I believe recent industry related events provide some encouragement for the future of moviemaking and commercial production in New England. At least one of the major barriers that has stymied our industry, or at best that has been at a cross-purpose with our industry, has been lifted. That George Cashman, who nearly single-handedly snuffed out a promising and vital economic engine for the State of Massachusetts and the region, goes without saying. Now, he is no longer President of the 10,000 member strong Local 25 Teamsters Union. On the surface it appears we can be assured of “things” looking up. Gingerly, at first to be true, as we wait to find out who will permanently replace Cashman.

Last year, our industry took a terrible blow in late July when the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts closed the Massachusetts Film Office, its funding fought off and killed in debate by the then Senate President Tom Birmingham. Now, he is no longer Senate President.

Yes! It is a fortunately good time to roll up our sleeves to take full advantage of the opportunity that has finally presented itself. It is time to support and get House Bill #303 passed, and gain other support for our economic development initiatives. Brand new revenues from Film, TV, and Commercial Production could help the Commonwealth with its budget battle right now. We must be certain our leadership and lawmakers on Beacon Hill enact this legislation, reverse the grave injustices that happened last July, and jump-start a vital economic engine that can roar into place in a relatively short period of time if managed properly.

Part of that management requires a State supported office or agency for moviemakers, studios, and commercial producers to turn to for assistance. Everything from scouting locations, to permitting, to labor relations, to finding the right resource, to security and protection, and yes, even something so simple as directions and weather forecasts. Film crews need these handholding and time saving devices in order to shoot here. I personally know of a significant production (a movie with an $80 million budget) that wants to, but will not come to Boston without the comfort of knowing that we have a bona fide film office in place. Wouldn’t that be a shame, especially since it is a Boston story, written by a Boston writer, which is where our best bets and championing efforts frequently start from - our supply of talented local writers.

Our industry needs more awareness amongst the legislators and leadership that will be formulating our future. Last month, some of us here at IMAGINE, visited the Massachusetts State House armed with our April issue in hand thinking we could get a lot of attention since that issue had a glorious image of the House Chamber on the cover and good messages from inside. I believe we made a difference, but we can’t leave our future to chance.

It is time to organize our efforts so we can be guaranteed more of this:

Boston and Massachusetts will be in the spotlight this month when Clint Eastwood’s MYSTIC RIVER has its world premiere at the 56th Cannes Film Festival. There is industry buzz of 7 Oscar nominations and 5 Academy Awards for this dark, mysterious dramatic thriller. Most of us remember the power and impact this production had on our marketplace, literally “saving the year” for many of our industry individuals and companies.

This is Eastwood's fourth film in competition at Cannes as a director, following PALE RIDER, BIRD AND WHITE HUNTER, and BLACK HEART. His 2000 film, ABSOLUTE POWER, also screened at the French Festival, but it was out of competition. MYSTIC RIVER is an adaptation of the best-selling mystery
novel by Boston’s Dennis Lehane starring Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins and Laurence Fishburne.

MYSTIC RIVER was the first film in over two years to be shot completely in Massachusetts. We’re still talking about it. We are about to reap the other half of the reward for hosting this production, our exposition to the rest of the world. The film will have a wide release in the United States October 3, 2003. Can you imagine 5 or 6 of these a year? Ten is possible.

Other films are lining up to come here, but first, we need a State Film Office.

Film Festivals cropped up in epic proportions the end of April and first of May with so many screenings, panels and seminars for which the multitudes have a voracious appetite. The 5th Annual Boston Irish Film Festival (BIFF) concluded with a reception and a gala screening of IN AMERICA with the film’s director Jim Sheridan in person - in short, the best BIFF yet. The festival director, Peter Flynn told IMAGINE, “Sheridan’s work as writer, director, and producer has done more for the image of Ireland and the Irish on screen than any other filmmaker I know of.”

The event showcased the very best of Ireland and the Irish on screen and featured over 30 features, documentaries and shorts and 17 international film and video makers. Erika Hahn will have a complete report in our next issue.

And from seemingly nowhere sprung the well researched, expertly expedited and curated Boston Independent Film Festival. Jay Sweet’s WEST OF HERE, which announced a deal for distribution, splashed onto the screen at the Brattle Theatre much to the delight of the entire audience. The size of the crowd that showed up for a follow-on party at the Charles Hotel caught the hotel quite by surprise. In all, the newest festival in town, presented 16 narratives, 10 documentary features, 1 experimental feature, and 20 short films over four days.

It’s a busy time! The Boston Comedy and Movie Festival is just beginning for a promising ten day run; and others are busy planning for the summer film festival offerings. We’ve included a thumbnail of what New England Film Festivals have to offer in this issue.

I have just returned from an AFCI’s International Trade Show in Santa Monica where over 300 Film Commissions from across the United States and around the world exhibited what their cities, states and countries have to offer the Film, TV, and Commercial Production Industry resulting with my energies renewed for supporting the development of this industry in the State of Massachusetts and New England.

Last August in the angst of the closure of the Mass Film Office, I wrote in this column, “When one door closes, in many instances it leads to a better one opening. If the current Mass Film Office does FADE TO BLACK (it’s dark, dark gray right now), that’s what we’ll hope and work toward as an industry, one that’s had a jolting wake-up call.” Even as we make progress, let us not forget.

Now and because of many efforts, there is much support for our endeavor, from our own industry, from allied and related industry, and from our leadership and legislators. We need to be sure we do the work that produces what we need to succeed. Success begins with getting a good, well designed, and thought through Massachusetts State supported Film Office that operates on an efficient level internally and with an effective marketing outreach externally.

Enjoy this issue. Don’t miss our cover story. It’ll warm your heart and soul, no matter your age.

Carol Patton