West Virginia Film Office
Email Blast # 16
November 15, 2005
Contents
A. Acknowledgements & Special Notices
B. West Virginia Film Office Updates & News
1. Website Improvements
2. Special Request to WV Vendors, Crews, and Production
Companies
3. Community / Industry Relations / Office Development
4. Miscellaneous News
5. West Virginia On A Screen Near You
6. West Virginians In the News - "Outside the
Border"
7. Locations Scouting
C. Production Activity By Outside Companies
D. West Virginia Crews, Production Companies, Performance
Artists, and Vendors in Action
E. West Virginia Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions
& Other Industry-Related Job Postings
F. Nationwide Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions &
Other Industry-Related Job Postings
G. Articles and Websites of Interest & Useful Resources
& Industry-Related Activities
H. Film Festivals & Script Submissions & Other
Industry-Related Festivals and Competitions
I. West Virginia
Calendar of Events
J. Contact Info,
Disclaimer, Subscribe/Unsubscribe
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A. Acknowledgements
& Special Notices
1. WV Filmmakers Film Festival. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers whose
films were recognized with awards during the 6th annual WV Filmmakers Film
Festival held in Sutton Sept 30-Oct 5, 2005. Eleven awards were
distributed, in addition to the 2005 WV Filmmaker of the Year (B.J.
Gudmundsson of Lewisburg) and the inaugural WV Filmmaker Pinnacle Award
(Beckley native Morgan Spurlock). For a complete list of the winners, visit
http://landmarkstudio.org/wvfff.
2. Morgan Spurlock Signs with Sony
Pictures Television.
Beckley native and Oscar-nominee Morgan Spurlock has inked a
one-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television to create projects
for television under his Gotham-based Warrior-Poets banner. In addition
to unscripted shows, like his FX Network series "30 Days",
Spurlock said he's also hoping to expand into scripted series. "Scripted
series allow you to have a little more freedom of imagination", Spurlock
told Daily Variety, citing Norman Lear laffers such as "All in the
Family" and "Sanford and Son" as inspirations. "They really
dealt with hot-button issues, and I'd like to bring back some shows that have
that sensibility", he said. The first project under the deal will be
"Public Nuisance", a Comedy Central pilot presentation
green-lit over the summer.
3. Nominations sought for 2006
Governor's Arts Awards. The
WV Commission on the Arts (under the WV Division of Culture and
History) is soliciting nominations for the 2006 Governor's Arts Awards.
The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2005. 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 3, 2006, at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston. For complete
details, visit www.wvculture.org or contact Debbie Rainey Haught at
304-558-0240.
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B. West
Virginia Film Office Updates & News
1. Website Improvements.
(a) The "Film Industry Resources"
section on the Film Office website (www.wvfilm.com) has received a complete
overhaul. After perusing the new categories and links, feel free to suggest
additional categories and links for the Film Office to consider posting.
(b) The digital Locations Library is
nearly ready to go live. When it is launched on the Film Office website, a
separate announcement with details will be sent.
2. Special Request to WV Vendors,
Crews, and Production Companies.
The Film Office needs your help in tracking in-state production activity
(including work you perform for WV companies or work for which you are hired by
outside companies shooting on location in WV). A phone call or email to the
Film Office with pertinent details would be of great assistance - and on an
on-going basis. Also, the Film Office is collecting photographs of West
Virginia "crews in action", so please consider taking photographs of
crews at work on your projects. Or, advise the Film Office of the project and
permit the Film Office to visit the set to photograph the production activity.
3. Community / Industry Relations /
Office Development.
(a) The Film Office placed the following
advertisements: a full-page color ad in
the Annual Roster of the Producers Guild of America (already shipped to
PGA members) and a full-page color ad in the Annual Directory of the Directors
Guild of America (due out in early 2006). [These ads will soon be posted
on the website for viewing.]
(b) The Film Office accepted an invitation to
place a complimentary listing in "The Location Guide", an
international directory identifying filming locations, vendors catering to the
needs of filming professionals, and film commissions, among other categories,
and acts as a tool for pre-production research, planning, and budgeting for the
international film and television industries.
(c) The Film Office co-sponsored the 6th annual WV
Filmmakers Film Festival in Sutton and sponsored the Filmmaker of the
Year and Pinnacle Awards, September 30-October 2. The Film Office
attended the annual meeting of the West Virginia Filmmakers Guild, which
was held during the festival.
(d) The Film Office co-sponsored the 3rd annual American
Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown, October 26-29.
(e) The Film Office co-sponsored the 21st annual
WV International Film Festival in Charleston, November 4-13.
4. Miscellaneous News.
(a) Marshall University's football team
is being portrayed in an upcoming motion picture titled "Dirt Nap",
starring D.B. Sweeney (who also directed and wrote the script), Ed
Harris, and Moira Kelly and being produced by Scrudge LLC.
The film focuses on three men in a midlife crisis traveling from Pittsburgh to
Miami to see the fictional game between the Thundering Herd and the Texas
Longhorns at the Orange Bowl. One of the film's final scenes was shot in
September at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Dozens of Marshall alumni and
family who live in Southern California were cast as extras, and Keith Spears
(Marshall's vice president of communications and marketing) and several
others from Huntington were also invited to participate. The producers are
hopeful that the film will be accepted into the Sundance Film Festival in
January 2006.
(b) The 2005-2006 edition of the Production
Services Directory is now available on CD with a slide show of 300 photos.
The PSD is also available in print and on the Film Office website in searchable
PDF (http://www.wvfilm.com/directory1.htm). To receive the print or CD version,
contact the Film Office.
5. West Virginia on a Screen Near You.
(a) Oscar-winning director Steven
Soderbergh's feature film "Bubble", which was shot
entirely on location in Parkersburg, WV and Belpre, OH this past spring, was
accepted into 3 of the world's top 5 film festivals (Venice, Toronto, New York)
and is expected to be released simultaneously at theaters (limited release), on
DVD, and on HDNet (television) in early 2006. (Any in-state screenings are
unknown at this time.) The production team for "Bubble" was
headquartered entirely in Parkersburg, so both the city and the state enjoyed
the impact from the production's expenditures. If you are interested in reading
more than a dozen reviews of the film, visit
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454792/maindetails and then click on
"external reviews".
(b) ABC Family,
"Scariest Places on Earth".
Details under Section C below.
(c) Travel
Channel, "Taste
of America". Details under Section C below.
(d) Comcast-Bennett
Productions, "Discoveries . . . America". Details under Section C below.
(e) Animal Spots
- Pennsylvania television commercial.
Animal Spots shot a regional commercial in June for a
Pennsylvania credit union on the soccer field at Bethany College in Brooke
County, which is currently airing throughout Pennsylvania and north-central
West Virginia. Additional details are under Section C below.
(f) Travel
Channel, "Great Hotels".
On November 29 at 11:30 am, a repeat of "Great Hotels: The
Greenbrier" will air.
6. West Virginians In the News -
"Outside the Border".
(a) DAVID SELBY. Morgantown native David Selby has a
new book out and has already appeared for book signings in Charleston and
Morgantown. A Better Place is a loving tribute to West Virginia and is
part memoir and part social commentary. Selby re-visits the West Virginia of his
youth and examines the lasting effects of an Appalachian upbringing. The book
can be ordered through the West Virginia Book Company at
http://www.wvbookco.com/display_title_detail.cfm?ID=463. In movie news, Selby
stars in the Sci-Fi Channel film "Black Hole Terror"
(filmed in St. Louis), alongside Judd Nelson and Kristy Swanson, scheduled to
air some time in 2006. Selby also acted in the film "End Game"
(filmed in Spokane), alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. and Angie Harmon, which had its
world premiere on November 11 at the Fort Lauderdale International Film
Festival. Selby will also act in the film "Unknown", slated
for release in 2006, co-starring Jim Caviezel, Greg Kinnear, Bridget Moynahan,
Joe Pantoliano, and Jeremy Sisto. Check your television listings for details,
but during November, you can see Selby in "Dying Young" on Encore
Love; in "Intersection" on various Cinemax
channels; and in "White Squall" on various HBO
channels.
(b) CHRIS SARANDON. Beckley native and Oscar-nominee Chris
Sarandon is currently on Broadway in the word-of-mouth hit "A
Light in the Piazza" (his fifth Broadway musical). He also stars in
the October-released film "Loggerheads", playing a domineering
minister in a poignant tale of adoption and estranged families. Check your
television listings for details, but during November, you can see Sarandon in
"Child's Play" on Encore Action; in "Collision
Course" on Actionmax; in "Felicity" on WE;
in "Fright Night" on Sci-Fi; in "The Princess
Bridge" on Fox Movie Channel; and in "The Stranger
Within" on Lifetime Movie Network;
(c) ANN MAGNUSON. Charleston native Ann Magnuson is the
host of the 2005 Ovation Awards on Monday, November 14. Held at the Orpheum
Theater in Los Angeles and produced by L.A. Stage Alliance, the Ovation
Awards recognize excellence in theatre and are the only peer-judged theatre
awards in Los Angeles. Check your television listings for details, but during
November, you can see Magnuson in "Love & Sex" on Independent
Film Channel; in "Love at Large" on HBO Plus; in
"A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon" on Fox Movie Channel
or Encore Love; and in "Tequila Sunrise" on Encore
Action.
(d) CONCHATA FERRELL. Charleston native Conchata Ferrell
was nominated for an Emmy a few months ago for her supporting role on
CBS's "Two and a Half Men", which airs on Mondays at 9:00 pm
EST. Check your television listings for details, but during November, you can
see Ferrell in "Edward Scissorhands" on FX Network; in
"For Keeps" on Lifetime Movie Network; and in "Touch"
on Encore.
7. Locations Scouting. Since the last Email Blast in June, the Film
Office has experienced a hectic scouting schedule. Dozens of cities and towns
have been scouted across the state - most based on client requests/visits and
some specifically to capture images of regions not yet in the Film Office
digital Locations Library. Counties and locations scouted include: BARBOUR (Belington); BERKELEY
(Hedgesville); BOONE (Madison); BRAXTON (Gassaway, Sutton,
Flatwoods, Burnsville); BROOKE (Bethany, Wellsburg); CABELL
(Barboursville, Huntington); FAYETTE (Glen Jean, Layland, Meadow Bridge,
Mt. Hope, Prince, Thayer, Thurmond); GRANT (Dolly Sods, Knobley Road,
Maysville, Medley, Mount Storm); GREENBRIER (Alderson, Anthony, Beartown
State Park, Camp Wood, Clintonville, Fairlea, Lewisburg, Ronceverte, White
Sulphur Springs); HAMPSHIRE (Capon Bridge, Green Spring, North River
Mills, Romney, Springfield); HANCOCK (Chester, New Cumberland, Newell,
Weirton); HARDY (Baker, Lost City, Lost River, Lost River State Park,
Mathias, Moorefield, Wardensville); HARRISON (Big Elm, Enterprise,
Lumberport, Salem, Shinnston); JACKSON (Ravenswood, Ripley); JEFFERSON
(Charles Town, Shepherdstown) KANAWHA (Charleston, Clendenin, Dunbar,
Saint Albans, South Charleston); LEWIS (Jackson's Mill, Roanoke,
Weston); LINCOLN (Hamlin); LOGAN (Peach Creek, Logan); MARSHALL
(Benwood, Moundsville); MCDOWELL (Keystone, Kimball, Landgraff, Welch); MERCER
(Matoaka, Princeton, Spanishburg); MINERAL (Burlington, Elk Garden, Fort
Ashby, Keyser, Kingsford Plant, Patterson Creek, Piedmont); MINGO
(Williamson); MONROE (Herns Mill, Keenan, Sweet Springs, Sinks Grove,
Union, Willow Bend); OHIO (West Liberty, Wheeling); PENDLETON
(Brandywine, Champe Rocks, Cherry Grove, Circleville, Franklin, Germany Valley,
Seneca Rocks, Sugar Grove); PLEASANTS (Saint Mary's); POCAHONTAS
(Cass, Droop Mountain State Park, Dunmore, Durbin, Frost, Green Bank, Highland
Scenic Highway, Huntersville, Little Laurel Nature Trail, Locust Creek,
Marlinton, Thorny Creek); PRESTON (Arthurdale, Bruceton Mills, Kingwood,
Masontown, Reedsville, Rowlesburg, Terra Alta); PUTNAM (Buffalo,
Hurricane, Winfield); RALEIGH (Daniels); RANDOLPH (Cheat Mountain
and entire length of Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR); ROANE
(Spencer); SUMMERS (Bluestone, Hinton); TAYLOR (Grafton,
Prunytown); UPSHUR (Buchanan); WAYNE (Wayne); WETZEL
(Hundred); WOOD (Parkersburg).
[Special
thanks to David Fattaleh and Steve Shaluta, photographers for the Division of
Tourism, for assisting with capturing several cities/towns during this eventful
time on behalf of the Film Office.]
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C. Production
Activity By Outside Companies (These listings will include only those productions for which the Film
Office provided assistance or was alerted to by a reliable source.)
1. Animal Spots - Pennsylvania
television commercial. In
June 2005, a Pennsylvania credit union shot a regional television commercial on
the soccer field at Bethany College (Brooke County) using the Pennsylvania
production company Animal Spots. [The commercial is currently airing on
stations throughout Pennsylvania and north-central West Virginia.] West
Virginia snagged this commercial because of a difference in WV and PA laws
involving exotic animals. A baby baboon (a professional "actor" from
California) was used in the commercial alongside human actors, and Pennsylvania
bars exotic animals from interacting with the general public. Luckily, West
Virginia does not have such a law (but, the animal must have a valid interstate
health certificate) and was able to benefit from this commercial production!
Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the local humane
association were present during production.
[Special
thanks to Bethany College's President Buck Smith for authorizing use of
the campus on extremely short notice. And additional thanks to Dale Maurer
of the WV Tourism Commission for providing quick scouting assistance in the
northern panhandle for the producers.]
2. Sony Corp. - still photography
shoot. The West Virginia
Film Office was the only film office in the region to respond to a
locations request issued by Sony Corp.
Sony chose a cow pasture in the town of Keenan (Monroe County) as
a backdrop for a print advertising campaign for one of its products. (Other locations selected for the campaign
were a beach in the British Virgin Islands and the New York Stock
Exchange.) A production crew from
around the world arrived in September for the two-day shoot and vendors in Kanawha
County, Lewisburg (Greenbrier County), and Monroe County
benefited from the three-day visit.
West Virginia crews were hired to assist on the production as was 20
models/actors from the WV-VA-NC region.
The West Virginia location is scheduled to appear in various issues of
the following publications during the months of November and December 2005 and
January 2006: Business Week, Fortune,
and Forbes.
3. ABC
Family, "Scariest Places on Earth". A producer for this show hired numerous West
Virginia crew and used multiple West Virginia vendors for two episodes. The
first episode, which aired around Halloween, was shot in Spanishburg
(Mercer County) in July at Lake Shawnee (a few miles from Princeton),
which is a former amusement park (two rusted rides are still standing) and is
alleged to have paranormal activities. Regional college students were used to
research and document any paranormal activities. The second episode, which is
scheduled to air some time next spring, was shot in Moundsville
(Marshall County) in August at the former WV Penitentiary, using the
same premise but with different students.
4. Travel
Channel, "Taste of America". In September, the Travel Channel shot a segment of "Roadkill
Cookoff" in Marlinton (Pocahontas County) for its "Taste
of America" series hosted by comedian Mark DeCarlo, which is
likely to air early next year. The Public Information department at the WV
Division of Tourism helped lure this production to the state.
5. Travel
Channel, "Amazing Vacation Homes". In October, the Travel Channel
visited Durbin (Pocahontas County) to shoot a segment on a vacation home
located on Cheat Mountain. The show also used Division of Tourism B-roll
footage, pulled together by the Film Office. The episode is likely to air some
time during November or December, but has not yet been scheduled.
6. Comcast-Bennett
Productions, Discoveries . . . America. Following a 17-day production shoot across the state in June,
Comcast-Bennett has completed editing of its documentary-style 60-minute
program on West Virginia, which will air on Comcast's cable channels INHD and INHD2 in the next few
months and will be re-broadcast throughout the next five years. The broadcast
schedule can be found at www.inhd.com. Locations visited by the crew and topics
covered include: Paden City
(Marble King); Cairo (Marblefest); Moundsville (Grave Creek
Mound); Sistersville Ferry; Fairmont (Colasessanos pepperoni
rolls, Father's Day, B&O train station); Beckley (Tamarack, Coal
Mine Exhibition, processing plant); Harper's Ferry National Park; New
River Gorge for whitewater rafting; Seneca Rocks for climbing; and scenic
railroads (Durbin Rocket, Tygart Flyer, Salamander); and others. To order
copies of the DVD, visit www.Bennett-Watt.com.
7. Country
Music Television, "Home Blitz". CMT visited Kanawha County a few times this past summer to
videotape a home being built by Habitat for Humanity for a Charleston
family. Several West Virginia crews were hired for the video production. The
home was made possible with the help of West Virginia's own country music star Brad
Paisley as well as John Littlefield, Heather Simpson, and the Habitat for
Humanity Home Blitz Build Team. The segment aired in September; repeat airings
are unknown at this time.
8. Country
Music Television, "Kenny Chesney Concert". CMT hired several West Virginia crews
to provide production assistance during the Kenny Chesney concert in
August for one of his opening acts, Gretchen Wilson. CMT was
producing a 90-minute documentary for Wilson titled "Undressed",
which aired in October (repeat airings are unknown at this time), and included
footage of her Charleston on-stage performance as well as backstage interviews
and performances.
9. Fox TV,
Family Guy. In June, Troy
Brown, receiver for the New England Patriots and former Marshall
University football player, was traveling through Huntington and Fox TV
needed to quickly obtain a voiceover for his animated character's guest
appearance on "Family Guy". Admix Broadcast of
Charleston (Kanawha County) came to the rescue and provided the studio to
record Brown's voiceover, which was then turned over to Fox.
10. Toyota
Mfg, still shoot at Buffalo plant.
Toyota Mfg corporate's p.r./ad agency hired Erik Almas
Photography of Los Angeles and other production crew for a still photo
shoot at the Buffalo plant (Putnam County) for an upcoming national advertising
campaign. The photographer and his production team utilized the following
vendors during their 3-day visit in October:
lodging at the Charleston Marriott, catering by The Summit
(Charleston), helicopter rental from Helicopter Flite (Charleston), and
a boom lift from United Rentals (Huntington).
11. Savannah College, student thesis
film. A small group of
students from Savannah College of Art & Design (Savannah, Georgia),
shot footage in Tucker County in June for their thesis film. The Film Office
tapped Bill Smith of the Tucker County CVB to provide assistance
to the crew.
12. History Channel, Freemason
Mysteries Documentary. In
September, a crew from the History Channel shot footage at Whiting's
Cave near Yankauer Preserve (Berkeley County) for an upcoming
documentary on Freemason Mysteries. The air date is unknown at this time, but
is expected to be in spring 2006.
13. Nagy Film & Video,
Gaithersburg, MD. Nagy
shot footage in September in Harper's Ferry (Jefferson County) from the Hilltop
House for its production of a marketing video for the Association of
Aerospace & Aeronautics.
14. Peabody Energy, St. Louis, MO. Peabody Energy contacted the Film
Office in August to secure B-roll footage from the Division of Tourism of a
variety of WV scenics and activities to include in a video for its recruiting
efforts at colleges nationwide to attract students to its West Virginia
businesses.
15. Grayscale TV, New York City. Former Charleston residents Kyle Boyd
and Charlotte Angel are producing a series of educational videos on
Geology and Earth Science for Cambridge Educational. They hired
Charleston filmmaker Greg Harpold in August to shoot footage in West
Virginia capturing "majestic scenery and recreational use of nature (rock
climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking)" to be used in the series.
16. Pilot Film & TV Productions,
United Kingdom, "Globe Trekker". Pilot Film shot footage in October
for the PBS show "Globe Trekker" in Moundsville (Marshall
County) focusing on Bee Beard and the former WV Penitentiary and
in Fayetteville (Fayette County) focusing on Bridge Day. The Public
Information department at the WV Division of Tourism was contacted by Tourism's United
Kingdom marketing firm to help with suggestions for this travel show, and the
Film Office provided additional support relating to crew and other production
needs.
17. Pilot Film & TV Productions,
United Kingdom, "Globe Trekker". Pilot Film contacted the Film Office
in November to secure local crew for the PBS show "Globe Trekker"
for a segment titled "Lonely Planet/Pilot Guides". Details are
still being worked out, but footage will be shot in West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, and Virginia for the show.
18. Creepy Canada TV, Toronto, Ontario. In September, Creepy Canada TV, in
its third season, shot at several locations in West Virginia: Eaton Tunnel and Silver Run Tunnel along the
North Bend River Trail, along the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR,
and at Cass Scenic RR. The Film Office provided a variety of liaison
assistance, and State Parks at the WV Division of Natural Resources
also worked with the production team. Numerous local actors were utilized in
the segments. The segments will be broadcast in Canada, but have yet to appear
on the third season's schedule.
19. Honda Motorcycles. In August, Honda corporate hired
photographer Fran Kuhn Productions (San Marino, CA) and other crew from
multiple states to scout locations for a still photography shoot for an
upcoming national advertising campaign. Scouting was conducted throughout
eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and north-central West Virginia. A 2-lane
highway outside of Terra Alta (Preston County) was selected. The WV
Division of Highways granted permission for Honda to close a small section
of highway intermittently for the two-day visit, and Honda hired a West
Virginia company to provide traffic control.
20. France 5 TV, Atopica Productions. In September, Atopica Productions
from France shot footage for an upcoming documentary on "Agent Orange
on Trial" to air on France 5 television (relating to a legal
battle in Brooklyn). Footage was shot at the State Capitol Complex, at the
Department of Environmental Protection, around downtown Charleston, and in
Nitro. A variety of interviews with state and local officials also took place.
21. Go Media, Phoenix, AZ. Go Media was hired to shoot video
throughout the Charleston area for a marketing and recruiting campaign for the University
of Charleston (Kanawha County). West Virginia crews and vendors were used
for the production, which took place over several days in September and
October.
22. National Geographic TV, "Is It
Real". In August, a
production team from National Geographic TV descended upon Hedgesville
(Berkeley County) to recreate Latin American sightings of the elusive
Chupacabra, a mysterious bloodsucking creature which has been blamed for a rash
of livestock deaths in Latin America since the 1970s. The chosen location
(which is the home of WV film technician, Clai Lashley) was used because
of its resemblance to the rural look of Puerto Rico. Additional footage was
shot in Nicaragua and Puerto Rico. The episode, which has already aired, is
likely to be re-broadcast.
23. Rolland Productions, Knoxville, TN. In July, Rolland Productions was
hired by Monongalia General Hospital to produce a commercial for the
hospital. Local crew was also hired to assist.
24. Auto Ad Spots, Atlanta, GA. Auto Ad Spots shot a commercial in
August in Bluefield (Mercer County) for a local automobile dealership.
25. WV
Division of Tourism. The WV
Division of Tourism recently shot video footage around the state for
television commercials, which will begin airing during the spring.
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D. West
Virginia Crews, Production Companies, Performance Artists, and Vendors in
Action (These listings will include only
those productions for which the Film Office provided assistance or was alerted
to by an appropriate representative or reliable source.)
1. Image Associates, Charleston
(Kanawha County). Image
Associates was hired by HBO to shoot for two days in Parkersburg and
Morgantown in August for a major segment on HBO Real Sports (aired
August 23), with owner Bill Hogan receiving credit as the Directory of
Photography. The segment focused on West Virginia's home-schooled students not
being allowed to play high school team sports. In October, Image was hired
by The Discovery Channel during the Bridge Day celebration for a
segment focusing on the science and dynamics of base jumping. Image was
hired again by The Discovery Channel in October to shoot footage at an
airbase in Parkersburg (Wood County) for an episode of "Military
Snapshots", which focused on re-equipped Black Hawk helicopters
being utilized for medical purposes and included on-ground footage and aerial
shooting from a Black Hawk. And most recently, Image was hired by the West
Virginia Lottery to shoot commercials in HD (high definition) for its
"Manic Santa" games, scheduled to air immediately after
Thanksgiving (production included snowmaking, special effects, and even a
professional dog actor). For more information about Image Associates, visit
www.imageassociatesllc.com.
2. Digital Vision Works, Dunbar
(Kanawha County). Digital
Vision Works was hired by a Cross Lanes inventor to shoot a marketing
video/commercial for a new product for use on ATVs - the world's first
"convertible" cab top enclosure for ATV enthusiasts developed by Rain
Riders. The WV Division of Forestry granted permission to shoot a
portion of the video in Kanawha State Forest in late June. For complete
details and images of the product, visit www.ridedry.com. For more information
about Digital Vision Works, visit www.digitalvisionworks.com.
3. Walkabout Company, Wheeling (Ohio
County). The Walkabout
Company has been hired to produce another project for the Office of the
U.S. Attorney, Northern District, which will focus on federal firearms laws
and will be distributed to police departments. This fall, the company will
distribute an Historic National Road CD to schools throughout the state
and was also awarded the contract for the audio driving tour of the road, which
is WV's only All-American Road under the Federal Highway Administration's byway
program. In 2006, a DVD of statewide historic, cultural, and recreational sites
will be distributed. Most recently, the company was recognized at the annual Governor's
Conference on Tourism, when Main Street Morgantown received "The
Spirit of West Virginia" award for the Walkabout-produced audio
walking tour of the Downtown Morgantown Historic District. In staff news, the
company recently hired Wheeling native Ryan Sullivan as a production
assistant. For more information about Walkabout, visit www.gowalkabout.com.
4. Moon & Stars Studio LLC,
Bridgeport (Harrison County).
Moon & Stars Studio completed principal photography for eight
music videos between July 23 and August 1 in several north central West
Virginia locations. The crew consisted of WV hires working alongside crews from
NYC. In support of the Billboard rated #37 (2004) Christmas Album, "She
Left Me For Randolph", video production for this CD included one
gospel tune, "King of Kings" with Jerry Williams Jr.
(shot in Salem and Clarksburg). Two winter village sets were constructed at the
Bridgeport Benedum Center to be roto-scoped and included animations of videos
for the songs "You're Working For Me", "Noel",
and "The Christmas Mouse".
In support of Vera Lee's Billboard rated #9 (2005) Contemporary
Jazz/Blues album, "Vera Lee, 83 and Still Playing With The Boys",
music videos for three songs were shot: "Red Hot Nutz", "My
Man Is An Undertaker", and "I'll Keep It Turned To The Wall"
(shot in Clarksburg and The Vantage Room in Morgantown). And two videos were
shot to support Pily Nieblas' CD, a new Latin artist whose music is
scheduled for release in October 2005. The song "If I Was An Angel"
was shot at Stonewall Jackson Dam and "Don't Leave Me This Way"
was shot at Bent Willy's in Morgantown. For more information about Moon &
Stars, visit www.moonandstarsstudio.com.
5. Fairmont filmmaker Justin Channell's
latest film, "Raising the Stakes" produced by his label IWC
Films, is now available on DVD from Freak Productions. For more
information and to view the trailer, visit http://www.raisingthestakes.co.nr.
To order the DVD, visit http://www.freakproductions.net.
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E. West
Virginia Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Industry-Related
Job Postings
[this
section intentionally left blank for this edition]
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F. Nationwide
Crew Calls & Casting Calls/Auditions & Other Industry-Related Job
Postings
1. Writers Wanted - Triad Films. A small emerging production company is
looking for fresh material that screams, "different!". Budget in the
2.5mm to 5mm range. Horrors and thrillers will be considered first, but all
genres are welcome to submit. Send logline and one paragraph synopsis to Triad
Films at triadqueries@yahoo.com. [NOTE
from Film Office: Be sure your material
is protected by copyright before submitting ideas to anyone.]
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G. Articles
and Websites of Interest & Useful Resources & Industry-Related
Activities
1. MovieMaker's Conversation with
Robert Brinkmann. With his
new film, Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party, finding success on
the festival circuit, DP-turned-director Robert Brinkmann proves that it
doesn't take a huge budget, or even a high-concept idea, to connect with
audiences. But Brinkmann admits that his film would probably not exist if it
weren't for the recent advancements in digital technology. To read this
article, visit http://www.moviemaker.com/hop/vol5/03/digital.html.
2. Kemps Launches Marketplace for Used
Equipment. Kemps,
the 50 year old film and television directory, is launching a new website for broadcast
and production professionals to buy, sell, or hire used equipment. The
fully searchable site, www.kempsclassified.com, will provide a global
marketplace for used and pre-owned film, video and broadcast equipment. All
postings, whether from individuals or major industry suppliers, appear
alongside each other and can be easily accessed free-of-charge, without
registration.
3. Free Subscription to EventDV
Magazine. EventDV
Magazine serves a high-growth application area for digital video by
focusing on how to make great videos of specific kinds of events. To start your
FREE subscription, visit http://www.submag.com/sub/ea?pk=EMNS09&tc=1.
4. Grants
for Documentary Films and Videos.
The Sundance Documentary Fund supports U.S. and international
documentary films and videos focused on current and significant issues and
movements in contemporary human rights, freedom of _expression, social justice,
and civil liberties. Individuals from around the world may apply with
documentary film or video projects that range in length from full broadcast
hour to long format feature. Development Funds are available for projects in
the research or preproduction phase and Work in Progress Funds are available
for projects in the production or postproduction phases. APPLICATIONS
ARE ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. For complete details, visit
http://institute.sundance.org/jsps/site.jsp?resource=pag_ex_programs_sdf_generalinfo&sk=X710fO40UoHjTw7E.
5. The
Documentary Community Website.
Known as The D-Word, the site began as a series of journal
entries depicting the joy and angst of making and selling the feature documentary
"Home Page". Its focus has shifted to hosting documentary discussion
forums online with guest experts in the field. While registration is required,
the D-Word Forum is open to all. Note, however, that the D-Word
Community is a private forum for documentary professionals only. For
details, visit http://www.d-word.com.
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H. Film
Festivals & Script Submissions & Other Industry-Related Festivals and
Competitions
1. CALL FOR ENTRIES - Screenwriting
& Short Film Competitions.
The only screenwriting contest sponsored by the Writers Guild of
America, the 4th Annual IndieProducer Screenwriting and Short Film
Contests is seeking entries. IndieProducer is a membership-free film
and television community that supports new and emerging filmmakers, with the
priority being to further the careers of those who enter its contests. The
winners and finalists are provided assistance in securing meetings with studio
executives, agents, and managers. Submission deadline for both contests
is February 1, 2006. For complete details and list of prizes, visit www.indieproducer.net
and click on "contests".
2. CALL FOR ENTRIES - Nashville Film
Festival. Accepting
submissions in the categories of features, shorts, documentaries, animation,
experimental, music videos, and young filmmaker videos. Various levels of
prizes are awarded. Submission deadline is December 2, 2005. In
its 37th year, festival dates are April 20-26, 2006. For complete details,
visit www.nashvillefilmfestival.org.
3. CALL FOR ENTRIES - Carolina Film
& Video Festival.
Accepting submissions in the categories of screenwriting, narrative,
documentary, experimental/animation, feature length, and high school. (Students
may also submit in a variety of categories.) Various prizes are awarded. Submission
deadline is November 29, 2005. For complete details, visit
http://www.carolinafilmandvideofestival.org.
4. International Screenplay Competition. The 9th annual International Screenplay
Competition, presented by the American Screenwriters Association and
Gotham Writers' Workshop, offers $30,000 in prizes, including a $10,000 grand
prize and a trip to Hollywood for meetings with industry insiders. Submission
deadline is November 30, 2005. For complete details, visit
http://www.goasa.com.
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I. West
Virginia Calendar of Events
1. Film Series, Carnegie Hall,
Lewisburg (Greenbrier County).
This film series has returned from hiatus and will be presenting films
on the second Monday during the months of September, October, November, March,
April, and May. (Please note this film series is different than Carnegie's
"WV Film Series", referenced in item 3 below.) For more
information, visit http://www.carnegiehallwv.com/film.html.
2. Film Series, Vandalia Lounge,
Charleston (Kanawha County).
The Vandalia Lounge has begun a weekly film series on Monday
evenings following happy hour. All films begin at 8:00 pm at the lounge located
in downtown at 212 Hale Street. The upcoming schedule includes "City of
God" (Brazil) on November 21; "Snatch" (USA)
on November 28; and "Elephant" (USA) on December 5.
For complete details, visit www.vandalialounge.com/v/movienight.php or call
304-343-4110.
3. Film Series, Carnegie Hall's WV
Film Series, Lewisburg (Greenbrier County). Sponsored by the Lewisburg Living History
Exhibit and Carnegie Hall, the West Virginia Film Series continues
on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 pm at the Carnegie Hall Auditorium
with the screening of "The Greatest Good", a Forest Service
Centennial Film documenting 100 years of forestry in America. Admission is FREE
and open to the public (donations are accepted). For more information, visit
http://www.carnegiehallwv.com/WV%20film%20series.htm.
4. Film Series, Shepherdstown Film
Society, Shepherdstown (Jefferson County). The Shepherdstown Film Society's film
series continues on Friday, November 18 with "Keita, Voice of
the Griot" (1994, West Africa, 94 min) and Friday, December 2
with "Hyenas" (1992, West Africa, 110 min). 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.
5. Film Series, WV Division of Culture
& History, Charleston (Kanawha County). The WV Division of Culture & History's
film series continues on Saturday, November 19 with two showings at 1:00
pm and 4:00 pm of the award-winning documentary "Kanehsatake: 270 Years
of Resistance" (1994, 120 min).
Admission is FREE and open to the public. Scheduled to coincide with Native
American History Month, the film focuses on the confrontation between the
Native American Mohawks and Canadian government forces during a 1990 standoff
near the village of Oka in Quebec. (The
film series will continue in December with four days of movies for kids from
Dec 27 through Dec 30.) For
more information, contact 304-558-0162 or visit
http://www.wvculture.org/museum/freefilms.html.
6. Film Series, South Charleston
Museum (Kanawha County). As
part of Native American History Month, on Saturday, November 19
at 7:00 pm, the South Charleston Museum will screen "Homeland:
Four Portraits of Native Action", which tells of four battles in which
Native American activists are fighting to preserve their land, sovereignty, and
culture. Vocalist Kim Hught will perform before the film at 6:30 pm. The
event takes place at the La Belle Theater, 311 'D' Street. 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/Events.html.
7. Meeting of WV Animators &
Videographers, etc. (WAVe), Teays Valley (Putnam County). The monthly meeting of WAVe begins at
6:00 pm on Monday, December 5 at the Putnam County Library (Teays
Valley/Winfield Exit # 39 from Interstate 64). Steve Gilliland, an
Assistant Professor at WV State University, will be the key presenter. Always
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.
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J. 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 Department of Commerce, the
West Virginia Division of Tourism, and the State of West Virginia expressly
disclaim all responsibility and liability relating to the accuracy of certain
information contained in the Email Blasts. The Email Blasts are provided as a
complimentary service of the West Virginia Film Office and sent via Email
usually every month. Based on information available at the time of each Email
Blast, category headings may change periodically. All issues of the Email
Blasts are also available online at www.wvfilm.com under the link for
"Film Office Newsletter".
3. Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the Email
Blasts. To subscribe,
send an email to phaynes@callwva.com with "add to email alerts" in
the subject line. To unsubscribe, send an email to phaynes@callwva.com
with "remove from email alerts" in the subject line.
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