Reports

I walk past the Chemistry Department, the Political Science Department, and the Department of the History of Sliced Deli Meats on my way into work. I nod at the students as they pass in the opposite direction, and I click my heels up in the air. They smile and cheer. Yes, they do. For you see, I’m that un-glorified superhero of the nether regions. That unsung savior whose home is the bowels of your heart. That brave knight who leads the charge into the unknown murk of your soul.

A gynecologist? No. I’m a university media technician, and today, I’m all business.

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.

It’s kind of like Antiques Roadshow for your home movies.  Bring ‘em in, get a consultation on your film’s longevity, then see them on the big screen at the Harvard Film Archive, October 18th from 1-4 pm.  Welcome formats include 8mm, Super 8, 16mm, VHS, and DVD. It’s one of 50 locations celebrating the Sixth Annual Home Movie Day in an read more...

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.   

Julie Checkoway has worn many professional hats since leaving her hometown of Newburyport, MA.  She has been a high school teacher, author, professor, and producer for public radio.  Notice the absence of documentary filmmaker on that list.  That vacancy has since been filled.   

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.   

For the past eleven years, the Rhode Island International
Film Festival (RIIFF) has offered a vast cinematic buffet for film buffs to
devour.  The 12th Annual Festival, August 5 -10, is no different.  Boasting a
wide array of side contests that complement the typical festival competitions, RIIFF is known for its size, as New England’s largest film festival, as well as
its caliber, as New England’s only Academy Award qualifier for short films.  A
horror film contest, a Jewish film festival, a gay and lesbian film festival and

As major Hollywood productions increase in the New England
area, news coverage has similarly increased.  Barely a day goes by without a
newspaper or website reporting a celebrity sighting.  But what about everyone
else?  Where is the publicity for the rest of the talent in the region still
striving for their big break?  Well, in New Hampshire, a couple of industry
veterans were wondering the same thing and decided to do something about it. 

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...

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

A month ago, I received a call from Sandra Mills, associate
producer of Music Nation, a network reality show in which musician
contestants sing and perform their way to a contract with a major record label. 
Sandra says, “You worked with Ellie Glasser on the
History Channel’s Hefty Men series.  She recommended you for this gig. 
Will you be a production assistant for us on the new season of Music Nation
in Los Angeles?” 

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. 

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

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

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,

What exactly does a producer do?  Traditionally, a
producer is not seen as the creative force behind a film as much as the person
who develops and maintains a creative space for others.  A producer raises
funds, hires personnel, facilitates the filmmaking process, and then arranges
for the film’s sale and distribution.  A producer is there from beginning to end
but doesn’t necessarily receive artistic acclaim.  Thomas explained the job as,
“A cross between a facilitator and a policeman.  The one who makes sure the work