WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE

West Virginia Film Office

Email Blast

November 26, 2004

CONTENTS

A. Acknowledgements

B. West Virginia Film Office Updates & News

1. Industry Resource Materials

2. Miscellaneous News

3. Community/Industry Relations/Office Development

4. Locations Scouting

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. West Virginia filmmaker Victoria Barrett's documentary film, "Desperate Hours", enjoys an encore broadcast on Public Broadcasting on November 26 at 10:00 pm. The documentary focuses on Turkey's efforts to rescue Jews from the Holocaust. In researching the film, Barrett interviewed historians, diplomats, clergy and survivors in the United States, Turkey, Israel, Italy, and Austria. The film won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at the 2003 D.C. Independent Film Festival; has been honored with diplomatic screenings in Geneva and Rome; and received a special screening at the U.S. Library of Congress. Ms. Barrett was also recognized for Creative Excellence at the International Film & Video Festival and received the Bnai Brith Canada International Excellence in the Arts Award for 2004.

2. Correction: Apologies to Charles Cline, mistakenly identified as Charles Kleine in the October 8 Email Blast. Charles Cline directed the film "Archive" and not Charles Kleine. (FYI, Charles Kleine works at PBS in Morgantown.)

3. Congratulations to Historic Beverly Preservation, Inc. and Randolph County filmmaker Robert Whetsell for receiving a $20,000 Media Grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council. In conjunction with the HBP, Mr. Whetsell will be creating "The CCC Interpretive Film and DVD Project". A public historian and forest service historian in Elkins, this is Mr. Whetsell's second film to be funded by WVHC.

4. Congratulations to the P.I. Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University and Morgantown filmmaker and Assistant Professor Joel Beeson for receiving a $17,400 Media Grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council. In conjunction with the P.I. Reed School of Journalism, Mr. Beeson will be creating "An Oral History of West Virginia's Black Veterans". This project is a segment of a West Virginia Veterans history project for the Library of Congress.

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B. WEST VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE UPDATES & NEWS:

1. Industry Resource Materials – 1-A: The WV Film Office has a couple dozen valuable resource books relating to the motion picture and television industries, including the recently released 2004 2nd annual edition of "MovieMaker's Complete Beginner's Guide to Making Movies". The materials can be helpful with locating distributor contacts, finding an agent, developing a budget and investor plan, planning your shooting schedule, and many more topics. While the materials cannot be removed from the office, anyone is available to stop in the office to conduct research. To make an appointment, call the WV Film Office.

Industry Resource Materials – 1-B: Paradise Film Institute at WV State University in Institute has more than 160 books on a wide assortment of topics relating to acting, filmmaking, working in commercials, movies, etc. The materials are housed at the Drain-Jordan Library on campus. You can search the PFI materials on-line before you plan your trip by visiting http://library.wvsc.edu/pfilinkp.html. PFI materials are conveniently gathered in one location, both on-line and at the library.

2. Miscellaneous News:

(a) Film actress and Charleston native Ann Magnuson continues to make guest appearances on high-profile television shows, most recently with an appearance in a 90-minute special episode of CSI: Miami, which was broadcast at the beginning of November.

(b) WV filmmaker Daniel Boyd's three indie feature films will be released this year on DVD. The first to be released is Chillers, which was matched by the distributor (Troma Entertainment, NYC) with a package of two other films and will be sold as "Toxie's Triple Terror 2". The remaining two, Invasion of the Space Preachers and Heroes of the Heart (aka Paradise Park), will follow at a later date.

(c) The Elkhorn Inn in Landgraff, WV, will appear on the Home & Garden Television program "Building Character" on December 8 at 8:30 pm EST. As previously reported, HGTV filmed the Elkhorn Inn at the end of October. The "Building Character" series showcases commercial buildings that have been transformed into unique homes. Each segment tells the history, motivation, and challenges behind the conversion and takes the viewer on a tour of the dwelling.

3. Community/Industry Relations/Office Development: The WV Film Office was a sponsor of the 2nd annual American Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown (Jefferson County, November 4-6) and was a sponsor of the 20th Anniversary of the West Virginia International Film Festival (November 5-14), during which the critically acclaimed filmmaking team of John Sayles and Maggie Renzi ("Matewan") appeared as special guests (their appearances were sponsored by the WV Film Office, the WV Department of Education and the Arts, and West Virginia State University).

The WV Film Office spoke before an Elderhostel program in Charleston on the mission of film commissions and the activities of the WV Film Office. Elderhostel is a national non-profit organization providing educational and traveling programs for senior citizens with participants from around the country.

Additional activities included attending the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism at Stonewall Jackson Resort; attending a reception for the Morgan County Arts Council in Washington, DC; assisting Brush Fork Elementary School (Bluefield, Mercer County) with a class project on film history in WV; and providing a welcome package to Professor Rudolf Krejcik of FAMU Film School in Prague, Czech Republic, who visited the campus of West Virginia State University.

4. Locations Scouting: The Film Office has scouted numerous locations around the state in late October and through November for several major motion picture productions and television series considering West Virginia for on-location shooting, including the Counties of Braxton, Calhoun, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Lewis, Nicholas, Sutton, and Summers.

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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. The Film Office provided a range of support services to the following productions teams, which shot (or will shoot) on location in West Virginia:

(a) Illuminare Entertainment of Los Angeles, CA, shot on location in Huntington (Cabell County) for a proposed reality program titled "Spiritual Warriors Possessed". Local crew was hired and an assortment of liaison services were provided by the Film Office.

(b) Southpaw Entertainment of Baltimore, MD, shot on location in Charleston (Kanawha County) for a pilot episode of RANDOM 1. The film office provided an assortment of liaison services. Information about the show can be found at www.random1.com.

(c) Several news and entertainment production companies contacted the Film Office to obtain copies of the Production Services Directory so local crew hires and vendors could be used during the television coverage of Martha Stewart's arrival in Alderson, WV.

(d) The History Channel contacted the Film Office to track down B-roll and archival footage of the New River Gorge Bridge for a show called Modern Marvels.

(e) Aero Film & TV of Los Angeles, CA, scouted dozens of WV locations for a national commercial spot for Toyota Manufacturing, choosing Lewisburg as the top choice. The production crew of 19 arrived November 10 for prep and shot the commercial on one of Lewisburg's main thoroughfares during the morning hours of November 11. Several locals were hired as extras and one crew hire was utilized for scouting and production coordinating. The merchants and citizens of Lewisburg deserve a high amount of praise for providing a friendly environment for the production team. The commercial is due to air some time in January.

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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. Paradise Film Institute. WV filmmaker Daniel Boyd is beginning to wrap two of his latest projects, "Makutano" and "Greenbottom Uncovered: The Rise and Fall of a 19th Century Plantation". Upon a recent visit to Charleston, WV native and actress Ann Magnuson provided her professional talents to the Greenbottom documentary by graciously recording the voiceover for the film. Information on release dates will be made at another time.

2. Casting for Musician. Validity Talent of Huntington is looking for a female fiddle player who can also sing. The gig will entail a one-year contract in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pay is a base salary of $36,000, with a percentage of sales of CDs and DVDs, and includes a benefit package of 1/2 paid dental and health. Contact Gail McHugh at 304-417-2007 or 740-886-1005.

3. Seeking Crew and Cast (No Pay). An independent production team is seeking crew and conducting auditions for a feature-length film titled "Lake Forest" to be shot in the Huntington (Cabell County) region. Auditions will be held on December 4 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on the 2nd floor of the Student Center at Marshall University. A variety of actors are needed. Before arriving, you should confirm that the auditions are still going forward. For details, contact Eric Lee at ericlee8402@yahoo.com or Ashley Stinnett at acscj1980@aol.com. The Huntington Regional Film Commission is also providing assistance on this project.

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E. NATIONWIDE CASTING CALLS/AUDITIONS:

1. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay, Florida. Busch Gardens is seeking dancers, singers, actors, acrobats, gymnasts, variety acts, costumed characters, technicians, and instrumentalists for a wide variety of live shows at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. Auditions will take place in New York City on Friday, December 10 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm at the New Dance Group Arts Center, 254 West 47th Street. For audition tips and additional audition locations and times, visit www.buschgardenstalent.com, or call 813-987-5164.

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

1. West Virginia Writers 2005 Annual Writing Competition. $4500 in prize money. The state's largest writing competition is open to West Virginia residents and members of WV Writers, Inc., adults and students. There is also a Young Writers category for grades 7-12. Entries must be postmarked between January 2 and March 15, 2005. Late entry deadline – if mailed between March 16 and March 31, 2005, add $2.00 fee for each manuscript. Winners will be announced at WV Writers Annual Conference, June 10-11, 2005 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV. For more information, contact patsypittman@citynet.net or call 304-295-4738. The downloadable entry form and additional information is available at http://www.wvwriters.org.

2. Federal Grants. Visit www.fedgrants.gov to conduct an assortment of searches for federal grants available in dozens of categories, including television, film, and related projects. You may also join a notification list to receive updates by Email.

3. Grants from Independent Feature Project. The Independent Feature Project offers a variety of grants to independent filmmakers as well as fellowship opportunities. Some grants require membership in the IFP, some are open, and some are distributed by nomination. For details, visit http://www.ifp.org/common/page.php?ref=grants.

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G. FILM FESTIVAL AND/OR SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS:

1. Student Trailer Competition. Want to see your name on a film screen at one of the most important cultural institutions in the world? HBO Films presents the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Student Trailer Competition. Create a dynamic 45-second video trailer showcasing the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 40-year reputation of exhibiting cutting-edge, international, and independent films, and you could win the Student Trailer Competition. Entries must be received by December 31, 2004. The winning trailer will be professionally finished by HBO Films producers and will appear, with the winner's name credited, before every Film Society screening at Lincoln Center for two years! The winner also receives $5,000 and a trip to New York City to see the trailer premiere at New Directors/New Films in March 2005. The competition is open to students currently enrolled in a United State accredited college, university, or art school. For details about the competition, visit www.filmlinc.com or www.hbo.com/films.

2. Low-Budget Scripts. RedTip Media, a Hollywood-based company, is seeking low-budget scripts for purchase/option in the genres of thriller, suspense, supernatural, and horror, with intended U.S. video market and international theatrical release (35mm). Send logline, treatments to redtipfilms@sbcglobal.net. For more information, visit www.redtipmedia.com.

3. Palm Beach International Film Festival – Early Submission Deadline. The 10th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival will be held April 15-22, 2005 in Palm Beach, Florida, with screenings of more than 80 American and foreign independent features, shorts, and documentaries of all genres, as well as a student showcase of films and awards. Seminars and intensive film discussion groups are also on the agenda. Discounted entry fees are provided for early submissions prior to December 30. For entry forms and eligibility guidelines, visit www.pbifilmfest.org.

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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. Film Series, WV Division of Culture & History, Charleston (Kanawha County): The FREE film series at the WV Division of Culture & History continues in November and December. Dates to place on your calendars are November 27, 28 and December 11, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30. 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.

2. Monthly Meeting of WAVe, Teays Valley (Putnam County). The monthly meeting of WV Animators & Videographers, etc. will begin at 6:30 pm on Monday, December 6 at the Putnam County Library. This meeting is FREE and open to the public. This is a networking opportunity for anyone interested in writing, acting, filmmaking, animation, etc. For more information, contact Jamie Cope at 304-755-1235 or Jamie@destinyimages.com.

3. Film Series, South Charleston Museum, South Charleston (Kanawha County). The South Charleston Museum will host of evening of Victorian-Era Cinema on Saturday, December 11 at the La Belle Theater. At 5:00 pm, "The Victorian Era" will be screened (24 minutes), which showcases period house architecture, followed by "Little Women" (1994, 115 minutes, starring Winona Ryder) at 6:00 pm. 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 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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