Our Imagine pages are full to overflowing this issue as we have combined our June and July issues into one. It's a strategic decision based on the number of calendar days we'll be spending at summer film festivals and to be sure we cover them adequately. I hope you plan to attend them too and we get to see you at all of them. Most are listed in the pages of Imagine, but visit us online and check out the Calendar-of-Events as there may be late entries. You can post events there as well, just follow the directions. Here's a scoop for next year. There will be another entry into the summer line-up of festivals, this one from Martha's Vineyard slated for an August 2002 debut. We'll get the full story for our next issue of Imagine.

Imagine will host parties this year honoring New England Filmmakers at both The Nantucket Film Festival in June and The Rhode Island International Film Festival in August. Watch for them because we'll want you to join us if you're there. It's true I'm afraid, we're not really rested up for the festival season. The month of May was filled with industry events that left us breathless!

The EVVY Awards, which is written, produced, designed and staffed by Emerson students was created in 1981 by two students to honor outstanding student achievement. Modeled after both the Academy Awards and the Emmys, the show is an eight-camera production using broadcast quality equipment. It reminds us of why Emerson Grads are in such demand around the world. We have a great story for you in our next issue, but if you can't wait to find out who the winners are, visit www.evvy.org. Erika Hahn has a pictorial review for you coming up in our next issue.

The Women in Film/Video New England wowed us again this year with their Annual Gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. Margie Reedy (host of NECN's New Night) and Film Shack's Robert Patton-Spruill were the hosts for the evening which honored acclaimed actor, musician, and Cambridge born Rebecca Pidgeon (STATE & MAIN, THE WINSLOW BOY, THE SPANISH PRISONER). She recently completed production on Warner Bros. HEIST opposite Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito. The film is written and directed by husband David Mamet.

In Boston, the premiere of WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN? was held at the Wang Center before its theatrical opening on June 1.

Boston-based Kevin Fennessy Casting successfully placed more than a dozen actors in principal roles in the MGM movie directed by Sam Weisman, now a Boston-area resident on the roster of Element Productions. Boston audiences will recognize many familiar faces and voices working alongside the stars Danny DeVito and Martin Lawrence. KFC cast Kevin Chapman, Lenny Clarke, Stephanie Clayman, Ryan Hull, Devon Jencks, Michael Jessup, Karen MacDonald, Paul O'Brien, Tracy Oliverio, Eddie McCabe, Richard McElvain, Mass Siegel, and Michelle Youell. Other Boston actors who had principal parts in the film are Four Seasons Hotel General Manager Robin Brown, Rick Calnan, Jay Carney, Christy Scott Cashman (see this month's cover story), Jimmy Flynn, Paul Marini, and former Boston Bruins star Cam Neely. Not bad I say!

There were a number of movies that wrapped production and others that held premiere screenings including WEST OF HERE, THE STRANGLER'S WIFE, and SERIAL INTENTIONS. We're completing those stories for you for our next issue. Also, Part III of our Eastern Blockbuster series by Vinca Jarrett will be presented in August. Our big story is focused on New England Film and Broadcast Schools and their Alternatives. For now, we hope you enjoy this June/July issue and wish you a restful and invigorating summer filled with sunshine and happy days!