REGIONAL FOCUS

New England Film Office Watch
Reports from New England Film Offices by Carl Hansen

With 2000 now a flash in the pan, and New Year's resolutions being strictly abided to, it's time for everyone to make their predictions for the forthcoming 12 months. We asked the film offices to make a wish list, of sorts, and predict what 2001 will bring to New England.

CONNECTICUT

The Connecticut Film, Video and Media Office hopes to expand state-wide programs to include independent filmmakers more, says Guy Ortoleva, managing director of the office. There also needs to be more awareness of the tax incentives and exemptions that are already on the books in the state, he says. "Clarifications of existing laws," he adds, because "most people don't know how to use [them]." So it's about educating companies about what's available in the Nutmeg State, and how to get what they need. The smaller companies, especially, should be aware that they too can take advantage of the "100% tax exemption from local property tax on newly acquired machinery and equipment used in the production of motion picture, video and sound recordings." There is also a 100% sales tax exemption on materials, equipment, rentals and services used in production of commercial entertainment, education and advertising.

One of the benefits of shooting in a small state like Connecticut is that it allows for requests and information to be expedited, as was the case on a recent production when there was a tight schedule for getting trucks into a location in the state. With usual long lines at weigh stations, the shoot couldn't afford the time it would take to have the vehicles weighed and so the production went to the film office, where they were able to get the trucks exempted from the required stop. "We're a small state and we can get that stuff done," says Ortoleva. It's that type of service that helps productions in ways that most people wouldn't even think about, yet are very important to facilitating a successful shoot.

In production news, Sonalyst Stuidos hosted another set of wraparounds from ARREST & TRIAL, according to Phil Hanson, director of the Southeastern Connecticut Film Commission. The Discovery Channel recently shot part of their series on Voting in the state and a Japanese music video shot at the New Haven train station.

"I predict that we'll have at least one more regional film office by the end of 2001," says Ortoleva.

MAINE

The five film year has just drawn to a close for Maine. And already one of the films, IN THE BEDROOM, has been accepted into the Sundance Film Festival's Dramatic Compeition. And the Maine Film Office will be in Park City during the fest, co-hosting a party/reception with the Houston and Vermont offices. The collaboration with Houston, says Greg Gadberry, assistant director of the Maine Film Office, helps with some of the cost by splitting it between the offices, and is beneficial because they don't compete with the same locations.

Due to the impending SAG strike in June, projects are scarcer because studios are hesitant to get involved, however that isn't stopping Gadberry from wishing for more than five films in the upcoming year.

In the coming year, the Maine Film Office hopes to initiate new film friendly programs. While they are still being kept under wraps, there are things in the works as the office takes a look at other successful programs and seeing what works and doesn't work, says Gadberry.

MASSACHUSETTS

The Bay State will premiere two new programs in 2001, though they also aren't being revealed as of yet, says Robin Dawson, director of the Massachusetts Film Office. The state is also looking into rolling back the hotel tax for productions from a 90-day stay to a more reasonable 30-day accommodation. "My prediction is that we'll see the tax legislation passed in 2001," she says.

Ron Howard's A BEAUTIFUL MIND, a biography of economist and Nobel Prize winning mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr., is scouting MIT for a possible start date of March. Lynda Obst and Ed Zwick are also looking into shooting ABANDONED in Massachusetts with a February start date.

Dawson also took a trip out to Los Angeles in mid-December to help promote the state and update studios and producers on the state of film in Massachusetts. With Dreamworks, Imagine, Universal, and Paramount on the schedule, the office hoped to pique interest in the state as well as maintain their established relationships. These trade missions are important, especially in light of the fact that MGM's WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN? was originally not written for New England and was rewritten specifically for Boston, and that STATE AND MAIN used Massachusetts as a double for Vermont. Though the filmmakers themselves where integral to using Massachusetts as their location, the trade missions help to garner executives imaginations and turn them on to the state.

Also, for those attending Sundance in January, don't miss the made-in-Mass. entrants: LIFT, by Demane Davis and Khari Streeter (BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER); and the documentary AN UNFINISHED SYMPHONY, by Bestor Cram and Mike Majoros. Also, don't miss the annual party that the office throws!

RHODE ISLAND

"For the New Year, I see both promise and concern," says Rick Smith, director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office. "Promise in that I think our locations will continue to draw national attention, and concern about the SAG negotiations and possible strike."

A 25 million-dollar production is scouting in the Ocean State. And Smith foresees three to four other films shooting in the state, perhaps two of them being studio pictures. One feature recently scouted there, for a February start date, and Rhode Island is a leading candidate for it. THIRTEEN DAYS, partially shot off the coast, premiered in December and helped boost the local economy when it was in town by spending millions of dollars.

The film festival season is always a good one in Rhode Island, and this year's Newport International Film Fest will have additional support from new sponsor The New York Times, and additional participation from Vanity Fair magazine. The Latin American Film Festival also received attention when Danny Glover was there in 2000, and they are hoping for more celebrities to get involved this year.

"We will be at Locations Expo in February and I have meetings with several of the studios and I think that bodes well for the next year," adds Smith.

VERMONT

Winter is typically a slow time for film production in New England, unless of course there is a need for snow. And that is exactly what the indie film AMERICAN GUN wanted, and they're getting it. Starring James Coburn (AFFLICTION), Barbara Bain, and Virginia Madsen. The production is utilizing the area in and around Rutland. "They're getting what they want, and that's snow and winter," says Jeannette Wulff, deupty executive director of the Vermont Film Commission.

And I must apologize profusely for misspelling Jeannette's name in previous issues. Because we try to be as accurate as possible here at Imagine, I just thought I would set the record straight. Sorry Jeannette!