Georgia film, video & music [Vol. 24, no. 1 (Winter 2008)]

Volume 24, Number 1

Winter 2008

Savannah Film Fest Celebrates Milestone Perry Once Again Tops Box Office

Photo credit: Dave Allocca/ Startraksphoto.com Photo credit: Alfreo Dixon

Photo: (L-R) Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Celebrating a decade in cinema, the 2007 Savannah Film Festival presented Lifetime Achievement Awards for Acting to Michael Douglas and Vanessa, Lynn and Corin Redgrave during Opening Night ceremonies. Hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the annual festival spanned the full range of cinematic creativity from award-winning professionals to emerging student filmmakers, featuring independent, innovative and influential films from around the world, as well as workshops, panel discussions and presentations.
The festival, which ran from October 27 November 3, featured the inaugural Savannah Film Festival Conference for Entertainment Investing hosted by SCAD, Ariel Savannah Angel Partners and The Creative Coast Initiative. The conference held four sessions, led by investing experts that included feature film financing, investment

On its opening weekend,

Why Did I Get

Married? finished

No. 1 at the box

office in North

America ringing

in an estimated

$21.5 million. The

film subsequently

grossed in excess

of $55 million.

Atlanta resident

Tyler Perry wrote,

directed, executive

produced and

Photo: (L-R) Sharon Leal and Tyler Perry

starred in this Georgia-lensed film. Produced by

Reuben Cannon, the film's cast includes Janet Jackson

and Jill Scott. Why Did I Get Married? follows the trials

Perry... continued on page 5

Music Industry Task Force Meets

Photo: (L-R) Russell Carter and Chuck Leavell

The inaugural meeting of the Georgia Music Industry Task Force was convened on September 26, with a follow-up meeting held 60 days later. The mission of the Task Force, an outgrowth of the Georgia Music Industry Roundtable, is to

Savannah... continued on page 3

Task Force... 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: Guy D'Alema

One Missed Call Opens Nationwide

In the supernatural thriller One Missed Call, a chain of people receive terrifying cell phone messages of their own final fatal moments. Shot in Atlanta, One Missed Call stars Shannyn Sossamon, Ed Burns, Ana Claudia Talancon, Ray Wise and Azura Skye. The film opened nationwide on January 4.
One Missed Call was directed by Eric Valette, from a screenplay by Andrew Klavan, based upon the novel "Chakushin Ari" by Yasushi Akimoto. One Missed Call marked the third time in recent years that Timothy M. Bourne (Drumline, ATL) has returned to Georgia to serve as one of the film's

Photo: (L-R) Ray Wise, Shannyn Sossamon and Ana Claudia Talancon
executive producers. To view the film's trailer, visit www.onemissedcallmovie.com.

Task Force... continued from page 1

further the growth and development of Georgia's extensive music scene and to ultimately create a professional Georgia Music Organization. Georgia has become the music capitol of the South with over 30 Georgia connected artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and engineers nominated for 2007 GRAMMY Awards.
"Georgia's music industry continues to grow exponentially," stated Bill Thompson, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the head of the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office. "The industry represents $2 billion in annual economic

impact for our state and has brought worldwide recognition of Georgia as a music powerhouse."
The Georgia Music Industry Task Force members all serve on one of four committees. The committees are the New Programming Committee chaired by Chris Klaus, the Legislative Committee chaired by Senator Lee Hawkins, the Liaison with the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Committee chaired by Lisa Love and the Marketing and Promotions Committee chaired by Paul Butler. The November Task Force Meeting was chaired by GDEcD Commissioner Ken Stewart and Thompson. The next meeting will be held in the spring.

Turner & Kaneva Create Virtual World Presence

Turner Broadcasting System has signed a oneyear deal with Kaneva to build and test virtual world extensions of its entertainment properties. The agreement grants Turner access to Kaneva's technology and tools to create and use Web communities and Virtual Spaces on the Kaneva Web site and in the virtual world of Kaneva.
Each Turner Web Community and corresponding Virtual World space inside Kaneva will be enabled with embedded video players for video streaming of select Turner network content. One of the foregoing Turner Virtual Spaces will be an external space that

will link to the other Turner Virtual Spaces, as well as other areas within Kaneva's Virtual World.
Christopher Klaus, founder and CEO of Kaneva said, "Turner is an ideal flagship media partner for Kaneva. Turner's high quality programming and credibility is synergistic with our unique focus on delivering entertainment to the masses inside a virtual world. As a result of this partnership, we will provide entirely new ways for audiences to watch, participate and interact around their favorite TV programming."
For more information, visit www.kaneva.com/news.

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developer with plans for the farmland that set

off a series of strange and ominous events.

Conjurer was shot in Carroll County in

April. Red Five Entertainment Partners Randy

Simpkins, Clint Hutchison and Lance Dreesen,

Photo: (L-R) Lance Dreesen, Alison Fibben, Bill Thompson, Shay Griffin and Clint Hutchinson

along with executive producer Richard Mix, were determined from the outset to make it a community-based project.

Conjurer Premieres at the Fox

"We wanted this to be something that everyone in Carroll County could be a part of, instead of

The world premiere of Red Five Entertainment's supernatural thriller Conjurer was held on November 12th at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The film's stars Andrew Bowen and Maxine Bahns attended the premiere, along with local and state dignitaries.
Bowen and Bahns star as Sean and Helen Burnett, a young couple who move to the country to recover from a personal tragedy, only to be swept up in the mystery that surrounds an old cabin behind their farmhouse. John Schneider stars as Frank Higgins, a

having the area simply be a backdrop for the film," producer Dreesen said. "And we are thrilled that the community has given the film such tremendous support."
Red Five Entertainment recently relocated its production offices from Los Angeles to Carrollton, Georgia. Their next project, a family actionadventure thriller A.G.E.N.T.S., will also be produced in Carroll County in spring of 2008. To view the trailer for Conjurer, please visit the film's website at www.conjurer-movie.com.

Savannah... continued from page 1
opportunities, revenue streams, distribution and return on investment.
This year marked the debut of the WagnerCuban Pioneer in Entertainment and Media Award, named after entrepreneurs and business partners Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban to honor those who have made groundbreaking impact in the entertainment and media industries. Todd Wagner was the inaugural recipient of the award.
During the festival, actor, director, writer and producer John Sayles was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Directing. Brett Ratner was honored by the college and Achievement Awards were presented to directors Milos Forman and William Friedkin.
The 2007 Savannah Film Festival closed with the presentations of Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award to screenwriter David Benioff and

Photo Credit: Image by Dane Sponberg, Savannah College of Art and Design

Photo: (L-R) Lynn Redgrave, Corin Redgrave and Vanessa Redgrave
a Lifetime Achievement Award for Entertainment Journalism to broadcast journalist Charlie Rose.
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Redding's Legacy Celebrated
Marking the 40th Anniversary of his passing, the late Otis Redding was recently honored during a week of events in Macon, Georgia, culminating in An Evening of R-E-S-P-E-C-T...the Legacy Continues Musical Tribute. The late artist is ranked #21 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list. Redding's legacy includes a string of hits including "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "Satisfaction," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Respect" and "(Sittin' on the) Dock of the Bay."
"It was an evening to remember," said Redding's widow, Zelma. Photo: (L-R) Commissioner Ken Stewart and Zelma Redding "Seeing my sons perform Otis' music with the Bar-Kays brought back so many memories of Otis' days performing with that band. It was an excellent evening and we raised over $100,000 for The Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation."
The musical tribute, hosted by Kenny Lattimore and Chant Moore, featured performances by Dexter and Otis Redding, III, the Macon Symphony Orchestra, the Bar-Kays, Taj Mahal and American Idol finalist, Diana DeGarmo, for the audience of over 2,000.
Commemorative events also included the opening of the Otis Redding: I've Got Dreams To Remember, exhibit at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The multimedia, interactive exhibit, on display until September 8, 2008, features photographs, handwritten lyrics, posters, letters and memorabilia. Complete information on tribute events is available at www.otisredding.com.

Spano Named Conductor of the Year

Musical America has named Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director

Robert Spano as the 2008 Conductor

of the Year. Presented during a special

ceremony at Lincoln Center on December

13, the Award recognizes artistic

excellence and achievement in the arts.

Also being honored by Music America

are Musician of the Year, Russian soprano

Photo credit: Andrew Eccles

Anna Netrebko; Composer of the Year,

Kaija Saariaho; Instrumentalist of the Year,

Charles Rosen and Ensemble of the Year,

Chanticleer.

In announcing the 2008 Conductor of

the Year Award, Music America stated

Photo: Robert Spano

that "Robert Spano is that rare American conductor who has been able to launch

CCP Taps Georgia Talent

a successful career in his native country. Known for his imaginative programming and deep commitment to music of his own era, Spano, in his six years with the Atlanta Symphony, has brought the orchestra increasingly into the limelight with a commissioning and recording program that is the envy of orchestras everywhere."
The Musical America Awards date to the first year the International Directory of the Performing Arts was published in 1960. Additional to the annual awards and the Musical America Directory, is MusicalAmerica.com, which traces its roots back to the weekly newspaper Musical America, first published in 1898.

Iceland-based CCP, one of the world's leading independent game developers, announced in October the expansion of its US operations by unveiling its North American headquarters in Stone Mountain, GA. CCP aims to create games in which the players are the central focus, and the role of artificial intelligence is as limited as possible. The company's expansion to North America exemplifies the gaming
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industry surge in Atlanta. "CCP is excited to be at the epicenter of the US
online gaming industry," said Mike Tinney, president of CCP North America. "Following the merger of CCP and White Wolf Publishing last year, we look forward to expanding our CCP North American team and player base over the course of this year."
EVE Online, CCP's massively multiplayer online
CCP... continued on page 6

Photo: Southwest DeKalb High School Marching Panther Band
Drumroll: SWD on Peachtree TV
Peachtree TV teamed with film and music producer Dallas Austin to step to the beat of the Southwest DeKalb (SWD) High School Marching Panther Band. Dallas Austin's Drumroll: SWD, Peachtree TV's first unscripted original series, takes viewers behind the scenes of the Marching Panthers, who were featured in the 2002 Austin-produced feature film Drumline. The series premiered on November 27 and aired as one-

hour episodes on four consecutive Tuesdays. The 300 member strong Southwest DeKalb High
School Marching Panther Band has been recognized for its musicianship, precision in marching and innovative, high-energy performances. The band has performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City; the Carnival of Flowers in Nice, France; the opening ceremony of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia and the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
Drumroll: SWD opens with the Marching Panther's band camp, where members spend several days in concentrated practice, drilling their complex and intricate half-time shows. The series follows them through the high school football season, as they provide halftime performances that bring the crowds to their feet every single week. It also focuses on the band's practices and performances, and on the students, their personal lives and their dedication to becoming the best at what they do.

Nikkiyo Films Wraps Production on Short

Atlanta-based Nikkiyo Films has wrapped production on the short film Whistle Lesson. The film is about a young girl's special relationship with her grandfather, the valuable lessons he teaches her and the enduring strength of family ties and spiritual bonds. Filmed in Southwest Atlanta and College Park, Georgia, the SAG signatory project was shot on mini-DV within a six day production schedule.
This story of family, love and faith stars Georgia-based stage and screen veterans Charles Black and Freda Scott Giles, and features the film debut of seven-year-old Josephine Lawrence. The cast also includes Aviya Payne, James Austin and writer/director Nikki Young.
Tony "Shock" Shockency served as DP, with Judge Luckey as the project's associate producer and casting director. The film features the music of Brandon Kane, along with an original score composed by Krisi Young. For more information, visit www.nikkiyofilms.com.

Photo: (L-R) Charles Black and Josephine Lawrence

Perry... from page 1

trials of couples re-evaluating their relationships at an annual reunion.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Perry's two previous first-place openers, both of which were filmed in Georgia, Diary of a Mad Black Woman debuted at $21.9 million and Madea's Family Reunion at $30 million.

Perry has also completed 100 episodes of his television series, House of Payne. The series' first run is on TBS, with the network broadcast premiere on Fox in February. Perry's next feature, Meet the Browns, will open March 21, 2008. For more information, visit www. tylerperry.com.

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Good Intentions With Crawford
Crawford Post Production worked with producers Richard Sampson, Pamela Peacock and director Jim Issa of Atlanta-based Shadowlight Pictures on their independent film Good Intentions. The "offbeat, southern caper comedy" by Anthony Stephenson, a top-50 Project Greenlight finalist in 2003, attracted a cast that includes Luke Perry and
Photo: Greg Crawford
LeAnn Rimes and a veteran crew. Crawford's team provided services on and off-location during the film's production by preparing dailies and recording audio effects.
Filming took place in and around metroAtlanta. "Some of the best crews are here," said Sampson, "plus with the incentives offered by the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, it was hard to turn down this location. Of course, being based out of Decatur, we are only 15 minutes away from Crawford."
With the production site nearby, Crawford's senior sound designer Greg Crawford took advantage of additional opportunities to create audio effects that were not captured during filming. "I recorded room tones, doors, coolers and other odds and ends including car sounds from the vehicle used in the film," said Crawford. "I also walked many of the spaces for footstep fills and movement, this made the process of editing and matching backgrounds and sound effects go quicker."
For the latest information on Good Intentions visit www.shadowlightpictures.com. Crawford Post Production can be located at www.crawfordpost.com.
CCP... continued from page 4
game (MMOG), has a subscription base of more than 190,000 players in more than 200 countries. Currently, 40% of all EVE Online players are located in the United States.
CCP North America plans to hire more than 100 new employees for MMOG development and design positions at its Stone Mountain, GA office over the next 12 months. More information is available at www.ccp.games.

Photo credit: Courtesy Kennesaw State University

Photo: (L-R) Usher, Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey, L.A. Reid
2007 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Inductees
The 29th Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show and Banquet was held in September at the Georgia World Congress Center. Usher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mylon LeFevre, Freddy Cole, Babs Richardson and Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, with Johnta Austin named the winner of the 2007 Bill Lowery Horizon Award.
The Awards Show featured performances by each inducted artist, as well as performances from Allen Toussaint, Johnta Austin and Rob Evan. The show was broadcast live on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
The 2008 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show is scheduled for September 20, 2008 at the Georgia World Congress Center in the Tom Murphy Ballroom. For more information, please contact Friends of Georgia Music at 770.491.9494 extn.15.
BET `07: Style, Substance & Swagger
The universal appeal of Hip-Hop was celebrated when the BET Hip-Hop Awards 2007 returned to Atlanta on October 13. Hosted by actor/comedian Katt Williams, the two-hour awards show from Atlanta's Civic Center featured appearances by LL Cool J, Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Jermaine Dupri, Hill Harper, Lauren London, Lil Mama, Twista, Phonte, Kardinal Offishal, Stat Quo, Cee-Lo, Melyssa Ford, Rocsi and Terrence.
Kanye West kicked off the night performing two hits from his new album. Lil Wayne world premiered "Gossip," and Nelly didn't hold anything back for his world premiere of "Go Lil Mama," bringing out a female drumline to accompany his dancers.
BET... continued on page 8

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Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B Returns to Atlanta

Photo: Kerica Griggs
Griggs Joins Film Office
In June, the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office (GFVMO) welcomed Kerica Griggs as its new Administrative Assistant. The Film, Video & Music office is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
"We are pleased to have Kerica join us as the newest member of our team," said Bill Thompson, Deputy Commissioner of the department and head of the Film, Video & Music division. "She has already demonstrated outstanding customer service skills, excellent initiative and creative talents. Kerica handles her own responsibilities and assists each team member as needed."
Prior to joining the GFVMO, Griggs worked for five years as a Case Management Assistant for administrative judges in the Office of State Administrative Hearings. Searching for a change and more advancement potential, she joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development as the department's receptionist for a short time.
Now, as an integral member of the Film, Video & Music team, Griggs will focus on assisting with the reviewing of qualified applicants for tax credits, preparation for board meetings, event planning, locations assistance, marketing and other administrative responsibilities.
To reach Kerica Griggs at the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office, please call 404.962.4052 or e-mail her at kgriggs@georgia.org.

The world of Hip-Hop/R&B returned to Atlanta for the third consecutive year to attend the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference and Awards November 28-30. In its eighth year, the three-day event, held at the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown hosted hundreds of industry players including agents, artists, managers, producers, media and record label executives.
Conference events, panels and workshops included a Q&A interview by Billboard Senior Correspondent Gail Mitchell with founder of Loud Records and SRC and Hip-Hop pioneer Steve Rifkind, an awards party honoring Hip-Hop Founders Award recipients Stephanie Mills and Salt-N-Pepa as well as a special awards reception celebrating the best in R&B and Hip-Hop radio.
Atlanta talent Johnta Austin, ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, interviewed Big Jon Platt, the newly named President/ West Coast of EMI Publishing. The conference closed with all participants gathering to honor the Otis Redding Excellence Award recipient at one of the largest R&B/Hip-Hop events of the year.
Bradford Explores Semana Pyme
In mid September, Georgia Film, Video & Music Digital Entertainment Liaison Asante Bradford attended the Small Business Conference, Semana Pyme 2007, in order to explore potential videogame and film opportunities in South America. Semana Pyme 2007 was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Bradford noted the timing of the trip was perfect since Brazil and Argentina are now making major progress in videogame development.
"I was able to meet with government and business leaders to promote awareness of Georgia's technological expertise and leadership in the film, music & videogaming areas," said Bradford. "We will be seeking to develop new relationships and to build on successful existing engagement in Latin American countries. `Going Global' has been one of our goals in the videogame market because of the international reach that videogame development offers. We have just had two international videogame companies set up shop in Georgia."
Semana Pyme 2007, sponsored by Citibank, is designed to support and strengthen the competitiveness of Latin American entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises and set the stage for further penetration of these markets.

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Photo: (L-R) Front Jennifer Deaton, Kent Osborne, Doug Sadler, Joy Lusco-Kecken, Michael Lucker, Caitlin McCarthy, Steven Brooks, Yarrow Wayman, Traci Carroll, Maya Mayeux, Avi Weider, Bret Wood
AFF Screenplay Winners' Retreat
During the weekend of November 9-11 the Atlanta Film Festival (AFF) welcomed six writerwinners of the 2007 Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition and six industry mentors to a workshop retreat held at the Margaret Mitchell House.
The competition winners were: Steven Brooks of Suwanee, GA (Apparition); Yarrow Wayman of Tacoma, WA (Molewackers); Jennifer Deaton of Los

Angeles, CA (Pentimenti); Bret Wood of College Park, GA (The Seventh Daughter); Caitlin McCarthy of Worcester, MA (Vera); Avi Weider of Brooklyn, NY (Zeroes and Ones).
Lending their expertise as Screenplay Retreat Mentors were: writer/director/ producer Traci Carroll (2005 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting SemiFinalist, Creative Director at Warner Brothers); writer/director/producer Joy Lusco Kecken (HBO's The Wire, NBC's Homicide Life on the Street); writer/ actor Kent Osborne (Hannah Takes The Stairs, Dropping Out, Emmy Nominated for Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants and Camp Lazlo); writer/ director Doug Sadler (Riders, Swimmers) and writer Michael Lucker (Mulan II, Vampire In Brooklyn).
In addition to group sessions, the winners of the competition were paired with industry professionals for one-on-one mentoring that provided detailed feedback and coverage on their scripts and practical advice about film production.

BET... continued from page 6
Hurricane Chris was joined by Lil Boosie performing "Wipe Me Down." Common showed off his lyrical prowess with "Drivin' Me Wild," while Playaz Circle featuring Lil Wayne and surprise guest Ludacris (who wrote his verse especially for this performance) brought "Duffle Bag Boy" to the stage. Though T.I. was absent, Wyclef Jean, DJ Drama, Alfamega and Busta Rhymes held him down, performing a special set, including an ode to free speech and T.I.'s "Hurt." Rounding out the night was Soulja Boy, whose "Crank That" performance featured Superman capes.
Sharing the reasons why they love Hip-Hop were David Banner, MC Lyte and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Dr. Cornel West presented the "I Am Hip-Hop" Icon Award to living Hip-Hop legend KRS-One.
The BET Hip-Hop Awards 2007 (www.bet.com) premiered on BET on October 17.

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