MCFC Press Release Blog

NEWS / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monterey County Film Commission
P.O. Box 111, Monterey, CA 93942
Contact:  Karen Nordstrand, Director of Marketing
831-646-0910 / karen@filmmonterey.org

Film Commission’s “Big Night Gala at Pebble Beach”
Brings “The Magic of Hollywood” with Academy Awards® Telecast,
celebrity guest Carol Lawrence,
and magician Rich Ferguson

(Monterey, CA – Jan. 29, 2009) — The Monterey County Film Commission plans a night to remember as it presents its 19^th annual “Big Night Gala” on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in the ballroom at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Carol Lawrence

In addition to celebrating Hollywood’s biggest night of movies with the Academy Awards® telecast on big screens, the evening is packed with more excitement and glamour than ever including celebrity guest actress-singer Carol Lawrence, a Hollywood and Broadway legend.

This year’s theme is “The Magic of Hollywood.” Mixing it up with guests will be award-winning strolling magician Rich Ferguson, whose sophisticated sleight-of-hand and upscale visuals will keep guests guessing “how did he do that?”  Ferguson does magic effects, has appeared in commercials with people playing Poker, and has consulted at the World Series of Poker.  He’s produced numerous DVDs pertaining to poker, entertainment and magic.  His hands are frequently seen on commercials involving coin and card tricks, and he’s appeared in “All the Best,” “Camp Hollywood,” and “Murder by Numbers.”

Riich Ferguson

The event begins with a red carpet arrival walk and champagne, just prior to Hollywood’s celebrity red carpet action which will be telecast in the ballroom. The black-tie optional evening features a four-course gourmet dinner with a choice of fire-grilled rib eye steak or herb-marinated chicken breast over butternut squash risotto.  Premier wine sponsor is Scheid Vineyards.

Lawrence, an accomplished actress, dancer and singer, has had numerous roles in Broadway productions, including the immortal role of Maria in “West Side Story.”  She was nominated for Tony and Grammy Awards, and has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  She will be accompanied at the gala by her son, Chris Goulet.

A silent auction during the event will offer celebrity and film memorabilia, Mexico travel, artwork, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca packages. Several items will be available for advance online bidding on the film commission’s website, www.FilmMonterey.org, beginning Feb. 2.

The public is invited to attend, and to call for reservations at 831-646-0910. Tickets are $195 per person, with discounts for members of Reel Friends of the Film Commission.  Proceeds help the non-profit Monterey County Film Commission continue its efforts to bring an economic boost to local communities and Monterey County through the film industry.

For more information see www.FilmMonterey.org or email info@filmmonterey.org.

The event co-chairs are Monterey County Film Commission board members, Rose Clark and Taum Dell’Armo.

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The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization, created by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987.  It works to market Monterey County as a destination for the motion picture, television and related industries, for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting educational opportunities in those areas.

“Carmel the Movie” will need local volunteer extras during its six weeks of filming which begins in January 2009.

To get an application survey, email smithwalker@mac.com.

Extras will be asked several questions including their age, height, ethnicity, plus availability and contact details. A wide variety of looks is sought.

All extra work is on a volunteer basis.

NEWS / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Updated 17 Jan
Monterey County Film Commission
P.O. Box 111, Monterey, CA 93942
Contact:  Karen Nordstrand, Director of Marketing
831-646-0910 / karen@filmmonterey.org

Broadway and Hollywood Legend Carol Lawrence
joins the Film Commission’s “Big Night Gala at Pebble Beach”
on Feb. 22, 2009
“The Magic of Hollywood” themed fundraiser
celebrates the Academy Awards®

Hollywood Legend Carol Lawrence

(Monterey, CA – Jan. 14, 2009) — The Monterey County Film Commission presents its 19^th annual “Big Night Gala”-a benefit celebrating Hollywood’s Academy Awards® presentation–on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach.

Actress-singer Carol Lawrence will be the featured celebrity at “The Magic of Hollywood” themed fundraiser for the non-profit film commission.

An accomplished actress, singer and dancer, Lawrence is a Broadway and Hollywood legend.  She has had numerous roles in Broadway productions, including the immortal role of Maria in “West Side Story.”  She was nominated for Tony and Grammy Awards, and has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  She will be accompanied at the gala by her son, Chris Goulet.

The event begins with a red carpet arrival and champagne at 4:30 p.m., just prior to Hollywood’s celebrity red carpet action which will be telecast on the ballroom’s big screen.  The black-tie optional evening features a four-course gourmet dinner with a choice of fire-grilled rib eye steak or herb-marinated chicken breast over butternut squash risotto.  Premier wine sponsor is Scheid Vineyards.

A silent auction will offer celebrity and film memorabilia, travel, artwork, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca race packages. Several items will be available for advance online bidding on the film commission’s website, www.FilmMonterey.org, beginning Feb. 2.  Auction item donations are still welcomed by the film commission.

The public is invited to attend, and to call for reservations at 831-646-0910. Tickets are $195 per person, with discounts for members of Reel Friends of the Film Commission.  For more information see www.FilmMonterey.org or email info@filmmonterey.org.

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The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization, created by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987.  It works to market Monterey County as a destination for the motion picture, television and related industries, for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting educational opportunities in those areas.

NEWS / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monterey County Film Commission
P.O. Box 111, Monterey, CA 93942
Contact:  Karen Nordstrand
831-646-0910 / karen@filmmonterey.org
Jan. 12, 2009
PRODUCTION PHOTOS AVAILABLE

MONTEREY COUNTY LOCATIONS PLAY STARRING ROLES IN NEW DR. WAYNE DYER MOVIE
On-location filming brings
economic impact and exposure for Monterey Peninsula

The first-ever Dr. Wayne Dyer movie, “Ambition to Meaning”– which features Monterey County locations such as Asilomar State Park and Conference Center, Pt. Lobos, and downtown Monterey–premiered in Los Angeles on Jan. 8.  It is now in worldwide release for more than 600 special screenings.  That means that local beaches, homes, and the faces of dozens of locals who were enlisted as extras will be watched nationwide as well as in more than 28 countries, translated into 12 languages.  On Jan. 13 its DVD sales begin.

The Monterey County Film Commission, the nonprofit organization which works to attract and assist on-location film productions for their positive economic impact, helped the production with its locations and other logistics, plus referrals to local crew, extras, and other services for the shoot.  An estimated economic impact of $250,000 came into Monterey County communities as a result of the film project.

“Film productions continue to be a bright spot in the local economic picture,” said Karen Nordstrand, the Monterey County Film Commission’s director of marketing and film production.  “Film projects bring an infusion of money to our communities when they come on-location.  This new Dr. Dyer feature film puts the spotlight on our dramatically beautiful locations in an inspirational way.  I would expect positive future tourism impact and additional visitors to our area due to its depiction in the film.”

Local crew were hired, businesses from caterers to hotels benefited, locations were rented.  Several local connections are listed in the credits that roll at the end of the film.

Monterey County filming took place during three weeks in August 2008, featuring self-help expert Dr. Dyer as well as actors Michael DeLuise and Portia de Rossi.   Emmy Award-winner Michael Goorjian was the director. Dr. Dyer and de Rossi will discuss the movie on the Jan. 13 “Ellen DeGeneres” show.

The film is described as Dyer’s exploration of the spiritual journey from ambition to meaning through the intertwined stories of an overachieving businessman, a mother seeking her own expression in the world, and a director trying to make a name for himself.

A special invitation-only screening of the film for Asilomar Conference Center employees, those who took part as extras, and current members of Reel Friends of the Film Commission support organization is being arranged for Thursday, Jan. 15 at Asilomar Conference Center’s Grace H. Dodge Chapel, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  It will include a question and answer period with the film’s producer, Noah Veneklasen.

For more information call 831-646-0910.  Photos and the “Ambition to Meaning” trailer are posted online in the “Made in Monterey County” page at www.FilmMonterey.org.

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The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization, created by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987.  It works to market Monterey County as a destination for the motion picture, television and related industries, for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting educational opportunities in those areas.

NEWS / Monterey County Film Commission
P.O. Box 111, Monterey, CA 93942
831-646-0910 / www.FilmMonterey.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 31, 2008 Contact:  Karen Nordstrand
karen@filmmonterey.org

FILM STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
AT MONTEREY COUNTY FILM COMMISSION

The second-annual scholarship and awards program for film students is being offered by the non-profit Monterey County Film Commission.  Applications are available at the film commission office or forms may be downloaded at www.FilmMonterey.org.  Applications must be returned by April 30, 2009.

The recipient of the award of $1,000 (or two $500 awards) will be announced in May 2009.

The program was created to provide financial aid and incentive to students of film and beginning filmmakers who reside in Monterey County or are currently enrolled in a community college or university in the county.  The fund was established as a permanent endowment with the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

“Our scholarship and awards program is a part of our local educational outreach to encourage student filmmakers,” said Phyllis Decker, chairperson of the MCFC scholarship committee.  “This program can actually help an individual film student work towards a career goal as the funds will go directly to the student and can be used for educational expenses or towards a Capstone or other film project.”

Throughout the year the film commission also offers lectures and presentations on job opportunities in the film industry with its Focus on Film lecture series and Reel Jobs presentations.

For additional information, contact the film commission at 831-646-0910.

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The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization, created by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987.  It works to market Monterey County as a destination for the motion picture, television and related industries, for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting educational opportunities in those areas.

NEWS / Monterey County Film Commission
P.O. Box 111, Monterey, CA 93942
831-646-0910 / www.FilmMonterey.org
Contact:  Karen Nordstrand, karen@filmmonterey.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 30, 2008

Green Resources for Film Productions Wanted
for Film Commission Website Listings

The Monterey County Film Commission has posted on its website, www.FilmMonterey.org, a “Green Resources Guide” for filmmakers from the California Film Commission.  It’s a web-based tool designed to help productions reduce their environmental impact with information for finding resources such as post-consumer products, sustainably farmed lumber, food banks that accept surplus meals, and equipment such as bio-diesel generators.

The Monterey County Film Commission is localizing the guide and streamlining contacts for film production green resources in Monterey County.  Submit information for products and services via email at info@filmmonterey.org.  For more information, call 831-646-0910.

The Monterey County Film Commission is part of the non-profit Film Liaisons in California, Statewide (FLICS), an extensive network of over 50 regional film offices that offer on-the-ground logistical support for filmmakers and insights into the diverse landscape across the state.

# # #

The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization, created by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987.  It works to market Monterey County as a destination for the motion picture, television and related industries, for the purpose of stimulating economic development, creating jobs, providing and supporting educational opportunities in those areas.