Wyoing Filmmakers Showcase Requesting Submissions

The first-ever Wyoming Filmmakers Showcase will be presented September 30^th and October 1^st in the recently-opened High Definition Theater at the Craig Thomas Discovery Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park. Produced by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival with funding provided by the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, the weekend event will feature recent work of selected regional filmmakers.

The Wyoming Filmmakers Showcase will be promoted regionally as the weekend launch event preceding this year’s Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival’s prestigious five-day media industry conference. Filmmakers selected for inclusion in the Wyoming Filmmakers Showcase will be hosted by the Festival throughout the weekend, and given complimentary two-day passes (value $500) to its industry conference. In partnership with the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Film Office, participating filmmakers will have full access to the seminars, workshops, screenings and unmatched networking and professional development opportunities presented at the conference.

Wyoming filmmakers may propose any current and recently produced projects for screening consideration – the Wyoming Showcase collection will feature a curated selection of approximately 12 films all made by current Wyoming residents. Films may be any length or genre. Selections will be made with the intention of having a well-balanced collection and screening program – shorts are encouraged.

Following the weekend screening showcase in Jackson Hole, the Wyoming Filmmakers Showcase collection of films will be made available to other organizations wishing to host screening events in their own communities. Filmmakers will be invited to take part in Q & A sessions and ‘Meet the Filmmakers’ Receptions.

To submit a film for consideration, contact Wyoming Filmmakers Showcase Director, Carrie Richer at (307) 733 7016 or carrie@jhfestival.org. Submission materials will include a project DVD, brief synopsis and credit information. You may mail your DVDs to the Festival Office: Po Box 3940, Jackson WY 83001 or use the shipping address (Fedex and UPS packages) and ship to: JHWFF, 240 S. Glenwood St. suite 112, Jackson, WY 83001.

Kickstarter

If you don't know what KickStarter is, go familiarize yourself at the website in question. Go on. I'll wait.

Back? Excellent. Now that we're all well educated on the subject, here's the question of the hour: what do you people think of KickStarter? So far three kick-starting productions have crossed our desk here at the Film Office: "Untitled Jackson Hole Project" by Melanie Miller, "Wyoming Triumph" from the KGB guys, and Big Horn Samurai Sinema's "From the Trailer to the Grave."

But what do you think? Is this a viable way to fund an indie project, a simple boost to the budget, or more trouble than it's worth? Sound off in the comments.

The Latest from TGR

Our friends at Teton Gravity Research are hard at work on their latest globe spanning ski odyssey. Check out the footage:

“'One for the Road' is a ski and snowboard film following some of the world’s most progressive snow sports athletes, documenting their lives on the road, and capturing some of the most stunning riding to date. Road trips are an integral part of every adventurer’s life and a conduit to define one’s being. Journeys to new lands shed light on each skier’s personal mission. Whether shredding with long time ski partners, or meeting a seasoned character in some far off country, wisdom is gained through these new experiences. The road trip is a metaphor for every skiers’ existence.

Shot on location, prepare for a visually stunning voyage generated with Phantom, RED, HDSLR & GoPro footage...

Continue to the full article.

"Modern Family" Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2011

Contact: Michell Howard, Wyoming Film Office Manager
michell.howard@wyo.gov Cell: 307-631-1582

Season Premiere of ABC’s “Modern Family” Will Take Place in Jackson Hole

Cheyenne, WY -- The producers of “Modern Family” have decided that they will film the season 3 premiere of the hit ABC series at Lost Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole. “Modern Family” is a popular television show with over 12 million viewers that follows the trials and tribulations of a large, blended family and how they cope in their own unique ways. The premiere episode will air Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 9pm ET/PT on the ABC Television Network with filming taking place in mid August. The show considered several locations across the West before settling on Wyoming.

Governor Matt Mead reached out to the Modern Family producers prior to their Jackson visit and again when the production team was scouting the area. Governor Mead used the opportunity to advocate for the Wyoming as a setting for the award-winning comedy series. Governor Mead said, “Wyoming is a great family vacation destination, and it will benefit the state to be featured on network television, showcasing Jackson Hole and our iconic western images, from cowboys and horses to big open skies.”

The Wyoming Film Office was initially contacted by the location manager for Modern Family for ranch images. Lost Creek Ranch became the top choice based on its beautiful scenery and its willingness to be flexible as the production company chooses its production dates in August.

Mike Halpin, owner of Lost Creek Ranch commented, “We are looking forward to working with the producers, cast and crew. We are especially proud to have had a part in securing this episode for Wyoming since millions of viewers around the world will associate the western guest ranch experience with our State and our valley.”

The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Joint Powers Board (JHTTB), Jackson Mayor Mark Barron, the Wyoming Film Office, Governor Matt Mead, and the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Board formed a powerful team to quickly seize a slim possibility that resulted in bringing home a major victory.

Along with a financial contribution towards production costs from the JHTTB, the local lodging tax board worked with production executives to note Jackson Hole skiing in the episode. “It’s our privilege to support this important and unique opportunity which will ensure wide ranging and impactful outreach to potential visitors to Jackson Hole” said Stephen Price, Chair of the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Joint Powers Board. Price added, “It is the leveraging and augmentation of the area’s resources that allows us all to benefit.”

"A request for services went to the lodging community and many responded in less than 72 hours. This quick response was a turning point for Jackson’s consideration,” said Heather Falk, Tourism Manager for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the local lodging tax incentive, the State of Wyoming Film Industry Financial Incentive (FIFI) program will also offer the production company a 15% rebate on expenditures. Film Office Manager Michell Howard said, “This is a great example of a local community and the state recognizing the economic benefits and tourism value of hosting film production.”

“We couldn’t be more excited,” adds Steven Levitan, executive producer of “Modern Family.” “Jackson Hole will make a wonderful backdrop for a fantastic season 3 premiere.”

ABOUT “MODERN FAMILY”
ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit comedy, “Modern Family,” takes a modern and often hilarious look at the complications that come with being a family today. Jay Pritchett, with his much younger wife Gloria and her son Manny, sits as the patriarch of a large blended family that includes his grown daughter Claire, who has three kids of her own with her husband Phil, and a grown son Mitchell, who adopted a Vietnamese baby with his gay life partner Cameron. These three families are unique unto themselves, and together they give us a window into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted embrace of the modern family. “Modern Family” stars Ed O’Neill as Jay, Sofía Vergara as Gloria, Julie Bowen as Claire, Ty Burrell as Phil, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell, Sarah Hyland as Haley, Ariel Winter as Alex, Nolan Gould as Luke and Rico Rodriguez as Manny. The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television in association with Levitan Lloyd Productions. Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd are executive producers/creators.

For more information on “Modern Family,” visit ABC.com. Photography and video available at www.abcmedianet.com.

Wyoming Native on "Rizzoli & Isles."

Wyoming Native K. Harrison Sweeney just landed his first co-starring role on TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles." The voice-actor from RockStar Games' "Red Dead Redemption" grew up in Worland (class of '96) and graduated from UW's Theater & Dance program ('01). Check the preview below, and check TNT tonight for the full episode.

Fam Tour Photography

Remember that Fam Tour we mentioned a while back? Well one of our participants got back in touch with some of her own photography. Thanks Beth!

The Inaugural Grand Teton Film Festival

Our friends at The Mountain Pulse just gave us the heads up on this one. You can read the full post over at themountainpulse.com, but here are a few pertinent details:

"The national park service is hosting the inaugural wildlife film festival this weekend at the Craig Thomas Discovery Center. The addition of a modern theater enables the park to entertain new events. This film series features an exciting slate of films profiling environmental issues, and highlighting parks and protected areas from the Alaska Peninsula to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and from the high Sierras of California to the high desert of New Mexico. "

It looks like we missed most of the festivities this year (the festival took place July 7-9), but the park's Public Affairs Officer Jackie Skaggs tells us there's a good chance this may become an annual event.

To tide you over in the meantime, here's Part 1 of Yosemite: The Fate of Heaven. The hour-long documentary screened Thursday at the festival. Made in 1989, this film was featured on PBS' American Experience and won an Earthwatch Film Award for master documentarian Jon Else.



To find out more about the festival, head over to the GTNP News Releases blog.

The Latest from Cody Jones

Wyoming's own Cody Jones is still going strong in La La Land. This Wyoming-born stuntman and actor is an Eastern Shoshone tribal member of the Wind River Indian Reservation. He's done a bit of bull riding, a bit of modeling, a lot of work as an extra.

In any case, it had been a while since our last meet up at the 2010 Locations Trade Show, so we did a bit of Googling. As it turns out, you'll be able to see Mr. Jones yourself in theaters before July is out.

Check Henry's Western Round-up Blog for the full story.

All the best, Cody!

Wyoming working together to bring production to state

For a film commission, it's a good day when your community rallies around incoming production. It means you've got the right people in place. It means that your liaisons are well informed and your local officials see the value of these projects. In that sense, it's a very good day here in Wyoming.

If you haven't already seen this article detailing Jackson Hole's attempt to host the fall season opener of ABC's Modern Family on a local dude ranch, check it out. If things go the way they're going, the season premiere should start filming in the valley in August.

Like most projects that cross our desk here in the Film Office, it all started with a phone call. The location manager wanted ranch shots, so we sent the photography. The producers liked the shots, so now logistics came into play. Our friends at the Wyoming Office of Tourism got in touch the ranch owner. The owner happened to sit on the Jackson Hole Chamber Board, and things spread on their own from there.

Is the valley accessible?

A member of the State Tourism Board worked with the airlines to charter a flight through Jackson Hole Airport.

Can we get 900 room nights?

Snow King Resort put in the work, guaranteeing the filmmakers lodging at peak season.

It would be cheaper to film in another state.

Jackson Hole's Lodging Tax Board got involved, and they offered their own financial incentive.

Everybody was eager to help. One of our local crew people headed out to shoot additional location footage. The governor's office wrote a letter of welcome to the producers. Local officials sat down for conference calls with the production team. And when all the questions were answered and all the planning done, it was a Wyoming town as the front runner for the project.

This is what happens when a film commission puts its network of contacts into play. This is what happens when a community realizes that 15 million viewers is a whole lot of advertising value, and that the film industry can bring real financial impact to the table. So let the message read loud and clear: Wyoming is a film friendly sort of place. Come out and see us, bring your friends, and don't forget your cameras.