Take Two

By Carol Patton

It is with immense pleasure that I’m writing Take Two today! It has been too long since I’ve written one with the amount of gusto that I am feeling now. My knowing that this issue will debut alongside our newly restructured and ready to re-launch website, and updating and promoting our IMAGINE New England Production, Resource & Locations Guide – I am psyched!

It is now time to get our industry out of the doldrums. We’ve had many negatives to deal with. First the Covid Pandemic, and then the uncertainty in Hollywood about the future of the entertainment industry vis a vis the distribution of motion picture, how television will be consumed and paid for (streaming disappointments and other unknowns, etc.), and the gargantuan industry strikes beginning with the directors, followed by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Those strikes were last year’s dilemma and totally imperiled the industry for an anguishing prolonged period of time. But I’m still not certain of the root cause. Some have intimated that the producers (AMPTP) may have been so unsettled about how future profit making would come to them, that they needed a time-out to figure it out. Hence the diddling of contract negotiations with the unions, taking much more time than seems necessary.

Introducing…Outtakes!

Of course, the AI quandary didn’t help. Speaking of AI, I wrote my first piece last week using AI. It was quite an experience. I’m not sure I’ll include it in this issue. Although if room, I may. If not, I’ll send it out in a new feature of IMAGINE to our email subscribers now called IMAGINE OUTTAKES.

IMAGINE OUTTAKES is designed to bring you news and information about our industry between our IMAGINE Magazine Publications. It is also available to our advertisers to establish presence in the industry and to get out current offerings and deals. If you are not on our email list, you can join free at
www.imaginenews.com.

Labor is Back

I am heartened by the ratification of the IATSE agreement with the producers and in high hopes for the Teamsters and other unions, and the producers to come to an agreement soon. Teamsters boss Sean O’Brien whose dalliance at the RNC convention in Milwaukee has been severely criticized by the rank and file, insists that Local 399’s top priority is to secure a new deal for their entertainment industry members, and revealed tonight they are extending talks with the studios. The Hollywood Teamsters and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will be back at the table
next week in hopes of crafting a deal before the Teamsters’ current contract expires on July 31.

“Alleging the AMPTP are finally taking negotiations ‘seriously,’ and engaging “in meaningful discussions,” after five weeks of bargaining, the Lindsay Dougherty-led local late Friday said it will meet with the studios on July 22 and 23 to come to a new three-year tentative agreement. Fingers crossed.

IMAGINE Goes Green

Having said all that, I am happy to announce that IMAGINE has resumed its regular publishing. We will, for the time being, be publishing online only. The costs of printing, distribution and mailing are prohibitive at this time. Plus, it’s a fact that over 60% of New Englanders prefer to get their news and information online. We’ll save a lot of trees and reduce back strain from carrying all the heavy paper around. I will miss our beautiful, glossy editions of IMAGINE, and I know many of you will as well. Especially, those of you who are featured in the magazine and those who really like to settle into a comfortable sofa and hold what they are reading. Just know that IMAGINE made an investment in our new format that will read well on your cell phone or laptop while you are snuggled up on your comfy sofa!

Let me say that your support is appreciated, and I hope our readers will continue to subscribe to IMAGINE.

Shot in New England

Looking around at the moment, it good to know that AT THE SEA, directed by Kornél Mundruczó is shooting in Massachusetts on The Cape. I know local actors and crew are getting the calls and the gigs.

The film follows the life of Laura after a long rehabilitation, as she returns to her family at their beach holiday home where she must readjust to the complicated life she left behind. Now she is forced to face the following next chapter of her life without the career that gave her fame, fortune and, most importantly, identity.

AT THE SEA stars Amy Adams (THE FIGHTER, ARRIVAL), Jenny Slate, Rainn Wilson, Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), and Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek).

ELLA McCAY recently wrapped in Rhode Island after months of shooting there. The film is written and directed by Emmy Award and Academy Award winner, James L. Brooks, whose credits include the Mary Tyler Show, Taxi, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, and The Simpsons). The motion picture follows an idealistic young politician, Ella McCay (Emma Mackey – BARBIE), who juggles familial issues and a
challenging work load while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor (Albert Brooks).

Spotlight on RI

I attended a press conference in February for the film in the exquisite Governor’s State Room at the Rhode Island State House. Brooks, Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Spike Fearn were in attendance and graciously expressed their delight to be working in the Ocean State. Also attending were Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, all of whom spoke glowingly about the production’s presence in Rhode Island and what it meant to Rhode
Island’s economic well-being. The Master of Ceremonies was Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the RI Film & TV Office.

There is a lot going on in Rhode Island Film & Television Office, which earlier this year, welcomed their newest member to the team – Judy Cooney. Steven Feinberg told IMAGINE, “Judy joined us in February 2024 as our Administrative Assistant, and she has quickly utilized her organizational expertise and her talented skills in hospitality to uplift the RI Film Office. Judy has provided dozens upon dozens of permits to our diverse constituents for documentary, commercial, student, television, and feature films. Judy is also available to answer questions for filmmakers and dedicates herself to being “film friendly.”  I’m told you can feel free to say hello to Judy by calling their office at (401) 222-3456 or reaching out by email Judith.cooney@arts.ri.gov

The Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival is coming soon, opening night is August 6th . I look forward to it every year.

This Old House Wins Emmy

I’m happy to share with you that Doug Stevens, his writing partner and co-producer, Ed Grenga, and guitarist Kook Lawry, won the 2024 ASCAP Screen Award for their music contributions to the highly rated PBS show, This Old House. Doug told IMAGINE, “We attended the gala event in West Hollywood at the Houdini Estate and hung out with many of the top composers in the world as well as enjoyed the company of ASCAP President, legendary singer/songwriter, Paul Williams. (Old Fashioned Love Song, We’ve Only Just Begun, Rainy Days and Mondays).” Their company, Kozmic Debris LLC in Belmont, specializes in composing and producing music for television and films.

On an incredibly sad note, Judy Belushi Pisano, the actress and producer best known for her marriage to the late comedian John Belushi and her contributions to The Blues Brothers franchise, passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with cancer. Judy was actively involved in the arts community on Martha’s Vineyard, a place she and John first visited in 1974. According to the MV Times, she organized a screening of the film JOHN BELUSHI: DANCING ON THE EDGE to benefit Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and a show with Dan Aykroyd to support the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. She will be
so missed.

About Our Summer Issue

We have nothing but exceptional stories for you in this issue. Our cover story Hooray for “HollyWoo” Screenscribe Caitlin McCarthy brings us up to date on her screenwriting successes. A Worcester, MA teacher by day and prolific writer by night, Caitlin is going places. Let’s watch.

Hartley Pleshaw interviews Meg Jarrett, the Director of the Massachusetts Film Office. She reports on her and the MFO Deputy Director John Alzapiedi’s recent trip to LA to visit the studios there with the goal of enticing them to send productions to Massachusetts locations.

Khara Campbell is back in Massachusetts after twenty years in LA, She tells us about her journey.

And I spent a little time catching up with Sara Archambault. She told me how and why she named her company Arch + Bow Film and how she came to produce RICHLAND, a story about Richland, WA and its nuclear legacy and its relationship to Japan. It’s a fascinating tale.

Also, you will find a complete Woods Hole Film Festival preview. I am extremely impressed with the films and other programs this year.

Of course, you’ll find our regular departments: Tech Edge, Legal Lens and Take Two.

AFM Is Coming!

An IMAGINE summer issue wouldn’t be complete without a story about the American Film Market and it’s a big one this year. For the first time eve the AFM will not be held in Santa Monica, where it’s been since 1981! No, not this year, it will be in Las Vegas at the Palms Casino Resort, which in addition to its 95,000 square-foot casino and other amenities too numerous to mention, it has the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema and over 190,000 square feet of meeting space. Imagine not having to leave the resort for the entire AFM convention. It seems all exhibitors and attendees are thrilled to go to Las Vegas instead of the Lowe’s Hotel and Beach Resort in Santa Monica. Will AFM ever be able to go back? I’ll miss the Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier, but oh wait, Las Vegas has a much bigger one, which I love. I’m a real Ferris Wheel girl. I also love revolving restaurants and carousels.

Thank You

I want to let you know that our new look, efforts to update all we do, create our new OUTTAKES, and bring you this edition of IMAGINE could not happen without the work of our Art Editor Monique Walton, our Web Master Jenn Nickerson, and our advertisers and sponsors. I am a grateful publisher. Please let our advertisers know you appreciate their support for our efforts to keep our industry connected here and to the rest of the world.