It’s not hard to get inspired by Montana’s one-of-a-kind locations—towering peaks, rolling plains and authentic Western communities; $20,000 might just be the boost a project needs to go from vision to reality. Montana Film Office’s recently launched contest, “Pitch the 406,” is giving away $20,000 worth of production equipment, lighting and crew services to a filmmaker to get his or her movie made in Montana.nn”This is an exciting opportunity for filmmakers, who have the inspiration they need to shoot a movie in Montana,” said Montana Film Commissioner Sten Iversen. “All they need is the extra funding to make it happen.”nnIn Montana, $20,000 worth of production equipment and labor can go a long way. The rent-free equipment and services package offered through Filmlites Montana in Bozeman will be customized to the needs of the winner’s film—from grip trucks, cranes and lighting to experienced crew, who have worked on the sets of “My Sister’s Keeper” and “A River Runs Through It,” among many others.nn
nnEntering is easy. Contestants simply submit a three-minute video pitch at http://scout406.com, explaining why Montana is the ideal location for their movies. It can be a trailer, scene test or a person pitching from his or her couch. Entries may be for any style or genre of film, i.e. documentary, narrative fiction, TV pilot, music video.nnVideo pitches will be posted to the Montana Film Office’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/montanafilm, and Montana’s Studio 406 Hollywood panel of judges will select the winner.nn”The contest also offers young and aspiring filmmakers great exposure to some of Hollywood’s very talented veterans, who are sitting on our judging panel,” said Iversen, who is also on the panel.nnThe “Pitch the 406” Hollywood panel includes film producer Marty Katz, who has more than 30 years of motion picture and television experience. Katz owns Marty Katz Productions located in Malibu, Calif., and has served as executive vice president in charge of Motion Pictures and Television for Walt Disney Studios. It was during his time at Disney that he first visited Montana while filming “Disorganized Crime.”nnOther panelists include top industry professionals Erik Brown and Mike Fantasia. Brown is a Montana native, who is a first assistant camera operator and has worked on more than 60 films, including “The Proposal” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Fantasia entered the film industry with his first location scout in Montana for Steven Spielberg’s “Always.” He is now a supervising location manager and production manager; his credits include features “Munich” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”nnFilmmakers have until November 30, 2011, to submit their video pitches for the “Pitch the 406” contest. The winner will be announced the week of January 1, 2012. Watch the contest trailer, “Pitch the 406,” and visit http://scout406.com to find more information on submitting entries, the judges and the prize package.nnFor more information on the Montana film industry, locations, resources, crews and support services, and the Studio 406 Incentive Package, visit the Montana Film Office at www.montanafilm.com.Montana Film Office Sten Iversen, Manager Maribeth Goodrich, Office Coordinator/Crew Liaison John Ansotegui, Location Coordinator Sage DuBois, Multimedia & Project Coordinator Toll free: (800) 553-4563 or (406) 841-2876 Contact MFO via email
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More