Georgia film, video & music [Vol. 23, no. 2 (Spring 2007)]

Volume 23, Number 2

Spring 2007

Roundtable Convenes

It's A Wrap!

Photo credit: M & 2007 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit: Quantrell Colbert

The Georgia Department of

Economic Development

hosted its first Georgia

Music Industry

Roundtable on May 14th

at the High Museum

of Art in Atlanta. Led

by Commissioner Ken

Stewart and moderated

by Rolling Stones

keyboardist Chuck

Leavell, the group of

Georgia producers,

Photo: (L-R) Ken Stewart and Dallas Austin

managers, studio owners, promoters,

songwriters, creative artists and cable music network executives

gathered to define how Georgia should move forward in being

recognized as a major leader in the music industry.

Stewart... continued on page 3

Paynes Take Up Residence at TBS

Tyler Perry's House of Payne premiered June 6, 2007 on TBS. The half-hour comedy series follows the lives of a multigenerational family forced by circumstances to live under one roof.
Perry explains, "I wanted to create a series that was similar to what my movies are, something that is very funny, but has life lessons throughout. I thought about shows like All in the Family, Good Times and Roseanne when I was creating this

Photo: (L-R) China Anne McClain, Allen Payne and Laramie Doc Shaw
Perry... continued on page 7

Photo: (L-R) Vivica A. Fox and Samad Davis
Rainforest Films recently completed production on 3 Can Play That Game. In this sequel to 2 Can Play That Game, Vivica A. Fox (Kill Bill, Motives 2), resumes her role as the savvy relationship guru, Shante Smith. Shante is back to her old tricks when she encounters her newest project, Sandy, who is desperate to win back her man.... and land a ring on her finger.
Rounding out the cast of 3 Can Play That Game are Jazsmin Lewis (Barbershop2), comedic actor Tony Rock (television's All of Us), Jason George (Barbershop) and model Melyssa Ford. Shot in Atlanta, Georgia, the romantic comedy was produced by Will Packer, Rob Hardy, Vivica A. Fox and Lita Richardson, with Dianne Ashford serving as co-producer. Directed by Samad Davis, 3 Can Play That Game will be distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The Georgia Film, Video & Music newsletter is a publication of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Articles can 1
be mailed to Brenda Brayton, Georgia Film, Video & Music, 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.

Bradford Joins Team

In April, the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office named Asante Bradford digital entertainment liaison. Bradford will focus on business development and identifying opportunities to encourage the continued growth of the video game development industry in Georgia.
In recent years, Bradford founded a game center entertainment arcade that provided gaming, training and Web access on state-of-the-art equipment in a LAN environment. He established educational programming, game licensing and acquisitions, in addition to planning video game tournaments for companies such as EA Sports, Red Octane and Microsoft. A native of Los Angeles, California, Bradford received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of San Francisco. In 2003 Bradford founded the Independent Black Film Festival (IBFF) held annually in Atlanta.
Georgia is home to more than 50 video game developers and development companies including

Photo: Asante Bradford
Turner GameTap, Kaneva, Inc., Hi-Rez Studios, Blue Heat Games, CCP Games and Persuasive Games. The Georgia Game Developers Association (GGDA) counts more than 2,000 Georgians employed in video game development, with over 2,000 gaming students enrolled statewide.
To reach Asante Bradford at the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, please call 404.962.4056 or e-mail him at abradford@georgia.org.

In Memoriam Mike Clark

Don't Be Left Out

Mike Clark, co-owner and manager of Southern

The Georgia Music Production SourceBook is currently accepting listings for the 2007-2008 edition. The

Tracks Recording, lost his

Georgia Film, Video & Music Office will

eight month battle with cancer again partner with Oz Publishing, Inc. to

on February 1, 2007. Clark's both print and publish online a complete

six decades of experience

listing of music industry resources in the

enabled Southern Tracks

state. The final deadline for listings and

to become one of the most

to reserve advertising space is July 20, 2007.

successful recording facilities

Last year's edition was recently

in Atlanta's history. Southern honored during the Magazine

Tracks has contributed to the Association of the Southeast's GAMMA

Photo: Mike Clark

combined sales of over forty million albums. Since 1984,

awards. The 2006-2007 Georgia Music Production SourceBook, also published

of the fewer than 300 albums to have charted No. 1 debuts at

by Oz Publishing, Inc., in conjunction

Billboard Magazine, Southern Tracks has recorded or mixed

with the Georgia Film, Video & Music

twelve of them.

Office received a Silver GAMMA for Best

In 2002 Bruce Springsteen came to Southern Tracks to record Single Issue.

his monumental return album with The E Street Band, "The

For more information regarding

Rising" as well as his solo disc from 2005, "Devils and Dust"

inclusion in the upcoming 2007-2008

both with Brendan O'Brien as producer. From Third Day to The Georgia Music Production SourceBook,

Wallflowers to Train have all recorded at Southern Tracks.

please call Gary Powell at Oz Publishing

In 1999, Clark was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall

404.633.1779 or sign up online at

of Fame.

www.ozonline.tv.

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Photo Credit: Courtsey of Southern Screen Report (c) 2007 Photo Credit:Courtsey of Southern Screen Report (c) 2007

Photo: (L-R) Benn Konsynski, Ian Bogost, Ira Deutchman and Marcus Matthews
Salzberg Keynotes C.E.C.I.L. Conference
On June 2, 2007 the Committee on Entertainment Capital, Investment and Legislation (C.E.C.I.L.) presented Investing in Georgia Film & Game Content Production at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. C.E.C.I.L. is comprised of industry professionals and Georgia entertainment industry professional trade associations. With support of the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, C.E.C.I.L. conducted this first in a series of professional education conferences targeted to Georgia-resident accredited investors. The conference goal was to educate high-net worth investors to consider investment opportunities in Georgia's indigenous entertainment industry, specifically film and video game development.

Dr. Benn Konsynski of the

Goizueta Business School served

as the program moderator. David

Salzberg, president of Mandalay

Integrated Media Entertainment,

gave the keynote address

entitled The Basics of Investing

in Content Production. Other featured speakers included Will

Photo: David Salzberg

Packer, executive producer for

Rainforest Films; Jeff Hoffman, managing partner

for Smith Hoffman Capital; Ian Bogost of Persuasive

Games; Dama Chasle and Jeffrey Begun of Axium

International; Marcus Matthews of Blue Heat Games

and Bill Thompson, director of the Georgia Film,

Video & Music Office.

The conference explored business trends in film

and game production with panels that included

"Production, Distribution and Cash Flow" as

well as a brief session overview on the current

Georgia state tax incentives for investment in content

production. For information on C.E.C.I.L., visit

http://www.lab601.com/cecil.

Stewart... continued from page 1

"Georgia's recorded music industry dates

back to the 1920's," said Bill Thompson, director

of the Georgia Film, Video & Music office.

"We are known for every genre from R&B to

bluegrass to rock, soul, country, southern rock,

rap and alternative rock. Atlanta is the hip-hop

capital of the world and Georgia music is a $2

billion dollar per year industry."

Thompson also noted that the creativity and

originality of the state's artists is reflected in

the fact that Georgians routinely have multiple

hits in the Billboard Top Ten and they also bring

home numerous GRAMMY Awards each year. The roundtable convened to begin the
conversation regarding Georgia's world class music industry future, specifically addressing

Photo: Front Row: (L-R) Charley Humbard, Dallas Austin, John Sparrow and Paul Diaz. Back Row: Paul Butler, Cappriccieo Scates, Russell Carter, Joel Katz, Bill Thompson, Rudi Schlegel, Ken Stewart, Chuck Leavell, Charlie Brusco, Dee Dee Murray, Demmette Guidry, Lisa Love, Sunshine Diaz, Steve Dancz and Bruce Burch

how to ensure continued industry growth and global

to the next level in the industry. The group agreed

recognition. During the event, industry professionals to focus on targeted initiatives, to meet twice a year

shared their insights, experience and expertise in a and to form a Georgia Music Task Force to further

free flowing collaborative effort to help take Georgia the growth of the music industry statewide.

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Photo Credit: 2007 bobmahoney.com Photo Credit: Zomba Recordings/LaFace Records

Photo: Drive-By Truckers
Countdown to AthFest

From June 20-24, 2007 AthFest will rock outdoor Photo: (L-R) Charles S. Dutton, Maggie Renzi and John Sayles stages in historic downtown Athens, Georgia. AFF Highlights
Headliners Perpetual Groove, The Whigs and

O Drive-By Truckers and many other local, regional
and nationally recognized Athens-based talent will

pening the 31st Annual Atlanta Film Festival (AFF) was the documentary Last Days of Left Eye directed

perform during the festival on two outdoor stages by Oscar Nominee Lauren Lazin. The documentary was

and in an evening "club crawl." The annual family- just one of over 150 films from around the globe featured

friendly music and arts festival will feature over 100

during AFF. During the festival's ten day run in April, over

bands.

13,000 movie fans screened a diverse line-up, engaged in

Perpetual Groove, an experimental jam band on conversations with visiting filmmakers and gleaned tips

the Athens scene, will headline the outdoor stages from industry professionals at the featured panels.

on Friday, June 22nd at 9:00 p.m. Perpetual Groove Preceding the festival was the IMAGE Film Awards Gala.

recently released their third album, "LiveLoveDie." Now in its seventh year, the Gala recognizes achievement

Pop trio, The Whigs, will headline on Saturday, June in Southeastern media arts and is IMAGE's largest annual

23rd at 9:00 p.m. Rolling Stone Magazine once

fundraising event. The Gala dinner and awards ceremony

called them "the best unsigned band in America" were held in the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fox Theatre.

while Relix Magazine named The Wigs "the next

Tony Award winner Charles S. Dutton, who stars

big thing from Athens." Southern rockers Drive-By in John Sayles and Maggie Renzi's upcoming film

Truckers will close the festival on Sunday, June 24th Honeydripper, presented Sayles and Renzi with the

at 7:00 p.m.

Ossie Davis Award. Also honored for their contributions

Since 1997, the mission of AthFest has been

to independent film and media arts were: Will Packer,

to educate citizens and visitors about the music

producer, Rainforest Films (Stomp the Yard, The Gospel)

and arts scene of Athens and to showcase the

Kenny Blank, executive director, Atlanta Jewish Film

musicians, artists, businesses and residents of the Festival and the Georgia Production Partnership, a not-

local community. Most outdoor events, including for-profit coalition of companies and individuals who are

KidsFest, are free of charge. To view the podcast active in the state's film, video, music and interactive

Countdown to AthFest 2007 or for artist listings

game industries.

and festival details visit www.athfest.com.

Music... continued from page 8
Governor Perdue acknowledged this year's GRAMMY nominees: Susan Archie, Nitti, John McCutcheon and Kendrick Dean, as well as GRAMMY winners Hillary Lindsey and the late Ossie Davis with presentations of Photo: (L-R) Commissioner Ken Stewart & Chuck Leavell commendations.

Good Eats Takes the Peabody
On June 4th, 2007 the Food Network's long-running series Good Eats, hosted by Alton Brown, received a Peabody Award. The oldest honor in electronic media, the Peabody recognizes achievement and public service by stations, networks, individuals and producing organizations. Good Eats began production in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999 and has aired since July 2000. This is the first Peabody for Brown and the Food Network.

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Class of 2007: Usher, Lynyrd Skynyrd & Freddie Cole

This year, the 29th Annual Georgia

Music Hall of Fame

Awards Show and

Banquet will kick off

Georgia Music Week.

Friends of Georgia

Photo: Usher

Music recently announced that the

2007 Hall of Fame Inductees are: R&B/Pop singer and

actor, Usher; Southern Rock Group, Lynyrd Skynyrd;

Gospel Singer/Songwriter, Mylon LeFevre; Jazz Singer,

Freddy Cole and the late Babs Richardson, who

along with her husband, Bob Richardson, owned and

operated Master Sound Recording Studios of Atlanta

for 27 years. During the event R&B singer/songwriter

Johnta Austin will receive the 2007 Bill Lowery Horizon Award.
Every year since 1979, Friends of Georgia Music has nominated, elected and inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame individuals who have made a significant contribution to Georgia's musical traditions. The awards show and banquet will be held Saturday, September 8, 2007 in the Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center and will be broadcast live on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Friends of Georgia Music annually awards scholarships that enable future musicians, songwriters and composers to continue their education and pursue their dreams. Please contact the Friends of Georgia Music Festival Inc. at 770.934.0906 for additional information.

Atlanta Screening for Coppola's CODA

Francis Ford Coppola, the award winning director of films including Apocalypse Now and The Godfather trilogy, recently screened CODA: Thirty Years Later at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. The documentary is an informal sequel to Coppola's Heart of Darkness which 30 years ago chronicled the director's problemplagued making of Apocalypse Now.
CODA: Thirty Years Later explores the inspirations and obstacles of

Coppola's filmmaking career. In addition to sharing Coppola's thoughts about filmmaking, creativity and the nature of consciousness, the film takes viewers behind the scenes of his latest feature, Youth Without Youth, which is scheduled to be released this fall. Following the screening, Coppola held a question and answer session for those attending.
Kicking off the Coppola experience on the previous evening was the screening of Hearts of Darkness at the Rialto.

Photo: Francis Ford Coppola

Photo: Alton Brown

Photo Credit: Marion Laney, Atlanta

Brown began his production career while in college at the University of Georgia, operating camera as a volunteer on a music video shoot for Athensbased R.E.M. He worked in video production and as a steadicam operator, later becoming a commercial film director with First Light Productions in Atlanta, Thom 2 Productions in Nashville and Film Fair Chicago.
Brown's life changed when wife, Deanna, challenged him to cease his complaints over the dismal quality of food television and create his own show. They packed their bags and dogs for Vermont after Brown was accepted in a two-year degree program at the New England Culinary Institute. Upon completion of his degree, Brown returned to Atlanta and worked in several high-end restaurants while concepting, then scripting the show that explores the science, anthropology, history, math and art of what we eat.
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Association Announcements:
Atlanta Screenwriters Group was founded to assist local screenwriters develop their ideas, give support, swap industry stories and provide constructive feedback for their work. For meeting information, please visit www.atlscript.org.
Atlanta Urban MediaMakers Association, Inc. (AUMAi) mission is to empower people through cultural diversity in animation, film and video. For more information on AUMAi's monthly meetings, call 770.345.8048 or visit www.urbanmediamakers.com.
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. For membership information email info@georgiaproduction.org or 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.
Media Communications AssociationInternational is a global community that provides opportunities for networking, members-only benefits, forums for education and the resources for information to media professionals. The local chapter website is www.mcaiatlanta.org.
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Recording Academy) is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and improving the cultural environment and quality of life for music and its makers. For information visit www.grammy.com/atlanta.
NATAS/Atlanta is the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. For information please call 770.414.8777.
Women in Film and Television/Atlanta (WIFT/A), is dedicated to the education, promotion, support and unification of women working in or studying film, video, television and related creative and business fields. Please check their website at www.wifta.org for meeting dates and information.
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Photo: (L-R) Terry Collis and Bill Thompson
Jackson Lensed Mrs. Hobbes' House Wraps
The independent feature Mrs. Hobbes' House, produced and directed by Terry Collis, recently completed an 18day shooting schedule in Jackson, Georgia.
The film portrays a wealthy woman who finds that she is penniless after the unexpected death of her husband. Her one possession is a dilapidated boarding house, which she eventually adopts along with its young residents.
Jackson, Georgia resident Martha Almond served as executive producer on the film and Katie Willard Troebs was production supervisor. Collis has two films slated to shoot in Georgia in 2007, each with progressively higher budgets.
Memoriam: William B. Stilwell 7/2/1949 - 3/25/2007
Bill Stilwell and his wife, Annette, moved to Atlanta in the mid-70's as part of the production crowd from North Carolina that was called the "Charlotte mafia." After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures, Photo: Bill Stilwell Stilwell started as a gaffer, became a lighting director, and then began directing in the early 80's.
Annette and Bill owned Smith & Stilwell, Inc. together, which is a payroll provider for cast, crew, stagehands and advertising photographers, as well as Stilwell Casting.
Stilwell's passion for life led to extraordinary encounters. He saw Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy's last performance in Las Vegas. He had dinner with multimillionaire entrepreneur and Segway inventor, Dean Kamen. Stilwell directed and worked with Johnny Unitas, Sonny Jurgensen, Jack Palance, Louise Mandrell, and Suzanne Somers.
Early in his career, the Stilwells were invited to move to Los Angeles, but in his own words, "I'll never regret staying put." Memorial services were held March 28th, 2007 at Piedmont Park.

Tasty Marketing

The Georgia Film, Video & Music

Office's marketing

Photo: Alison Fibben

piece entitled "Your Fortune Is In

Georgia" garnered a first place Association of Film

Commissioners International Marketing Award during

the 22nd annual AFCI Locations Trade Show in Santa

Monica, California. The competition spanned the

globe from national film commissions such as Utah

and San Francisco Film Offices to international film

commissions located in Hong Kong and South New

Zealand.

The fortunes in the "Your Fortune Is In Georgia"

cookies varied from "Shoot in Georgia & have plenty

Perry... from page 1
series. Everyone watched those shows because they made you laugh and had heart, and House of Payne is the same way."
Set and lensed in Atlanta, House of Payne features LaVan Davis as fireman Curtis "Pops" Payne, a man who believes his house should be his castle, he the king and his wife, Ella (Cassi Davis), the queen. Unfortunately, their castle has become more of a Grand Central Station thanks to frequent visits from their son Calvin, a college student whose lack of funds keeps him returning to his parents' table, as well as from their nephew CJ and his family.
Executive producer Reuben Cannon believes the link between the independent spirit of Turner (TBS) and the independent nature of Tyler Perry are a great fit. "This series was created and shot in Atlanta, the home of TBS, so what better network to air the series?"
In addition to serving as director, executive producer and writer on the show, Perry made a guest appearance in the first episode as Madea. Most recently Perry has written and directed the romantic comedy Daddy's Little Girls, starring Idris Elba and Gabrielle Union.

of money left over for the wrap party and a new Hummer." to "No grits. No glory." Project manager Alison Fibben conceived the idea and collaborated with the GDEcD marketing department to execute her concept design for the direct mail piece.
Georgia was represented at the Locations Trade Show 2007 by film location specialists Craig Dominey and Lee Thomas, as well as director Bill Thompson. The Georgia Film, Video & Music Office representatives shared booth space with Savannah Film Commissioner director Jay Self. The international trade show and seminar series was attended by more than 300 film commissions and industry company exhibitors from around the world and an estimated 4,000 film industry professionals.
Dance of the Dead Wraps
Dance of the Dead was filmed entirely in Rome and Floyd County over the course of five weeks this spring. The indie horror thriller directed by Georgians Gregg Bishop and producer Stephen Caudill, tells the story of zombies attacking on the night of the Homecoming Dance. The only people who can stop them are the losers who couldn't get dates to the dance.
"When Stephen and Gregg first approached us, they were scouting for just one specific site," said Ann Hortman sales and events coordinator for the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau. "After that initial request was fulfilled, another location request was made, and they suddenly realized we had it all! Besides the obvious benefits of economic impact to our community, we are thrilled with the exposure that is brought to our city from the film industry. We love hosting filmmakers in Rome!"
The film features an all Georgia cast and crew. Local residents and students from Coosa High School filled positions of production assistant, grip, best boy, assistant set designer and craft services assistant. Students and other residents also donned zombie attire for the late night shoots only to transform back the next morning into their high school and daily roles. Many of the students earned high school credit for their contributions as well as a listing in the movie credits.
Dance of the Dead is set for a 2008 release.
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Governor Hosts Celebrate Georgia Music
The third annual Celebrate Georgia Music reception hosted by Governor Perdue at the Mansion on March 19th brought together over 200 artists, legislators and other music industry notables. Guests included: keyboardist for Photo: (L-R) Governor Perdue and Monica the Rolling Stones, Chuck Leavell; GRAMMY winning jazz artist Earl Klugh; multi-GRAMMY nominee songstress, Monica; Otis Redding's daughter Karla ReddingAndrews; Georgia's own American Idol, Diana DeGarmo and producer Peter Conlon.
During the event, Governor Sonny Perdue honored local entertainment attorney Joel A. Katz for his work in the music industry. In addition to heading up the global entertainment law division at Greenberg Traurig, Katz serves as legal counsel for the Recording Academy and special counsel for the Country Music Association.
Music... continued on page 4

Supernatural Conjurer

The supernatural thriller Conjurer

is currently in post

production. Shot

during the month of

April in Carrollton and

Whitesburg, the film

stars Andrew Bowen,

Maxine Bahns and John

Schneider of the Dukes

of Hazzard and more

recently, Smallville fame. The Red Five

Photo: Clint Hutchinson

Entertainment feature was directed and produced

by Clint Hutchinson, co-produced by Lance

Dreesen and associate-produced by Shay Griffin.

"One of the exciting things about Conjurer

was that it was fully supported by the Carrollton

Community," Griffin said. "All funding was raised

locally."

In this thriller, photographer Shawn Burnett

reluctantly agrees to move to an isolated country

farmhouse to help his wife Helen recover from

the loss of their stillborn baby. Shawn soon

becomes convinced that the farm is haunted

and Helen becomes estranged from her on-edge

husband as the ghostly presence manifests itself in

increasingly horrific and deadly ways.

Conjurer was executed produced by Richard Mix

and Day Permuy served as line producer.

Disabled individuals requiring assistance with this information should contact: ADA Coordinator - GDEcD / P. O. Box 1776, Atlanta, GA 30301-1776 TL: (404) 962-4106 / FX: (404) 962-4098 / TDD: 1-800-255-0056

Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia Film, Video & Music Post Office Box 1776 Atlanta, Georgia 30301-1776

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