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BREAKING NEWS

"Army Wives" South Carolina Scores First Drama Television Series  
 
"Army Wives" starring Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell picked up 
 
Columbia, SC- Touchstone Television's new ensemble drama series, Army Wives, starring Kim Delaney (NYPD Blue) and Catherine Bell (Jag) was picked up by the Lifetime Network for 12 episodes and will be shot in the Charleston area. This is the State's first television series and marks another major milestone for recruiting film and television projects to the Palmetto State in 2006.  
 
In July, South Carolina adopted a new film incentive package championed by Governor Mark Sanford that has resulted in a number of film and television projects being announced, including major motion pictures starring George Clooney (Leatherheads), Kevin Bacon (Death Sentence) and Liv Tyler (The Strangers). In addition, Wheel of Fortune executives announced last week that they would come to Vanna White's home state in January to shoot 15 episodes of the nation's most popular television game show. 
 
"We're pleased that our efforts to secure more aggressive film incentives continue to pay dividends for South Carolina," said Gov. Sanford. "Landing a television series will provide a great economic benefit to the Charleston area during production." 
 
Led by the creative team behind current TV hits Grey`s Anatomy and Criminal Minds, Army Wives revolves around a sassy young woman from the wrong side of the tracks who marries a soldier and moves her kids onto an Army base, where she befriends a diverse group of Army wives. It is the first project Touchstone Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company, has shot in South Carolina. Production crews and actors were in Charleston this fall shooting the pilot. 
 
Touchstone will begin pre-production preparations in January 2007 with shooting beginning in late February and continuing through May, with possible post-production work wrapping up in June.

Leatherheads" Starring George Clooney To Film In SC  
 
Columbia, SC- Universal Pictures announced today that it will film a new romantic comedy starring Oscar winner George Clooney in South Carolina. Leatherheads will begin production in early 2007 at a number of locations throughout the Upstate. Clooney will not only star in and direct the film but also serves as one of Leatherheads' writers. 
 
Leatherheads follows Clooney as Dodge Connelly, a swaggering, aging football hero who convinces a college football star to join him in the ragtag pro league beginning to catch on in America during the 1920s. But the two become quick rivals once outspoken reporter Lexie Littleton inserts herself into the game. 
 
"A production of this caliber coming to South Carolina is proof positive that our work this year in pushing for more aggressive incentives will continue to pay big dividends for our state," Governor Mark Sanford said. "This production will bring a host of benefits to South Carolina, from the multiplier effect the project creates for local businesses to the way it promotes our state as a tourism destination." 
 
"Since Governor Sanford pushed for our new film incentives, we have had remarkable success in attracting the film industry to South Carolina, with seven projects announced since July," said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. "Film productions play an important role in strengthening our state's economy and we are pleased that the local businesses in the Upstate will benefit from the positive economic impact that this production will add to the region."

 
OCEAN 10 STUDIOS PRODUCTION INTERNSHIP 
 
The 2007 Ocean 10 Studios Internship program is a part-time outreach and training program for students interested in seeking a career in the entertainment business in film, music, and television. The internship is designed to provide intensive introduction to all aspects of "pre-", physical and post production. Ocean 10 Studios is opening this year with a fully operational recording studio. Ocean 10 Studios will also be the home of Heat Production, Ocean 10 Studio's in-house HD and Film Production Company and Post House. Heat will be focusing on short films, music videos, and commercials, with plans to work on narrative features in the near future.  
 
Schedule: 30 hours per week quarterly  
 
Start date: Spring/Summer 2007 
 
Each intern will have a great opportunity to learn a plethora of skills in a number of areas. The internships will fall into three main categories, but some interns will be required to perform duties in other areas not connected to their direct internship.  
 
Production Intern: This Intern will focus on assisting in all areas of production, including office work, casting sessions, tracking release forms, etc., as well as learning both technical and non-technical training on studio and location shoots. 
 
Post Production Intern: This intern will focus on assisting in all areas of post production: logging, transcribing, sound sync, maintaining media database, dubbing, tracking clearance issues, and assisting Editors. They will also hone their skills and knowledge of the latest HD non-linear editing and computer graphics systems including Final Cut Pro and Discreet editing systems: Smoke, Flame and Luster (Color Correction). 
 
Music Production Intern: This intern will focus on assisting in all areas of Music production and Sound recording. They will learn the ins and outs of licensing and distribution of music. At the same time, they will assist in the Studio, and hone their skills on state of the art Sound Boards and Pro Tools digital editing software.  
 
Application Procedures: Candidates must submit a cover letter describing their specific interest and/or experience as it applies to the internship, a current resume, a letter of recommendation, and demo reel (if applicable) to the attention of: Marcus Gillis, Ocean 10 Studios, P.O. Box 7046, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Applications are being accepted indefinitely.

MARCIA CHANDLER RHEA AND MARGARET FORD ROGERS WIN BEST SCREENPLAY AT THE BEAUFORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 
 
The Beaufort International Film Festival has awarded the Jean Ribaut Award, Top Honor for Best Screenplay in the screenwriting competition to Marcia Chandler Rhea and Margaret Ford Rogers. Their screenplay, "The Carolina Storyteller," revolves around two small boys who uncover a dark secret that threatens to tear their small town apart. Set in upstate South Carolina in 1928, the powerful script has already won honors at the Austin Film Festival, SC Independent Film Festival, Moondance Film Festival, AOL Project, Fade in Magazine, Dolphin Bay Films and The Writer's Network. The screenplay was the only screenplay selected from South Carolina for the finals. 
 
Marcia Chandler Rhea has worked on many feature films and award-winning commercials. She has also appeared in a number of films such as "The Patriot" and "Major League Three." Rhea has distinguished herself by winning a number of highly competitive screenwriting awards and international film festival competitions. Rhea has pitched to Paramount, DreamWorks and independent film companies. She has been invited and attended master panels hosted by Academy Award winners Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. She is the author of several screenplays and has optioned her work to the film industry. Rhea has also presented her work to the Tribeca Film Institute. 
 
Margaret Ford Rogers is an internationally award-winning screenwriter and recipient of numerous grants and awards, including the prestigious Kodak Access Grant and the International Documentary Association sponsorship award. Rogers has worked as a freelance journalist and over the years published articles in magazines and newspapers on a variety of topics including work she has done in Argentina on the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo and in Cuba on Cuban cinema. She has appeared in a number of plays, television commercials and two feature films. She has presented her work at the New York Independent Film Festival and the Manhattan Global Film Festival. She has optioned her work to the film industry.
 

The Last Confederate" SC premiere  
 
Strongbow Pictures, LLC, & Solar Filmworks, LLC announce the South Carolina premiere of "The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams" (formerly known as "Strike the Tent") to be held in Columbia, SC on Saturday, June 2nd. 

Looking for film information from other states?  
 
You may access the names and phone numbers of all film commissions in the world at: www.afci.org.If a city/state or country has an active web site, it also lists the link.

"Army Wives" is looking for military photos  
 
SET DECORATOR REQUESTS MILITARY PHOTOS 
 
If you or your family have military photos that can be cleared for television use; that is, photos where the featured individuals, and perhaps even the photographer are available and willing to sign a release, please call the "Army Wives" Art Department at 843-720-1630. Thank you very much!

SOUTH CAROLINA FILM INDUSTRY IS BOOMING!
HERE’S ONE BIG REASON WHY
INCENTIVES

South Carolina Increases Motion Picture Rebates
Cash rebates now 20% and 30%

Productions that film in South Carolina can now receive up to a 20% cash rebate on employee wages and up to a 30% cash rebate on supplier expenditures if they spend at least $1,000,000 in the state. This increase positions South Carolina as one of the country's leading incentive states.

The South Carolina production incentive differs from other states' incentives in that it is a cash rebate, paid to the production company within 30 days of final audit. Other states offer tax credits or tax refunds which require brokers and long waiting periods. In addition, South Carolina is the only state that reserves the estimated rebate funds for a production.

How does this incentive compare to the others?

The 20% wage rebate applies to any employee of the production whose wages are subject to SC withholding tax and earns less than $1,000,000 . The 30% supplier rebate applies to all goods and services acquired by the production company from a South Carolina supplier and on certain out-of-state expenses such as camera rental, film stock, and special equipment vendors still developing in SC.

In addition, all productions spending over $250,000 in SC are exempt from sales and accommodations taxes and are eligible to use state properties location fee-free.

AFI DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY TARGET
TO OPEN IN DALLAS
Ten Days and Nights of International Cinema A new and exciting citywide annual international film festival was announced today at Victory Plaza. The AFI Dallas International Film Festival presented by Target with founding sponsor Victory Park will be held March 22 through April 1, 2007.

Spanning 10 days and nights with 150 feature films and shorts, its more than 200 screenings will make it one of the largest film festivals in the Southwest. The comprehensive programming will include the very best of contemporary international features, documentaries and short films. The festival will be punctuated with red-carpet galas, receptions and special screenings accessible through family-friendly outdoor viewings. In record time the AFI Dallas International Film Festival has raised $3.5 million in cash and in kind gifts from sponsors and Dallas philanthropists.

“The AFI Dallas International Film Festival is a result of Dallas’s love of film and filmmakers,” said Michael Cain, festival artistic director. “We welcome this opportunity to work with the Dallas film and film festival community to bring the international cinema spotlight on Dallas. It is also gratifying to have Liener Temerlin, the founder but to also have him as our chairman. He was the originator of the concept of the AFI series 100 Years, 100 Movies, and 100 Stars for the AFI and now today’s announcement is another example of his creativity, vision and commitment to Dallas.”

AFI Dallas International Film Festival

The citywide event is designed in a hub-and-spoke style, with Victory Park and Victory Plaza, featuring the largest outdoor media screens in the country, as the festival’s headquarters. Victory Park will be home to the festival’s box offices, hospitality areas and numerous supporting events and parties.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for both Dallas and its film industry,” said Liener Temerlin, the AFI Dallas Fest founder and chairman. “After careful consideration, it became clear to me and others that now was the right environment, timing and opportunity for a festival of this size and scope. AFI saw the synergy with its own mission, and so began our consulting relationship.”

“AFI is fortunate to know Liener Temerlin through his extraordinary service on the AFI board of trustees,” said Jean Picker Firstenberg, president and CEO of AFI. “When Liener approached AFI to consult on a new international festival in the city of Dallas, we did so because of our deep respect for this man and his vision. Today’s announcement is a result of that vision and because we believe that this festival is consistent with the AFI’s mission.”

Screenings, receptions and special events will be held throughout Dallas, connected by free shuttles and convenient public transportation. The festival maximizes the plethora of Dallas’s distinctive venues, making use of Victory Plaza, the historic Majestic Theatre, the Landmark Magnolia and Inwood Theatres, the Angelika Film Centre and the new AMC NorthPark Theaters. In addition to theater venues, the AFI Dallas Fest is in venue subject discussions with the Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Crow Collection of Asian Art and Southern Methodist University.

Temerlin has had early discussions with Bill Lively of the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts which includes the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre and the new Annette Strauss Artist square for venues when they come on stream.

In keeping with their corporate generosity Target has offered additional support of the AFI Dallas International Film Festival, by funding the Target Filmmaker Awards. The first $25,000 cash grant will be awarded to the winning filmmaker of the best narrative film. The second $25,000 grant will be given to the winner of the best documentary category.

“Victory Park is very pleased to be the home to the AFI Dallas International Film Festival,” said Ross Perot, Jr. chairman of Hillwood Development Corporation. “This festival is an important step in Dallas’s effort to become a leading arts center with another significant film festival and will be instrumental in drawing crowds throughout the city. This is a great time to be in Dallas, and we’re looking forward to highlighting our development and our city.”

Jonas Woods, president of Hillwood Capital, said, “Victory takes a great deal of pride in being the founding sponsor for the AFI Dallas Film Festival. We know it will bring added distinction to the many great film festivals in the city.” The AFI Dallas International Film Festival is yet another articulation of Dallas’s commitment to the arts and will be a terrific mechanism to encourage tourism.

“The city has dedicated itself to our museums, theaters and music establishments, and support of cinema is in keeping with Dallas’s strides in becoming an arts destination. Furthermore, the film festival will result in increased tourism and economic gains for Dallas for many years to come. It is a terrific opportunity for our city,” said Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau.

AFI Dallas International Film Festival

In addition to Target as presenting sponsor and Victory Park as founding sponsor, confirmed sponsors as of September 20, 2006, include: AT&T, American Airlines, Bank of America, Lexus, Neiman Marcus, DG Systems, Jones Day, W Hotel, Brinker International, One Arts Plaza, Central Market, Aquafina, DG Systems, The Richards Group, Richards/Gravelle, Post Asylum, RBMM, T:M Interactive, and Temerlin Consulting. A number of other sponsors are in negotiation. For more festival information, please visit www.AFIDallas.com.

The 40th WORLDFEST-HOUSTON sets Fest dates, Calls For Entries-WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival is scheduled for April 20-29, 2007. Final late entry deadline is January 31st, 2007, and the late fee will be waived. WorldFest is also seeking to fill two Intern positions for the 2007 Festival. Entry forms and complete entry information is available at www.worldfest.org

THE TEXAS MOTION PICTURE ALLIANCE

More than 150 state-wide representatives in areas of film, television, commercials, animation, sound, talent, labor, video games and interactive digital media have joined forces to create the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA). The purpose of the nonprofit group is to create legislation that will provide competitive economic incentives and attract investment benefiting all Texans by providing jobs and economic growth for the state economy. The potential gains to be realized in establishing such incentives will amount to hundreds of millions of dollars and their impact will touch virtually every sector of business.

Texas has an impressive film, television, and video legacy and TXMPA is working to keep it growing. (The first Academy Award® for Best Film honored the silent movie “Wings,” shot in San Antonio in 1927.) However, the state’s previously healthy industry has been radically eroded due to competitive states luring production companies with financial incentives.

According to the Texas Film Commission, in the last three years alone Texas’ film industry has lost $500 million in film productions, a huge economic blow. Neighboring states Louisiana and New Mexico have been particularly aggressive with incentives. A production company, whether producing films, commercials, corporate videos or video games, will take its business (and dollars) where it can get the most for the money. Conservative estimates project that in the first year of a competitive incentive program, Texas could realize an increase in production revenue of $300 million, with total production-related revenue to $1 BILLION over a two-year period.

Since the historic formation of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance at the capitol on June 16, a 21-member board of directors has been elected and Town Hall industry meetings are being held throughout the state’s seven representative regions. These meetings will help unify the diverse industry and develop plans for incentives to be presented to the Texas Legislature in 2007.

Hector Garcia, the newly-elected president of TXMPA who is both an actor and respected Dallas businessman, is optimistic of the organization’s future and what can be accomplished. “TXMPA creates a nexus. Previously diffused organizations and individuals now intersect and connect with a powerful center. It has galvanized and energized our industry for the next legislative session. We will speak forcefully with one voice,” says Garcia. “TXMPA's work will benefit all Texans by providing jobs and economic growth for the state economy. Film incentives, to entice productions to the Lone Star State, will assist the industry in retaining and attracting jobs to Texas.”

“Furthermore,” Garcia adds, “the incentives will bolster the infrastructure already in place and will allow us to compete against other states and against foreign countries. In a very short period, these proposed incentives will attract investment to Texas benefiting communities large and small across the state.”

Elected TXMPA regional and industry organization members represent the interest of their constituency by providing a voice for their concerns and needs. Membership in the organization is free.

Bob Hudgins, Executive Director of the Texas Film Commission, believes the goals of TXMPA are visionary. “The best outcome would be to have growth that is far beyond my ability to assess it. Ultimately, TXMPA should also achieve and provide well-deserved recognition for creative people in these industries. Their work plays a great role in the economy of Texas.”

Austin Film Festival will be presenting a script reading of Double Wide, a feature-length comedy by screenwriter Anne Rapp (Cookie’s Fortune, Dr. T and the Women). Of the former, Salon raves, “Robert Altman finds his Paul McCartney in screenwriter Anne Rapp,” while Rolling Stone says that she "turns these Southern-fried shenanigans into a sly, Gothic comedy." Actors Johnny Hardwick (“King of the Hill”), Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Fletch), Kit Gwin (No Country for Old Men, dir. Coen Brothers), Dale Dudley (Spy Kids 2, KLBJ disc jockey), and Ray Benson (GRAMMY award winning artist, Asleep at the Wheel) will participate in the reading. The script reading will take place on Sunday, January 28th, at 7:00 PM at Capital City Comedy Club, 8120 Research Boulevard. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

The fifth season of Nashville Star, USA cable network’s country music talent competition, boasts three Texans – its hosts, Cowboy Troy, a native of Victoria, Texas who was raised in Dallas, and Jewel, a Stephenville Texas resident. And finalist Kacey Musgraves an 18-year-old from Golden, which is five miles northwest of Mineola, Texas. Star, which in on the USA network runs through March 1, aims to award a country music hopeful with a Warner Bros. Nashville recording contract. Texan Musgraves has plenty to live up to. She is this year’s only Texan finalist, but at 18 she’s no ingénue, having already performed at a presidential inauguration, the Olympics and on The Today Show. Richardson, Texas native Jessica Simpson is said to be among those joining the legendary Willie Nelson when is scheduled to appear on February 10, as a guest soloist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at the Nokia Theatre.

NBC has given a full-season order for 2006-07 to its critically hailed freshman drama "Friday Night Lights" (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET), it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment. Inspired by the book and the film "Friday Night Lights," NBC's poignant series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. Dillon's promising high school team, its star quarterback, and newly appointed head coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "King Kong," "Grey's Anatomy") continually feel the mounting pressure of the town's pride and honor riding on their shoulders as soon as the Panthers' new football season kicks off.

The strong cast also includes: Scott Porter ("The Bedford Diaries") as the severely injured team captain and first-string quarterback Jason Street; Gaius Charles ("Book of Daniel") as feared running back Brian "Smash" Williams; Taylor Kitsch ("Kyle XY") as running back Tim Riggins; Connie Britton ("The Brothers McMullen," "24") as Taylor's supportive wife, Tami; Zach Gilford ("The Last Winter") as third-string quarterback.

ON THE LOT is the groundbreaking new show brought to you by reality show mastermind, MARK BURNETT, and legendary producer and director, STEVEN SPIELBERG. Over the season, the 16 filmmakers will produce short films in every genre every week and the viewers will vote on who will get eliminated. The winning filmmaker will take home a 1 Million dollar development deal. http://www.thelot.com

CALL FOR ENTRIES:Houston Film Commissions 2007 Texas Filmmakers Showcase. Deadline For Entry: March 1, 2007. Please mail your short film or films in any time on or before March 1st, 2007. It is FREE to enter but an official entry form must accompany each film submission. Rules for Submission Are:Filmmaker must be a Texas resident; entry must be under 45 minutes in length; filmmaker can submit up to three different films if the films have never been submitted before; the entry must not be over three years older than the deadline for submission. If you are not sure about something or have a question please call 713-437-5249.

THE TEXAS MOTION PICTURE ALLIANCE-TXMPA, a 501-C-6 trade organization registered with the State of Texas and approved by the IRS, is an all-volunteer group of professionals from across the state working to help pass production incentives during the current legislative session. Get on board with TXMPA so that we can achieve our common goal, bringing more production to Texas. Visit http://www.txmpa.org for further information and to register your support.

The inaugural TEXAS BLACK FILM FESTIVAL will host three days of entertaining and insightful films, workshops, and events. Programmed for family entertainment and inspired by the African-American experience, this festival will provide filmmakers an opportunity to reach audiences with films seldom recognized through major theatrical release. The film festival will be held in Dallas, Texas on February 1 to February 3, 2007. Screening and competition categories are 1. Shorts/TV Pilots, 2. Features, 3. Music Videos, 4. Documentaries, and 5. Animation. Filmmakers can submit their films on-line at www.withoutabox.com or directly to TBFF via mail. For additional information and submission guidelines please visit www.texasblackfilmfestival.com or call CC Stinson at 512-740-6860.

Subliminal Criminalz, the controversial book that covers the dark-side of professional athletes, including, but not limited to, homosexual athletes, groupies, gold diggers, prostitutes, strippers, porn stars, drugs, steroids, high-stakes and armed gambling, is currently negotiating with several LA and NY producers, actors and directors to turn the books into movie and television shows. Damage Control, released as the first of the series, has sold out twice and is now headed towards massive distribution later this spring. A music soundtrack is also in the works.