Have a documentary that showcases social or humanitarian issues? Healthy Living Magazine is giving a voice to the genre by sponsoring the Healthy Living Magazine Film Festival this Fall. Submissions will be accepted up to October 15th. Filmmakers can submit either a feature, documentary, short or music video relevant to any humanitarian issues.
Healthy Living Magazine was created to help empower readers to start and maintain healthy lifestyles and be conscious of their over-all well being. Aside from their publication and Film Festival, HLM also has a radio segment and puts on expos and seminars.
The 3rd annual HLM Film Festival will debut selected submissions on November 13th Duxbury, Ma. The early (and cheapest) deadline is September 15th for only $35. The standard deadline is until September 30thfor $60 and late submissions until October 15th will cost $70.
Fall is just around the corner and with it comes Boston’s Ben Affleck in The Company Men. The film sports a star-studded cast, with Tommy Lee Jones, Craig T. Nelson, and Kevin Costner rounding out the headliners as they portray familiar times by many who have been hit by the recession.
This one should hit close to home, as it resonates with the corporate downsizing and economic pitfall American has been thrown into for the past two years. Affleck plays a white-collar suit who all the perks that come along with his six-figure salary who suddenly finds himself without a job. Where Affleck dons white, his brother (Costner), dons blue, and offers him a job as a construction worker to help support his family during the tough times.
The film, which premiered at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA, highlights the lives of three men who undergo the effects of corporate downsizing, not only on themselves but on their families and community as well. If there ever was a city to highlight the blue-collar worker, it’s Boston. The Company Men filmed around Roxbury and in the suburbs of Wellesley and Framingham.
John Wells, who worked on shows such as “ER” and “The West Wing”, debuted his first directed and original feature film at this past Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. Even though a movie about downsizing could be a depressing reminder of reality, could it be the next Up In The Air? See if Affleck and crew can hold up to George Clooney and Anna Kendrick’s Oscar nominee, in theaters October 22nd.
In this roller coaster economy, going to the movies is still one of America’s favorite budget saving entertainment options. Families are finding themselves opting for a “staycation” and budgeting the wallet by staying local and catching the latest flic.
Lucky for us, filmmakers know how eager the public is to laugh, cry, and feel the adrenalin pumping through the surround sound. They don’t hesitate to set up production of all types and sizes across the states, even in our own backyard.
Filmmakers utilize the breath taking views and landscapes across America, but as the general public watches the almighty dollar, so do filmmakers. In the July issue of Production Update Magazine (aka P3), a monthly internationally-distributed trade publication that educates industry professionals, two New England states made the annual “Top Ten” places for film production. How wicked awesome is that?
Massachusetts was among the “Top Ten” in this year’s annual issue with its 25% film tax credit. Last year alone, filmmakers were lining up to get into the Bay State. According to the MFO (Massachusetts Film Office), “Massachusetts is … the only state in the country that allows filmmakers to take their credits either as a direct rebate at 90 percent of the face value (guaranteed) or to sell them at market rate — whichever is more favorable.… Beginning with the start of pre-production and continuing for a period of 12 months, filmmakers will be eligible for 100-percent sales-tax exemption on any production-related items purchased in the state.” And to think it was only a few months ago when we rallied at hearing 3854, when the governor flirted with the idea to cap the credit. Massachusetts also was highlighted in the “Top Ten” MovieMaker Magazine this past January.
With 3.4 million residents, making it the 4th most densely populated state, Connecticut is the other New England state represented in this year’s hot “Top Ten” places for film production in P3. The bordering state one-ups Mass. with a 30% film tax credit. Conn Digital Media & Motion Picture Tax Credit provides eligible production companies with a sliding-scale tax credit of up to 30 percent on qualified digital media and motion picture productions, pre-production and post-production expenses incurred in the state. “Connecticut film-industry spending for current yield 2009 was $117 million,” George Norfleet, director of the Connecticut Office of Film, Television & Digital Media, tells P3 magazine. “Over the past three years we have seen a demonstrable uptick in film production activity here in Connecticut, resulting in $800 million in film production spending. Filmmakers are most definitely coming here, creating jobs, spending money and contributing to the continued growth of the sector.”
New England will surely remain a contender for filmmakers to come shine bright lights along the coast. The other eight states that made the annual list include; Cali, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, & Utah.
A small independent film made in Boston on a $500 budget with an all volunteer cast is winning awards at film festivals around the country, including most recently a “Merit of Awareness” award at the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, California. Skin and Bone, by Milk and Cookie Productions, is only the second film by the two person movie-making team, Philip Magcalas and Lucy Harrison. Magcalas served as writer and director of the short film, based on the real-life trials and tribulations of a cardiac catheterization laboratory. We spoke to Magcalas and Harrison, who are both current medical students, about their experiences with the filmmaking process, and their thoughts on the seemingly paradox between science and the arts, and what happens when you combine the two.
HEC: What inspired you to make this movie?
Philip Magcalas: Lucy and I are both medical students, and for a time, I was working in the same type of place that the movie takes place in. I thought it was very interesting, and could make for a very interesting film without having to change anything. The people that work in these cath labs deal with heart attack patients every day, as well as people with congenetal heart defects, and are also dealing with families whose loved ones have had heart attacks, and have never been in that situation before. I wanted to explore the dynamic that goes on between the doctors and their patients, but also between the doctors themselves. Most of the film came from my experience here.
HEC: What was it like working with an all-volunteer cast? Where did you find them?
PM: We were really lucky, as I was in a local comedy troupe where we found a lot of the actors. Even though its a drama, there’s actually a lot of comedic talent in the film. There’s a lot of talented people in Boston who are looking for something interesting to do, and I think this project enabled them to learn something.
Lucy Harrison: Every single person who was behind the scenes, with the exception of the make-up artist, also served as on-camera talent. Everyone was a multi-tasker. I think Boston is an ideal place to make a film. We used postings on Craigslist to find people. A lot of actors in Boston are looking for opportunities to be in something interesting. A lot of cast and crew in Skin and Bone have day jobs as a bio engineers, computer engineers, and scientists, and were also very helpful behind the scenes. This film gave them an outlet to explore their more creative side.
HEC: How long did the script-writing process take, and overall, how long did it take to make the movie from start to finish?
LH: From our starting film date, it took 15-16 days over the course of a year
PM: From starting the writing process to the finished product, it took about a year and a half total.
HEC: What was the hardest part of each of your jobs?
LH: It was hard keeping everyone on time. I’m good at it, but I don’t like who I have to be. I have to make sure everyone is sticking to their time schedules.
PM: I like pretty much everything, up until it comes time to find an audience for the film. You send things out to festivals, and talk to your friends, and hope people will receive it. Luckily with this film we kind of have a built in audience in New England because of the strong medical community that’s here.
HEC: This is only your second film, and its already won a number of awards. Have you been surprised by how its been received?
LH: I like our movie, its interesting, and I think people should like it. Its really exciting every time we get some sort of recognition, it means people get what you are trying to put out there, and that’s very gratifying.
PM: This film has been a step up for us, we’ve been able learn more about how to do things. In Skin and Bone, we had a wide variety of characters, who were really true to life, so a lot of people were able to find someone to relate to, something that hooks them. I believe it’s at some point a combination of luck and what you’ve put into it.
HEC: Any current plans for future projects?
LH: We’re working on plans for a film right now that focuses on the work and process that goes into our medical education.
PM: I have a couple scripts I’m working on right now; a couple for me to make, and couple for someone else to make.
Skin and Bone has also won a “Best Comedy Drama Over 30 Minutes” at the 2009 COMMFFEST (Global) Community Film Festival in Toronto and was an official selection of the 2009 Rainier Independent Film Festival. Their first film, The Quarter-Life Crisis, was an official selection of BridgeFest International Film Festival 2007 and has screened in Grenada, Vancouver, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, as well as Boston. The name “Milk and Cookie Productions” was chosen by Philip and Lucy because they liked the idea of a naming a company after “something which people almost universally enjoy”. It seems as if, at least with their latest film, they’ve found a combination that satisfies even the critics. Their film is available on DVD through their website, with a portion of the proceeds to go towards Partners In Health’s relief work in Haiti.
A slew of Massachusetts-filmed movies began hitting theaters in February and continue to roll out this summer. Furry Vengeance hit theaters last Friday coming in at number five in the box office. The kid flick chronicles a standoff between titan real estate developer Brendan Frasier and some cute and not-so-cuddly woodland critters fighting to keep their habitats preserved. Furry Vengeance also stars Brooke Shields. The Lightkeepers, starring Richard Dreyfuss, opened in March. Set in early 20th century Cape Cod, Dreyfuss plays a reclusive lighthouse keeper who has sworn off women.
Summer blockbusters Grown Upsand Knight and Day are both due out June 25th, but that’s not the only thing they have in common. Both were filmed in Massachusetts, but that’s about where the similarities end. Grown Ups features a star-studded cast headed by Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Chris Rock, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Maya Rudolph, and Tim Meadows (whew!). The group reunites as adults after their high school basketball coach dies and inevitably hilarity ensues. Knight and Day pairs up Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz on an action-adventure with a tinge of comedy. The two play a globetrotting fugitive couple on the run who realize nothing is what it appears to be, even each other.
After wrapping a successful debut season in September, season 2 of the locally filmed reality TV series “Iron Brides” will kick-off on Saturday, April 24 at 2:30PM. The 8 new contestants vying for the wedding of their dreams from around Massachusetts include Rebecca Johnson (Sandwich, MA), Laurie Kay (Leominster, MA), Sasha Kostka (Waltham, MA), Stephanie Marini (Stoughton, MA), Kristy Marsh (Andover, MA), Julia Savage (Milton, MA), Eileen Weir (Dorchester, MA), and Ceceliaann White (Braintree, MA).
The contestants will compete for a wedding photography and videography package valued at $9,000. During the 10 episode season, the brides-to-be will have their skills tested through a number of wedding-related challenges. They’ll need to use a combination of their personalities, athletic abilities, and determination in order to be the one who wins it all in the end.
Season 3 of “Iron Brides” will start taping later this month, and is expected to air mid-winter of 2011. To audition, you must first fit the following requirements for participation including, already be engaged to be married, be 21 years of age on or after April 1, 2010, be a resident of any state in New England, and be prepared or planning on holding your wedding anytime on or after August 28, 2010 anywhere in New England. Go to their website and fill out their online application by April 23rd in order to be eligible.
There are some things that characterize early fall and Halloween more than anything else: pumpkins, apple picking, warm cider, changing leaves. This year, Conners Farm in Danvers, MA is taking a fall favorite, the corn maze, and giving it a pop culture update “Family Guy” style.
According to the Salem News, this year’s corn maze, a tradition for Conners Farm, is designed to feature Stewie and Brian Griffin, characters in the popular cartoon show “Family Guy”. After his web designer Mark Jones of Mead Web Design and Computing obtained the rights to the characters, Bobby Conners, owner of Connors Farm, enlisted the help of the maize to create his Brian/Stewie masterpiece.The Utah-based company designs and creates mazes around the country, using a GPS to map out the overall design of the maze then manpower and machines to plant the corn.
In addition to the new design, which includes “Family Guy” written above the two figures and “Connors Farm” below them, the maze itself will feature interactive activities such as passports with clues from Family Guy episodes to help visitors get out of the maze.The passports will be geared toward two different age groups, one for children and a slightly racier one for adults, which fits with the whole Family Guy theme.
The maze opened on September 12 and will stay open until Halloween.For more information on ticket prices, scheduling and special events, click here for the Connors Farm.
On Sunday, September 20, the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards aired on CBS, hosted with much aplomb by Neil Patrick Harris. Some of the more notable winners that evening include Glen Close for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and Michael J. Fox for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. In addition to the winners, gowns, after-parties, and critiques of Harris’s hosting job, yet another interesting aspect of the show was the numerous New England connections to those that attended.
Seth MacFarlane Courtesy Gage Skidmore
Though they say its an honor just to be nominated, many of the humorously entertaining north-easterners did not get to take home their own awards. Seth MacFarlane’s “Family Guy” was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Though the Connecticut funnyman’s series lost to “30 Rock”, its ability as an animated series to stand alone in a category against live-action sitcoms speaks for itself. New Hampshire’s funny honey, Sarah Silverman, also lost in her category for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, but took it in stride while sporting a fake mustache on camera.
Concord, MA born Steve Carell lost out to Alec Baldwin for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy, so be nice if you see him at the general store he bought in Marshfield. One comedy winner for the evening did include Beverly, MA native, and writer for “30 Rock”, Matthew Hubbard, who won an Emmy that evening in both the Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series category and Best Comedy, for his additional role on the show as a producer.
Though he was neither nominated nor presenting, Brookline, MA’s John Hodgman, better known as “The PC Guy” on the now iconic Mac vs. PC commercials, played sidekick yet again, this time helping announce the show between Harris’s appearances as host on stage and in pre-taped skits.
