May 2005

Is Rhode Island on the brink of becoming the next Hollywood? The buzz around the Ocean State is that it will at least give Tinseltown a run for its money if new legislation recently announced is passed. At a March press conference complete with popcorn, movie clips, and director’s chairs, Speaker of the House William J. Murphy announced new legislation that would provide tax incentives to film and television companies who bring their productions to Rhode Island. Under the new bill (2005 - H6201), production companies would not have read more...

Elizabeth Puccini’s film "Four Corners of Suburbia" centers around five young adults who are questioning the paths their lives have taken and are struggling to make peace with their choices. Walt Samson, a teacher and husband with two children, is reawakened to the passions of his youth by another woman. Attempting to save the marriage, his wife Rachel arranges a vacation for her and Walt at her parent’s summer house in New England. Her plans are derailed when Walt invites his childhood friend Benjamin to join them. With the read more...

Animation has taken many forms over the past century. "Snow White," "Pokemon," and "Toy Story" have defined the art form and each taken it in new directions. A new short film by Happy Trails Animation, entitled "Winter," has once again proven animation to be a compelling and magical medium. Winner of the Boston Motion Picture Award, "Winter" gives a glimpse into the heart of a little girl who is caring for her ailing mother.

Look at the horizon and rising high in the sky is one of Boston’s and New England’s newest talents in motion picture production, Joe Gatto who helms Liquid Lunch Productions. Gatto is an Arlington, Massachusetts native who always had a love of film. After spending some time in Berkley, California and making a variety of short films there, he returned to New England several years back to launch Liquid Lunch Productions.

Email news to news@newenglandfilm.com. 

Note: As Publisher and Founder of NewEnglandFilm.com, I wanted to post that I have recently resigned from the AIVF board which I was elected to over a year and a half ago.  Feel free to get in touch with me directly at michele@newenglandfilm.com if you have questions.

When Harrison Wilcox dons his cap and gown this month for Boston College’s commencement ceremonies, it is likely he will look back and recall his recent experience winning three awards at the college’s first annual film festival as one of his fondest memories. In March, Wilcox’s student film "Before the Styx" was honored with awards for Best Screenplay, Best Drama, and Best Picture of the Year at the school’s Baldwin Awards. The awards, which are judged by the school’s Fine Arts and Communication faculty, are given to the read more...

Bill Millios is a filmmaker with double vision, but there’s nothing wrong with his eyesight. He has a creative vision for his individual film work and a business vision for the development of a model for locally produced, independent film. His second feature film, "Dangerous Crosswinds" which he wrote, produced, directed and edited will premiere on May 26th at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH.

To bridge the gap between consumer and professional video cameras Sony has created the HVR-Z1U camcorder. It is Sony’s first attempt at designing a compact, cost-effective camcorder that allows HiDef acquisition on a standard DV cassette using the newly introduced HDV format. Aimed directly at the filmmaker, event video producers and news videographers, the Z1 is packed with the widest array of professional features all within a small, prosumer package priced at under $5,000.

The annual convention of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) held annually at the at the Las Vegas Convention Center remains the definitive media and entertainment event for sizing up industry trends and checking out new gear on the near-term horizon. This year an estimated 97,000 people attended the conferences sessions, user group meetings, new product introduction events, and walked along 800,000 square feet of exhibition halls packed with 1,800 exhibitors from around the world. Somehow it's appropriate that this annual read more...