CONNECTICUT
"We really are trying to pull the independent filmmakers together," says Guy Ortoleva, managing director of the Connecticut Film, Video and Media Office. He is hoping that in the near future, their website will have the option for indie filmmakers to connect up with a crew when both register on the site. "Connecticut is continuing to develop an independent film assistance program," he adds.
"We've had a ton of still photograph shoots," he mentions, with catalogs and ads taking over Bed and Breakfasts for weeks at a time. And the SOPRANOS had a shoot at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, where they were looking for a live tiger. A prison has also been considered for the upcoming John McTiernan (DIE HARD, THE THOMAS CROWN AFFIAR remake) film for MGM, THE EXTRACTORS.
Ortoleva is also interested in cultivating the resources available in the Nutmeg state. "I want to make it easy to get something done here," he says, also mentioning trying to help productions by finding lower rates for hotel rooms. Some of Connecticut's other incentives include a 100% tax exemption from local property tax on new machinery used for making film and television (radio and corporate video, as well) projects in the state, and be sure to ask the office about their exemption from sales and use tax regarding property for commercial entertainment, educational, and advertising projects.
MASSACHUSETTS
Scouting. Scouting. Scouting. "Winter is traditionally a slow time," says
Robin Dawson, director of the Massachusetts Film Office. Yet A BEAUTIFUL
MIND, the Ron Howard biopic of a Mathematician at MIT has already scouted
there. And the STUART LITTLE sequel, NIGHTFALL from local Scout Productions
(which could possibly start as early as March) and ABANDONED for Paramount.
We will have to wait and see how the Sundance entries LIFT and AND UNFINISHED
SYMPHONY fared at the fest. At press time, Sundance hadn't even begun!
But if the last project by Demane Davis and Khari Streeter, BLACK AND
WHITE AND RED ALL OVER, is any indications, they should do quite nicely
in Park City this year. There was also a party co-hosted by The Massachusetts
Film Office and the Arizona Film Commission at the Riverhorse Café. If
it was anything like last year, I am insanely jealous, because I know
how much fun it is.
The film office will hold a press breakfast at the Four Seasons hotel
on February 13th to help support potential Oscar nominees like STATE AND
MAIN, and THE PERFECT STORM. Then, on March 25th, the annual Friends of
the Massachusetts Film Office Oscar Gala fundraiser will kick off at the
Four Seasons, as well. Proceeds go to a number of arts organizations.
And be sure to look out for Massachusetts Location calendars at Locations
Expo. This year there is a high school division in the calendar because
two of the winners were high school students. It "adds an educational
opportunity for high school students," she adds, which ultimately gives
them encouragement to pursue their career dreams.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The state parks and state forests are "really good for shooting car commercials,"
says Matthew Woodson, location scout for the New Hampshire Film and Television
Office. Isuzu and Mazda both shot commercials up there, where the terrain
is perfect, like the Mount Washington Auto road where it goes from leafy
greens to a "true alpine area," Woodson says. On the other side of the
mountain, is an historic cog railroad. But not just car commercials are
shooting there as other commercial companies are becoming smart and using
New Hampshire's lack of personal income and sales taxes. The Brookstone
store has already shot stills at the New Hampshire Port Authority in Portsmouth.
With a Nordstrom's shoot by the beginning of February.
RHODE ISLAND
"Locations Expo is the premiere locations event in the world," says Rick
Smith, director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office. "I wouldn't
miss it," he says. Location Expo is held each February at the Los Angeles
Convention Center. This year it runs two days, February 23rd and 24th.
Rhode Island will be grabbing a corner booth, surely for high visibility
and traffic. Not to mention the numerous meetings, like ones at Dreamworks,
that will help sell the Ocean State to producers and directors there.
Also, THUNDER DOYLE will be starting up in February, mentions Smith. As
it has been planned for sometime, it probably looks familiar here as it
has been covered in the Film Office Report numerous times before. I can't
wait till they start shooting! Some unfortunate news that Brown University
decided against the Ed Zwick murder/mystery shooting on their campus.
After two months of scouting, they decided to pull the plug, much to the
chagrin of the Film & Television Office. Next time, guys!
Watch for "the Elmwood series of Bob Vila's Home Again" show, says Eric
Olin, executive director of the Providence Film Commission – Mayor's Office
of Film & Video arts. It "is now airing in national syndication," so check
your local listings.
VERMONT
The AMERICAN GUN crew wrapped up their shoot recently in Vermont, says
Loranne Turgeon, executive director of the state's Film Commission. It's
a "Very good script," she says, with "strong themes." LA-based director
Alan Jacobs (JUST ONE NIGHT) came in to shoot the project in the Green
Mountain State.
"This past year's been great for commercials," she says, noting the fact
that Scot's Fertilizer found their "best lawn" there as well as the combination
of valleys used for the Hidden Valley Ranch brand.
Coming up next – the X Games at Mt. Snow. They typically hire around 20
PAs, she says, which is good for the local-hires in the area. Since it
is an annual event, hopefully they'll extend their 3-year contract well
into the new millennium.
Carl Hansen is a location coordinator for MTV. Please send him any comments or questions to: fhansen1@netzero.net
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