Local Industry

Maine hasn’t had a major film production since Empire Falls dropped 13.6 million into its economy in 2003, stimulating and invigorating small Maine towns like Waterville and Skowhegan.

In 2006, with the work of the Maine Film Office, the Film Commission and film industry advocates Barney Martin and myself, Maine passed its current modest incentives. Those incentives proved to be too small to make a difference and have had no impact in bringing additional productions to Maine.

The influx of regional film production has increased the demand for local crews, actors, actresses and equipment -- including lighting gear. Kaye Lites, which has provided lighting, grip, and expendables for over 19 years, has responded by expanding its warehouse space, opening the ASAP Supply Store in Woburn, MA, and devoting a unique space for customers to hang out and try new equipment.

Let’s say after watching a particularly good or bad acting performance you say to yourself, “I could do that.” Well, maybe you could, but where and how would you start?

He’s been to more than 1,000 MLB games, 500 NHL games and 500 NBA games plus 35 Nascar races.  And he’s never once sat behind a post, in the nosebleed section or next to an obnoxious drunk with BO, cheering for the Yankees.  His name is Michael Porta and he is a camera operator/technician for remote television broadcasts.

Story details have been purposefully muddled, but I can tell you this much:  Don McKay involves cops.  Cop cars.  Possibly sirens.  Handcuffs. 

The feature stars Thomas Haden Church, Elisabeth Shue, and Melissa Leo -- you may know as much since they’ve all appeared in the local press.  But the folks who haven’t yet are exactly who is interesting to NewEnglandFilm.com.   

This Month

The Portland Public Library and Maine Jewish Film Festival host comic strip creator Ben Katchor (Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer and The Cardboard Valise) along with a screening of Pleasures of Urban Decay, a documentary short about his work, on September 5th, 5 pm at the Portland Public Library.   

One morning each month, a group of artists, armed with a digital camera, gather for coffee, scones, and, inevitably, a whole lot more.

Berkshire County, better known as "the Berkshires," is the westernmost county in Massachusetts, stretching from Vermont to the north, New York on the west, and Connecticut on the south, with Pittsfield as the major city and dozens of smaller towns of varying sizes.  Both Boston and New York are about two hours away by car, and the county is marked by a small-town New England feel, combined with a healthy sense of itself as a cultural destination, with dozens of theatres, dance, music, art, and literary attractions.  It has read more...

Infrastructure.  Infrastructure.  Infrastructure. 
According to a handful of industry devotees gathered at the last Rhode Island
International Film Festival’s monthly film forum held at Borders Bookstore
inside the Providence Place Mall on May 13th, infrastructure is
what’s needed to attract and retain coveted Hollywood dollars.   
Local actors and filmmakers are calling for more than just
financial incentives to help carve out their east coast location foothold in the
entertainment industry. 

Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com. 

This Month

In a rush to claim Hollywood for its own, several New
England communities have co-opted the moniker (Is Boston Beanywood?  NH has a
new television show, Hollywood New England).  But in Plymouth, MA,
frustration came not from the association with glamour-production but when giant
lettering “Hollywood East” (used with permission from the Hollywood, CA

Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com. 

This Month

A trio of festivals opens the month:  The 21st
Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
will be held May 30-June 7;
Newport International Film Festival

In April, media equipment sales, rental, and service
companies Rule Broadcast Systems and Boston Camera Rental Company merged
operations to become New England’s largest production equipment source. 
Together, the companies have 44 years of experience in helping filmmakers big
and small find the right package for their budgets and visions. 

In 1918, Louis B. Mayer left Boston to form
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Los Angeles.  Thus ended New England’s very brief run as
a home for movie moguls.  Until now.  Maybe.  As a result of competitive tax
incentive policies, studio film production has skyrocketed in the region,
spurring entrepreneurs and filmmakers to consider making New England their home.  

Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com. 

This Month

Boston’s two biggest (but until now, separate) film and
video equipment dealers will be sharing a roof in the coming months.  Further
evidence of the marriage of formats is demonstrated in the merger between
Rule Broadcast Systems and
Boston Camera Rental Company,

Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com. 

This Month

Does the wrap of March Madness leave you craving midnight
movie madness?  At the Coolidge
Corner Theatre in Brookline you can even sing along – to R. Kelly (April
4th) or Michael Jackson (April 5th).  Be ready for hidden
props and strangers who know every word and every move, thanks to