-Related Festivals and Competitions

1. Mountain Stage NewSong Contest. The deadline to enter the West Virginia Regional Round of the 2006 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest is May 15. The Regional Round is open to performing songwriters in West Virginia in all genres of music and will take place during FestivALL Charleston (June 23-25), a citywide arts and culture event that will take place in venues across West Virginia's capital city. The winner of the Regional Round advances to the national finals at the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest on Saturday, August 26 in Shepherdstown (Jefferson County), WV, where cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top five co-winners. One of those co-winners will be chosen to perform during a future Mountain Stage show. There are a number of ways to participate in the contest (general round, live round, regional rounds). For complete information, visit www.newsongfestival.com.

2. International Screenplay Competition. The deadline to enter the American Screenwriters Association's 10th Annual International Screenplay Competition is October 31, 2006. Grand prize is $10,000, plus exposure to decision-makers. For complete details and regulations, visit www.GoASA.com.

3. Angelus Student Film Festival, Hollywood. Sponsored by Family Theater Productions, the Angelus Student Film Festival is open to undergraduate and graduate students in film schools or universities. The deadline for entries is July 1, and films must reflect values, such as, redemption, spirituality, dignity, tolerance, equality, diversity, hope, and triumph of the human spirit. Prizes range from $2,500-$5,000, with a grand prize of $10,000. The screening and awards ceremony takes place October 21 at the Directors Guild Theater in Hollywood. For details, visit www.angelus.org.

4. AAA Screenplay Contest. Creative Screenwriting Magazine has announced a June 1 deadline for its latest competition. The grand prize winner will be profiled in Creative Screenwriting Magazine; receive $5,000; have his/her script mailed to 354 agents, managers, and development executives; receive a subscription to FilmTracker database; receive free software; and other prizes. For complete details, visit www.creativescreenwriting.com.

5. Cellular Phone Film Festivals. Yes, that's right. Cell Phone Film Festivals are popping up all over. To check out this new trend, check out the following websites: Nokia Shorts Competition (www.nokiashorts.co.uk); CellFlix (www.cellflixfestival.org); mFlix (www.mflix.com); and Zoie Cellular Cinema Film Festival (www.zoiefilms.com/cellularcinemas.html).

6. Palm Springs ShortFest 2006, Palms Springs, CA. The deadline to submit entries to the country's largest festival of short films is May 12, 2006. The 12th Annual Palm Springs ShortFest is an Academy Award qualifying event for certain winning films. More than $60,000 in cash, film stock, and production services are awarded in 20 categories for this year's August 24-30 event. For complete details and regulations, visit www.psfilmfest.org or call 760-322-2930.

7. Austin Film Festival, Austin, TX. The 13th Annual Austin Film Festival takes place October 19-26, 2006, and includes film competition categories (narrative feature, short, documentary feature, animated short, and student short), screenplay competition categories (adult, family and comedy), and teleplay competition categories (drama and sitcom). Deadlines are approaching and vary per category. For more information, complete rules, and entry forms, visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.

8. ScreamFest Horror Film Festival, Los Angeles. The deadline to submit entries to the 6th Annual ScreamFest Horror Film Festival is July 15 (late deadline is August 15). For details, visit www.screamfestla.com.

9. Indie Memphis, TN. Touting itself as "The Soul of Southern Film", the Indie Memphis festival runs October 13-19 in downtown Memphis. Early bird deadline is May 31 with a final deadline of July 15. For details, visit www.indiememphis.com.

10. New York City Horror Film Festival. September 1, 2006 is the deadline to submit entries to the 5th Annual NYC Horror Film Festival, which takes place in October. Schedule announcements will be made at a later date on the event's website, www.nychorrorfest.com, which contains submission and other details.

11. Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. The deadline to enter the 15th Annual Hot Springs Film Festival is May 19 (both shorts and features are accepted). This 10-day festival held October 20-29, 2006, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, promotes documentarians and the documentary process to an international audience. For complete details, visit www.hsdfi.org.

12. Wild River Music, Comedy & Film Festival, St. Paul, MN. The inaugural Wild River Music, Comedy & Film Festival is accepting submissions through May 31 for its September 6-10 event. Entries are accepted for films about or in the genre of music, comedy, and art/artists (filmmaking, filmmakers, musicians, painters, etc.). Music Videos are also accepted. For complete details, visit www.wildriverfestival.com.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I. West Virginia Calendar of Events

1. A separate email will be sent by May 2 with a focus on the numerous filmic events that will occur during the first two weeks of May.

2. Grafton to Celebrate 150th Anniversary (Taylor County). As a part of Grafton's 150th Anniversary (May 26-29, 2006), the Taylor County Public Library will show Peter Griesinger's portrait of the town that he made in 1974, "Almost Heaven, Grafton, West Virginia". The 30-minute documentary profiles many residents and visitors, ranging from Senator Bob Byrd to many elderly residents who lived in the small town. Griesinger spent several years living in Buckhannon making the film and "Small Business My Way" about central WV businessmen, narrated by A. James Manchin. Griesinger's present company, Griesinger Films, located in Cleveland, has made a best-selling series on ecological economics. Visit his website at www.griesingerfilms.com. For more information on Grafton's 150th Anniversary and its schedule of events, visit www.graftons150thcelebration.com.

===============================================

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

J. Contact Info, Disclaimer, Subscribe/Unsubscribe

1. Questions, comments, ideas for Email Blasts? Send email to phaynes@wvfilm.com if you have ideas on topics you would like to see covered or if you have "news" you would like the West Virginia Film Office to consider publishing in a future Email Blast. Please note, however, that the West Virginia Film Office is the sole authority on which topics may appear in an Email Blast, and it is the sole right of the West Virginia Film Office to decline to publish a suggested topic, idea, or other news item. Questions and comments should be directed to Pamela Haynes, Director, West Virginia Film Office, 90 MacCorkle Avenue SW, South Charleston, WV 25303; 304-558-2200, ext. 382; phaynes@wvfilm.com; www.wvfilm.com.

2. The Email Blasts are compiled by the West Virginia Film Office for purposes of providing information and topics of interest to those who choose to subscribe. Information contained in the Email Blasts is sometimes predicated upon information gathered from a variety of sources; website links offered in the Email Blasts are not maintained by the West Virginia Film Office and it is not responsible for a website's content. The West Virginia Film Office, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, the West Virginia Division of Tourism, and the State of West Virginia expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability relating to the accuracy of certain information contained in the Email Blasts. The Email Blasts are provided as a complimentary service of the West Virginia Film Office and sent via Email usually every 2-3 months. Based on information available at the time of each Email Blast, category headings may change periodically.

3. Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the Email Blasts. To subscribe, send an email to phaynes@wvfilm.com with "add to email alerts" in the subject line. To unsubscribe, send an email to phaynes@wvfilm.com with "remove from email alerts" in the subject line. All issues of the Email Blasts are also available online at www.wvfilm.com under the link for "Film Office Newsletter".

===============================================

END