“That Evening Sun” film to have local premiere at Monterey’s Osio Cinemas this Friday, March 12

Monterey County audiences get a chance to go to the local premiere screening of  “That Evening Sun,” the critically-acclaimed and award-winning classic drama starring legendary actor Hal Holbrook, at Monterey’s Osio Cinemas on Friday, March 12, starting at 7:15 p.m.

The audience also will get a chance to meet the movie-makers, director Scott Teems and cinematographer Rodney Taylor, following the screening, at a “Focus on Film” question-and- answer session.

Tickets for full-time students will be half-price, and current members of Reel Friends of the Film Commission will receive complimentary tickets for the 7:15 p.m. premiere screening, courtesy of the Monterey County Film Commission and support from a grant from the Arts Council for Monterey County.

“That Evening Sun” is based on the short story, “I Hate to See that Evening Sun Go Down,” by acclaimed Tennessee author William Gay. Holbrook plays Abner Meecham, an aging Tennessee farmer who returns to his farm to reclaim what is rightfully his. A ruthless grudge match begins when the tenants in possession of the lease and farm refuse to give up the land.

“That Evening Sun” has had successful runs in New York City, Los Angeles and other cities.  The film has won top prizes at 11 film festivals including Austin’s South by Southwest, Nashville, Atlanta, Sarasota, Little Rock, Newport, Indie Memphis, Sidewalk, Secret City, New Hampshire and Naples International Film Festival. The film also received the Wyatt Award from the Southeastern Film Critics, presented for the film that best represents the South.

“That Evening Sun” stars Hal Holbrook, who has also appeared in “Into the Wild,” “All the President’s Men,” “The Firm,” and “Wall Street.”   Other actors include Ray McKinnon (“The Blind Side,” “O’ Brother Where Art Thou?”, “Deadwood”); Walton Goggins (“The Shield”); Mia Wasikowska (“Defiance,” Tim Burton’s “Alice”); Carrie Preston (“True Blood,” “Sex in the City,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Duplicity”); Dixie Carter (“Designing Women”); and Barry Corbin (“No Country for Old Men,” “The Closer,” “Northern Exposure”).

The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization, working to increase economic development through on-location filming in Monterey County.  It also presents film industry educational programs, and sponsors a film student scholarship and awards program.

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“That Evening Sun” is distributed by Freestyle Releasing. For a press kit or more information contact Raul Celaya at

(323) 318-9046.

For more information:

NEWS / Monterey County Film Commission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 3, 2010
831-646-0910  Media contact:  Karen Nordstrand
Karen@filmmonterey.org www.FilmMonterey.org

American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Area Chapter,
to partner with Monterey County Film Commission
for its “What a Night!” Gala on March 7, 2010
Film Commission’s 20^th annual fundraiser celebrates the Academy Awards®
and now benefits two worthy local nonprofits

(Monterey, Calif.) — When the red carpet rolls out this year for the “What a Night!” gala celebrating the Academy Awards®, two local nonprofits will benefit from the fundraising event.

For the first time, the American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Area Chapter, will join the Monterey County Film Commission at its 20^th annual salute to movie-making on Sunday,

March 7, 2010, at the Inn at Spanish Bay at 2700 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, starting at 4:30 p.m.  From the red carpet entry to multiple big screens showing the live telecast of the 82^nd Academy Awards® presentation, the glamorous gala will make attendees feel like they’re a part of the big Hollywood event.  The black-tie evening includes champagne, hors d’oeuvres, sit-down dinner, Cima Collina wines, and a silent auction.

Tickets are $195 per person or $185 for members of Reel Friends of the Film Commission.  Table discounts are available.  For reservations or to join Reel Friends, call the film commission at 831-646-0910.  Business sponsorships are available.

Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Chapter as well as the Monterey County Film Commission.  The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  The Monterey County Film Commission works to enhance economic development in the county through the film industry, and provides educational programs and an annual film student scholarship.

This year’s gala theme of “What a Night!” is based on an exclamation made by actress Louella Parsons at the 1958 Academy Awards® presentation in Hollywood.

For more information:  www.FilmMonterey.org, email info@filmmonterey.org, or call 831-646-0910.

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email info@filmmonterey.org, or call 831-646-0910.

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Film Commission Presents
“Flying Downhill with Bode Miller: The Early Years”

“Focus on Film” screening and presentation by
Movie Director William C. Rogers scheduled for Jan. 20

The Monterey County Film Commission plans its next “Focus on Film” event on a winter sports theme, screening the

“Flying Downhill with Bode Miller: The Early Years”

documentary, “Flying Downhill with Bode Miller: The Early Years” at Carmel’s Sunset Center, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.

The film spotlights one of the legends of sports—two-time Olympic medalist and potential Vancouver Olympics contender Bode Miller–whose hair-raising downhill ski racing and biography make for a fast-paced, visual experience. The skier has won 31 World Cup competitions, six World Championships and two Olympic Silver Medals.

Prior to the screening the movie’s director, William C. Rogers, will introduce the film and give a presentation on the challenges of making the movie, and will answer audience questions.  He will also be on hand to meet attendees at a 6 p.m. reception at the Sunset Center.

Tickets are $15 for the general public; $12 for members of “Reel Friends of the Film Commission,” and $7 for full-time students.  Tickets go on sale Jan. 8 at the Sunset Center box office at San Carlos and Ninth Street in Carmel, or by phone at 831-620-2048 and online at www.sunsetcenter.tix.com.

The event is co-sponsored by the Monterey County Weekly, Monterey Ski and Social Club, Monterey County Young Professionals Group, and Sunset Center.

For more information, contact the Monterey County Film Commission at 831-646-0910 or email info@FilmMonterey.org.  The web address is www.FilmMonterey.org.

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American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Area Chapter,
to partner with
Monterey County Film Commission
for its Gala on March 7, 2010
“What a Night!”

The Film Commission’s 20^th annual fundraiser celebrates the Academy Awards®
and now benefits two worthy local nonprofits

(Monterey, Calif.) — When the red carpet rolls out this year for “What a Night!” celebrating the Academy Awards®, two local nonprofits will benefit from the fundraising event.

For the first time, the American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Area Chapter, will join the Monterey County Film Commission at its 20^th annual salute to movie-making on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach.  From the red carpet entry to the two big screens showing the live telecast of the 82^nd Academy Awards® presentation, the glamorous gala will make attendees feel like they’re a part of the big Hollywood event.  The black-tie evening includes champagne, hors d’oeuvres, sit-down dinner, wine, and a silent auction.

For ticket prices and reservations, call the film commission at 831-646-0910.  Business sponsorships are available.

Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Chapter as well as the Monterey County Film Commission.  The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  The Monterey County Film Commission works to enhance economic development in the county through the film industry, and provides educational programs and an annual film student scholarship.

This year’s gala theme of “What a Night!” is based on a comment made by actress Louella Parsons at the 1958 Academy Awards® presentation in Hollywood.

Monterey County Film Commission Names Joe Fletcher
as Director of Development and Operations

(Monterey, Calif.) – The Monterey County Film Commission has named Joe Fletcher of Carmel Valley as its director of development and operations.

Joe Fletcher Director of Development and Operations

Fletcher joins the film commission after 25 years in the entertainment business.  He has worked in film production, including Madonna’s “Who’s That Girl” and “What About Bob?”.  He produced over 900 major concert events throughout the world for such artists  as Beyonce, Jay Z, Elton John, James Brown, Van Halen, Jackson Browne, Kelly Clarkson, Bill Cosby, Jessica Simpson, 50 Cent, Maroon 5, Eminem, Tim McGraw and many others.

In 2008 he was invited to work on fundraising events for the Obama for America campaign, both on the Monterey Peninsula and in Washington, D.C.  After the election Fletcher produced the Obama Inaugural event, “Lincoln 2.0 Inaugural Ball,” at the Smithsonian Museum. It featured Anita Baker, Keb Mo, Kool & The Gang and more, with proceeds benefiting the Smithsonian Museum.

Fletcher is a graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., with a bachelor’s degree in economics.  In his earlier career he ran U.S. Abroad, an import-export company focused on promoting American consumer electronics throughout Europe. He was based in London overseeing operations there and later participated in the company’s expansion to Western Africa.

“I am extremely excited to put my energies into the Monterey County Film Commission,” Fletcher said.  “I look forward to joining the efforts to attract film business to the region and grow the organization.”

The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization working to bring about economic development in the county through the film industry.  The commission was created in 1987 by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

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FILM COMMISSION HOPES TO FIND
LOCAL HOUSECATS AND OWNERS
TO STAR IN ANIMAL PLANET TV SHOW

A Star?

It’s a casting call of the feline kind.  If you and your cat are ready for “lights, camera, action,” you may want to try get on the Animal Planet’s reality show, “Housecat Housecall.”

The show is looking for cats (and their families) to star in its third season, and  the Monterey County Film Commission is helping producers find Monterey County cat lovers, who can get an idea of the show at www.HousecatHousecall.com.

Does your spoiled cat live a pampered lifestyle?  Is a boss cat ruling your household?

A housecat that loves the housedogs

Is your diva cat making too many demands?  Or, do you just have a cool cat with odd or quirky behavior?  Now’s the time to share your cat tale on television.  You can e-mail your story and photos for consideration to HcHcCasting3@gmail.com.

LOCAL FANS CAN TRY FOR SEATS ALONG
THE RED CARPET AT THE OSCARS

Monterey County residents who are “ready for their closeup” (and quick on applying online) can try to be lucky winners of seats along the 500-foot-long red carpet at the Academy Awards® in Hollywood next year.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is launching a random online drawing for the 700 seats on the walkway that leads into the Kodak Theatre beginning on Sept. 14 at 9 a.m., and continuing for only one week until Sept. 20. The Monterey County Film Commission has posted a web link to the official application form on its website, www.FilmMonterey.org.

Those who are selected will watch and cheer Oscar nominees, presenters and others arriving at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center for the Academy Awards presentation on March 7, 2010.

The Monterey County Film Commission is planning its annual “Big Night Gala” event on March 7, with a local celebration of movie-making and the Academy Awards.  It will be held at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach.  The fundraiser features a big screen live telecast of the Oscars presentations, as guests enjoy their own red carpet arrival, elegant dinner, and a silent auction including movie memorabilia.

For more information, visit www.FilmMonterey.org or call the Monterey County Film Commission at 831-646-0910.

Clint Eastwood’s Jazz Film “Bird” to screen
Sept. 17 in Monterey

Monterey County Film Commission and the Monterey Jazz Festival present the movie classic about jazz great Charlie Parker, and a talk by local jazz expert Bill Minor

On the evening before the Monterey Jazz Festival opens, the Monterey County Film Commission in association with the Monterey Jazz Festival will present a special free screening of the Clint Eastwood-directed jazz film “Bird,” and a talk by Monterey Peninsula jazz expert Bill Minor.  The event begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., in downtown Monterey.

“Bird” explores the life and times of jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker, who had a new style of music and was credited with revolutionizing jazz in the 1940s in New York.  The 1988 film stars Forest Whitaker, who depicts Parker’s troubled world as a musician  whose wife Chan tried to help him through the highs and lows of his life.  The film won an Oscar for Best Sound in 1989.

Prior to the movie’s showing, Minor will speak about the impact of the Monterey Jazz Festival, which he has attended

Bill Minor at piano

since the early 1980s, and give insight into the role of Parker in the jazz world.  Minor is an educator, writer and musician-composer, who authored three nonfiction books on jazz, including “Monterey Jazz Festival: Forty Legendary Years.”  Minor saw Parker play live in Detroit in 1954 with Stan Kenton’s Orchestra.

The screening of “Bird” is the first of a series of three films to be shown locally in a salute to cinematographer Jack Green, who last year received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the esteemed American Society of Cinematographers.   On the ASC website, Green described his use of shadow to shape light for the film in “Bird,” his third film as a cinematographer and said, “If I could be remembered for my work on one film, it would be ‘Bird.’ ” Green also worked with Clint Eastwood on several of his later films, including “The Bridges of Madison County,” “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and the Academy Award winner “Unforgiven.”

Free tickets to the event may be obtained through the Monterey County Film Commission and at outlets listed on its website, www.FilmMonterey.org.

Event sponsors are Alternative Café, Fenton & Keller, J.R. Rouse Real Estate, Dark Light Pictures, Nico’s Ristorante Mediterraneo, 360 Prop Works, Inc., Old Monterey Business Association, the Arts Council for Monterey County, Humble Pictures, GuestLife Monterey Bay Magazine, Monterey County Weekly, Culver Studios, and the Golden State Theatre.

For more information contact the Monterey County Film Commission at 831-646-0910 or info@filmmonterey.org.

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MEDIA NOTE: BIO INFORMATION AND HEADSHOTS
OF BILL MINOR ARE AVAILABLE

The Monterey County Film Commission is a non-profit organization proactively marketing Monterey County as a destination for the motion pictures, television and related industries,for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting
educational opportunities in those areas.

June 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
831-646-0910 / info@filmmonterey.org
www.FilmMonterey.org

FILM COMMISSION PLANS NEW FILM MUSEUM
Search begins for Monterey County site

The non-profit Monterey County Film Commission board of directors has announced plans to establish a Monterey County film museum, which it envisions will ultimately become a tourist destination with national appeal.  It has begun a county-wide search to locate an appropriate setting.

“We are enthusiastic about the potential for our film museum to increase tourism and bring attention to our area, helping establish Monterey County as a film production center,” said Gloria Gargiulo, board president.  “While not yet announcing the unique theme of the museum, we are certain it will be one-of-a-kind and will become a destination that people around the world will want to visit.”

The film commission plans the museum as the first step in a three-step process.  Initially the museum would be created, and then a special annual award program begun, and ultimately a related film festival.

To contact the film commission about potential properties to house a film museum, call 831-646-0910 or email info@filmmonterey.org.  For further information on the film commission, visit www.FilmMonterey.org.

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The Monterey County Film Commission is a non-profit organization proactively marketing Monterey County as a destination for the motion pictures, television and related industries,
for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting
educational opportunities in those areas.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    Contact: Karen Nordstrand
April 22, 2009                                                                               831-646-0910

Monterey County Film Commission Shows Off Locations and
New California Film Incentive Program
at 2009 Locations Trade Show

(Santa Monica, CA) – The spotlight was on Monterey County film locations at the Association of Film Commissioners International Locations Trade Show 2009 in Santa Monica, Calif., April 16–18.  The Monterey County Film Commission promoted area locations ready for use in movies, commercials, TV productions and still photography advertising.

Amy Lemisch CFC Director and Karen Nordstrand

The film commission’s booth at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was a part of the California Film Commission pavilion, which won a second prize for “Most Informative Booth.”   At the show, exhibiting California film commissioners helped unveil advance details on the new California Production Incentive Program is set to accept applicants in July.  It will be funded at the level of $100 million per year for five years, and is geared toward feature films with budgets as low as $1 million or as high as $75 million.

Monterey County Film Commission was represented at Locations Trade Show by Karen Nordstrand, who serves as director of marketing and film production. Nearly 3,500 producers, location scouts and other industry professionals attended, along with 180 film commissions and other exhibitors from more than 30 countries.

“Having a new film incentive program available for California filming was the big buzz,” Nordstrand said.

Trade show floor activity

  “The program will help keep productions from leaving the state to film, and it offers more incentive to venture to Monterey County and other areas for film shoots.”

Nordstrand distributed brochures with key Monterey County location photos and the theme:  “We can show you the money….but we’d rather show you our priceless locations.”

The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization created by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to bring about positive economic development through local film production.  For more information on the film incentive program or film resources in Monterey County, go to www.FilmMonterey.org.