If you made it through the last month or so, pat yourself on the back. If you didn’t get to do everything offered to you or that you wanted to do, join the club and fight to organize a clearing house for industry related events, which got to be just a little too stacked up to take full advantage of the industry population. Upon my return from NAB (report in this issue) and AFCI (full report next issue), I found my calendar jammed: The Boston Comedy and Movie Festival, The Boston Independent Film Festival, The Boston Underground Film Festival, Filmmaker’s Open Studios, The Emmy Awards, Jay Craven’s special event at Hamersley’s Bistro to discuss plans for his next feature film, Disappearances, Brad Anderson’s Premiere of THE MACHINIST at the MFA, as many prepare for the New England parade of summer film festivals about to begin. We begin our summer film festival previews in this issue. As IMAGINE supported, sponsored, or covered all of these events while preparing this important issue, we find ourselves already ready for our July break! An IMAGINE special thank you to Jay and Christy Scott Cashman for hosting a reception for Brad Anderson.

IMAGINE hosted the Boston Comedy and Movie Festival’s “movie night” at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, which featured a fine selection of comedy short films and the feature film, OVERSERVED, directed by Joe Gatto, produced by Dave Lewis/Maven Productions and, coincidently shot by our cover story subject, Tony Flanagan. We hope you enjoy his story by Erika Hahn, which indicates that sports, commercial, and independent film production are fueling the industry workplace in the greater Boston area in the all-too-noticeable absence of Hollywood studios and major producers. We should mention that infomercials are on the increase and Reality TV is holding.

The whole world is still a stage and you can scout for exactly what you need at AFCI’s 19th Annual Locations Trade Show. Studios, producers, and location scouts return every year to Santa Monica to find and learn the new programs, the better incentives, the greater government support, a film-friendlier community, a more streamlined permitting process, additional services, and more experienced crews. I hate to report that Hollywood alone spends more than $13 billion annually outside the U.S., so it is clear to see why over 25 countries send their exhibits. Even so, of the nearly 250 exhibitors, 2/3 of them were from North America vying for and trying to win back the business. They come prepared to compete, aggressively, and proactively.

I was taken with the number of new high-powered incentives offered by states including New Mexico, New Jersey, Florida, Tennessee, and Louisiana. We are preparing a special feature on what we learned about the incentives now available within the United States, with a spotlight on New England for our next issue. You will be amazed. For example and among the strongest, the New Mexico State Investment Council is able to offer up to $7.5 million dollars in 0% loans for film and television projects. This amount can represent up to 100% of the budget. There are rules to be eligible, but they are “doable.” Filmmakers are impressed with the hospitality they find in the state and still another incentive, a 15% refund of the total taxable dollars spent in New Mexico.

While IMAGINE is an advocate for shooting in New England, the region as a whole is not competitive at this time. We are working to change that and do as much as we can in the absence of state supported incentives. IMAGINE was distributed at AFCI, complete with our Production Guide and Locations issue. Every year we hear that other regions of the country need and want an IMAGINE of their own. Connecticut was the only state to support and send an exhibit from New England. You’ll get the full scoop on this year’s Location Trade Show and the nation’s hottest state incentive plans here in our big June/July issue coming next.

I love attending the Locations Trade Show as not only do I get a grasp on the world, I get to connect with former New Englanders now working in California. Brad Jacques, Mike Timm, Valerie Weiss (just to name a few), which sparks an idea for a future column in IMAGINE: The Mass Exodus.

The National Television Academy’s Boston/ New England Chapter (NTA) held the 27th Annual Boston /New England Emmy Awards May 2 at Boston’s Seaport Hotel. Connecticut Public Television made the most visits to the podium earning 7 Emmy Awards, and were followed closely by FOX-25 and NESN - 6, WGBH and WBZ/WSBK who snagged 4 Emmys each.

This year’s winners were a combination of new faces and experienced favorites: WLVI’s Karen Marinella took home the Emmy Award for the regions top news anchor and Mike Wankum made it 7 Emmys in 8 years with a win. Connecticut Public Television’s Harvey Hubbell V made three trips to the stage for his documentary LOOP DREAMS: THE MAKING OF A LOW BUDGET MOVIE. Actor and comedian Steve Sweeney (NEXT STOP WONDERLAND, THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY), hosted the gala.

This year’s Emmy Awards had a decided sports focus. Red Sox spots carried many of the segments and promotional categories. The sports theme was on display in the academy’s newest category of Outstanding Commercial Announcement, which went to NESN’s Zamboni on the Lenny commercial featuring rising Bruins stars Andrew Raycroft and Patrice Bergeron.
This year the Academy honored Curt Gowdy with the Governor’s Award.
Curt Gowdy has covered more major sports events than anyone in history. He was the first individual sports figure to win the coveted Peabody Award for Outstanding Journalistic Achievement. His career spans the sporting spectrum and includes coverage of 8 Super Bowls, 16 World Series, 12 Rose Bowls and 8 Olympic Games.

“It is always a privilege to honor the industry’s elite, but this year is special” said NTA Chapter President Roger Lyons, adding “to have Curt Gowdy here accepting the Governor’s Award was a real thrill to all 500 in attendance and to anyone who works in television.”

A big community appreciation goes to our client Avid Technology, Inc., for sponsoring this year’s Emmy Awards.

Harvey Hubbell V nominated for 6 Emmy Awards, made the most trips to the podium and pressroom for the evening. He collected statuettes for Individual Achievement-Program-Writing, Individual Achievement-Directing-Post Production, and he and Co-Producer Andie Haas (Connecticut Filmmaker of the Year), each took Emmys for Best Entertainment Program for HOOP DREAMS: THE MAKING OF A LOW BUDGET MOVIE, which had its television debut in September of 2003 on Connecticut Public Television. The evening will be truly memorable for the pair who own Captured Time Productions in Litchfield, CT. Their four new Emmys bring their mantle total to eight. Hubbell is the new Chairman of the Film Committee for the newly formed Connecticut Commission on the Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film. Connecticut is fortunate to have a bona fide award wining industry pro at the helm. Haas also won the Avid Technology coveted door prize, software to die for.

Now it’s time to turn our attentions to summer productions and film festivals. IMAGINE covers all of them again this year. We always do something really special at the Nantucket Film Festival. Call me to join in all the action. Don’t forget Jim Carrey will be in Nantucket to honor screenwriter Charlie Kaufman at the NBC Screenwriters Tribute. I predict this year’s festivals will have a “Universal” acclaim.

Carol Patton