Georgia film, video & music [Vol. 21, no. 4 (Fall 2005)]

Volume 21, Number 4

Fall 2005

Mathew Imaging/Filmmagic.com Kennesaw State University

Warm Springs Garners 5 Emmys

Photo: (L-R) Producers Chrisann Verges, Celia Costas and Mark Gordon

On September 18, the Georgia lensed HBO movie Warm Springs received 5 Emmys including Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Three members of the Georgia-based crew took home statuettes. Mary Ellis was honored for Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie along with Thomas Minton and Frank Galline, who were honored for Outstanding Art Direction. Actress Jane Alexander received an Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her portrayal of FDR's mother Sara Delano Roosevelt.

Emmys... continued on page 2

The Gospel Opens Nationwide

Rainforest Film's Georgia lensed The Gospel opened nationally on October 7. The film stars Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Clifton Powell, Omar Gooding, Tamrya Gray, Keisha Knight Pulliam and Nona Gay, as well as a "who's who" roster gospel music stars, including Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Hezekiah Walker and Delores "Mom" Winans.
The Gospel tells the story of David Taylor (Boris Kodjoe), a dynamic young R&B star whose chart-topping albums have earned him fame and wealth, but whose lifestyle has estranged him from his father (Clifton Powell) who is

Photo: Boris Kodjoe Gospel... continued on page 5

Guy D'Alema

Georgia Musicians Inducted
Photo: (L-R) Patty Loveless and Governor Sonny Perdue
The 2005 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show was held in Atlanta on September 17 and telecast live on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Since 1979, the Senate Music Industry Committee and Friends of Georgia Music Festival Board annually nominate and induct individuals who have made significant contributions to Georgia's musical heritage. This year's awards program included musical performances by inductees Patty Loveless, The Sunshine Boys, NewSong and Doug Johnson. American Idol star Diana DeGarmo opened the program and later in the show received the 2005 Bill Lowery Horizon Award.
GA Musicians... continued on page 7

The Georgia Film, Video & Music newsletter is a bi-monthly publication of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Articles
can be mailed to Brenda Brayton, Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, Post Office Box 1776, Atlanta, GA 30301, faxed to 404.962.4053 or sent electronically to bbrayton@georgia.org. Visit our website at www.georgia.org or call 877.746.6842.

Photo: Gordon-Lee Mansion at dusk
FEATURED LOCATION: Gordon-Lee Mansion Chickamauga
The Gordon-Lee Mansion is a historic antebellum plantation house located in Northwest Georgia in the town of Chickamauga. Set on seven manicured acres, lined with elms and maples, the grounds feature a formal English and southern vegetable garden.
The mansion is the only structure left standing that was used during the Battle of Chickamauga. It was built in 1847 by Mr. James Gordon who purchased 2500 acres in 1836 from settlers who had won the acreage in the Cherokee Land lottery. The mansion has been restored and furnished with museum quality period antiques of Federal, Empire and early Victorian origin, oriental floor coverings, and crystal and brass chandeliers. For a historical chronology of the mansion visit www. gordonleemansion.com.

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Purple Ribbon for Big Boi
Big Boi, best-known as onehalf of the hip-hop superduo OutKast, will release at least two albums this year on the Purple Ribbon custom label through Virgin Records. The first releases under the arrangement will include a new album by Top 3-charting Southern rapper Bubba Sparxxx. Also a Purple Ribbon All-Stars compilation album that will be previewed by the bumping posse track "Kryptonite," from the Purple Ribbon All-Stars featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike, CBone and Rock D, as well as the electronic R&B dance tune "U Got Me" by Scar featuring Big Boi.
"Big Boi is a champion of creative daring," Virgin chairman/CEO Matt Serletic commented. "His originality Photo: Big Boi and ambition is obvious in the phenomenal ten-year trajectory of his band OutKast -- and in the atmosphere of freedom and out-of-the-box thinking that are his trademarks. All of his fans here at Virgin are delighted to work with him and be a part of his revolutionary musical vision."
Jermaine Dupri, president of Virgin's urban music added, "I'm happy to have a situation where I can work with Big Boi. Not just because we're both from Atlanta, but because of his creativity, his musical ear and his ability to find new talent. His association with Virgin will add to the excitement that I'm bringing to the label."
Purple Ribbon is named for the awards taken home by Big Boi's successful Atlanta-based dog breeding business. "I want to call Virgin home," said Big Boi, "and Purple Ribbon is the means for me to do that."

In Memoriam Scott Stephens "Prop Master Extraordinaire"
1957-2005


Emmys... from page 1
Warm Springs was also honored with the Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition. The film was nominated in 16 categories.
Warm Springs chronicles President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first years after contracting polio in the early 1920's and the unplanned course that discovery charted him and his wife Eleanor upon, eventually leading to the White House. The film was produced by Celia Costas, Mark Gordon and Chrisann Verges and directed by Joseph Sargent.

Making Dreams Come True in Georgia
The hopes and dreams of deserving people in towns all across America come true in Three Wishes, NBC's new unscripted series starring GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Amy Grant ("Rock of Ages...Hymns & Faith"). The one hour show that was recently named one of the "most

NBC Universal Photo: Mitche Haaseth

Photo: Amy Grant
promising" new series for fall by Entertainment Weekly, features Grant leading contributors Carter Oosterhouse (Today, Trading Spaces), Eric Stromer (Clean Sweep) and Diane Mizota (Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls) to communities around the country to grant wishes. The cast and crew of Three Wishes recently filmed an episode in Covington, Georgia that will air later this year.
Grant has sold over 25 million records worldwide, won five GRAMMY Awards and numerous Dove Awards, including "Artist of the Year" four times. She has performed everywhere from the White House to the Grand Old Opry. Grant has had 10 Top-40 pop singles, 17 Top-40 adult contemporary tracks and a string of contemporary Christian chart-toppers.
Andrew Glassman (Average Joe 1-4) and Jason Raff (Average Joe: The Joes Strike Back) are the executive producers of the series for Glassman Media and NBC Universal Television Studio.

Global Opportunities at 2005 Cineposium
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Cineposium celebrated its 30th Anniversary in Glasgow, Scotland in August, welcoming more than 200 film commission members, speakers and sponsors from three dozen countries. This marked the highest attendance ever of member countries.
The Film Commission Fundamentals and Cineposium program featured awardwinning producers and directors discussing production needs, as well as film commissions talking about production successes and challenges. Academy and

BAFTA-award winning producer/ director Kevin MacDonald (Touching the Void) and producer Jim Van Wyck (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events) anchored Cineposium's speaker lineup.
Greg Torre, director of the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office believes the annual event continues to provide relevant and beneficial information to the state's entertainment office. "While the recruitment of motion picture and television projects is highly competitive, AFCI member organizations have found that more is to be gained from the sharing of information and best practices than not. This forum provides valuable

networking opportunities for film commissions and offices from around the world to discuss incentive development and implementation, economic impact models, marketing challenges and general problem-solving."
The Glasgow Film Office and Scottish Screen hosted FCF/ Cineposium 2005. Lenny Crooks, director of the Glasgow Film Office said film commissions are the unsung heroes in film/video production. "In an industry that is associated with glamour and prestige, these are people who always work behind the scenes but without whom the jobs of producers, directors and actors would be impossible," Crooks said.



Gospel... from page 1

Photo: (L-R) Sean Patrick Flanery and Emily Carpenter
Crystal River in Post
The independent feature film Crystal River starring Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints, Powder) and Emily Carpenter (Southern Heart) was shot this past summer in Atlanta, Acworth and Kennesaw. The film is currently in post-production.
Emily Carpenter and Brandon St. Cyr of Spring Street Films produced Crystal River along with Jamie Collins Doss of The Isaac Group and Amy McGary (The Adventurs of Ociee Nash). The film is the directorial debut of Brett Lever who won the CocaCola Refreshing Filmmakers Award in 2005.
Crystal River tells the story of a married woman who, grieving her inability to have children, finds comfort and healing in her friendship with another man. It is about discovering grace in darkness and the unexpected places we find healing.
The film's official website is www.crystalrivermovie.com.

the Bishop of his hometown church. When David learns his father is ill and near death, he returns home to try and reconcile only to discover that his former best friend Charles (Idris Elba) is poised to become his father's successor at the church and threatening to destroy everything David's father worked so hard to achieve. The Gospel was written and directed by Rob Hardy and produced by Will Packer. The film was executive produced by Holly Davis-Carter and Fred Hammond.
Filmed over eight weeks on location in Atlanta, Georgia The Gospel utilized more than a thousand extras, many of whom are familiar faces from the community. The filmmakers brought GRAMMY Award-winning gospel singer and producer Kirk Franklin on board. Franklin contributed six songs to the film, three of which are original pieces he wrote specifically for The Gospel. For additional information and to view the trailer, visit www.gospelmovie.com.

Madea's Reunion Wraps
Photo: (L-R) Tyler Perry as Madea and B
Based upon Tyler Perry's acc production, Madea's Family continues the adventures of sou matriarch Madea begun in the h of a Mad Black Woman. Shot in metropolitan Atlanta, the Lions wrapped production in late Aug
The cast of Madea's Family R Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Ly Boris Kodjoe, Henry Simmons, R Jenifer Lewis, Lisa Arrindell And Palmer, Tangi Miller, Maya Ange Tyson. Madea's Family Reunion and directed by Tyler Perry. The by Tyler Perry and Reuben Cann
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AFF Call For Entries
The 30th Annual Atlanta Film Festival will feature premiere screenings of independent film and video, informative seminars, panel discussions and guest appearances by filmmakers,

Rolling out the Music SourceBook
Photo: GDEcD Commissioner Craig Lesser

On September 15, the 2005-2006 Georgia Music Production SourceBook was rolled out at an event attended by the press and music industry stakeholders. The SourceBook was developed as a directory to promote Georgia's commercial music industry. This collaborative effort between Oz Publishing, Inc. and the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, lists over 1200 resources for the music professional.

Photo: (L-R) Stone Stafford, Bruce Burch a
The Georgia Music Production S catalogues the state's commercial

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GDEcD Guy D'Alema

Blair Underwood

claimed stage y Reunion uthern hit film Diary
and around Gate film gust. Reunion includes ynn Whitfield, Rochelle Aytes, derson, Keke elou and Cicely was written e film is produced non. ure, Madea than she can ordered to be in

charge of Nikki, a rebellious runaway, her nieces Lisa and Vanessa are suffering relationship trouble and through it all she has to organize her family reunion. As the reunion approaches Madea must use every tactic in her arsenal to keep the peace and her family together.

video artists and media professionals from around the world. The festival boasts over $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes and Academy Award qualifying narrative shorts competition.
Independently produced works that have originated

on film or video of any length or genre can be submitted. The deadline for entries is February 3, 2006. Applications are available online at www. imagefv.org For additional information call 404.352.4225 or e-mail aff@imagefv.org.

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SourceBook recorded

music resources including publishers, producers, studios, equipment, labels, instruments, educational opportunities and more. The book's cover story "Pioneers Build Respect for Georgia's Music Industry" written by Georgia Music Magazine publisher Lisa Love, chronicles 80 years of Georgia music history. The Oz Music and OzCetera sections highlight recent happenings in music, film, video and the creative arts around the state.
The 2005-2006 Georgia Music Production SourceBook will be available online at www. georgia.org in October. To receive a copy of the SourceBook, please call 404.962.4052 or visit the website and place your request online.

Warner Bros. Project Wraps
The Untitled Chris Robinson Project, a musicdriven coming of age story starring Tip Harris (also known as platinum-selling Southern rapper "T.I."), Jackie Long (Playas Ball), Jason Weaver (Drumline), newcomers Lauren London, Evan Ross and Albert Daniels,
Photo: Dallas Austin
with Mykelti Williamson (Ali) and Keith David (Mr. and Mrs. Smith), has wrapped production in Atlanta.
Directed by acclaimed music video helmer Chris Robinson, who has worked with such platinum-selling hip-hop artists as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes and Usher, the film is an Overbrook Entertainment production produced by Overbrook partners Will Smith (I, Robot )and James Lassiter (Hitch, Ali), GRAMMY Award-winning music and movie producer Dallas Austin (Drumline) and Jody Gerson (Drumline). The executive producers are Timothy M. Bourne (Drumline) and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins from the platinum-selling group TLC. The screenplay is by Antwone Quenton Fisher (Antwone Fisher).
The Untitled Chris Robinson Project tells the story of four teens coming of age in a working class Atlanta neighborhood where hip-hop music and roller skating rule. As the group prepares for life after high school, challenges on and off the rink bring about turning points in each of their lives. The film is loosely based on Dallas Austin and Tionne Watkins' experiences growing up in Atlanta and hanging out at a local skating rink called Jellybeans. The film will be released in 2006 by Warner Bros. Pictures.


Association Announcements:
Atlanta Urban MediaMakers Association, Inc. (AUMAi) reflects the new generation of mediamaking. AUMAi's mission is to empower people through cultural diversity in animation, film and video. For more information on AUMAi's monthly meetings, visit www.urbanmediamakers.com or call 770.345.8048.
The Georgia Production Partnership (GPP) is a statewide organization of filmmakers and film industry executives committed to keeping Georgia a film-friendly and competitive force in the film and video community. Meetings are generally held the first Tuesday of each month at noon. For membership information email info@georgiaproduction.org. Visit their website at www.georgiaproduction.org.
IMAGE Film & Video Center offers filmmaking workshops and screenings. For more information, contact IMAGE at 404.352.4225 or check the website at www.imagefv.org.
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Recording Academy): Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and improving the cultural environment and quality of life for music and its makers. For more information, please visit www.grammy. com/atlanta.aspx.
NATAS/Atlanta, the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. For information please call 770.414.8777.
Women in Film/Atlanta (WIF/A), a non-profit organization founded in 1974, is dedicated to the education, promotion, support and unification of women working in or studying film, video and related creative and business fields. For information check the website at www.wifa.org.


Battaglia Tribecca Finalist
Amazon.com in association with the Tribeca Film Festival recently announced the top five finalists in their online Short Film Competition. The seven minute World War II Battaglia directed by Atlanta's Owen Smith (The Sugar Creek Gang film series) and written by actor Jeff Rose (Sugar Creek Gang's Theodore Collins) of Marietta is a finalist. From now until October 28 votes can be cast for the $50,000 winner by visiting www.Amazon.com/screeningroom.
Produced under the flag of Georgia-based studio The Film Refinery (www.FilmRefinery.com) Battaglia recreates events that Rose's grandfather experienced as a member of the 88th Infantry Division during a 1944 conflict on Italy's Battle Mountain. "While the specific events depicted in the film are fictional, the battle during which these extraordinary things take place is entirely grounded in historical fact," said Rose who plays an embedded journalist in the film.
Battaglia's exterior battle sequences were filmed in Jackson, Georgia with interior museum scenes that utilize the Marietta Museum of History. Two days of post production included extensive sound design and the creation of music for the original soundtrack.
To view Battaglia and the four other finalists please visit http://www.Amazon.com/screeningroom.
Film SourceBook Deadline
Over 1100 companies and individuals involved in Georgia's production industry list in the Georgia Film & Video SourceBook. The SourceBook is the ultimate resource for producers and industry decision-makers. The Georgia Film, Video & Music Office distributes the book to qualified production professionals around the globe who are looking to make Georgia the home of their next production.
The SourceBook is used regularly as a resource once an out-of-state production locates in Georgia. Listings appear in the printed and online versions of the SourceBook and the listing individual or company receives a copy of the SourceBook. The web site where the SourceBook is published electronically, www.ozonline.tv, receives over 4 million page-views a year.
The deadline for the 2006 SourceBook is October 28, 2005. Go online to fill out a listing form at www.ozonline.tv.

Photo: (L-R) Diana DeGarmo and Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey
GA Musicians... from page 1
GRAMMY award-winner, multi-platinum recording artist, CMA "Female Vocalist of the Year" and Paulding county resident Patty Loveless

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was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame receiving her Performer Award from Governor Sonny Perdue. Dove Award-winner, GRAMMYnominated faith-based group NewSong, known for 17 number one radio singles. received the Group Award. The Sunshine Boys, formed in 1941, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame, receiving the "Mary Tallent Award." The 2005 Non Performer Award was presented to Doug Johnson, Giant Records president and songwriter who has been in the music business for over 20 years.
For more information about the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, please visit www.gamusichall.com.

Fest Fetes Burstyn & Lumet
The eighth annual Savannah Film Festival hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design has named director Sidney Lumet and actress Ellen Burstyn as the recipients of the festival's annual Lifetime Achievement Awards for directing and acting respectively. During the festival Walter Murch will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Sound and Editing with Don Bluth and Gary Goldman receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards for Animation. Natasha Richardson and Jeff Daniels will each receive Achievement in Cinema Awards during the festival scheduled for October 29-November 5.
In addition to awards presentations and special screenings, the festival holds a professional film competition as well as an international student film competition. Panel discussions and questionand-answer sessions will be lead by industry professionals, rising filmmakers and studio executives. Notable sessions include workshops presented by Kodak, a production panel featuring David Ladd and Alan Ladd Jr. and a case study featuring the production team from Food Network's Paula's Home Cooking with Savannah native Paula Deen. "Coffee Talk," an informal workshop for students and film professionals to discuss the industry, is also held daily.
The festival website is www.savannahfilm festival.com.

TUBE Teams with TWC
The Weather Channel (TWC) completed a series of projects with TUBE in August including a 40-minute program for Comcast On Demand and promos for three new upcoming shows this fall on The Weather Channel. Completed in one day, Greg Partridge of TUBE edited down over 3 hours of Hurricane Katrina footage into a chronological timeline covering the hurricane's destructive path from Florida to New Orleans.
TWC producer Pat Piper contracted TUBE to provide online, sound design and graphics packages for three promos which will be used as sales tapes to generate advertising and interest for new shows: The Weather Channel Top 10, a clip show highlighting the hottest cities to the windiest cities; It Could Happen Tomorrow, a show that asks the question, "what if a natural disaster hit home in your back yard" and Full Force Nature, displaying the awesome power of nature and how life can be transformed in an instant. Chris Downs and Alan Hettinger created motion graphics for the promos, mixing 2D and 3D elements from After Effects and Cinema 4D. Sound design and mix-to picture were performed in TUBE's ProTools HD suite.


Randy and The Mob Wraps Production in Atlanta
Photo: (L-R) Ray McKinnon and Walton Goggins
Filming wrapped September 3 on the Southern comedy Randy And The Mob, written and directed by Georgia native Ray McKinnon. The filming locations were in Villa Rica, Douglas county, DeKalb county and Covington. Randy And The Mob is a comedy about a good ol' boy (McKinnon) who gets into trouble with the mob and seeks financial

John Estes

assistance from his gay twin brother, also played by McKinnon. The film also stars Lisa Blount, former Douglasville resident Walton Goggins, Paul Ben-Victor, Brent Briscoe, Tim DeKay and with a cameo by Burt Reynolds. Local cast members included Bill Nunn, Sam Frihart, Edith Ivey, Jill Jane Clements, Carol MitchellLeon and Rob Cleveland. The film is executive-produced by Phil Walden and Benjy Griffith through Capricorn Pictures, with producers Lisa Blount, Walton Goggins, Dave Koplan and D. Scott Lumpkin. Ginny Mule Pictures partners McKinnon, Blount and Goggins, won the Academy Award for Best Short Film, Live Action in 2002 for The Accountant, which they also shot in Georgia. Collaborating with them again on Randy And The Mob is DP Jonathan Sela.

New Look!
As you have probably noticed our newsletter has undergone a redesign that gives it a new, fresh look. The new look matches up with Georgia's new marketing strategy (see story below), and will continue to present the latest news about Georgia's burgeoning entertainment industry.

GDEcD's New Marketing Strategy
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) recently unveiled the state's new marketing strategy and brand signature.
"Georgia enables people to make their dreams come true, and our new brand and marketing strategy is centered on how visitors connect with Georgia.

These personal connections are what have always made Georgia great," said GDEcD commissioner Craig Lesser. "By launching parallel campaigns we will strengthen competitive advantage and more effectively create long-term loyalty and preference for our state."
The theme for the state's invitation campaign to encourage businesses and visitors is "Put your dreams in motion." To express appreciation for those

who have visited the state and to build loyalty, Georgia is launching a "Thanks for keeping Georgia on your mind" campaign and a frequent visitor program.
Both campaigns are supported by an updated Georgia brand signature. The logo will be paired with the Web site, www.georgia.org, as a call to action for businesses and visitors to get more information about Georgia.

4.3M / $1678 - printed on recycled paper
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Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia Film, Video & Music Post Office Box 1776 Atlanta, Georgia 30301-1776

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