WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE

West Virginia Film Office

Email Blast

January 9, 2004

CONTENTS

A. Acknowledgements

B. West Virginia Film Office Updates & News

C. West Virginia Indigenous Production Activity

D. Websites of Interest and Other Useful Resources

E. Educational & Seminar/Workshop Opportunities

F. Articles of Interest

G. Film Festivals and/or Script Submissions

H. Calendar of Events

I. Contact Info, Disclaimer, Subscribe/Unsubscribe

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A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

1. The Film Office congratulates MotionMasters on being selected to document the Sixth Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Abuja, Nigeria. The theme was "Africa: A Continent of Possibilities" and more than 30 heads of state from around the world attended the week-long event. Visit MotionMasters on the web at www.motionmasters.com.

2. The Film Office congratulates the animation production company Destiny Images of Scott Depot (Putnam County) who recently won a Crystal Communicator Award of Excellence for a television commercial it produced for Pioneer Credit Union. The award was given in the category of Creativity/Special Effects/Animation and scored in the top 15% of all entries. There were 2,867 entries from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Prior to this award, Destiny Images has been the recipient of 4 Crystal Communicator Awards, but this is its first "Award of Excellence." Visit Destiny Images on the web at www.destinyimages.com.

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B. WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE UPDATES & NEWS:

1. DreamWorks LLC: The Film Office is proud to announce that it has secured an advanced VIP screening of "Win A Date With Tad Hamilton" on Saturday, January 17, in Beckley. The film opens nationally January. Per DreamWorks' requirement, the screening is by invitation only. Invited guests will include those were hired locally to work on the production, those who supported the production in a wide array of manners before and after the shoot, and of course, regional dignitaries. Directed by Robert Luketic ("Legally Blonde") and starring Topher Grace ("That 70's Show"), Josh Duhamel ("Las Vegas"; "All My Children"), and Kate Bosworth ("Blue Crush"), West Virginians will recognize several West Virginia venues on the big screen. The story is set in Frazier's Bottom, Putnam County, but DreamWorks chose to shoot footage in Fayetteville, Grandview Overlook, New River Gorge Bridge, and near the London Locks. Even though it didn't make the final cut, the Fayette County Bank was turned into the Frazier's Bottom post office. The West Virginia Film Office and the West Virginia Division of Tourism helped with the filming activities in late July 2003. Prior to my arrival in the Film Office mid-July, DreamWorks contacted Mike Riley of St. Albans for scouting and props assistance in April, and in May, DreamWorks contacted the Department of Motor Vehicles for additional props needs. We are grateful that others stepped up to the plate to provide valuable support to DreamWorks in absence of a film office director. For details about the film, visit the official website at www.winadatewithtadhamilton.com. There is a beautiful aerial shot of the New River Gorge Bridge at the end of the trailer!

Brief History of DreamWorks shoot: In April 2003, DreamWorks contacted St. Albans (Kanawha County) camera operator, Mike Riley, and asked Mike to scout the Fraziers Bottom and Point Pleasant regions and provide location photography and a wide assortment of props for use in the film. Fortunately for WV, Mike jumped at the opportunity. DreamWorks then contacted the Department of Motor Vehicles in May and requested license plates to use in the film; Mary Lopez coordinated this special request and notified the Governor's Office through Alex Macia, and the Governor provided an important letter of support. The next contact from DreamWorks was around July 10 to the Division of Tourism -- 4 days before the new Director of the Film Office (me!) took office. Tourism hosted a visit by the director and production designer and helped conduct aerial scouting (using Helicopter Flight Services of Charleston) of Fraziers Bottom, Point Pleasant, Fayetteville, and Grandview. Within one hour of my arrival on July 14, DreamWorks called and said, "we loved the area and we're coming back to shoot." At that point, the Film Office began working with DreamWorks on logistics and providing them with lists of crew to choose for the positions of: production coordinator, 2nd assistant camera, makeup artist. Marcie Cruz of Fayetteville was hired as the production coordinator, and the remaining two positions were filled by crew from Wilmington, NC (had to be union). Marcie Cruz gave 200% to the visiting crew and handled everything from finding caterers and craft services to hiring extras, among many other tasks. Fayetteville downtown businesses were very supportive of the production activity and ensured their window displays were neat and clean; the Fayette County Courthouse mowed its grass and removed weeds from the flowerbeds. Class VI River Runners/Smokey's on the Gorge provided fantastic meals and craft services. Bosley Rentals provided crane equipment. Budget Rental provided trucks for grip and other equipment. Glade Springs provided lodging and Chef Wong provided exceptional and private meals to the crew around their schedule. Albatros Air (Raleigh Co. Airport) provided helicopter support for aerial footage. The National Park Service bent over backwards to assist with the aerial shots of the New River Gorge Bridge. Various city officials of Fayetteville and Oak Hill, city police, state police, county sheriffs, Department of Highways, and others helped provide general support to the production and remained on standby in case of any problems. This was incredibly helpful to the production crew to know we were ready for "anything." During the shoot, the Film Office received permission to send one of Tourism's photographers, Steve Shaluta, to the set to capture the crew in action (the Film Office has used a number of Steve's shots in its advertising). And Public Broadcasting received permission from DreamWorks to capture the crew in action for a segment on "Outlook" (Erika Celeste was the producer and Colleen Laffey of Fayetteville was the shooter); it was a fantastic segment -- I've watched it many times! The film opens nationwide January 23, 2004.

2. The Oprah Show: The Film Office assisted The Oprah Show with a small shoot at the end of November, which segment is scheduled to air January 15. The segment is scheduled for the first half of the show and is about a woman who has a fear of heights. Oprah, who did not visit WV for the shoot (her field producers and camera crews handled on-location activities), asked the woman if she would rappel down the New River Gorge Bridge by rope (a 250-foot segment), and she agreed. Helmet cams were used on the production to get the full effect of the woman's fear. Major assistance for this shoot was provided by the National Park Service and the New River Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The helmet cams and other equipment for the crew's use were provided by Fayetteville business IQ MEDIA. I remember when Oprah's producer called me and asked, "We don't suppose you would have any companies that rent helmet cams?" I responded, "I'm sure we do, I'll call you right back." How thrilled I was to find out that IQ Media had exactly what Oprah's crew needed. Fantastic!

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C. WEST VIRGINIA INDIGENOUS PRODUCTION ACTIVITY (This section will include information about WV production activity from our indigenous filmmakers and videographers. The Film Office cannot possibly follow all indigenous production activity across the state; this is where you can assist in passing along information. The Film Office will only consider information which can be confirmed by a producer or director of a film/video project, so if you are passing on second-hand info, please include an appropriate contact for the project. NOTE: This section will not cover the activity from outside production companies shooting in WV. With regard to external activity, the Film Office will provide separate notices/press releases when deemed necessary.):

No reportable information at this time.

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D. WEBSITES OF INTEREST and OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES:

1. West Virginia Professional Development Grants: The WV Division of Culture & History offers grants awarded to either individuals or qualified organizations in order to facilitate the enhancement of artistic skill. Individual first time applicants may request up to 75% (maximum dollar amount $2500) for costs of equipment, materials, workshops, or apprentice opportunities. Full-time students or nonresidents are ineligible. First time organizational grants can be for 75% of project costs ($5000 cap), for nonprofit tax-exempt groups, operating in West Virginia. Eligible projects include fees, travel, and expenses for workshops, printing and distribution costs for publications, and apprentice programs. Deadline for applications is February 1. For more information, visit http://www.wvculture.org/arts/grantsbk.html#artists.

2. Resources for Self-Distribution: The AIVF Guide to Film and Video Exhibitors is a continuously updated, comprehensive directory of filmmaker-friendly exhibition houses, gallery spaces, and screening programs. A roadmap for navigating venues for the exhibition of your work. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. To order, visit www.aivf.org.

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E. EDUCATIONAL & SEMINAR/WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Digital Independence 2004, San Francisco, CA: A conference that unites independent innovators in film, video, games, music, web, technology, media policy, and the arts to tackle the question, "How has digital technology affected your art?" Seminar begins January 30 and runs through February 1. For more information and registration information, visit www.digitalindies.com.

2. Digital Film Institute, Durango, CO: Five-week summer workshop offering lectures and workshops during the morning hours and production shoots in the afternoons and evenings. Instruction is offered on writing a short story narrative, analyzing a script, directing, effective acting techniques, lighting, shooting with advanced digi-cameras, editing using Vegas Video 4.0 in New Media Lab, and numerous other courses. Tuition is $2,000 (accommodations not included) and the workshop is scheduled May 31-July 2, 2004. For more information, visit www.durangofilminstitute.com.

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F. ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

1. IFP/New York to Fund Indie Docus: Not-for-profit IFP/New York said Wednesday it will begin funding as many as 10 indie feature documentaries through its Anthony Radziwill Documentary Fund, which was launched in 2000 as part of the IFP Gotham Awards in memory of Emmy-winning docu producer Anthony Radziwill. IFP/New York said its grant process will differ from others because there will be fewer limitations on who can apply and what subjects their work can encompass. The ARDF will award six to 10 grants of $10,000 a year. For details, visit: http://www.ifp.org/ifpnews/newsitem.php?id=274.

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G. FILM FESTIVAL AND/OR SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS:

1. Film Festival Channel: The rapidly growing digital cable industry has made it possible for the new Film Festival Channel to allow unprecedented exposure for new and unknown filmmakers. The Channel began accepting submissions in September and asked for features, shorts, or documentaries, along with a nominal fee. The films chosen will be broadcast in summer 2004 by satellite, cable, or other digi-transmissions. FFC viewers will vote via Internet, phone, or mail. There are no monetary awards, but the FFC has a distribution model that will help promote the films to other venues. In addition to showcasing films, the FFC will produce a behind-the-scenes show about the running of FFC, and features about filmmakers, writers, and directors. For more information, visit www.filmfestivalchannel.com.

2. Atlanta Film Festival: Deadline to submit is February 2, 2004 for this 28th edition of the Atlanta Film Festival. More than $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes up for grabs. In addition to premiere screenings of indie film and video productions, this festival offers an Academy Award Qualifying Narrative Shorts Competition. For entry information, visit www.atlantafilmfestival.com.

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H. CALENDAR OF EVENTS (generally, WV activities):

1. West Virginia Jewish Film Festival, Charleston: January 25, 2004, Park Place Stadium Theaters, 600 Washington Street East, Charleston, WV. Screening “The Komediant,” an award-winning documentary about the Yiddish Theater, and “My Architect,” another documentary. Sponsored by the Federated Jewish Charities of Charleston. For more information, contact Steve Fesenmaier at mystery12@charter.net.

2. West Virginia Animators & Videographers, etc. (WAVe), Putnam County: The first Monday of every month (if holiday, then the 2nd Monday), a group of animators, videographers, filmmakers, professors, among many other artistic disciplines and industries, gathers to discuss industry news and activities, to exhibit works-in-progress or completed productions, to provide demonstrations of the latest technologies being utilized in the industry, and to generally network with others in the state and tri-state region. The meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are usually 90 minutes or less and occur at the Putnam County Library, which is less than a 1/4 mile off Interstate 64 at the Teays Valley/Scott Depot/Winfield exit. For more information, contact Jamie Cope at jamie@destinyimages.com.

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I. CONTACT INFO, DISCLAIMER, SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE

1. Questions, comments, ideas for Email Blasts? Send email to phaynes@callwva.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@callwva.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 Bureau 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 3-4 weeks. Based on information available at the time of each Email Blast, category headings may change periodically.

3. To subscribe to the Email Blasts, send an email to phaynes@callwva.com with "add to email alerts" in the subject line. To unsubscribe to the Email Blasts, send an email to phaynes@callwva.com with "remove from email alerts" in the subject line. To obtain back issues of Email Blasts, send an email to phaynes@callwva.com.

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