West Virginia Film Office
Email Blast
January 3, 2005
CONTENTS
A. Acknowledgements
B. West Virginia
Film Office Updates & News
1.
Community/Industry Relations/Office Development
2. Miscellaneous
News
3. Stay Tuned for
Year-End Wrap-Up
C. Production
Activity By Outside Companies
D. West Virginia
Indigenous Production Activity & Casting Calls
E. Nationwide
Casting Calls/Auditions
F. Articles and
Websites of Interest, Useful Resources, Industry Activities
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 WAVe group (WV Animators &
Videographers etc., headquartered in Putnam County) has programmed a series of
monthly meetings to include roundtable discussions of various topics with
specially selected panel members. All meetings are free, open to the general
public, and are held at the Putnam County Library on the first Monday of
every month at 6:30 pm. High school and college students are encouraged to
attend. Topics for January, February, and March include a comic book forum;
film & video distribution; and film festivals. The Monday, January 3
forum features guests Robert Tinnell, Clint McElroy, and Frank
Panucci. TINNELL is the co-author of the graphic novels The Black
Forest and The Wicked West. He has worked in the film industry for
twenty years as a writer, producer and director (South of Reno, the
notorious Surf Nazis Must Die, Airspeed, Frankenstein & Me,
and more). Tinnell also co-creates the online comic strip Feast of the Seven
Fishes. MCELROY is the writer for Green Hornet-Dark Tomorrow
series (set in 2080) and Blood Is the Harvest. He also wrote the comic
book adaptations for Freejack and Universal Soldier. He also
works in radio in the Tri-State area. PANUCCI is a Charleston animator
and creator of the independent comic Coda and was the designer of an
uncompleted comic book project based on the Sci-Fi Channel show LEXX.
The forum will also include showings of hero and comic-spoof films and
animations from Joe Justice, Jamie Cope, and others. Attendees of the WAVe
meetings have been networking for more than 10 years. Don't let the name of the
group fool you. WAVe is a coalition of West Virginia media artists who work in
computer animation, video production, music, photography, web design,
scriptwriting, acting, voiceover artistry, filmmaking, miscellaneous crew
positions, and educational fields. For more information, contact Jamie Cope
at jamie@destinyimages.com.
2. Recognition is due Nitro native Ben
Tucker, who was featured in a recent story in the Charleston Daily Mail.
Tucker, a former vice president of the WV International Film Festival,
works as a film archivist for the George Eastman House in Rochester, New
York. The goal of the organization is the conservation and preservation of more
than 25,000 films in the Eastman House collection. At 29, Tucker has enjoyed a
diverse background in film-related activities. He managed the Tronix video
outlet; won a student film award while at West Virginia State College (now
WVSU); and interned at the West Virginia Film Office under then-Director
Mark McNabb. Tucker graduated from Pittsburgh University's Film
Studies program, then took a job at the Andy Warhol Museum, where he
worked in the film and video department and learned about the Eastman
House's L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation (opened in 1996 as
the world's first film preservation school). Tucker was accepted, graduated
last year, and took a job at Eastman House. He also serves as an instructor at
the Selznick School, teaching students how to handle, archive, and project
vintage films. More information about the Eastman House can be found at
www.eastmanhouse.org.
3. Nominations sought for 2005 Governor’s
Arts Awards. The WV
Commission on the Arts of the WV Division of Culture and History is
soliciting nominations for the 2005 Governor’s Arts Awards. All West
Virginians are encouraged to nominate individual artists, organizations, and
communities for seven categories of awards to be presented at a ceremony on
Monday, April 4 at the Cultural Center in the State Capitol Complex in
Charleston. The award categories are: Distinguished
Arts Award for lifetime achievement in the arts; Arts Patron Award for
individual or organizational contributions of time, effort or financial
resources to the arts; Arts in Education or Service to Youth Award for
individual or organizational achievements; Creative Community Spirit Award for
a city, town or community non-arts organization using the arts for community
development or betterment; Arts Leadership and Service Award for
visionary individual or arts organization leadership and service in the arts; Artistic
Excellence Award for significant contributions to the arts in West Virginia
by either an established or emerging artist; and Arts Innovator Award for
an individual, group, organization or educator who has successfully executed
innovative methods of involving the public in arts experiences. For more
information or to request a nomination form, visit the Division’s website
at www.wvculture.org or contact Debbie Rainey Haught at (304) 558-0240
or debbie.haught@wvculture.org. The deadline for nominations is January
14, 2005.
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B. WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE UPDATES &
NEWS:
1. Community/Industry Relations/Office
Development: West
Virginia's indigenous industry was featured in the November 2004 issue of Markee
Magazine in a story titled, "Mid-America – Regional Road Trip".
Interviews were conducted with Someday Video Productions of Dunbar,
Kanawha County (managing producer, Roger Echols); The Walkabout
Company of Wheeling, Ohio County (Richard Warmuth and Deb Keddie);
and the West Virginia Film Office. The Film Office provided several
pictures of indigenous crews in action, and the magazine chose one to
include: a Digital Vision Works
crew setting up a shot for a scene in Roane County for Jude Miller's
feature film The Captives.
2. Miscellaneous News:
(a) Spurlock's '30 Days' on FX Menu.
The FX Channel has ordered six episodes of "30 Days", a
documentary-style, unscripted series from Beckley, West Virginia native Morgan
Spurlock. The hour-long series, set to premiere in the summer, adapts for
television the concept of Spurlock's critically acclaimed documentary "Super
Size Me," which earned him the directing award in the documentary
category at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. [The West Virginia Film
Office provided a variety of liaison services to Spurlock when he brought
"30 Days" to Charleston for several days in July and August
2004.] While "Super Size" centered on the effects of Spurlock
eating every meal at McDonald's for a month, "30 Days" plants
an individual into a lifestyle that is completely different from his or her
upbringing, beliefs, religion, or profession. For example, in the pilot
episode, a Christian insurance salesman from West Virginia lives with a Muslim
family in Michigan. Spurlock, who created the concept, will host and narrate
the series. He'll also executive produce along with Silverman.
(b) The National Award for Library Service 2003
winning Pocahontas County Free Libraries will present the world premiere
of B.J. Gudmundsson’s feature documentary "-30- Cal Price and
the Pocahontas Times". The film will be shown at The McClintic
Library in Marlinton on Saturday, January 8 at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
Admission is FREE. The film was
inspired by Allen Johnson, Director of the PCFL, who wanted to pay
tribute to Jane Price Sharp (PCFL board member) and her contributions to
the library and to the Pocahontas County community. John Lilly,
Goldenseal editor, Pocahontas County musician Dwight Diller, and Oscar
Brand provide music in the film. To arrange for a showing of the film or to
purchase it on either DVD or VHS, contact Gudmundsson at 304-645-4998,
bj@patchworkfilms.com, or www.patchworkfilms.com. Additional screenings will
occur at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg on January 20 and the South
Charleston Museum’s La Bella Theater on January 29.
(c) The newly formed Shepherdstown Film
Society has launched a website that will provide easy access to information
about the Society's films and activities. Information available on the site
includes the schedule of the Society's films, a synopsis of each film,
background information on the films and directors, and reviews. The site is www.shepherdstownfilmsociety.org.
[A list of January's film exhibitions is included in the "Calendar
of Events" in Section H below.]
(d) West Virginia native Homer Hickam,
author of Rocket Boys, which was made into the blockbuster motion
picture "October Sky", has been asked by NASA Administrator,
Sean O'Keefe, to serve on the NASA Advisory Council. Hickam stated,
"This is a great honor that I just could not refuse. I look forward to
working with Mr. O'Keefe and providing whatever support I can toward his endeavors
to return our nation to the moon. He also wants to develop advanced propulsion
machines that will eventually let us head for the stars. I think he just needs
to read my book 'Back to the Moon'!"
(e) From West Virginia's 2004 Filmmaker of the Year,
Ray Schmitt of Real Earth Productions (Hardy County) has
announced that his latest film "Lulu: Triumph of the Human Spirit",
is now available on DVD. Orders may be made from his website at
www.realearthproductions.com.
3. Stay Tuned for Year-End Wrap-Up: Stay tuned for details about scouting trips
in the Film Office Year-End Wrap-Up to learn which motion picture studios have
considered West Virginia locations for motion picture and television
productions since July 2003, among other topics.
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C. PRODUCTION ACTIVITY BY OUTSIDE COMPANIES (these listings do not include projects for which the Film Office is
conducting locations scouting or other services that are premature to announce):
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section intentionally left blank for this edition]
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D. WEST VIRGINIA INDIGENOUS PRODUCTION ACTIVITY
& CASTING CALLS (This section will include only
information about production activity from the state's indigenous filmmakers
and videographers and will also include casting calls for WV productions (film,
TV, commercials, theater, etc.). 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 consider only information
which can be confirmed by a producer or director of a film/video project. If
you are passing on second-hand info, please include an appropriate contact for
the project.):
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section intentionally left blank for this edition]
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E. NATIONWIDE CASTING CALLS/AUDITIONS:
1. Fox TV's "Trading
Spouses" to visit Charleston.
The Fox TV show "Trading Spouses" will conduct an open
casting call for interested families on Saturday, January 8 from 12:00
pm to 6:00 pm at Bennigan's Restaurant at the Charleston Town Center
Mall. If your family is interested, you must bring with you two family
pictures and lots of energy! While technically a nationwide search, the Casting
Director is only scheduled at this time to visit Charleston and Miami, with a
Dallas trip possibly in the works. Interested families may visit www.fox.com or
www.tradingspousescasting.com, which provides families in all states the
submission email for consideration of the show.
2. Non-Union Film "Deadly
Beloved". Shibumi
Enterprises is accepting submissions for Deadly Beloved, a digital
film about six old college friends who are gathered in a stately house for a
wedding when an unhappy ghost disturbs the festivities. Directed by Gregori
Holderbach. Shoot starts early February 2005. Copy, credit, and meals provided.
There is pay. Breakdown: LEAD, Toni,
Caucasian, mid-20s to early 30s, extremely attractive, single, Jake's
ex-girlfriend, cop with dormant psychic abilities, only person who can make
contact with the ghost (think Kristian Alfonso as Hope Brady on "Days Of
Our Lives"); LEAD, Jake, Caucasian or Latino, mid-late 20s, handsome,
great body, dark hair, rebel without a cause, nurse with cynical ideas about
marriage, must be comfortable wearing boxer briefs, nudity required; LEAD,
Fletcher, Caucasian, mid-late 20s, very strong build, lighter hair preferred,
attractive, imposing presence, mysterious, plays two characters, the groom and
the ghost's brother; Mama, Caucasian, late 30s-early 40s, blonde or dark hair,
attractive, seen in flashback being held inside her house by her older brother.
Send pix and resume by January 15 to Shibumi Enterprises, 11715 Folkstone Lane,
Bel Air, CA 90077. For more information, e-mail emlgregori@aol.com.
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F. ARTICLES AND WEBSITES OF INTEREST, USEFUL
RESOURCES, INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES:
1. IHS Filmmaking and Writing
Scholarships. Deadline
is January 14. Scholarships up to $10,000 in tuition and stipend will be
awarded to support students who are pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree
in filmmaking, fiction writing, or playwriting; have a demonstrated interest in
classical liberal ideas and their application in contemporary society; and
demonstrate the desire, motivation, and creative ability to succeed in their
chosen profession. In recognition of the important role that films and novels
play in the world of ideas, IHS provides support to promising young filmmakers
and writers who share an appreciation for the potential and promise of a free
society. For more information, call 1-800-697-8799 or visit
www.theihs.org/subcategory.php/15.htm.
2. Roy W. Dean Writer/Researcher Grant. Deadline is February 28. The Roy
W. Dean writer/researcher grant takes a writer who lives anywhere to New
Zealand for 30 days to write your play, screenplay, documentary, or your book.
This grant puts you in the Wye Cottage, created for filmmakers and writers; you
have a car to see the south island and funds for gas and groceries. For
details, visit www.fromtheheartproductions.com for this and four other grants,
or email Caroleedean@att.net.
3. IFP Screenwriters Lab Accepting
Applications. The Independent
Feature Project/Los Angeles is now accepting submissions for its annual Screenwriters
Lab, which will take place during June and July of 2005. The postmark
deadline for submissions is April 9. The Lab is an intensive seven-week
program in which participants develop their feature length scripts. The Lab is
sponsored by the Writers Guild of America, West. In the Lab, writers
develop their screenplays under the guidance of a Lab Instructor as well as
advisors who meet with the participants one-on-one to discuss their projects. A
maximum of ten writers will be accepted into the program. For consideration,
each applicant must submit a complete feature length screenplay that they would
like to develop during the Lab. For an application or more information, visit
www.ifp.org/calendar/program.php?id=28&chapter=2, or call Josh Welsh,
Filmmaker Labs Manager at 310-432-1219.
4. Digital Filmmaking School. The School of Communication Arts in
Raleigh, NC is an accredited school teaching digital filmmaking. The school continues
to pioneer advanced programs for roles in animation and special/FX for gaming,
TV, film, and industrial multimedia. For details, visit www.higherdigital.com.
5. Business of Art Conference. Join the New York Foundation for the Arts
for the Full-Time Artist: The Business of Art Conference, a full-day
series of professional development workshops for visual artists at all career
stages on Tuesday, February 15, during the upcoming College Art
Association Conference in Atlanta. NYFA's expert presenters will provide
detailed, practical information on how to effectively manage the business of
art without sacrificing valuable creative time. Get a lead on useful
information that will help you take full advantage of the networking and
interviewing opportunities at the conference. Learn more about developing your
portfolio and resources for finding grants, jobs, and awards. Conference fee is
$110. Registration deadline is January 12 (membership is not
required). To register and for more information, visit www.nyfa.org/caa, or
call 212-366-6900, ext. 242.
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G. FILM FESTIVAL AND/OR SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS:
1. High Street Film Festival,
Shepherdstown (Jefferson County), WV. The High Street Film Festival was founded by four Shepherd
University students in 2001. This unique festival is designed with a rotating
group of producers each year. Film submissions for the 2004-2005 festival are
being accepted through January 10.
For submission requirements and other details, visit
www.highstreetfilmfestival.com.
2. Grassroots Cinema Call for Entries. Grassroots Cinema is a touring
festival for low budget, truly independent films, touring major cites and
sharing the box office. Deadline for entries is January 16. For more
information, visit www.GrassrootsCinema.com.
3. Cingular Wireless Wants Short Films
for Phones. Deadline is
January 31. Cingular Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the United
States, is searching for film students and young customers to create 15-second
films on its wireless phones. The Cingular Wireless Short Film Festival,
a national initiative, is offering cash and prizes for the best film shorts
produced on videophones. There are two separate categories, one for college
film students and the other for Cingular users ages 13 to 24. For the film
student portion, the festival will be judged by Hollywood director Brett
Ratner, a New York University film school graduate. To encourage
participation among the film students, Cingular will provide, on a first come,
first served basis, Motorola V551 videophones. Film students who miss out on
the loaner phones can still submit an entry if they have access to a VMS
capable phone with Cingular service. The films can fit within different genres,
including action, comedy, and experimental. Ratner will judge the films on
specific criteria, including creativity, expression, and entertainment value.
The overall student winner will receive a Motorola V551 phone, $500 in Cingular
Gift Cards, and $5,000 in cash. All submissions will be available for viewing
on the rucingular.com film short microsite at rucingular.com/screeningroom. Top
vote-getters for each week of the contest will receive free ringtones and CDs,
among other prizes. At the end of the festival, one grand-prize winner will
receive a Motorola V551 phone stocked with ringtones, as well as 10 free movie
passes and $5,000 in cash. Consumers can go to rucingular.com/screeningroom to
receive additional information about
the contest, including rules and submission guidelines.
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H. CALENDAR OF EVENTS (generally, WV activities, with
certain exceptions) [please send in events from around the state for
consideration]:
1. Splice It Up! Film Series – WV
International Film Festival (Kanawha County): Mark the following dates on your calendar
for the next series of Splice It Up! films:
January 7, 8, 21, 22. On Friday, January 7, "The
Motorcycle Diaries" starts at 6:30 pm, followed by "Undertow"
at 9:00 pm; on Saturday, January 8, the films are reversed with "Undertow"
at 6:30 pm and "The Motorcycle Diaries" at 9:00 pm. On Friday,
January 21, "Being Julia" starts at 6:30 pm, followed
by "Vanity Fair" at 9:00 pm; on Saturday, January 22,
the films are reversed with "Vanity Fair" at 6:30 pm and "Being
Julia" at 9:00 pm. All films are shown at the WVSU Capitol Center
Theater, 123 Summers Street. Admission is $7.00 per film. For detailed
information about the film, contact the box office at 304-342-6522. To be added
to the WVIFF email list, send an email to wviff@yahoo.com.
2. Film Series, Shepherdstown Film
Society, Shepherdstown (Jefferson County): The FREE film series sponsored by the
newly formed Shepherdstown Film Society has scheduled film screenings
through April. January's screenings include the 2002 Best Foreign Language
Oscar winner Nowhere in Africa (January 21, 7:00 pm) and the 1984 film Sugar
Cane Alley (January 28, 7:00 pm). Assistant Professor of French and film
instructor Dr. Ritterbusch will introduce the films and facilitate
post-film discussions. All films are shown at Shepherd University's Reynolds
Hall. To join the email list, write to listmaster@shepherdstownfilmsociety.org.
For more details about the Film Society and its film exhibitions, visit
www.shepherdstownfilmsociety.org.
3. Film Series, WV Division of Culture
& History, Charleston (Kanawha County): The FREE film series at the WV
Division of Culture & History continues on Saturday, January 22. The
theme is "Remembering Martin Luther King Jr." and show times
are at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. All films are screened at the State Theater at the
State Capitol Complex. For schedule details and more information, call 304-558-0162
or visit http://www.wvculture.org/museum/freefilms.html.
4. Film Series, South Charleston
Museum, South Charleston (Kanawha County). The South Charleston Museum will host
the Charleston premiere of filmmaker B.J. Gudmundsson's feature
documentary "-30- Cal Price and The Pocahontas Times" on
Saturday, January 29 at 7:00 pm at the La Belle Theater located
at 311 'D' Street in South Charleston (see also Section B.2 above). Admission
is $1.00 as a museum donation. For more information, contact Teresa Whitt at
304-744-9711.
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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
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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
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Blasts is sometimes predicated upon information gathered from a variety of
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