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Reports

Say Goodbye to Hollywood? Massachusetts Considers a Cap on Film Tax Credits

By Kerry O’Donnell
Governor Patrick signed the film tax credit law.

In an attempt to present a balanced budget, Massachusetts Governor proposes to cap the film tax incentives that have brought numerous big-budget productions to the state, created jobs and fostered local businesses.

Film Tax Credits Under Fire in the Ocean State

By Karsten Hatch
Michael Corrente, James Woods and Steven Feinberg defend RI's film tax credits at the State House.

In bad economic times, tax credits can be the first things to go, but is Rhode Island giving a fair shot to the film industry?

Industry News - March 2010

By Casey Stirling
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, screening at the Women's Film Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Locals at the Academy Awards, a bevy of festivals, how Massachusetts can develop a successful future in show business, and a rare opportunity to have your film independently reviewed - news & happenings in the local industry for March 2010.

A Taste of French Cinema in Providence

By Maddy Kadish
Berni's Doll, an animated short by Yann Jouette.

The French Short Film Festival sails into Rhode Island this month? Oui!

Playing Columbine, Raising Eyebrows

By Max Gelber
Danny Ledonne, the brains behind Playing Columbine.

Filmmaker Danny Ledonne explores the controversial relationship between video games, violence, and the media in his documentary Playing Columbine, playing this month at the Boston Underground Film Festival.

Not Your Grandfather's Prosumer Camcorders

By David Pierotti
Professional?  Consumer?  Prosumer!  (Photo by Brian Dewitt)

What should you know about the prosumer camcorder market? An overview with a detailed chart of popular cameras with their features and purchase and rental costs.

To Pay or Not to Pay: The Debate over Casting Fees

By Kerry O’Donnell
A casting call for Lost as shown on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hawaii/2773540316/

When Mullen/Kalivoda Casting (M/K Casting), an established Florida-based company arrived in Boston a few months ago, they never anticipated the mini-firestorm of debate that greeted them. At the center of the debate was a $25 fee that M/K Casting was charging at the open calls they were holding. NewEnglandFilm.com talks to them and several other casting directors across the country to help gain insight into what actors should look for when registering with a casting company.

The Script Is Fine. Are YOU Okay?

By Jared M. Gordon
Those keys are still smoking.  (Photo by Timothy K. Hamilton)

Jared Gordon's latest Report from the Front: a screenwriter has to be ready for rewrites, edits, and revisions. But how far is too far?

Lights. Camera. New England. An Update on the Studios in the Region

By Kerry O’Donnell
There's more than Plymouth Rock in your own backyard.

Think the studio scene is DOA in New England? Don't pack your bags for Hollywood just yet. Here's a status report on each of the studios planned for the region.

Industry News - December 2009

By NewEnglandFilm.com
“The Burden” by Mint Films screens on December 5 in Maine.

Holiday parties, one studio project falls flat while another resurrects, and more -- a report of news & happenings in the local industry for December 2009.

The Price of Pleasure

By Beth Brosnan
Filmmaker Liz Canner.

Filmmaker Liz Canner takes on the "strange science of female pleasure" and how the pharmaceutical companies hope to capitalize on it in her documentary, Orgasm, Inc.

A Free Education in Film Rules

By David Pierotti
What's the Best Way for Me to Export That HDV Footage? (Photo by Niels van Kampenhout)

The Learning Lab Series at Rule/Boston Camera Film Rental provides a valuable and free resource for the local filmmaking community.

The Restaurant: Tasty, Talented, and Local

By Kerry O’Donnell
The Cast and Crew of The Restaurant.

Filmmakers Bobby Scali and Ted Sherman unveil their short film featuring the talents of 40 local SAG actors.

On the Set: Everything That Could Go Wrong... Did

By Jared M. Gordon
Production Still.  The Fire Was Not Planned. (Photo by Ross Beckley)

Things go from bad to worse to worst to whatever is beyond worst in this dramatization of actual events.

Industry News - November 2009

By Alexandria Lima
Writing on the Wall: Remembering the Berlin Wall (Boston College)

Boston College students mark anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, “Killer” film festivals all month long, LEF Foundation Moving Image Fund grants $20,000 to local filmmakers and more… A report of news & happenings in the local industry for November 2009.

Behind-the-Scenes of the Boston Jewish Film Festival

By Maddy Kadish
Members of the theatre troupe accept applause at the end of their performance in “How To: Be Or Not To Be."

Boston Jewish Film Festival volunteer Maddy Kadish gives an inside-out look at a Boston institution.

Directors and Cinematographers: A Love Story

By Trace Douglas
Who's in charge on the set?  Photo by Brian Lane Winfield Moore: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctabu/307144611/

Massachusetts cinematographer Trace Douglas discusses director/cinematographer relations.

NewEnglandFilm.com Editor Erin Trahan Steps Down to Act as Interim Director of Independent Media Publications

By Erin Trahan
covers-sm.jpg

As of October 15th, Erin Trahan will be stepping down as the editor of NewEnglandFilm.com's monthly magazine in order to serve as the interim executive director of Independent Media Productions (IMP), the nonprofit organization that oversees publication of www.independent-magazine.org.

Industry News - October 2009

By Alexandria Lima
"Santa: The Facist Years," screens in the Williamstown Film Festival's shorts II program.

State budget woes force Mass Cultural Council to cut programs, Williamstown Film Festival rolls in, calls for entries galore and more… A report of news & happenings in the local industry for October 2009.

“Crooked Lane” Through the Eyes of RED

By Beth Brosnan
Shooting with RED on the NH set of "Crooked Lane."

Chase Bailey and a crew of New Hampshire filmmakers weigh the pros and cons of using RED to shoot the short film Crooked Lane, which premieres this month at the New Hampshire Film Festival.

Influx of Studio Pics Forces Actors and Casting Agencies to Grow

By Kerry O’Donnell
Anne Mulhall, of LDI Casting, has expertise in period pieces.

This summer, Grown-Ups, The Fighter, Furry Vengeance, The Town, Zookeeper, and Wichita all set up shop in Massachusetts. With the high demand on casting agencies and actors, how is the system faring?

Industry News - September 2009

By Alexandria Lima
"The Wing" and other films screen online at NewEnglandFilm.com this month.

The Online New England Film Festival goes live, the Coolidge Corner Theatre brings back Talk Cinema, Images Cinema exhibits animal art for a cause and more… A report of news & happenings in the local industry for September 2009.

Training a Workforce for the Moviemaking Marathon

By April Gardner
CT Film & Digital Media Workforce offers training and resources throughout CT.

As New England attracts more major motion pictures, the race is on to grow a trained workforce. This guide offers an overview of new and ongoing skill-building opportunities to secure work in all aspects of production.

Local Legislators on Tax Credits

By Michele Meek

How to contact your local state legislators in New England to emphasize the necessity to maintain or create filmmaking tax credits.

Industry News - August 2009

By Alexandria Lima
A still from a short by Jake Mahaffy, whose work is featured this month at RIIFF.

LEF New England announces grant deadlines, calls for “awesomeness” sound (with a cash reward), RIIFF takes over Rhode Island, and more… the August 2009 report of industry news, festivals and happenings.

Industry News - July 2009

By Alexandria Lima
Tze Chun (back) picked up a narrative jury prize at Newport International for "Children of Invention."

The beginning of summer means festivals, festivals, and – you guessed it – more festivals; Connecticut and Maine film industries struggle; and more… the July 2009 report of industry news and happenings.

Neurocinematics: Your Brain on Film

By April Gardner
Neurocinematics studies your brain's activity while watching films.

April Gardner provides a primer on the burgeoning academic field of neurocinematics, which may answer why we react (or don't) to certain films.

Blogging Newport International 2009

By C.E. Craner
From David Boyle's "White on Rice," screened at Newport International in June 2009.

C.E. Craner gives her take on ad men, thwarted love, and cross-cultural comedy on the heels of the 2009 Newport International Film Festival, held June 3-7 in Rhode Island.

Under the Animation Microscope

By Mike Sullivan
The Quay brothers accept the 2009 Coolidge Award.

Mike Sullivan distills what makes the Quay brothers worth watching, and worthy recipients of the 2009 Coolidge Award, even if it is hard to tell them apart.

Make Your Film a Virtual Success

By April Gardner
Screen shot of Nicky O'Neill, from the documentary "41."

April Gardner reports on six of the the latest online tactics local filmmakers are using to attract money and audiences to their indie projects.