This is the 7th IMAGINE holiday cover that features Christy Scott Cashman, who in the past has been good natured enough to wear angel wings, be painted gold and wrapped in film, portray a Space Madonna, dress up like General George S. Patton, be seen stuffed into a Stocking, and sweat through Hot Yoga right before a dinner party! All so we can make a statement, work together and try something new, test our technology, or just plain encourage readers to pick-up the magazine because of her sheer beauty in the hopes of gaining subscribers.

Scout Productions' Producing Partners, David Collins and Michael Williams, holding their EMMYs for Best Reality Show at the Emmy Awards. "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" has been franchised in 17 countries and spawned it's first spin-off, "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl." *Photo courtesy of Scout Productions, Inc.*

The amazing true story of one small town with a huge set of balls, it's a paint ball, reportedly the world's largest! Boston-based filmmakers Jim Cosco and Andrew Davis document the savior and his giant paint ball. Some of the town's people are too proud to embrace their new gimmick, but, it's all they've got. Except, the film has been accepted at Sundance! *Photo courtesy of Tippingpointlabs.com.*

Every year this issue is by far our most popular. Christy has the perfect disposition for these "trials." In addition to being an actor, model, mother, horsewoman, businesswoman, industry supporter, and funny girl, she has added screenwriter to her daily activities. Read "Dixie Storms in Development Heaven" by Laura Bernieri on page 17.

The image developed for this cover began as a modern adaptation of Lady Godiva, who in circa 1043 rode her horse naked through the streets of Coventry, England to protest her husband's taxation on pictures. It was most important to her, as she was the only person in town rich enough to own them. This she did on a dare from her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, who kept the books for the town. It appears that all survived the event with peacefulness and dignity, and the taxes were removed allowing the artists to more readily sell their work. Can you see how this becomes an important imaging industry story?

Christy, the present day Godiva sits aboard a mythical "made for a movie" beast: a noble horse, an enchanted unicorn, and a fiery Pegasus. Our statement to our political leaders and elected officials is much like Lady Godiva's. "Please Sirs and Madams, remove the taxes and other burdens that discourage great filmmakers and producers from working in our region. And please give them comfort with an official office dedicated to "one-stop-shopping" and incentives would be nice to lure them to our bounties: our desirable locations, our talented writers, artists and technicians so they don't have to move away to work."

As many of you know we've been hammering away at these issues since the Mass Film Office was closed amidst suspicions of irregularities in July of 2002.
Since then, the industry in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been much like the movie-title LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS! With an estimated budget of $125 million many touted and reported that it was destined for location work here, everyone was waiting, but alas, it never came.

Since Clint Eastwood's MYSTIC RIVER (see IMAGINE October 2002) left Boston, less than $20 million dollars has landed in the state courtesy of a major motion picture studio or producer. That's unthinkable! Accidentally, we should be able to do better than that. "Even a blind squirrel find an acorn now and again."

We know that if we pay attention to such matters in a pro-active and aggressive way, $75 - $100 million dollars is easily doable for Massachusetts. The State did $78 million FY 2001 without much outreach during a difficult Grand Jury period that constrained the industries' desire to be here.

While all of our efforts have not had the most satisfactory results, I believe we can close this year with optimism judging the general press interest of late. The industry appears to finally have the full attention of the press with a dedication we've not much seen before, and that is we see they are reporting the truth or at least showing efforts to do their own research and fact checking rather than simply printing press releases, gossip, rumors, false promises, and innuendoes that happen to cross their desks. The truth is important to make things happen and to prevent misconceptions.

In addition to the general press, I also believe all our industry efforts are paying off and that we have the full attention of our government leaders and elected officials. Last year in this exact column, we recommended that while we could still bask in the MYSTIC RIVER sunshine, it would be a good thing to consider innovative incentives to attract business to the state. Finally, there's much talk and general press about the issue, with some promising results, especially since Chris Cooper asked his State Representative to file on the issue.

On December 1, 2004 Representatives Thomas J. O'Brien of Kingston, Brian P. Wallace of South Boston (who filed HB 303), and James B. Leary of Worcester filed their petition for PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY. House Docket 1428 spells out relief for motion picture production companies from the payment of state sales and use taxes, employment tax credits, and cost free use of state owned property. The proposed legislation appears to follow some of the guidelines of the Louisiana model and designates that the commissioner of the Department of Revenue shall promulgate rules for the implementation of the tax advantages. Productions will be required to designate a member, or representative, of the motion picture production company to work with the Executive Office (Secretary of Economic Development) and the Department of Revenue on the reporting of expenditures and other information necessary to take advantage of the tax benefits. It's a great place to start the process!

I have observed support for incentives in the Governor's Office and in the State Legislature. We have also noticed that the industry's interest in such matters is growing as we see the industry standing up for itself, posturing to be heard. Finish Editorial's Don Packer and Element's Eran Lobel attended the Governor's Holiday Gala to make their views known, for example. IMAGINE also attended.

Lest we get the "cart before the horse" in Massachusetts, which is what it would be if we had an incentive bill pass without an officially and clearly designated, underpinned, and sanctioned state film office, let's get that part established.

The State Legislature has made it perfectly clear that the Massachusetts Sports & Entertainment Commission (read "Opening Doors for Film in Massachusetts" by Laura Bernieri on page 23) is the place for one-stop-shopping. The Governor and the Legislature have approved an additional $200,000 dollars (budget now totals $450,000) for that office to tackle these responsibilities. But, there are still some ambiguities in the marketplace, in Hollywood, and New York City that could be cleared up once and for all so all our energies can be channeled positively.

We don't want "The Departed" to become another "Series of Unfortunate Events." Martin Scorcese's remake of Hong Kong's crime saga INFERNAL adapted to the Boston Cop/Irish Mob scene, like MYSTIC RIVER, has a star-studded cast, but still deserves its most important character, the real Boston neighborhoods. (Are you listening Mr. Scorcese?) Read Winners in WWW this issue on page 30, Carolyn Pickman wins the Artios Award for Dramatic Casting on Location for MYSTIC RIVER.

Michael Williams wrote an "acceptance speech" when he was in the 7th grade! As a producer (Scout Productions Producing Partner), he got to use it twice this year! Once for an Academy Award for producing Errol Morris' FOG OF WAR, and once for an EMMY as a producer for David Collins' "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," which now enjoys 17 franchises around the world and a spin-off, "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," which debuts the night after "Straight Guy," on Bravo, January 12th! Very few have won both an EMMY and an OSCAR; Errol Morris has, but not in the same year. It's quite phenomenal, isn't it? Michael Williams and David Collins have appeared on the cover of IMAGINE twice, the first time with Errol Morris, the second time with Dorothy Aufiero, who recently left Scout to form another company, Silent Partners.

Michael says, "I carry my Oscar in my car so I can show my dry-cleaner and dentist" All of them take pictures. He's received the keys to the City of Haverhill, where Louis B. Mayer grew up. After the ceremony, his own Father "whipped out" the Statuette at the local diner. Even his Sister has invited him to be a special guest at her book club, but after the serious FOG OF WAR, discussion quickly turned to the "dish" and "dirt" of QE.

He says, "I'm happiest the FOG OF WAR won for Best Documentary because it meant that more people would see the film." He also notes that his and Collins' amazing success is allowing them to get into new narrative and documentary film development. This is a "lick and a promise" of full feature on these two guys in February. Oh yes, they will be checking out Sundance this year and want to know where all the good parties are!

New England fares better at Sundance this year than last. Boston-based filmmakers at Tippingpoint Labs will be screening their new feature length documentary ROADSIDE AMBITION at the legendary Film Festival in January.
Their film chronicles the struggle of a small Indiana town hoping to resurrect their economy by promoting themselves as the home of "The World's Largest Ball of Paint." Jim Cosco and Andrew Davis capture the town of Alexandria.

The Todd Dagres produced film PRETTY PERSUASION will screen as one of the 16 entries that will compete in the Sundance Film Festival's dramatic film category. We'll bring you all the results in our next issue. With so many New Englanders planning to attend, I really believe we are back in the mix of things.

We expect Michael Williams, David Collins, Christy Scott Cashman, and at least 100 other New England industry movers and shakers at IMAGINE's HotShot Party on Tuesday, January 11th. See this issue for your invitation and we'll see you there.

My best wishes to you and yours for a joyous holiday, and a healthy and prosperous 2005!