The Secret: Georgia Production Partnership - Southern Screen Report

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Cannes Continued from Page 1 “I’ve always wanted to be in Cannes… I submitted my first film to Cannes,” said Feinberg, who just finished a stint as Executive Director of the Georgia Big Picture Conference in Atlanta. That first film was Coming and Going (1999), shot in Covington, Georgia — in the same cabin where scenes from My Cousin Vinny (1992) were also filmed. But Coming and Going didn’t make it into Cannes. “That original film was about 20 minutes long. I was too young of a filmmaker and it’s a very mature piece. I had a producer who said, you know you’ve already done it, it’s behind you, move on to the next one. But always in the back of my mind, I’d think, ‘Oh I’d like to cut this out, chop it down.’” And that’s what Feinberg did earlier this year. Hearts and Souls is the re-edited version of Coming and Going, a film that was destined for Cannes, it seems. Feinberg’s other film premiering at Cannes is Seven Generations, which was adapted from a novel he wrote and funded by an actress who needed a demo reel. Feinberg wrote the novel, The Other Side of Now, while on a writing retreat that began the weekend of Sept. 11, 2001. “I was in LA and I had signed up for this writer’s retreat in Sedona, when 9/11 came. I was going to cancel, but then I decided to go. So I was in Sedona, Arizona the weekend after 9/11, which was a great place to be. I went there with an idea for a short film—the next thing I know, I’m writing a novel. I came back to LA six weeks later and had the whole first draft written.” Feinberg adapted a scene from the novel for actress Nalini Sharma’s demo reel. (She executive-produced and starred in Seven Generations.) After finding the perfect location in Talking Rock, Georgia, and hiring and transporting the crew, he realized that it wouldn’t cost any more to shoot for the entire day. “I said to Nalini, why not stretch it out and make a short out of it? We’ve got this perfect location, we’ve got the crew, and everybody’s going to be in Talking Rock anyway?” explained Feinberg. The oneday, mini-DV shoot produced both Sharma’s demo reel and the 8-minute short now set to premiere at Cannes. “My intention now is to go there an use it as a sales piece to parlay it into a feature film, or sell the novel, or both,” said Feinberg, jostling two cell phones ringing simultaneously as he prepares for the journey to France. Feinberg plans to have a celebratory fund-raising event upon his return from Cannes, to raise money to make the feature length version of Seven Generations. Details will be posted soon on www.kenfeinberg.com. Ken Feinberg is the owner of Atlantic Station Studios, which provides rental space for casting, classes, events, photography studio, and production offices. He also teaches the Director’s Boot camp and Writer’s Boot Camp for aspiring directors writers. Feinberg completed a three-year mystical study program as well as a twoand-a-half-year certification as a relationship coach. Launched in 2004 by the Festival de Cannes, the Short Film Corner is part of the Marché du Film (the Film Market) at Cannes, where filmmakers can showcase short films to potential buyers. More than 3,000 companies from 80 different countries will be attending. § Hey! Say you saw it in Southern Screen Report! Riverwood Continued from Page 4 like Northern Exposure or Desperate Housewives in a location like this. Some are already considering it in their development process for projects they are working on. Do you see any difference between Indie cinema and mainstream cinema in using this location? No, only that mainstream is more likely to be attracted at the studio level for TV series. But half the films shot in Senoia have been independent films, so we will always appeal to the independent category. How do you see this development contributing to better tax incentives for the film industry in Atlanta? A better bill for tax incentives was just passed so there is always hope for more. What was passed is outstanding and is going to set Georgia in a much more competitive position so it’s all good. We will probably have more business in the next two years than we can handle, and that’s good. For more about the Senoia back lot development, see www.riverwoodstudios.com.§ Page 8 May 2007 www.screenreport.com SAG Continued from Page 5 talent costs (including fees above the SAG minimum scale and the pensions and health benefits). This security deposit is collected by SAG to insure that talent is paid what they are owed even if the production goes over budget or is otherwise under-funded. However, the deposit is paid in addition to the actual talent fees that the producer pays the talent, and is not released back to the producer until after production is completed. (Repayment will be withheld pending outstanding disputes over the accuracy of talent fees paid.) Consequently, a producer has to secure up to 140% of the actual talent costs to comply with SAG rules. A producer must also pay about an additional 14% of the amount of the talent scale wages to SAG, to cover pension and health benefits that SAG provides to its members. Since most actors are independent contractors, SAG members rely on these important benefits, the majority of whom could not afford to fund on their own. The SAG low budget agreements also provide for overtime pay, travel expenses (including the cost of first-class travel), and other work condition restrictions, all of which add to the cost of production. Summary Independent film producers, working on the slimmest of production budgets, may conclude that they cannot afford to become SAG signatories due to the increased production costs. However, using SAG performers greatly increases the chances of: • attracting production financing • getting quality talent performances • attracting experienced directors and crew • securing theatrical distribution Regional SAG/AFTRA representatives, such as Melissa Goodman, Executive Director, Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA – Georgia, are happy to walk producers through the entire signatory process, and field questions regarding production budgets and other matters. (Thanks to Yokow Ribeiro for contributing to this article.) Cliff Lovette was recently ranked as the 9th most influential Atlanta music power broker by The Sunday Paper. The Lovette Entertainment Law Group, Ltd. provides legal services to recording artists, music publishers, independent motion picture and television production companies, animators, game developers, directors, and similar content creators. Cliff can be reached at cliff. lovette@lovettegroup.com. §
Atlanta NABFEME Hosts Film Salon Organization showcases films of local women of color By Dawn Price “Perseverance and Passion” was the common theme for the inaugural Film Salon, hosted by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME). The salon featured some of Atlanta’s top female talent in the film and entertainment industry, who had an opportunity to showcase their work and participate as guest panelists to answer questions for aspiring filmmakers. The panelists included: Joanna Madruga, CNN; Deidre Thomas, Writer/ Director; N’Dieye Gray Danavall, Director/Producer; Monique Woods, Director/ Producer; Zina Brown, Director/Producer/ Videographer; Tanya Dixon, Director/Producer/Editor; Michell Davis, Entertainment Attorney; and Krys Copeland, Publisher- Fusion Magazine (see picture on p. 1). The event started with a VIP Reception, where attendees had an opportunity to mingle with the panelists, while listening to the smooth vibes of Amarim, an up-and-coming vocalist on the Atlanta music scene. Next, attendees had an opportunity to view excerpts of the panelists’ documentaries and current projects, which covered a wide variety of topics, including Music (“The Beginning”, “Finally Saying What I Really Mean”); Social Issues (“Random Acts”), Human/Civil Rights (“Link: One Man’s Connection to the World”); and Health/Mental Issues (“Positive Faces”, “Death by Dementia”). Then, the panelists opened the floor for questions from the audience. Yalanda Lattimore, E-Publisher of DryerBuzz.com, an online news source for the latest in Atlanta Urban news and entertainment, facilitated the panel. Some of the questions, directed at the panel, included: how the filmmakers got their start, how their projects were funded, copyright issues, and general advice. Most of the panelists were in agreement that film was a “natural progression” in their individual career pursuits and instructed the audience that, while the process can be difficult—with passion and perseverance—their goals and dreams can be achieved, whatever they may be. NABFEME founder, Johnnie Walker, was also in attendance and was pleased at the event’s turnout. Walker is the Senior Vice-President of Promotions for the Def Jam Music Group, and has been instrumental in developing the careers of some of music’s biggest stars, including Jay-Z, Ludacris, and LL Cool J. “This is a beautiful event. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to be here and lend my support. NABFEME is all about getting together, those women who don’t mind sharing their experiences and knowl- Johnnie Walker (NABFEME founder) and Zina Brown, filmmaker (Photo by Dawn Price) edge, and helping one another to achieve our professional and personal goals. I’m proud of NABFEME-Atlanta for what they are doing.” Event attendee and aspiring filmmaker, Celeste Weaver, felt the salon was helpful. “I learned a lot, especially about the difficulties filmmakers face with funding their projects and the copyright issues with film soundtracks. I’m glad I came.” The NABFEME-Atlanta chapter held the Film Salon to showcase the work of local Black American documentary filmmakers. The chapter also marked the occasion to kick off its membership drive, themed “Atlanta 1000”, to reach its goal of 1000 new members. NABFEME-Atlanta President-Elect, and Filmmaker, Zina Brown believes the time is right for the burgeoning Atlanta entertainment scene, and is committed to the chapter’s goal. “As the new President of the Atlanta/ Southeast network, I believe that there are more than 1000 women who would like a network that empowers women of color in recorded music, the media, and related entertainment fields. It’s a tall order, but I am willing to devote the time to reach the goal.” NABFEME is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to the support and empowerment of women of color in recorded music, the media, and related entertainment industry fields. Their motto: “One woman can make the difference, but it’s easier when we work together as a group!” For more information, see www.nabfeme.org. § Southwest Arts Center By Dawn Price The Fulton Southwest Arts Center collaborated with NABFEME-Atlanta in hosting the Film Salon. The center, operated by the Fulton County Arts Council, is the first facility built by Fulton County solely for the arts. It offers classes on Video Production for Teens, as well as a Video Editing Workshop for independent filmmakers. Courses last eight weeks and cost $76. The Fall Session will feature two new classes beginning in September: Screenwriting for Short Film and a Short Film class, where students will make an actual film. Joe Jowers, one of the center’s film instructors, visualizes the film program and its participants growing and working together to become an integral part of the vibrant Southwest Atlanta area. “We want to build a community of filmmakers who are interested in both narrative and documentary films. We also want to build a technical and aesthetic foundation for filmmakers of color by providing a place where film & video engages the community and gets them involved,” said Jowers. The Southwest Arts Center also holds monthly film screenings for independent filmmakers on the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. Filmmakers interested in submitting their work for the monthly screenings may contact Joe Jowers at (404) 505-3220. The Fulton Southwest Arts Center is located at 915 New Hope Road in Atlanta, Georgia, 30331. For more information, call (404) 505-3220, e-mail the center at: southwest.arts@co.fulton. ga.us, or visit the website at: www.fultonarts.org. § www.screenreport.com May 2007 Page 9
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The Secret: Georgia Production Partnership - Southern Screen Report

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