'08 Press Releases
October 2008
"Hatching" New Talent in Bozeman
The Montana Film Office (MFO) is currently attending the 4th Annual HATCHfest, running from October 1-4, 2008 in Bozeman. Some of this year's highlights include a screening of Montana-made film Pretty Ugly People, which shot in Western Montana in 2006, the opening night screening of Butterfly Dreaming, which was produced by Montana native and renowned casting director, Rene Haynes, and a screening of The Village Barbershop starring John Ratzenberger (Cheers, Toy Story) and Shelly Cole (Prey for Rock and Roll, Art School Confidential). Throughout the week there will be screenings of ten feature films, ten ground breaker films, a shorts program, musical events, two dedicated lounge areas for guests and invitees and a closing night award ceremony. To download a full schedule of events visit www.hatchfest.org/schedule.
The most important and unusual aspect of the festival is its mentoring program, in which seasoned professionals in the various arts attend as jurors or panelists and guide selected students. The mission of HATCH is to provide mentorship, education, inspiration and recognition to the next generation of creative innovators. To learn more about HATCH and the festival, visit www.hatchfest.org.
The MFO has been a supporter and sponsor of HATCHfest since its inception in 2004. The MFO hosted a VIP "Welcome to Montana" Reception at the Montana Trails Gallery for the filmmakers, mentors and "groundbreakers" and has a booth presence in the Emerson Cultural Center throughout the event.
September 2008
The Big Sky Graces the Big Screen in Major Motion Picture
New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Brothers, features Glacier National Park and
the Blackfeet Reservation in “My Sisters Keeper” scheduled for release in 2009
(HELENA) –– Montana’s unparalleled scenic beauty will feature prominently in a key scene for the major studio film “My Sister’s Keeper” directed by Nick Cassavetes, whose previous credits include the 2004 award winner “The Notebook”.
“We’re excited to share our spectacular backyard with the world in a major Hollywood film. We are working hard to make Montana a top tier film destination with an excellent reputation among those in the industry,” Governor Schweitzer said. “Coupled with Montana’s extraordinary locations and well skilled workforce, Montana’s Big Sky on the Big Screen tax incentives aspire to provide an added enticement to film in Big Sky Country.”
The production was primarily shot in Los Angeles, however, several essential scenes were filmed recently in northwest Montana. The week-long shoot employed approximately 60 crew members, mostly Montanans from the Flathead Valley, Blackfeet Reservation and Bozeman area.
“The impact Montana’s film industry has on our local and statewide economies cannot be overstated,” said Anthony Preite, director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “While the economic impact for this production is not yet available, large productions of this size typically spend over $100,000 per day of filming on Montana labor and support services. We would anticipate a direct economic impact of $225,000 which means a total economic impact of $345,000, all in just a few short days.”
The Montana Film Office has been working diligently with the production team since December 2007 to bring this film to Montana. Film Office staffer John Ansotegui has worked closely with the National Park Service and the production company location manager, Alasdair Boyd, to choose the ideal location for the shoot.
"We had a fantastic experience filming in Montana” said executive producer Diana Pokorny. “The scenery was magnificent, the local crew was experienced and accommodating and the Montana Film Office was present and helpful in every aspect of the experience."
Both the Montana Film Office and the production company were very appreciative of the cooperative spirit demonstrated by the Glacier National Park officials throughout the process. All those involved worked meticulously to create solutions amenable to everyone’s needs while first and foremost protecting the Park’s natural resources.
Based on a novel by Jodi Piccoult “My Sister's Keeper" tells the story of a young girl named Anna Fitzgerald, played by 2007 Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin, who was conceived as a bone marrow match for her sister with leukemia. It explores the moral and ethical complexities of genetic selection, family loyalties and personal rights. The movie also stars four-time Golden Globe nominee Cameron Diaz (“Charlies Angel’s”, “Shrek”) Oscar nominee and 2008 Emmy winner Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”, “The Cooler”) and Oscar nominee Joan Cusack (“In & Out”, “Working Girl”). In addition to Emmy winning executive producer Pokorny, other members of the production team include screenwriter Jeremy Leven and Oscar winning producer, Mark Johnson.
In 2007, the Montana State Legislature passed a measure to improve the already successful Big Sky on the Big Screen Act, spearheaded by Governor Brian Schweitzer. The new tax incentive package provides film companies larger tax incentives on production expenditures incurred while on location in Montana, and encourages large scale productions by eliminating a cap on the credits. Production companies are given a 14 percent incentive rebate on all Montana labor hired for film production and a nine percent rebate on all production-related Montana expenditures including lodging, equipment rental, fuel, lumber, and construction materials.
The Big Sky on the Big Screen Act helped increase film production in Montana by 34 percent between 2005 and 2006. The economic impact created by film production in Montana increased by 12 percent between 2006 and 2007. In 2007, 86 film and television projects were shot in Montana, including three feature films. Overall, these projects generated $7.8 million in film production spending and created 202 full time jobs for Montanans.
Click here for official press release about "My Sister's Keeper".
September 2008
MFO Courts Independent Filmmakers
The Montana Film Office (MFO) will be one of the sponsor's of IFP's Independent Film Week in New York City, NY this September 14-19, 2008. This is the second year that the MFO has taken advantage of this great marketing opportunity to reach independent filmmakers in New York.
The MFO expands their presence this year by co-hosting the opening night event which follows a speech by acclaimed independent film director and producer, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Good Will Hunting). The MFO will also have a marketing presence all week in the filmmaker lounge area, where Film Office Manager, Sten Iversen, will be on hand to meet with the filmmakers between panels, screenings and sessions. To learn more about IFP and the Independent Film Week visit: www.independentfilmweek.com.
July 2008
“The Little Red Truck” Winning Over All Ages
Award-winning Documentary Film Proving to Be Big Hit with Kids and Their Parents
Missoula, Montana —With a title suggesting a cute little vehicle and a cast that includes hundreds of kids (in cool costumes, no less), it’s no surprise that the awardwinning documentary film “The Little Red Truck” is winning the hearts and minds of youngsters nationwide. What is unexpected—and eagerly welcomed—is the number of parents and grandparents touting the film’s merits.
According to producer Pam Voth, while kids relate easily to the film’s young “stars” and upbeat messages, parents and grandparents are the loudest chorus in singing the film’s praises.
“Kids immediately embrace the movie and the musical numbers within it,” Voth says. “But what’s been really exciting and somewhat unexpected is the number of parents and grandparents approaching us on the festival circuit, asking when the film will be out in theaters,” she says. “They can’t wait to share it with their entire family.”
Voth says fans will get their wish on July 11 when the movie makes its theatrical
debut in Helena and Missoula, Montana (where MCT is located) and Columbus, Indiana.
On July 25, it plays at Regal Cinema’s Fox Tower Stadium 10 in Portland, Oregon (Regal
is the largest theater chain in the world). It will then be in theaters nationwide throughout
the remainder of the summer and early fall.
Click here for the full press release about "The Little Red Truck".
Note: Carmike will also be scheduling it in Billings, Great Falls, Bozeman and Butte as their calendar allows. Signature Theaters in Kalispell will also be fitting it in as schedules allow. Media stories about the film will appear in the Horizon Air in-flight magazine, Big Sky Journal, Billings Gazette, Bozeman Chronicle and the Big Sky Sun.
June 2008
“Up Close & Personal” - Michael Martin Murphey
Concert
August 21, 2008 @ 7:30pm
A Benefit Concert for the International Wildlife Film Festival & Media Center will be featuring Michael Martin Murphey with special guest Rob Quist and opening act Shane Clouse. Michael Martin Murphey is today's #1 selling Singing Cowboy Poet...Western Music Hall of Fame...Cowboy Hall of Fame 6x Award Winner... Texas Music Awards Song of the Year...His first album made him "best new songwriter in the nation" (Chet Flippo - Rolling Stone); his song "Wildfire" was one of radio's most played songs (all formats); and "His COWBOY SONGS album is a classic" (Jack Hurst - Chicago Tribue); he also received the First Gold Album in Cowboy Music since Marty Robbins.
This event will be held at the Wilma Theatre in Missoula, Montana. Seating on the main floor is $35.00 and balcony seating is $30.00. Tickets are for sale on line at www.wildlifefilms.org (maximum of 6 tickets per online transaction). VIP Reception & Premium seating is $125.00 for sale only through IWFF office. (*VIP Premium ticket includes close up seat, reception at the NEW Scotty's Table on the Terrace at the Wilma: Meet & Mingle before the show, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, glass of wine and a chance to meet the artists).
June 2008
AmericaTheBeautiful.com Chooses Custer Country, MT as part of the See America Tour
Waynesville, NC, June 9, 2008: After dozens of submissions by communities across these United States of America – AmericaTheBeautiful.com has elected to feature Custer Country, MT in the 2008 See America Tour. “Custer Country’s upcoming re-enactments and amazing people are a perfect example of America’s Pride, Passion, Promise and Patriotism for this great country” states Peter Smith. “We are looking forward to capturing the region’s true American Spirit on Video”. AmericaTheBeautiful.com is taking a film crew across the roads of America in search of powerful stories of patriotism and love of this great land. The focus is on the heartwarming communities, filled with great people, amazing photographic sites, and messages of patriotism, pride, passion and promise for America. AmericaTheBeautiful.com is dedicated to inspiring the hearts of all Americans with videos, photographic imagery, writings and music to tell the story of America.
Click here for the full press release about "America the Beautiful".
May 2008
“A Plumm Summer” Proves Plum Beneficial to the State
The independent film, "A Plumm Summer," which was recently released in theaters in five Montana cities, and over 50 theaters nationally is an ideal example of the benefits of bringing film production to the state of Montana. This award-winning film, which was shot in Bozeman and Livingston in the summer of 2006, provided good paying jobs to Montanans as well as imparted a significant fiscal contribution to the state.
Some key benefits of this production included:
- Employed 89 Montanan professional and technical crew members
- Employed 415 paid extras
- Conducted business with over 250 local area businesses and contractors
- Had a total Montana payroll totaling $756,702 (including W-2 payroll of $496,576, Subcontractor 1099 payroll of $229,162 and actors and extra’s payroll of $30,964)
- Generated $2 million dollars in direct impact revenue for Montana and it generated an additional $1 million in indirect impacts
The filmmakers had considered filming in other states, but decided to shoot the film in Montana because of tax incentives offered by the Big Sky on the Big Screen Act and Montana’s readily available work force.
In 2007, backed by Governor Schweitzer, the Montana State Legislature passed a measure to improve the Big Sky on the Big Screen Act. The new tax incentive package provides film companies larger tax incentives on production expenditures incurred while on location in Montana, and encourages large scale productions by eliminating a cap on the credits. Production companies are given a 14 percent incentive rebate on all Montana labor hired for film production and a nine percent rebate on all production-related Montana expenditures including lodging, equipment rental, fuel, lumber, and construction materials.
The Big Sky on the Big Screen Act helped increase film production in Montana by 34 percent between 2005 and 2006. The economic impact created by film production in Montana increased by 12 percent between 2006 and 2007. As one can see, having a movie made in Montana provides a healthy economic infusion into the local communities where films are shot as well as to the overall economic vitality of the state.
"A Plumm Summer" is a true Montana tale supported by Montana talent. "A Plumm Summer" is about the innocence of an idyllic Montana hamlet that is disrupted when celebrity puppet ‘Froggy Doo’ is kidnapped and held for ransom. Screenwriter and Billings native TJ Lynch created the screenplay which is inspired by actual events. The film was co-produced by Big Sky resident, Doug Metzger, who also served as the First Assistant Director on the film. "A Plumm Summer" was shot by Cinematographer Mark Vargo, a Bozeman resident with a long list of film credits. In the film, Governor Brian Schweitzer also makes his silver screen debut playing the role of Sheriff Strunk. Click here for the full press release about the "Plumm Summer" Film Opening.
April 2008
Montana's "A Plumm Summer" Debut
(HELENA) –– Governor Brian Schweitzer announced today that the independent film, “A Plumm Summer,” will release theatrically in the state of Montana on Friday, April 25th, 2008. Select cities for this opening include Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, Kalispell and Livingston. The family film has already garnered a positive review from Daily Variety which raves that it, “…deliciously blends action, comedy and a touch of sweetness.”
“A Plumm Summer” is a true Montana tale supported by Montana talent. “A Plumm Summer” is about the innocence of an idyllic Montana hamlet that is disrupted when celebrity puppet ‘Froggy Doo’ is kidnapped and held for ransom. Screenwriter and Billings native TJ Lynch created the screenplay which is inspired by actual events. The film was co-produced by Big Sky resident, Doug Metzger (Flicka, The Italian Job, The Patriot), who also served as the First Assistant Director on the film. “A Plumm Summer” was shot by Cinematographer Mark Vargo, a Bozeman resident with a long list of film credits (Poseidon, 3:10 to Yuma). In the film, Governor Brian Schweitzer also makes his silver screen debut playing the role of Sheriff Strunk.
“‘A Plumm Summer’ is a priceless Montana story. I’m honored to be a part of this production and extremely excited to have this film open in theatres across the state,” said Governor Schweitzer. “The makers of this film could have decided to shoot this film in any number of western states, but they chose to shoot it in Montana. I think that speaks to our breathtaking scenery, attractive tax incentives and top notch film crews.”
To read full press release Click Here.
April 2008
New Talent Officially Joins the Film Office
The Montana Film Office (MFO) has recently seen the promotion of John Ansotegui from his former post of Digital Media Coordinator to Location Coordinator, where he is in charge of assisting the many film productions that contact the MFO with location, scouting, and pre-production inquiries. John takes over this position from long- time MFO staffer Bill Kuney who retired from the post in January. John had been working alongside Bill with a majority of the projects and he has now taken over the position full-time.
John’s promotion to Location Coordinator then left a vacancy in the MFO. The film office was pleased to hire former intern, Sage DuBois in the newly revised position of Multimedia and Project Coordinator. Sage is in charge of the website, www.montanafilm.com and Reel-Scout database system, and assists John with the film production inquiries. She also handles special projects for the film office in the form of video editing and graphic design. Sage is originally from Montana, and interned for the MFO in 2004. She returns to Montana from Florida where she was a graphic designer and video and film editor.
Congratulations on your new appointments John and Sage. The Montana Film Office is happy to have you onboard.
March 2008
Montana Film Office Markets at Film Festivals in Montana & Abroad
The Montana Film Office (MFO) recently attended the 5th Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, MT. It is the film office’s fifth consecutive year in sponsoring this internationally distinguished event which showcased 106 compelling, non-fictional films from around the world. Screenings were held in downtown Missoula’s Wilma Theatre. On Saturday, February 16th Sten Iversen and John Ansotegui hosted a private reception for the filmmakers attending and exhibiting at the festival. They represented Montana as a film-friendly location for documentary filmmaking as well as all other media.
Continuing with the 2008 marketing blitz, the MFO will be attending the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival held in Austin, Texas. This independent cinematic event has even been noted as “The new Sundance” by Guardian News & Media Limited. The significant growth of this festival has drawn international attention from a variety of entertainment and media industry professionals. SXSW has a Film & Interactive Tradeshow that runs concurrently with its festival components. This is the second year that the Montana Film Office will have a presence at the trade show. This year the film office will unveil a new booth at the SXSW trade show that will see plenty of use in the future. This year the MFO will also be co-hosting a filmmaker reception along with the South Dakota Film Office. These unique sponsorship opportunities provide great exposure to MFO and have provided excellent networking prospects for future film projects.
February 2008
"Call of the Wild" Films in Montana
The communities of Lincoln and Phillipsburg are very pleased with their recent exposure to the film industry. The Montana Film Office (MFO) recently landed a new feature film, “Call of the Wild”, which chose these two communities for their main locations in their modern adaptation of Jack London’s classic. “We are very happy that these two communities fit the script for this film, it is great to see the positive economic impact an independent film can have on small Montana communities” noted Sten Iversen, MFO manager, “The total economic impact is expected to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars when it is all over”. The film, starring Christopher Llyod and Wes Studi, follows a 10-year-old girl played by young actress Aliel Gade who journeys from New York to visit her grandfather in Montana. The girl stumbles upon a wounded wolf dog which she nurses back to health, later to become part of a sled dog team. The director, Richard Gabai, is very grateful for the support he received from the communities and residents, the MFO, and the Governor Schweitzer for helping to make this feature a success.
February 2008
Montana Well-Represented at Sundance
The Montana Film Office (MFO) and the Bozeman Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) teamed up again this year to promote Montana at the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. The Sundance Film Festival is the premier independent film festival in the United States and screens over 220 films over ten days. All of the selected filmmakers, as well as thousands of other industry personnel ,attend the festival which makes this marketing trip an outstanding promotional and networking opportunity.
MFO and the Bozeman CVB, along with representatives from Idaho and Wyoming, hosted a filmmaker reception on January 24th at the Phoenix Gallery in Park City, UT. The event was well attended by Sundance filmmakers and Montana was represented by Sten Iversen and John Ansotegui from the MFO, Eric Stern from Governor Schweitzer’s Office of Economic Development and Cyndy Andrus, the Executive Director of the Bozeman CVB. "We were able to personally engage virtually every filmmaker that came to our reception. We let them know about the great filming incentive program we offer in Montana, as well as our local resources and beautiful locations," said MFO manager Sten Iversen, on his return from the marketing trip.
The team also spent half a day working from an outreach booth in the Filmmakers Lodge, distributing material about the benefits of filming in Montana. The Montana Film Office anticipates that these contacts will result in further filming projects in 2008 and beyond.
January 2008
200,000 Miles and 100,000 Photos Later – MFO’s Bill Kuney Retires
After 18 years of dedicated service to the Montana Film Office (MFO), Bill Kuney is retiring.
Bill's career at the film office began as a volunteer for Garry Wunderwald, one of Montana's former film commissioners, in the 1980s. Bill became friends with Garry during the filming of Heaven's Gate in 1979. At that time, the film office was a one-man operation, and Bill would help Garry out during busy times, working to bring productions to Montana. After Garry retired, the next film commissioner, Lonie Stimac, was able to hire Bill full-time in 1990.
Bill was influential in bringing millions of dollars to the state in the form of films such as, A River Runs Through It, The Ballad of Little Jo, Return to Lonesome Dove, Holy Matrimony, The Horse Whisperer, The Patriot, Don’t Come Knocking, and A Plumm Summer.
Bill traveled over 200,000 miles and shot over 100,000 photos all across Montana, scouting locations and escorting producers and directors to hidden gems of Montana locations. As part of Bill's job to research information and locations for film productions, he talked to a considerable number of folks in Montana's tourism industry, and many of you are familiar with Bill's friendly voice and good-natured personality.
Bill mentored everyone that passed through the film office during his years with us. He will be truly missed by those who stay behind as he heads off to well-deserved relaxation and retirement. Thanks Bill for 18 loyal years.
January 2008
Montana Movie Magic
The Montana Film Office (MFO) is pleased to announce an expanded brochure that focuses on the movies shot in Montana. "Montana Movie Magic" brochure is a result of the MFO observing the interest of audiences that wanted to "see" where their favorite movies or scenes were shot. It highlights the movies made throughout the six tourism regions, providing city, town and landscape details for the movie adventurer. The brochure also includes some fun facts about the 78 productions shot in Montana, as well as actors, directors and some location details.
The MFO developed the brochure as a tourism piece as part of the 2003-2007 Montana Tourism & Recreation Strategic Plan. According to Sten Iversen, MFO manager, "We hope to help increase tourism to those areas that set the stage for various Montana productions." The Big Sky Country has been seen on the big screen ranging from the 1897 Tourist Train Leaving Livingston to major studio films such as The Horse Whisperer. Other films include Forrest Gump, Broken Arrow and the 2007 film, A Plumm Summer starring Henry Winkler and William Baldwin.
The Montana Movie Magic brochure will help you and your visitors explore Montana from the big screen perspective. As you travel across Montana, envision wheat fields becoming North Pole ice fields, experience the historic 1893 Oklahoma land rush or cast a line into a nearby river. To order your copy of the brochure, call the Montana Promotion Division at 406-841-2870. For more information on Montana movies, go to the Filmed Here page on the Montana Film Office website.