Volume 23, Number 3 Summer 2007 Recording Academy Honors Georgians Randy and the Mob Opens Photo credit: Courtesy The Recording Academy Photo credit: Paula Deen Enterprises Photo credit: John Estes The recipients of The Recording Academy's HonorsTM 2007 were spotlighted during a gala event attended by recording artists, key entertainment executives and community leaders. Honorees were co- owner and manager of Southern Tracks Photo: (L-R) Garth Brooks, Ludacris and Trisha Yearwood Recording, the late Mike Clark, GRAMMY winner Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Organized Noize Productions and GRAMMY winner Trisha Yearwood. Held on April 26 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, the program was emceed by Ryan Cameron and Leslie Fram. Honors... continued on page 3 Deen Brings Home Emmys On June 14th Paula Deen was presented with two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lifestyle Host (Paula's Home Cooking) and Outstanding Lifestyle Program (Paula's Home Cooking) during the 34th Annual Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards. The event awards performers, producers, and craftspeople in daytime television including drama, talk shows, children's programming, game shows and lifestyle programs. Photo: Paula Deen "This has clearly been the most surreal week for me," commented Paula Deen. "I am grateful for this honor and for everyone on my team who worked so hard to make this possible. I feel truly blessed." Since November 2005, Deen has taped episodes of Paula's Home Cooking at her home in Savannah, Georgia. The Emmy awards come on the heels of Deen being voted by Forbes Magazine Photo: Ray McKinnon Academy Award winning director Ray McKinnon's slice of Southern life comedy Randy and the Mob, will be released September 21st. Winner of the Audience Choice Award at the 2007 Nashville Film Festival and shot on location in and around Atlanta by all Southern filmmakers, Randy and the Mob is a reminder of the strength of Southern roots, where love and family can usually be counted on to trump all adversities. It's the story of good ol' boy Randy Pearson (McKinnon), who can't seem to help getting in over his head. His latest scheme to keep his businesses afloat goes awry when a long-standing debt becomes due to a couple of low level Italian mobsters. Randy's forced to swing into action, but his only hope is a helping hand from his carpal-tunneled, baton-teaching wife (Golden Globe Nominee Lisa Blount); his estranged, Dean... continued on page 7 Mob... continued on page 2 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. Photo Credit: John Estes Photo Credit: Alfeo Dixon Featured Location: Georgia Aquarium The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the world's largest with more than eight million gallons of water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium. It has served as the backdrop for projects ranging from Tyler Perry's feature film Daddy's Little Girls, to an episode of Alton Brown's television series Good Eats. The mission of the Georgia Aquarium is to be an entertaining, educational and scientific institution featuring exhibits and programs of the highest standards, offering engaging and exciting guest experiences and promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world. To view the aquarium online, visit Photo: (L-R) Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Lauryn McClain, Sierra McClain and China Anne McClain in Lionsgate's Daddy's Little Girls. www.georgiaaquarium.org. Mob... continued from page 1 Rome Hosts Fourth Annual RIFF Photo: (L-R) Walter Goggins and Lisa Blount gay twin brother (also played by McKinnon) and "Tino Armani" (The Shield's Walton Goggins), a mysterious modern day prophet with a knack for high fashion, Italian cooking and clogging. Randy and the Mob is distributed by Capricorn Pictures (an off-shoot of the Southern Rock label Capricorn Records), founded by Benjy Griffith and the late Phil Walden to establish a creative home for talented Southern filmmakers. A companion soundtrack will be released through Lakeshore Records, featuring a score by John Swihart (Napoleon Dynamite) and songs from numerous other artists. The fourth annual Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) will bring new, independent films from around the globe to Rome, Georgia. Screenings will take place September 6-9, 2007, in historic downtown Rome in venues that include the DeSoto Theatre, the first talkie movie theater in the South and the Forum Civic Center. The festival will include 125 films representing more than 40 countries. Films will be shown in the categories of narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental, both feature length and shorts. "I think this is one of the strongest film rosters we have ever presented," said Harry Musselwhite, RIFF programming director. "We have been universally hailed by the independent film press this year, and our exciting submissions' quality truly reflects the way the film festival world views the RIFF." RIFF is hailed as one of "20 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in the current issue of MovieMaker magazine, the best-selling independent film magazine in the world. "This is a huge honor for Rome and the Rome International Film Festival," said Barry Norman, RIFF executive director. "Rome should be proud to be included among the ranks of the best independent film festivals in the country, especially when you consider that there are hundreds of film festivals just in the United States." The Rome International Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 6, with the Opening Night Film and Opening Night Gala. Films will screen all day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The festival will conclude with the Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening, September 9. For the full festival schedule, visit www.riff.tv. 2 Photo Credit: Vincenza Salandra Photo: (L-R) Helge Gerull, Jeff Stephenson, Ashley Epting and Jane Kelly Kosek The Hill Shoots in Athens Wonder Entertainment went into production on a 35mm feature film titled The Hill (aka The Ride of Nine) in Athens, Georgia in July 2007. The film stars Desmond Harrington (Ghost Ship) and Jon Abrahams (Scary Movie), Liane Balaban (Saint Jude), Barry Corbin (One Tree Hill), Will Estes (Reunion), Elden Henson (She's All That), Christian Kane (Angel), Sunny Mabrey (Snakes on a Plane), Kathleen Robertson (Hollywoodland) and Sara Rue (The Ring). The Hill tells the story of a group of college friends who reunite at a Southern weekend wedding in Athens, Georgia. The original version of the script was set in the Hamptons, but when the filmmakers visited Georgia, they felt that the scenery, community support and tax incentives merited a rewrite of the script and a change of setting to Athens. Jane Kelly Kosek (Tennessee) of Wonder Entertainment is producing, with Ashley Epting executive producing. Epting is building a film fund in Georgia and plans to collaborate with Wonder Entertainment to make two films a year, with at least one of the two filmed locally. The majority of the financing for The Hill is from Georgia investors. The Hill is the feature directorial debut for Jeff Stephenson. An award-winning director, Stephenson was voted by the Canadian periodical NOW as the number one Canadian filmmaker to look out for in 2004. Helge Gerull served as DP for The Hill. The soundtrack, which is expected to be a major element in the project, will showcase Georgia artists of several genres. Honors... continued from page 1 During the evening, tribute presentations included performances by GRAMMY Award winner Michael McDonald; GRAMMY Award winner Pat Monahan and members of modern rock band Train; Dawn Robinson, formerly of En Vogue; Diana DeGarmo and Disturbing Tha Peace recording artist Bobby Valentino. The program also included celebrity presenters including country music producer Garth Fundis, rock producer Brendan O'Brien, GRAMMY Award winner Antwan "Big Boi" Patton of the rap duo OutKast and the chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group, Antonio "LA" Reid. The Recording Academy Honors was established to celebrate outstanding individuals whose work embodies excellence and integrity and who have improved the environment for the creative community. Event proceeds support the Chapter's ongoing advocacy, education and professional development programs. For more information about The Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. SIEGE Set for Atlanta The Georgia Game Developers Association (GGDA) has announced plans for the Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE). Scheduled for October 57, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Perimeter Hotel in Atlanta, SIEGE will focus on the fast-growing video game design and development industry in the South. SIEGE's speakers include leading figures from across the spectrum of the industry, including artists and developers, programmers, designers, writers, teachers and business executives. Special events include game design tournaments, game playing tournaments, a job fair party, and a student fair for high school students and others looking for colleges. Sessions will focus on the latest software, game design techniques, business issues, starting a new company and more. The SIEGE event has attracted a variety of sponsors, including Georgia's Film, Video & Music Office, universities, colleges, and video game design companies. For more information, please visit http://www.siegecon.net/. 3 Networking at GameTap The Georgia Film, Video & Music Office (GFVM) and GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), held their first `Game Industry Networking Mixer' at GameTap's Atlanta office on Thursday, July 19th. The mixer was organized to promote the growth of the video game industry in the state of Georgia and to allow game developers and artists to mingle with fellow members. The event was hosted by Bill Thompson, head of GFVM, and Stuart Snyder, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media division. Snyder oversees GameTap as well as the cable television networks Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Adult Swim; the digital businesses Cartoonnetwork.com, Adultswim.com, Toonami Jetstream, Cartoon Network Video and Super Deluxe. "Being based in Atlanta, Turner Broadcasting is dedicated to supporting the growth of the digital entertainment and video game industry here in Georgia," said Snyder. "We were thrilled at the opportunity to team up with the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, as well as the Georgia Game Developers Association, to host this important event." "The video game development industry is fast becoming a major component of the entertainment mix in Georgia," said Thompson. "We want to lead the way into becoming a "hot spot" in the thriving and powerful Photo: (L-R) Stuart Snyder and Asante Bradford video game development industry. We've received tremendous support from the game community and Georgia Game Developers Association members." Georgia is home to more than 50 video game developers and development companies including GameTap, Kaneva, Inc., Hi-Rez Studios, Blue Heat Games and CCP (formerly White Wolf). According to the Georgia Game Developers Association (GGDA), more than 2,000 Georgians are employed in some form of video game development. "Georgia's video game community is expanding and word is getting out about our efforts to grow this industry," stated Asante Bradford, Digital Entertainment Liaison with GFVM office. "This event was great start and we are very excited about the upcoming mixers in the works at other game industry companies around the state. We want to encourage entrepreneurs to work, develop and grow the video game industry here, because we feel the future of video game production in Georgia has never been more promising." Kossover Wins With CBS Photo: (L-R) Herb Kossover, Stephany Fisher, Gene Norman and Cynn Simpson Director Herb Kossover has been awarded the top prize in news promos for his work with CBS Atlanta. CBS Atlanta won the Southeastern Emmy for "Best News Promo Campaign" on June 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia. "It was a great opportunity to craft the spots for CBS Atlanta and garner the top prize," said Kossover. CBS's Ken Bauer was hands-on along with other staff in helping procure the necessary news vans and personnel for the spots. Motion-controlled time lapse and aerials were integral to the campaign, along with scenic vistas of Atlanta and the CBS Atlanta anchors and news operations. The two day shoot used an all-Atlanta crew with Amy Taylor producing and agency producer, Kathy Schlesinger and creative director, Derrick Ogilvie along with Suzanne Blankenship, account director of the Hauser Group. Post production was completed at Lvngrm Editorial; one of Atlanta's newest post facilities. Shannon O'Brien edited the spots with compositing by Jim Bowhall. 4 Photo Credit: Chirs Young Photo: (L-R) Camy Arnett and Tripp Rhame Full Throttle for Spitfire Spitfire Studios recently collaborated with NewYork agency SpikeDDB to produce two :60 spots for Royal Caribbean's national campaign, On Their Way. Director/DP Tripp Rhame, along with executive producer Shelley Culp, worked with local crew to shoot on location in CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas. Colorists Richard Parker and Dave Pickett handled the film to tape transfers as well as final shot to shot color correction at Color Bay. Post production was provided by North Avenue Post, with editor Azita Ayagh and sound designer Shawn Conrad at the helm. Dung Tien Le of 2 to Design contributed the motion graphics. Within days of their return, the Spitfire crew jumped into two productions, both for divisions within the Cartoon Network. Working with writer/creative director Mary Rutt and producer Leslie Kleine, the studio shot a promo for the animated Ben 10 movie sponsored by food giant ConAgra. Closely following was a location shoot in Piedmont Park on a summer ID campaign. The Cartoon Network creative team included associate creative director Craig "Sven" Gordon, producer Heather Reilly and writer Matt Shapiro. Lena Baker Story Shoots in Georgia Photo: (L-R) Governor Sonny Perdue and Prime Minister Bertie Ahern Georgia Music Goes Global During a ten day business and diplomatic mission in Europe this summer, Governor Sonny Perdue presented Mr. Bertie Ahern, Taoiseach, (Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland), with a limited edition collection of Georgia music. The Governor made similar presentations in France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium. To read about the mission, please visit www.stateofgeorgiamissions.com. Schuster's Cash LLC is in production on Forgiving Injustice: The Lena Baker Story. The feature will be shot at the Jokara-Micheaux Film/Television/Music Production Studio, a new 22,000 square foot facility in Colquitt, Georgia. Based on a true story, Forgiving Injustice: The Lena Baker Story follows the life, trial and execution of Lena Baker. Baker was the first and only woman to be executed in Georgia's electric chair. The movie will explore the issues behind her trial and conviction. The film, from a script by Dr. Lela Phillips, is executive produced by Ralph Wilcox. Southwest Georgia filming information is available at www.swgafilms.com. Photo: Ralph Wilcox 5 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. 6 Photo: (L-R): Andrew Johnston, Jeremiah Prescott and Linda Burns Doc Focuses on Triathlete's Journey Living is Winning, the sports documentary based on the life of Decatur, Georgia resident Andrew `Drew' Johnston, wrapped principal photography in August. Producers Linda Burns of Plexus Pictures and Jeff Keating of Doghouse Pictures, have been in production for the past year. The crew, David Bruckner, JD Taylor, Jeremiah Prescott, Nick Hiltgen, Chris Tsambis, Jason O'Donnell and Megan Melgaard, traveled the country shooting triathlons and interviews with athletes, doctors, volunteers, spectators, friends and family. Johnston began his athletic career as a cyclist, quickly gaining professional status, but after a series of crashes and concussions, he was forced to stop competing. Introduced to triathlons, he quickly found success and a new career, but 2004 brought a diagnosis of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and his body literally broke down. After taking the drug Gleevac and continuing his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, rigorous exercise and a positive mental attitude, Johnston is in remission. Living is Winning captures the triathlete, living and competing with an incurable cancer as he endures the rigors of training on the road to the most celebrated triathlon in the world, the Ford Ironman World Championship. Community support for the project has run the gamut, from contributions made through IMAGE Film & Video Center's Fiscal Sponsorship Program, to donated and heavily discounted equipment from Toybox Productions, PC&E, Richard Williams at Post 22, as well as the time and equipment of numerous volunteers. For more information, visit www.doghousepictures.biz. Photo credit: Jason O'Donnell Photo: Chris Rickwood Rickwood Scores On The Wii Composer Chris Rickwood was commissioned by game developer Retro Studios to compose an original musical score for several commercial spots promoting Nintendo's, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The score features a mixture of intense electronica elements and high energy orchestral fanfares to create an adrenaline induced dramatic experience. These promotions are available for direct download on the Nintendo Wii Dean... from page 1 game console using the recently launched WiiWare service. Currently, Rickwood is working on several next generation console and online titles for clients such as Hi-Rez Studios, Microsoft, THQ and Cartoon Network. His previous work can be heard on over 20 games for Cartoon Network New Media, several PC games including Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Civil War: Bull Run, The Apprentice: Los Angeles, and other gaming media such as mobile phones and video slot machines. For additional information on Rickwood, please visit www.rickwoodmusic.com and to learn more about Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, visit www.retrostudios.com. Atlantis Music Conference On September 19-22, 2007, the Atlantis Music Conference and Festival will take place mainly in Midtown and other select areas of Atlanta. The event will feature hundreds of showcasing artists from around the globe. In addition to being an educational conference, Atlantis is a true music festival, featuring a diverse mix of talent including rock, hip-hop, R&B, country, singer/songwriter, soul, Latin, pop, metal and more. More than 300 artists will play over three nights at selected Atlanta area music venues. Showcase events are open to admission to all conference registrants and to the general public. Members of the public may elect to purchase wristbands which will provide access into all Atlantis showcase events. In addition, a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door at each venue based on capacity and attendance limitations for each venue. Founded in 1998, the Atlantis Music Conference's mission is to become the greatest platform for the discovery of new talent. To check festival schedules or register for the conference, please visit www.atlantismusic.com. Photo: On the set of Paula's Home Cooking as one of the 2007 100 Most Powerful Celebrities. In addition to her two shows on the Food Network, Paula's Home Cooking and Paula's Party, Deen is the author of six best selling cookbooks and most recently her memoir, "Paula Deen: It Ain't All About The Cookin," published by Simon & Schuster. The memoir has been on the New York Times Best Seller List since it was released in April. Her magazine, "Cooking With Paula Deen," is published by Hoffman Media and is number one in its category. Photo credit: Paula Deen Enterprises 7 Photo: (L-R) Pamela Peacock, Richard Sampson, Luke Perry, Jimmi Simpson and John Stanier Good Intentions Wraps Production Shadowlight Picture's feature film Good Intentions has wrapped production. Filmed in Atlanta, Newborn and Rutledge, Georgia, the feature stars country singer LeAnn Rimes, Luke Perry, Elaine Hendrix, Randy McDowell and Greg Alan Williams. Etta Milford is a loving wife, doting mother and armed robber. Inspired by the success stories on The Antiques Roadshow, Etta decides to invest in antiques and sell them off to bankroll her kids' college fund. To raise investment capital, Etta dons a ski mask and moonlights as the county's most wanted criminal. She turns the fictional town of Myra, Georgia upside down, outwitting local authorities and pulling heists between carpools and little league games. Etta's plan takes an interesting turn as she uses her loot to purchase "antiques" that she doesn't realize are fakes. Good Intentions is produced by Richard Sampson and Pamela Peacock and directed by Jim Issa. For more information on the film, please visit www.shadowlightpictures.com. Tyler Perry Studios In October, director/ writer/actor Tyler Perry, returns to the big screen with his fourth Georgia-lensed feature film, Why Did I Get Photo: (L-R) Tasha Smith, Janet Jackson and Sharon Leal Married? Perry stars alongside an ensemble cast that includes Janet Jackson, Malik Yoba, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Denise Boutte and Lamann Rucker. Why Did I Get Married? is written and directed by Perry, and is produced by Reuben Cannon. Tyler Perry Studios also recently wrapped five weeks of production in Atlanta, Georgia on the Lionsgate feature film Meet The Browns. Also written and directed by Perry and produced by Cannon, the movie is a romantic drama about the power of love and family. Meet The Browns stars Perry, Angela Bassett, David Mann and Tamela Mann. The studio is also currently in production on the television series House of Payne which began shooting on February 5th and will be completed in November. The project is filmed exclusively in Atlanta. 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 PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID Atlanta, GA Permit No. 707 8