It isn't over yet. Fact is there is still much to come this summer. It already feels full though, doesn't it? We've got hundreds of photographs to prove it's been a busier than usual time of the year. I'm excited that there is this much going on and I'm not just imagining it. The industry in New England is "getting it on!"

Important stuff is happening, and I don't believe "run away" production is affecting Ivywood as much as say Hollywood or Minnesota. Make no mistake, "run away" and "fly away" is a still a concern for our region. Massachusetts experienced banner production during the Millennium turn, posting an estimated $73.7 million generated in Mass by film and television productions. However, also according to Robin Dawson, Executive Director of the Mass Film Office, an estimated $40 million was lost to Canada. That's judging from only the productions that physically scouted and considered Massachusetts before making their decision to go north. It would be impossible to know how many productions made that decision based on discounts and savings alone and went directly there. Mexico is getting into the act big time. It is now possible to orchestrate a dual co-production deal using both Canada and Mexico, and I'm beginning to believe, there are other strategies that can be summoned in as well.

As far as I know, Mayor Vincent A Cianci, Jr., of Providence is the only one doing anything about this situation from a tactical and legislative point of view. He meets regularly with mayors from all over the country considering what antidotes and tourniquets can be applied to this pirating drain of our financial and entertainment product potential. Clearly, he has established a model for spearheading and creating competitive tax incentives through legislation (see special section). But the rest of the region (especially Massachusetts, the state that has the most to gain and lose), appears blindly ignorant of the opportunity or the need to organize policy or a plan to capitalize or promote a desirable clean air industry with sizable economic upsides, and, oh yes, a fall-out of increased tourism! How difficult is that?

According to Dawson, "The City of Gloucester has already experienced a significant increase in tourism following the release of THE PERFECT STORM. I believe that translates to revenue for the state and its citizens. The State of Minnesota gives back $100,000 for each $million a filmmaker spends in the state. That's called an incentive. The State of Rhode Island and others provide a 25% state tax discount to independent film investors that shoot in the state. These are vital considerations. Others are just as important, like making the state production friendly. Wouldn't it be a good idea for all the unions to get together and make commitments to improving the state's user-friendly status? I mean the Teamsters, SAG & AFTRA, IATSE, and all the rest. Imagine has been told by A-List Producers and Directors that if this state could "do something" about its union difficulties, we wouldn't be able to keep production away. And, of course, there needs to be some consideration for the local independent production community if only for its growing propensity for "break-outs" and its own economic and cultural impact on the state.

Despite the orphaned condition of the industry in Massachusetts, the cream of it keeps rising to the top. That rich feeling of fullness is present this summer and good "things" are happening. In a time when many companies' names are getting longer, Scout Productions has announced that they have reduced theirs to just Scout through a major restructuring of the company into three divisions. Scout also announced a stunning filmmaking partnership with CineAtlantica Media for financing 4 - 6 pictures a year with budgets in the 3 - 15 million dollar range, and two New Media strategic partnerships with iVAST and Soup2Nuts (see WWW this issue).

Scout's new divisions are Scout Productions, which will continue their traditional feature film and television productions; Frontier, a recently launched New Media division that will produce and deliver premiere interactive content for narrowband, broadband, interactive television and wireless markets; and Camp, offering state-of-the-art on-site production and editorial facilities available for rent to outside production companies. Imagine will feature an in depth look at Scout's Frontier Division in the September issue.

Also good news for New England is non-fiction film/TV specialist Blue Planet Entertainment has launched its North American subsidiary in Boston. Blue Planet Entertainment was founded in September 2000 as part of the diversification plans of MEDIA! AG, one of Germany's market leaders in digital media & broadcast technologies. Louise Rosen, an international expert in non-fiction production and distribution has been named Vice President & General Manager

Rosen joins the company with over twenty years of experience in international television. She says, "The collaboration with a powerful partner like Blue Planet Entertainment offers a tremendous opportunity to further implement my fundamental ideas about the business of high quality non-fiction programming, as well as expand upon many of my existing relationships with producers, directors and international broadcasters."

The Boston Film & Video Foundation, now in its 26th year as a media arts center and membership organization, also made an important announcement this week. Robert Glover has been named its new Executive Director. Mr. Glover has over 30 years of experience working in Boston's media production community. His production credits includes a variety of award winning local and national programs such as Zoom, Sesame Street, Ready to Go, La Plaza, Say Brother, and Frontline. Mr. Glover also brings 5 years of public relations and marketing experience to BF/VF. Since the departure of Director Anne Marie Stein earlier this year, Devon Damonte has acted as Director. Sources close to Imagine have learned that Damonte will return to the Northwest to pursue his passion for animation.

There was a general warming for New Englanders and others at the Nantucket Film Festival this year. A week of great weather poured sunshine over regional films. The makers of ORPHAN and THE GENTLEMAN FR0M BOSTON, and the producers of SESSION 9 were honored at the Imagine Champagne Brunch, which was co-hosted by Rule Broadcast Systems. That morning it rained, but no spirits were dampened as a host of industry giants and moguls, writers, filmmakers, actors, casting directors, distributors, and festival directors gathered at the Imagine House to exchange views and share their exhilarating five days festival experience on the beautiful island of Nantucket.

Imagine will have a complete report and photo review of all of the summer's New England Film Festivals in September including Newport, Ptown, Nantucket (for more on these see David Kleiler's Establishing Shot this issue), Waterville (Maine), Woods Hole and Rhode Island, which is our special section in this issue. We'll also look at September festivals in Boston, Toronto, and a new one this year, the 1st Annual New Hampshire Film Expo, scheduled for September 14-16 in Derry, New Hampshire. The new event involves filmmakers and film lovers from around New England. NHFX is still accepting entries. Visit their official website at www.nhfilmexpo.com for all the details.

Next month is our Big TV issue as well. Who's producing what in New England? We're finding out and we'll tell you all about what you'll be seeing next season on TV from our region. As always, it is my greatest pleasure to present this issue of Imagine, please enjoy it!