WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE

West Virginia Film Office

Email Blast # 14

May 31, 2005

CONTENTS

A. Acknowledgements & Special Notices

B. West Virginia Film Office Updates & News

1. Resource Materials at WVFO

2. Website Improvements

3. Community/Industry Relations/Office Development

4. Miscellaneous News

5. West Virginians In the News - "Outside the Border"

6. Locations Scouting

C. Production Activity By Outside Companies

D. West Virginia Indigenous Production Activity & Casting Calls

E. Nationwide Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Misc. Job Postings

F. Articles and Websites of Interest, Useful Resources, Industry Activities

G. Film Festivals and/or Script Submissions/Competitions

H. Calendar of Events

I. Contact Info, Disclaimer, Subscribe/Unsubscribe

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A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & SPECIAL NOTICES

1. The Oscars continue to shine upon native West Virginians in 2005. Congratulations to Cross Lanes (Kanawha County, WV) native David Brock, a student at Ohio University School of Film, on being named a finalist for the 2005 Student Academy Awards. A total of 29 students from 18 colleges/universities were selected as finalists, which were then screened and judged by Academy members, who narrowed down the field to 12 winners that will participate in a June 12 ceremony in Los Angeles. David's film "Stephen King's The Road Virus Heads North" competed in the Narrative category. And although not selected to compete in the final June 12 ceremony, a huge round of applause is warranted for David's accomplishment in being named a finalist for a Student Oscar. David is returning soon to the state; he recently accepted a one-year Assistant Professor position at West Virginia State University.

2. Congratulations to Digital Vision Works of Dunbar (Kanawha County) as the recipient of three recent Videographer Awards: Award of Excellence for shooting Jude Miller's feature film "The Captives"; Award of Distinction for a television commercial for St. Francis Hospital (in conjunction with Jack Canfield LLC) titled "Breast Health"; and Award of Distinction for a television commercial produced for the WV Attorney General's Office (in conjunction with Cheri Heflin & Company) titled "Real Men". These productions were selected from 2,293 entries from across the U.S. and abroad. The Videographer Awards is an international awards organization that helps set the standard for the video production industry.

3. Congratulations to MotionMasters of Charleston (Kanawha County) on the completion of its documentary on U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd titled "The Soul of the Senate". It is the third in a series about great West Virginians (the first was in 2000 on the Rev. Leon Sullivan titled "A Principled Man: Rev. Leon Sullivan", and last year's release was on the namesake of Marshall University, John Marshall). The Byrd documentary had its big screen premiere at The Clay Center on May 28 and its small screen premiere on WV PBS on May 29. A repeat airing will begin at 10:00 pm on Tuesday, May 31. The documentary will be distributed to West Virginia public libraries and schools. For more information, contact Diana Sole, president of MotionMasters at 304-345-8800 or dsole@motionmasters.com.

4. Be sure to check out WV native Morgan Spurlock's new book, "Don't Eat This Book", available at your favorite bookstore. The book picks up where his Oscar-nominated film, "Super Size Me", left off - by delving deeper into the fast food culture of America. Morgan was interviewed about the book release on May 31 by Soledad O'Brien on CNN's American Morning.

5. Congratulations to Jude Miller (Spencer, Roane County) and her history class for being selected as one of 15 national winners of the "Save Our History Awards" sponsored by The History Channel for Ms. Miller's first directorial effort, "The Captives", a film that recreated the Mary Ingles' story (Ms. Miller hired Dunbar's Digital Vision Works to shoot the film). She teaches history and social science at Roane County High School. Ms. Miller and her class attended the awards ceremony in Washington, DC on May 22-24. To learn more about this program, visit www.saveourhistory.com.

6. After reading a newspaper article about a Recycle Contest sponsored by the WV Division of Natural Resources, the Creative Writing Class of Chapmanville High School collaborated in the production of a "recycle" video directed, shot, and edited by Travis Maynard, a CHS senior. The submission was chosen as the winner of the contest and will air through June 3 on a local channel. Congratulations to Travis and Chapmanville High School's Creative Writing Class!

7. CONGRATULATIONS TO WV'S EMMY® NOMINEES. Nominations were recently unveiled for the 41st Annual Midwestern Regional Emmy® Awards, and several West Virginia productions received nominations. The awards ceremony will be held July 9 in Louisville, KY. Good luck to all nominees! Nominees are:

CATEGORY: Documentary Program

TITLE: Red Salt & Reynolds

PRODUCED BY: Paradise Film Institute/US Army Corps of Engineers

FILMMAKERS: Daniel Boyd, Mike Riley, Brett Ward

DESCRIPTION: Documentary that interprets the historic archeology at the Marmet Lock Replacement Project in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

CATEGORY: Service News Story - Health/Medical

TITLE: Madeline's Story

PRODUCED BY: WOWK and Keith Jones

CATEGORY: Anchor - Sports

TITLE: Covering Mt. State Sports

PRODUCED BY: WCHS / WVAH and Mark Martin

CATEGORY: Anchor - Weather

TITLE: Composite

PRODUCED BY: WCHS / WVAH and Tony Mainolfi

8. Section E, Nationwide Casting Calls/Auditions has been revised/improved to also include Crew Calls and Other Misc. Job Postings, which will reference information about crew calls and job postings around the nation, as well as those announced in West Virginia.

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B. WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE UPDATES & NEWS

1. Resource Materials at WVFO. Numerous individuals have taken advantage of the resource materials available at the Film Office. Included in the materials are "how-to" books, filmmaking guides, scriptwriting guides, producing guides, software resources, literary agency contacts, talent agency contacts, distributor contacts, and many more. The materials are available for review to anyone interested. To set up an appointment, contact the Film Office.

2. Website Improvements. Stay tuned for improvements to the Film Office website in the coming weeks (separate emails will be sent when updates have been made). The resources/links section has been significantly improved, and a locations library database is being built and is nearly complete. Other improvements are in the works to increase the efficiency of the site.

3. Community/Industry Relations/Office Development.

(a) The WV Film Office was asked to give a presentation to the Creative Writing Class at Chapmanville High School (Logan County). In addition to providing the students a "film 101" talk on how to use a film office effectively and what a film office can do for student productions, the Film Office sought the assistance of a writer and producer to also give a presentation. Jamie Cope of the Scott Depot (Putnam County) animation house Destiny Images explained the creative process from where it begins - with the written word. The students seemed to enjoy the presentations and asked several excellent questions of the presenters.

4. Miscellaneous News.

(a) The Purple Fiddle Coffeehouse & Mountain Market located in Thomas (Tucker County) is interested in screening films by West Virginia filmmakers, with the artists present to discuss their body of production work. For more information, contact Kate Bright (owner) at 304-463-4040 or at purplefiddle@citlink.net. Visit Purple Fiddle on the web at www.purplefiddle.com.

5. West Virginians In the News - "Outside the Border".

(a) Michael Miller, a Charleston native and George Washington High School and WVU grad, continues to travel the globe for film and video productions. On Thursday, June 2 at 10:30 pm EST, watch MTV's "True Life: I'm Dead Broke". Michael was the sole shooter and field producer for the character DeMarlon. And then on Tuesday, June 7 at 10:00 pm EST, tune into "Primetime Live: Diane Sawyer Interviews Brad Pitt". Michael shot portions of the Africa footage, which will appear during the interview, while on location with Data and Brad Pitt. Data (Debt Aids Trade Africa), musical artist Bono 's non-profit organization, hired Michael for the 10-day shoot.

(b) More from Morgan Spurlock. Be sure to mark your calendars for Morgan Spurlock's original FX Network series "30 Days", which premieres June 15 at 10:00 pm EST. The first episode places Morgan and his fiancé Alex Jamieson in Columbus, Ohio, where they experience what it is like to live on minimum wage earnings for 30 days. The beginning and end of another episode (air date TBD) was shot in Charleston last July and August 2004 with the 30 days portion shot in Michigan. Details will be released in another email blast when the air date is announced.

(c) Abby Wathen, an actress and native of Huntington (Cabell County), appears in a new film to be released August 12, "The Baxter" starring Michael Showalter, Justin Theroux, and Paul Rudd. For film info, visit www.mammothadvertising.com/ifcfilms/thebaxter. Abby was also the subject of a documentary produced by Ray Schmitt of Hardy County, WV (and 2004's WV Filmmaker of the Year), titled "The Abby Spirit", about Abby overcoming a life-threatening disease. For info about Ray's documentary, visit www.realearthproductions.com.

(d) Curt Wootton, an actor and Fairmont (Marion County) native and WVU grad, appears in a new film that is making the film festival circuit. Captain Blasto was shot in Pittsburgh by regional filmmakers. Curt currently resides in Los Angeles. For more info about Curt's role and to view a trailer and other clips, visit www.captainblasto.com.

6. Locations Scouting. Since the last newsletter, numerous locations scouting trips have taken place - some based on client requests and some to capture images of regions not yet in the digital locations library. Counties scouted included Kanawha, Lewis, Putnam, Tyler, and Wood.

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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)

1. Bubble Film Company LLC, "Bubble", a Steven Soderbergh Film. Soderbergh's "Bubble" wrapped on Friday, April 29 following a 4-week shoot in Parkersburg and Belpre. During the wrap party, Soderbergh, Greg Jacobs (producer), Robin Le Chanu (production manager), and Kate Kelley (production coordinator), and other crew members, praised the City of Parkersburg and its residents and businesses for the incredible amount of hospitality shown to the cast and crew during their extended stay (some production staff had stays of 8 weeks or more). They were genuinely saddened to leave the town, especially The Blennerhassett Hotel, and overwhelmingly agreed that West Virginia is quite a film friendly location and plan to spread the word. The film is scheduled for a November release by 2929 Entertainment and HDNet with simultaneous theatrical, television, and DVD releases. Notices about the release will be disseminated as it is provided to the Film Office.

2. Comcast Cable and Bennett-Watt HD Productions, Inc. - "Discoveries . . . America". Bennett-Watt HD Productions spent more than two weeks at the beginning of May traveling with a 5th-wheel trailer throughout West Virginia for one of Comcast's one hour, HD television programs "Discoveries . . . America", which air across the U.S. on Comcast cable channels INDH and INHD-2 (www.INHD.com) and will continue to air for the next 5 years. Each program is released on DVD as well. The shows are a collection of video essays that attempt to put a face and personality on the particular state. Editing occurs in the trailer with a full HD editing system and satellite Internet on board. Once filming is in the can, the Film Office will identify the locations and activities captured, along with the proposed DVD release date and air dates.

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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.)

1. Digital Vision Works, Dunbar, Kanawha County. Digital Vision Works has been hired on a number of recent productions, including shooting two commercials for St. Francis Hospital, currently on the air; shooting a series of commercials for Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, scheduled for late spring airing; shooting a year-long documentary project on "Bridge Building in West Virginia" for the Division of Highways; prepping for an in-house training video for Toyota Motor Manufacturing WV; shooting a marketing/promotional video for Gust Busters, Inc. through Bryan Boyd Creative Group (Gust Busters makes and installs tornado shelters); and producing a promotional video for the Center for Rural Health for Bryan Boyd Creative Groups.

2. Blackwater Video, Morgantown, Monongalia County. Dan McMullen's production company, Blackwater Video, was hired by Inside Edition during the time frame surrounding Martha Stewart's release from Alderson. Blackwater was also retained by Unisys to shoot an interview with the outgoing director of the local office, with a second shoot scheduled later in May.

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E. NATIONWIDE CREW CALLS & CASTING CALLS/AUDITIONS & OTHER MISC. JOB POSTINGS

1. Male Voiceover Artists. The Academy Award-nominated director of "The Kid Stays in the Picture" is casting for his new film about the Chicago 7. C7 Film Inc. is seeking voiceover actors to play male voices, ages 40-75. Email C7audition@yahoo.com with your contact information and resume, and you will be contacted for an audition. There is pay. Non-union performers.

2. Post-Production & Audio Visual Manager - Watkins College, Nashville, TN. Watkins College has an opening for an Audio Visual Manager to provide repair, maintenance, and support of Film Production and Post-Production equipment, Audio Visual equipment, and computers. Strong work ethic and experience required for full-time position with benefits. Send cover letter, resume, and current references with telephone numbers to jobs@watkins.edu.

3. Auditions for Indie Film in Washington DC. Ex-Mas Eve Productions seeking headshots and resumes. You must be willing to commit to the entire shoot, which is shooting one day in August and then Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in November (with the exception of Thanksgiving) and December. If you are cast, you must sign a contract stating you will stay and complete the entire project. When submitting your headshots and resumes, please indicate in the subject line which character(s) you would like to be considered. Auditions will be held Saturday, June 11. Only electronic submissions are being accepted at this time. For complete details and a list of cast positions and extras positions available, visit www.extrasformovies.com/casting_calls_auditions.asp.

4. Free Crew Listing in 2005 Film & TV Production Directory. Global Producer is inviting crews and filmmakers to submit free listings for its 2005 Film & TV Production Directory, a database that features studios, distributors, talent, production services, and personnel from around the world. It is routinely used by agents, producers, and filmmakers. To complete a registration form, visit www.globalproducer.com/pages/submission/submission.htm.

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F. ARTICLES AND WEBSITES OF INTEREST, USEFUL RESOURCES, INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES

1. The Walt Disney Studios and ABC Entertainment Looking For Writers. Walt Disney and ABC Entertainment are looking for 15 writers to work full-time developing their craft. They will be offering Fellowships in feature films and television areas. No previous experience is necessary, however writing samples are required. Fellows will be provided a salary of $50,000 for a one-year period tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2006. The program is open to all writers. Writers with WGA credits are also eligible for the program but need to apply directly through the WGA/west's Employment Access Department 323-782-4648. For all non-WGA writers, contact information is as follows: The Walt Disney Studios and ABC Entertainment Writing Fellowship Program, 500 Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-4016; www.abctalentdevelopment.com; e-mail: abc.fellowships@aqbc.com; 818-560-6894.

2. Host a Screening of Media that Matters. Looking for a fun way to engage your community in the most pressing topics of the day? Host a screening of the 4th annual Media That Matters Film Festival. Media That Matters is a yearlong festival of independent films on the most burning topics of "today" (AIDS, Immigration, Media Policy and more). Get the DVD and host a screening in your classroom, community center, boardroom, or living room. MTM will provide you with all of the tools you need for a lively and informed screening. When you sign up to host a screening and order the 4th annual Media That Matters Film Festival DVD, you will receive the 3rd annual Media That Matters Film Festival DVD for FREE. For more info, contact wendy@mediarights.org or www.mediathatmattersfest.org.

3. West Virginia and Appalachian Videographies. Since 1978, Steve Fesenmaier has been researching and documenting filmmaking in Appalachia (films made in Appalachia, about Appalachia, etc., especially West Virginia). His list of "New Films on WV and Appalachia", along with other research, have appeared annually in WV's Goldenseal magazine published by the WV Division of Culture & History. Steve is the former director of the Film Services Division of the WV Library Commission (1978-1999) and is now the state Data Coordinator for the same agency. He also writes a column for the bi-monthly entertainment/news/commentary publication Graffiti titled "Film Nuts" (see www.grafwv.com). To access Steve's research as well as articles he has written and other various film-related lists, visit the Appalachian Literature website at http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/bibs/WVFilmIndex.html. You can also reach Steve by email at mystery12@charter.net.

4. scr(i)pt Magazine Presents 2nd Annual New York PitchXchange. This June 10-11 event in NYC will provide writers an opportunity to give 5-minute pitches to numerous production companies, including Dimension Films, MTV Films, and dozens of others. The first day offers a full-day seminar with Hollywood producer and "Pitch King" Robert Kosberg. The day wraps with Pitch Idol [American Idol with a pitch]. The second day is pitch day as writers pitch their best ideas, 5 minutes at a time. In between, writers will have a chance to attend one-hour classes on miscellaneous subjects. Throughout the weekend, one-on-one pitch coaching will be available in 15-minute sessions. For details, visit www.pitchxchange.com.

5. Below the Line EXPO. The first Below the Line EXPO will take place on June 11 and 12 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. The EXPO is designed to celebrate crews, showcase new ideas, and strengthen relationships. Various presentations and panel discussions cover a wide array of production, postproduction, and guild and union issues. For EXPO info, visit www.btlexpo.com/attendee_option.asp, and for general info about the organization, visit, www.btlnews.com.

6. Facets Workshop with Guy Maddin. Acclaimed director Guy Maddin will lead a workshop and screen "The Saddest Music in the World" as part of the IFP/Chicago Facets Film Series on June 15 in Chicago. Maddin has been described as "the Canadian David Lynch" for his surreal, visceral films. Workshop begins at 6:00 pm, screening at 7:00 pm. Free for IFP, NATUS, and Facets members; $5 fee for non-members. For more info, visit http://www.ifp.org/calendar/eventitem.php?id=979, or www.movieside.neweyefilms.com.

7. Want the World to Buy Your Film?. IndieFlix, started by filmmakers for filmmakers, is the distribution solution for independent films. No fees until July 14, 2005. For accepted films, you make 1/3 of the gross. Start selling your film now. For details and regulations, visit www.indieflix.com.

8. SagIndie Signatory Workshops. Learn which agreement is right for your film. SagIndie (Screen Actors Guild, Indie) holds monthly workshops in New York and Los Angeles on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. SAG representatives will walk you through the signatory process of SAG Low Budget Agreements from start to finish. Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly. To register for future workshops, visit www.sagindie.org or phone 323-549-6064 for Los Angeles events or 212-827-1481 for New York events.

9. Seeking Films for Distribution. FA Productions, a Los Angeles-based production group, is seeking comedic short films for theatrical and DVD distribution. Financing is in place. Please send a screener of your work to FA Productions, c/o Jeff Hopkins, 15540 Moorpark Street, #14, Encino, CA 91436. Email contact is jeffhopkins@filmmakersalliance.com and website is www.fa-productions.com.

10. The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. Chris Gore of FilmThreat.com has done the research for you. Learn the secrets of successfully marketing and selling your film at 1,000+ film festivals worldwide. Gore reveals how to get a film accepted and what to do after acceptance, from putting together a press kit to forming a festival submission strategy to putting on a great party as well as new chapters on distribution and selling your film. The third edition has been completely updated and revised to include additional contact information, new filmmaker interviews, and case studies, including Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me and Jared Hess' Napoleon Dynamite, plus a new chapter on promoting films on the web and Gore's irreverent approach to creating hype for one's film. The book is available on Amazon.com or on Gore's website at www.filmthreat.com/shop.

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G. FILM FESTIVAL AND/OR SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS/COMPETITIONS

1. IFP Rough Cuts Submission - for Members Only. Become a member and join IFP at www.ifp.org. If you have a narrative feature project that is near completion and can benefit from the support and expertise of experienced film professionals serving as advisors, apply now to the IFP Rough Cuts Lab, a mentorship program consisting of a series of structured meetings and seminars intended to help filmmakers successfully complete their work-in-progress before they enter the marketplace. Selected filmmakers will work with advisors in late July/early August. All participants will travel to NYC for IFP Market week where they will screen the latest cuts of their films for their peers in the program and their advisors for additional feedback. Deadline is June 10 at 11:59 pm. Submission fee is $50 and IFP membership is required. For details, visit www.ifp.org/calendar/program.php?id=195&chapter=1.

2. CALL FOR ENTRIES: Eureka! International Film Festival. The Eureka! International Film Festival for political and socially conscious films is coming to NYC in October 2005 to showcase films presenting views that span the political spectrum (funny/serious/all welcome) in the categories of Documentary, Fiction, Shorts. Final deadline is June 17. To apply, visit www.eurekaiff.com.

3. CALL FOR ENTRIES: Palm Springs International Film Festival of Short Films. The 11th Annual Festival of Short Films and Film Market is now accepting entries through June 24 from professional filmmakers and student filmmakers. The dates of the event are September 20-26. More than $30,000 in cash, film stock, and production services will be awarded in 8 categories. All 1st place winners in the Live Action and Animation categories are automatically eligible for nomination consideration by the Academy Awards (AMPAS) in the short film categories. For entry fees, forms, and details, visit www.psfilmfest.org, or call 760-322-2930.

4. CALL FOR ENTRIES: San Diego Film & Screenwriting Festival. Accepting features, documentaries, short films, and screenplays for annual competitive event held September 21-25. Dozens of distributors will be on hand to consider acquisitions. Final submission deadline is July 1. For details, visit www.SDFF.org.

5. CALL FOR ENTRIES: Morgantown Arts on the River Festival. The 2005 Arts on the River Festival will include a 5-day film festival, from August 15 to 19 at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown (Monongalia County, WV), dedicated to exhibiting only indie films made by West Virginians. During the event, a Morgantown Film Guild will also be organized. Submission deadline is July 15. Questions should be directed to Danny Cameron at 304-692-0523 or watchmen714@yahoo.com, or to Ro Brooks (Executive Director of MAC) at 304-292-3325 or monartscenter@citynet.net.

6. CALL FOR ENTRIES: 4th Annual Portland International Short-Short Film Fest. Eligible films must clock in at 10 minutes or less and have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2002. Entry fee is $20. Event held September 23-24 with individual jury and audience choice awards doling out cash and merchandise prizes. Submission deadline is July 15. For details, visit www.zonkerfilms.com.

7. CALL FOR ENTRIES: Mini-Cinema Film Festival. Now accepting entries for August event (date not yet posted) in Fairmont (Marion County, WV). Submission deadline is August 6. For submission form, visit www.minicinema.tk or write to Justin Channell at minicinemafilm@hotmail.com with questions.

8. BHERC Screenwriting Competition Features Writers Boot Camp. The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center has launched its 2005 BHERC Screenwriting Competition to further diversity in the motion picture industry by encouraging and developing screenwriters of color. Submissions are sought from writers of African descent who are serious about a career as a screenwriter. Screenplays of 90-120 pages, on any topic and genre, will be accepted by mail only and postmarked by August 31, 2005. The Grand Prize winner will receive the Writers Boot Camp's Basic Training course, membership to the Writers Guild of America, West's Independent Writers Caucus (IWC), a writing mentor, a staged reading at the African American Film Marketplace in Hollywood, CA, and other prizes. The second and third place winners will receive the Writers Boot Camp's Online Basic Training, and 9 finalists will receive 2 weekend passes to the African American Film Marketplace. For complete details, visit www.BHERC.org.

9. CALL FOR ENTRIES: West Virginia Filmmakers Film Festival. The festival is accepting entries for its 6th Annual event to be held in Sutton (Braxton County, WV) on September 30, October 1 and 2. Submission deadline is September 1. Entries can be of any length or genre, but they must have been made in West Virginia, or be about West Virginia, or have strong ties to West Virginia (e.g., the writer or director must be a WV native). There are no entry fees or forms, but entries should include name, address, phone and email contact, title and length of film, and genre. Send entries to Kevin Carpenter, WVFFF, Landmark Studio, 200 Main Street, Sutton, WV 26601; phone contact is 304-765-5960.

10. CALL FOR ENTRIES: New York City Horror Film Festival. The premiere horror film fest in the U.S. will be held October 18-23 at the TriBeCa Film Center in Manhattan. Submission deadline is September 1. For details, visit www.nychorrorfest.com/mainpage.htm.

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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. Appalachian Film Festival, Huntington (Cabell County): The 2nd Annual Appalachian Film Festival kicks off Thursday, June 2 and runs through Saturday, June 4 in Huntington. The festival is open to the public and screenings are limited to emerging and professional filmmakers and screenwriters that reside in the 13-state Appalachian region. There is also a Young Filmmakers component. Cash prizes and hand-blow glass sculptures are distributed to winners in the categories of Best Script, Best Film, Best Short Film, and Best Young Filmmaker (the hand-blown glass sculptures were specially designed for the AFF by Blenko of Milton). A total of 29 films will be screened during the 3-day event. And several special guests will attend, each of whom will host a workshop on miscellaneous topics. All films, except "Chrystal" (Keith Albee Theater), will be shown at the Cinema Theater on 4th Avenue. Details are on AFF's website at www.appyfilmfest.com. The WV Film Office is a proud partner of this event.

2. Film Series, WV Division of Culture & History, Charleston (Kanawha County). The WV Division of Culture & History kicks off a June-filled month of FREE Sci-Fi/Fantasy-Themed films with the June 4 presentation of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) followed by Space Odyssey (1968) on June 11, Fahrenheit 451 (1966) on June 18, and The Neverending Story (1984) on June 25. The schedule for the film series, which runs through August 2005, is available at www.wvculture.org or by calling 304-558-0162. All films are FREE and open to the public and will be screened at the WV State Theater located in the Cultural Center on the State Capitol grounds.

3. Meeting of WV Animators & Videographers, etc. (WAVe), Teays Valley (Putnam County). The monthly meeting of WAVe begins at 6:30 pm on Monday, June 6 at the Putnam County Library (Teays Valley/Winfield Exit # 39 from Interstate 64). One of the June topics includes planning for the upcoming Comic Forum. Please feel free to bring your productions (in progress, complete, etc.) for "show-and-tell" and for feedback. The meetings are free and open to the public. Don't be fooled by the name of the organization; attendees have multi-disciplinary backgrounds and include writers, teachers, voiceover artists, and many more. For more information, contact Jamie Cope at Jamie@destinyimages.com.

4. West Virginia Filmmakers Guild, Sutton (Braxton County). The West Virginia Filmmakers Guild will hold a business meeting, workshops, and screenings Saturday, June 11 at the Elk Hotel in Sutton. The business meeting kicks off at 11:00 am, followed by workshops between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, with a break for lunch in between. Evening festivities include screenings of film and video productions in progress. Deb Keddie of Walkabout Productions in Wheeling will conduct a workshop on filmmaking as a whole and Marc Adams of Digital Vision Works in Dunbar will conduct a workshop on how to form/operate a production company. All events are open to the public. Membership in the Guild is encouraged with annual dues of $5 for students, $15 for other individuals, and $25 for organizations. For additional information, contact Bob Gates at omni@ntelos.net.

5. Film Series, Shepherdstown Film Society (Jefferson County): The Shepherdstown Film Society has scheduled June 10 for an evening of screening short films with the theme "To Skate or Not to Skate . . . And Other Existential Questions". The films include Skids (by Anne Walter of Shepherdstown, WV); No No Skateboarding (by Lisa Jaeggi of Silver Springs, MD); Poof (by Kevin Walla of Keedysville, MD); and First Note (by John Meyers of Frederick, MD). Assistant Professor of French and film instructor Dr. Ritterbusch will introduce the films and facilitate post-film discussions. All films are FREE, open to the public, begin at 7:00 pm, and 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.

6. The Art of Filmmaking Summer Workshop, Morgantown (Monongalia County). Beginning June 13, a summer workshop will teach "The Art of Filmmaking". Students will learn all aspects of production and marketing of films. As a class, they will create a feature length film for festivals and possible distribution. Registration cost is $100 and all equipment is included in the class. The workshop is limited to 20 people; registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Danny Cameron at 304-692-0523 or watchmen714@yahoo.com, or contact Ro Brooks at 304-292-3325.

7. Film Series, South Charleston Museum (Kanawha County). The South Charleston Museum will present "Mixed Martial Arts & Wrestling in the Movies" on Friday, June 17, at 7:00 pm at the La Belle Theater located at 311 'D' Street in South Charleston. The evening will feature appearances by local wrestling personalities and films by Sutton filmmaker Kevin Carpenter, entitled "Mixed Martial Arts", and Edward Crowza's "Jesse the Jackhammer" (who will also be appearing in person). Admission is $1.00 as a museum donation. For more information, contact Teresa Whitt at 304-744-9711 or visit http://www.geocities.com/scmuseum/Exhibitions_and_Events.html?10716136700.

8. Lost River Grill Film Series, Lost River (Hardy County). Join 2004 WV Filmmaker of the Year, Ray Schmitt as he screens "Lulu: Triumph of the Human Spirit" on June 18 at the Lost River Grill's TK Lounge in Hardy County. Lucien "Lulu" Ferrenbach-a French metal sculptor, water colorist, boat builder and sailor-is profiled in the documentary. Growing up in Nazi-occupied France, Lulu overcame a serious racing bike accident that left him paralyzed to lead a life free from all tethers. He left his profession as a world-class metal sculptor in France to build and sail his own boat around the world. Admission is FREE. For more info, contact Ray Schmitt at 304-897-6961 or Lost River Grill at 304-897-6482. For more info about Real Earth Productions, visit www.realearthproductions.com.

9. West Virginia Jewish Film Festival, Charleston (Kanawha County). The annual Jewish Film Festival begins at 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 19 at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater (123 Summers Street) and includes the WV premieres of "Paper Clips" and "West Bank Story". "Paper Clips" involves students in a small Tennessee coal town that explore the meaning of the Holocaust even though there are no Jewish residents in the town. They collect 10 million paper clips to begin their odyssey into history. "West Bank Story" is a short rollicking musical that revolves around a fast food feud between the Hummus Hut and the Kosher King, trapping a love interest between an Israeli soldier and a hummus slinging cash register girls in the middle. For more info, contact the theater at 304-342-6522.

10. New Martinsville River Heritage Days (Wetzel County). The New Martinsville River Heritage Days will celebrate the 80th anniversary of one of Hollywood's earliest films made in 1925, as well as screen other feature films, short films, and animation. The river festival kicks off Friday, June 24 and runs through Sunday, June 26 and includes film screenings on Saturday and Sunday. Show time is 7:00 pm on Saturday for the re-creation of the world premiere of Gloria Swanson's "Stagestruck" (shot on location in New Martinsville). At 1:00 pm Saturday, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" will screen along with WV films, including animation from Destiny Images of Scott Depot and Brad Stalnaker's (Morgantown) "The Griffin and the Minor Canon" and others. Sunday's screenings include "The Road Runner", followed by multiple films shot in West Virginia. For more info and schedule details, contact Carolyn LeMasters at 304-337-2655 or by email at heridays@yahoo.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.

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