Behind the scenes, Spring 2010

BEHIND THE SCENES
georgia.org/fmde I Spring 2010

ACADEMY NOMINATED 2009 BEST PICTURE WINNER BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: SANDRA BULLOCK

"The ideal left tackle is big... He is wide in the butt and massive in the thighs. He has long arms, giant hands, and feet as quick as a hiccup. This is a rare and expensive combination, the need for which can be traced to that Monday night game and Lawrence Taylor. For on that day, he not only altered Joe Theismann's life but mine as well." -Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side
The Blind Side was filmed on location in Atlanta, Georgia, which doubled for Memphis, Tennessee. Executive producer Timothy M. Bourne notes, "There is a similarity between most Southern cities, and Atlanta is not too far away from Memphis, geographically or emotionally. It's also a great place to shoot. There is a huge crew base here and they have a terrific infrastructure. There are so many advantages and the people are wonderful. You can't beat it."
Sandra Bullock, who stars in the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy, notes, "The beauty of the story is that you think it's one thing and it turns out to be something else, and those are usually the best things in life. I thought the script was going to be about football until I read it and realized that it's really about family."
Production designer Michael Corenblith says that, in conceiving the story's Memphis backdrop, "I was reminded of the work of a fine arts photographer named William Eggleston, who has lived his whole life in the Memphis area.
In designing the sets, Corenblith wanted to accentuate the disparity between the affluence of East Memphis, where the Tuohys live, and the abject poverty of Hurt Village, on the other side of town. A private residence in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta served as the Tuohy house, which reflects the taste of Leigh Anne Tuohy, who is an interior designer.

The exclusive Atlanta International School and The Westminster Schools, also located in Buckhead, both doubled as the private Wingate Christian School, where Michael Oher becomes
Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins
an unlikely student and where he first encounters the Tuohys. On the opposite end of the spectrum was Hurt Village, which was re-created in a housing project in East Atlanta that was nearly deserted. Corenblith elaborates, "One of the strokes of good fortune we had was that we found a very large housing project that was slated to be torn down, which meant that it was, for the most part, empty. It had the size and scale of the actual Hurt Village, and it represented the polar opposite of the neighborhood where the Tuohy family lived. The direct contrast between those two worlds became a way of personifying Michael's journey, which, as a designer, is the clearest way I know to tell the story."

Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher

BOX OFFICE
From Box Office Mojo www.boxofficemojo.com

MOVIE

TOTAL GROSS PRODUCTION BUDGET WORLDWIDE



The Blind Side $255,071,943

$29 Million

$277,471,943

Zombieland

$75,590,286

$23.6 Million

$102,280,650

SONY PICTURES CLASSIC'S SECRET TO GET OUT

Robert Duvall in Get Low
Filmed in Georgia, Get Low opened the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The sold out screening concluded with loud applause! Get Low may give Forrest Gump's bench a run for its seat in our hearts. After the screening, the producers, investors and cast members (Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek and Lucas Black) came to the stage for a Q & A session with the audience. The movie is expected to have a theatrical release from Sony Pictures Classic in 2010.
It is an American folktale that has been passed down by storytellers for decades, spreading across distance and time to take on the proportions of a larger-than-life legend. The eccentric hermit known as Felix Bush (Robert Duvall, The Road, Tender Mercies, The Apostle), who temporarily comes out

of hiding to throw a grand funeral bash for himself -- while he is still very much alive and kicking. Now, the story has taken on another incarnation: inspiring a motion picture that peers behind the folklore to unfold the colorful drama of a man`s last-ditch quest for redemption. It is an 8-year labor of love for producer Dean Zanuck (Road to Perdition).
With a folkloric screenplay and a stellar cast, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, Lucas Black and Bill Cobbs, the filmmakers needed just one more element to allow Get Low to soar; an authentic landscape to bring the story`s dense, Appalachian woods and New Dealera towns to life. Both Dean Zanuck and director Aaron Schneider (Two Soldiers) agreed that production could only take place on location in the historic reaches of the American South.
Ultimately, the film was shot in Georgia. The filmmakers were able to uncover a very special collection of locations that have changed little since the Great Depression, including the small town of Crawfordville (population 572); the Gaither Plantation, a historic (and allegedly haunted) 1800s cotton plantation in Covington; a beautiful old church near Sparta; and Pickett`s Mill Battlefield, a historic site near Dallas, Georgia.

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HAPPY TO HELP FILM, MUSIC & DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT OFFICE RECEIVES AWARD FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

(L to R) Alison Fibben, Asante Bradford, Lee Thomas, Craig Dominey, Bill Thompson, Kerica Griggs
Lee Thomas and Governor Sonny Perdue on the set of We Are Marshall

The vast amount of recent film & TV production in Georgia has resulted in the state's highest recognition of the team behind it. The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Division has been awarded the Governor's Commendation for Excellence in Customer Service for its ongoing commitment to providing excellent customer service during the extraordinary increase in projects spurred by the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act passed in 2008.
"Georgia has a national reputation in the entertainment industry, not just for our film-friendly assets and aggressive incentives, but for our team's high quality of responsiveness," said Ken Stewart, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "Our entertainment projects have increased almost 150 percent, which I attribute in large part to the way our team courteously and efficiently accommodates the needs of these clients."
In calendar year 2009, investment in Georgia-made productions totaled more than $770 million, and the economic impact of the entertainment industry in Georgia was a record-breaking $1.3-plus billion.
Georgia's entertainment workforce is more than 25,000 members strong, and the number of film and TV crews operating in the state grew by 85 percent in 2009. The team also helped attract more than 20 entertainment-related companies have located or relocated in the state. Many other existing companies have expanded their operations.
The Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act has helped catapult the state into the ranks of the top five entertainment production locations in the U.S., and Georgia now ranks number one for entertainment activity among the southeastern states.

DO YOU KNOW
PLACEMENT
MUSIC LLC?
Atlanta music industry gurus Tammy Hurt and Elizabeth Elkins announced the creation of Placement Music, a company specializing in the licensing, creation and placement of high quality music in films, television, gaming, advertising and all other forms of media.

Placement Music secured its first two placements in December. The first an original track recorded with the Placement Music team at Atlanta's own Southern Tracks Recording Studio, which aired on the NFL on FOX Sunday on December 13. In addition, the company licensed a track by blues/rock songwriter and Atlanta native Michelle Malone to the independent film "Rough Hustle," which was submitted to the Sundance Film Festival.

Placement Music plans a full-scale public launch in the first quarter of 2010.
For more information, visit www.placementmusic.com.

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TOUCH YOUR HEART AND THEN YOUR SOUL

Perfect Weekend's film The Greening of Whitney Brown was shot in and around the Atlanta area including Bowersville and Madison adding to the huge lineup of films shot in 2009. The family comedy stars Aidan Quinn (recently completed the films The Eclipse and Flipped), Brooke Shields ("Hannah Montana," and the new feature Furry Vengeance) and Kris Kristofferson (He's Just Not That Into You, and Provinces of Night) while introducing fourteen-year-old Sammi Hanratty in her first lead film role.
The Greening of Whitney Brown, Brooke Shields, Sammi Hanratty, Aidan Quinn

Peter Odiorne makes his feature directorial debut guiding an original script by Gail Gilchriest (My Dog Skip). Justin Moore-Lewy and Charlie Mason are the producers. Ed Fitts and Sue Rathbone are the executive producers.
The Greening of Whitney Brown follows the misadventures of Whitney Brown (Sammi Hanratty), a privileged and popular Philadelphia teenager whose world is upended when her parents, Henry (Aidan Quinn) and Joan (Brooke Shields), experience sudden economic problems that necessitate a family move to Whitney's grandparents old farm in the country. There, far from her dizzying world of shallow girlfriends, endless parties and school pressures, she finds a new best pal: Odd Job Bob, a beautiful and spirited Gypsy Vanner horse owned by her new neighbor Dusty (Kris Kristofferson) --- a crusty rancher who turns out to be her estranged grandfather. Through her new relationships with Odd Job Bob, Dusty and her parents, Whitney rediscovers what it means to respect not only nature and her family, but also someone very special she had almost lost touch with: herself.

2009 PRODUCTIONS SHOT IN GEORGIA: 18 FILMS, 22 TELEVISON SHOWS

Motion Pictures Feature/Indie The Last Song Zombieland Get Low The Conspirator The Crazies Five Killers Life As We Know It Due Date The Lottery Ticket Halloween 2 The Blind Side I Can Do Bad All by Myself My Super Psycho Sweet 16 The Greening of Whitney Brown Why Did I Get Married Too? Stomp The Yard 2 Homecoming
Television Films Ben 10: Alien Swarm The Wronged Man

Piano Pictures/Walt Disney Sony /Columbia DFZ Productions Conspirator Productions Overture Films SS2 Films/Lionsgate S&K Productions Classic Films Inc/Warner Brothers Sweepstake Prods LLC/Alcon Entertainment Weinstein Co Left Tackle Pictures Tyler Perry Studios/Lionsgate My Super Psycho Sweet 16 LLC Magic Gypsy, LLC Tyler Perry Studios Gotta Step Prods. LLC/Rainforest
Alive & Kicking/TNT Sony/Lifetime

WORKS FOR ME Q: How do you find out what's filming in Georgia?
A: The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office's "hotline" number is 404.962.4055. It's a free service offered to productions when they are looking for in-front-of and behind-the camera talent. You can also access the hotline via our website at www.georgia.org/fmde.

e

JARGON
(jr'g n) noun 1. the language, esp. the
vocabulary, peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group
easter egg 1. a hidden, unpublicized bonus
content or joke in a game.
2. something extra hidden within for viewers to see if they can find it or not in a game.

Television Specials/Series Drop Dead Diva Past Life Vampire Diaries The Mo'Nique Show Solving Charlie Good Eats The Real Housewives of Atlanta Sunday Best There Goes the Neighborhood The 48 Hour Film Showdown Pop Goes the Culture Pay It Off It's Me or The Dog House of Payne The Tyler Perry Show My Parents, My Sister & Me Meet the Browns T N T Frankie and Neffe Monica The Chili Project Sugarloaf

(Season 1) Sony Pictures (Season 1) Bonanza Prods/Warner Bros/Fox (Season 1) Bonanza/Warner Bros/CW (Season 1) BET Productions V (TV Pilot) ABC Studios (Season 13) Be Square Productions/Food Network (Season 2) True Entertainment/Bravo BET AOP Inc./CBS (check correct listing) (TV Pilot) Summerset TV (TV Pilot) Summerset TV Five Binks/BET (Season 2) IMOTD, Inc (Season 4) Tyler Perry Studios Tyler Perry Studios (Season 1) Bright Ideas Tyler Perry Studios Black Box Prods/BET Black Box Prods/BET Black Box Prods/BET Little Pond Television Inc. (TV Pilot) Grand Prods/A&E

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN... MORE GEORGIA PROMOTION
The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office participated in the following conferences:
Game Developers Conference March 9 13, 2010 I San Francisco, CA
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the world's largest professionalsonly game industry event. Presented every spring in San Francisco, it is the essential forum for learning, inspiration, and networking for the creators of computer, console, handheld, mobile and online games.
The GDC attracts over 17,000 attendees, and is the primary forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision-makers and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry. The GDC is produced by the Think Services Game Group, a division of United Business Media, LLC.
AFCI Locations Trade Show April 15 17, 2010 I Santa Monica, CA
The world's premier tradeshow for location filmmaking, the Association of Film Commissioners International Locations Trade Show (LTS) 2010 offers a unique opportunity to connect with a targeted audience and participate in discussions on issues facing the industry today.
Today's film commissioner is the film industry's partner in production, with expertise in location support, crews, incentives and local government laws and customs. LTS 2010 is invaluable to film commission exhibitors who want to connect with the industry, announce new offices, showcase incentive programs or tout their local talent and resources.

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT NEW GAME TO PLAY
Global Agenda launched in February 2010. Global Agenda, the Hi-Rez Studios debut title, is a fast-paced, action-oriented, massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) set in the Earth's near future - a spy-fi world of advanced technology and player-driven conflict. Global Agenda has been in development since 2005.
Hi-Rez Studios, Inc. was established in 2005 to create exceptional online interactive entertainment. It is located just outside of Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit www.hirezstudios.com.

POGO FINISHES UP A BUSY YEAR IN GEORGIA:

Farm Rich, Pogo Pictures, Noah Lomax

In 2009, Georgia was home to 180 commercial shoots. The state's commercial market has a long history of nonstop work.
Scout Marketing of Atlanta partnered with Director/DP Steve Colby at Pogo Pictures to shoot a 30-second spot for Farm Rich. The Atlantabased shoot was set to the tune of "Make Someone Happy" by Jimmy Durant, and featured a family enjoying Farm Rich's line of frozen snack foods.
Colby then wrapped up the year on a shoot for Enterprise Rent-a-Car with

Schupp & Company and Z Animation, both of St. Louis. The spot, featuring a Zamboni ice re-surfacing machine, was shot on location at Gwinnett Arena outside of Atlanta. The spot is currently in post-production.
BBDO Atlanta teamed with Director Ryan Smith to shoot the Georgia Lottery's latest online marketing campaign. The video is currently in post-production.
In 2009, the economic impact of commercial production in Georgia was $23.8 million.

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3 "R'S": REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE

The 3 "R's" used to be writing, reading and arithmetic. In the 21st century it is reduce, reuse and recycle. Recycling is one of the most feel-good and useful environmental practices around.
Thinking about recycling? For anyone looking to make recycling a more integral part of their lives, these organizations can help. From the list you can find places to donate set materials including paint, furniture, set walls and construction materials, as well as general office supplies.
Atlanta Community Toolbank 55 Ormond Street, SE Atlanta, GA 30315 404-880-0054; Ext. 11 Contact: Gina Chaves The Atlanta Community Toolbank stewards an inventory of tools for lending to charitable organizations to increase the impact of their mission-related efforts in the community.
Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta 538 Permalume Place Atlanta, GA 30318 404-355-8530; ext. 222 Contact: David Dicaprio The Furniture Bank was founded in 1988 in response to the lack of furniture for families moving out of homeless shelters. Today the Furniture Bank provides essential household furniture to individuals and families moving out of homelessness, battling HIV/AIDS, and fleeing domestic violence. The Furniture Distribution Program guarantees a bed for every member of a client's family and a sofa. Other items are provided such as dressers, lamps, dinette sets, bookshelves, loveseats and coffee tables. On average each household receives 14 pieces of furniture. Also, the Furniture Bank works to provide basic household items to families and individuals through partnerships with local congregations and schools. Individual households, hotels, and furniture companies donate the majority of furniture
JUNKitGEORGIA Atlanta, GA 404-395-8140 Contact: Rusty Brown JUNKitGEORGIA provides recycling for production and developed a mini dumpster system that could be set up at the various locations where the movie and TV productions take place. These containers are very convenient for the caterers, craft service workers and base camp locations to place all of their recyclable items into during and after the production. We show up and haul away the material and take it to a recycling facility near our business location. The items that we recycle include paper, plastic, aluminum and other metal as well as all of the cardboard that these movies go through during their production.

The Charter School will continue to foster academic and personal growth and success through a constructivist philosophy of teaching, a conservation focus, and its unique, standards-based curriculum. A guiding principle is that students must have a solid scientific and decision-making foundation so that they can make good conservation decisions throughout their lifetimes.
ReStore Habitat for Humanity 519 Memorial Drive Atlanta, GA 30312 404-223-5180; ext. 14b Contact: Lisa Schwinghammer The ReStore is Atlanta Habitat for Humanity's discount store that sells new and gently used appliances, home furnishings and home improvement merchandise that have been donated by well-known, quality manufacturers and retail stores as well as builders and individuals. Merchandise is discounted up to 75 percent off retail. We are open to the public. All proceeds from the ReStore are used to help fulfill the mission of Atlanta Habitat, to build affordable, green, quality homes in partnership with working families.
WHATEVER IT IS
The music video for the country hit `Whatever It Is' by the Zac Brown Band was filmed on Cumberland Island. This is the latest hit to climb the charts for the Zac Brown Band, a Georgia-based band from Dahlonega, Georgia. The Zac Brown Band won a 2010 GRAMMY for Best New Artist.

Neighborhood Charter School 688 Grant Street Atlanta, GA 30315 404-624-6226 Contact: Jill Kaechele

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LET'S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES

Georgia Lensed Movies In Theaters

March 31, 2010
The Last Song
Synopsis: Based on best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks' ("A Walk to Remember," "The Notebook") latest novel, "The Last Song" is set in a small southern beach town where an estranged father gets a chance to spend the summer with his reluctant teenage daughter, who'd rather be home in New York. He tries to reconnect with her through the only thing they have in common--music--in a story of family, friendship, secrets and salvation, along with first loves and second chances.
April 2, 2010
Why Did I Get Married Too?
Synopsis: Reuniting the same charismatic cast and characters from his hit comedy/drama, Why Did I Get Married, Tyler Perry brings us the next chapter in the lives of eight college friends struggling with the challenges of marital life in Why Did I Get Married Too.

April 16, 2010
The Joneses
Synopsis: Described as a social satire, the movie follows an idyllic family that moves into a suburban neighborhood and quickly becomes loved and envied by everyone.
June 4, 2010
Killers
Synopsis: An untouchable assassin who has quit the business after marrying the girl of his dreams. His trusting wife has no idea about his past until they discover that a hit has been put on him and that the hired killers may actually be their closest friends and neighbors. Their seemingly perfect lives flipped upside down and their marriage put to the test, they discover a new level of excitement together as they team up to find and fight the killers.

July 30, 2010
Get Low
Synopsis: A movie spun out of equal parts folk tale, fable and real-life legend. The film is about the mysterious 1930s Tennessee hermit who famously threw his own rollicking funeral party while he was still alive.
November 5, 2010
Due Date
Synopsis: Peter Highman is an expectant first-time father whose wife's due date is a mere five days away. As Peter hurries to catch a flight home from Atlanta to be at her side for the birth, his best intentions go completely awry when a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay forces Peter to hitch a ride with Ethan. It turns out to be a cross-country road trip that ultimately destroys several cars, numerous friendships and Peter's last nerve.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment PO Box 1776 Atlanta, GA 30301-1776