On April 10 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the California Film Commission (CFC) held its third annual “Speed Dating” breakfast during which invited location filming decision-makers–feature and TV production executives, indie producers, location scouts and commercialmakers–were matched up for quickie round-robin sessions with 28 regional film office representatives from throughout the state. The table-hopping event gave industry attendees a taste of the diverse locales each city/county/region has to offer.
CFC director Amy Lemisch was gratified to see increased turnout from the spotmaking community, including execs from such houses as RSA Films and Believe Media.
For Lemisch, the session can be described as a calculated counter punch to the mega locations event which was going on across town at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium–the three day (4/10-12) Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Locations Trade Show, at which film commissions from all over the country and the world come to the Southland to woo Hollywood for filming biz.
While the CFC and assorted city, county and regional California film commissions showcase their wares at AFCI Locations, there’s more of an emphasis by many other exhibiting film commissions on financial incentives such as rebates and tax credits.
California still harbors hope of getting its own filming incentives package off the ground, but the prospects don’t look all that promising given the state’s massive budget shortfall. Meanwhile an estimated 40 states in this country–not to mention numerous other nations–have enticing rebates, tax breaks and credits in place. For example, Michigan generated a major buzz at the AFCI Locations Trade Show with its new program offering filmmakers a 40 percent tax credit on spending in the state on feature, TV and commercial production.
So the CFC and local film commissioners throughout the Golden State are instead putting the spotlight on the locales, services and production infrastructure that California can offer feature, TV, spot and music video producers. And while Lemisch and her state colleagues championed that message at the Locations Trade Show, clearly they were able to communicate it more directly and with less competitive interference at the “Speed Dating” session, which drew some 75 influential contacts.
During this latest round of “Speed Dating,” Lemisch said the groundwork was laid for some projects to film on location in California. “It’s part of our needing to be more innovative in how we present our case.”
During this latest round of “Speed Dating,” Lemisch said the groundwork was laid for some projects to film on location in California. “It’s part of our needing to be more innovative in how we present our case.”
However, until that realization sets in and translates into progressive legislative action, Lemisch said that “Speed Dating,” among other inventive means, are needed to show that California remains film friendly and deep in talent, services and locations.
“Se7en” Turns 30, Gets A Special Restoration From David Fincher For Its Re-Release
For David Fincher, seeing “Se7en” in 4K was an experience he can only describe as harrowing. That or a high school reunion.
“There are definitely moments that you go, ‘What was I thinking?’ Or ‘Why did I let this person have that hairdo’?” Fincher said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
He’s OK with the film being a product of its time in most respects. But some things just could not stand in high-definition resolution.
“It was a little decrepit, to be honest,” said Fincher. “We needed to resuscitate it. There are things you can see in 4K HDR that you cannot see on a film print.”
Ever the perfectionist, he and a team got to work on a new restoration of the film for its 30th anniversary re-release. This weekend the restored “Se7en” will play on IMAX screens for the first time in the U.S. and Canada, and on Jan. 7, the 4K UHD home video version will be available as well.
The dark crime thriller written by Andrew Kevin Walker and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as a pair of detectives looking for a serial killer was somewhat of a career-reviver for Fincher, whose directorial debut “Alien 3” had not gone well. “Se7en” was not a sure thing: It was made for only $34 million (and only got that when Fincher managed to persuade studio execs to give up $3 million more). But it went on to earn more than $327 million, not accounting for inflation, and continues to influence the genre.
Fincher has over the years overseen several restorations of the film (including one for laser disc) but decided this needed to be the last. It’s why he insisted on an 8K scan that they could derive the 4K from. He wanted to ensure that it wouldn’t have to be repeated when screens get more... Read More