LOCALLY FILMED FURLOUGH STARRING 3 OSCAR WINNER OPENS MARCH 16

Producer Jen Gatien, Whoopi Goldberg, Melissa Leo, Laurent Rejto and Tessa Thompson

FURLOUGH, which filmed in the Hudson Valley (Kingston, Pine Plains, Town of Ulster) in March in 2017, opens at the IFC CENTER on March 16. The film directed by Laurie Collyer stars Oscar winners Melissa Leo (THE FIGHTER), Whoopie Goldberg (GHOST) Anna Paquin (THE PIANO) and Tessa Thompson (WESTWORLD, THOR RAGNAROK). IFC is distributing.

Local crew included Jonathan Burkhart, Amy Hutchings, Greg Meola, Jesica Farkas, Tim Bruno, Jaf Farkas, Jeremiah Wenutu, Anthony Stracquadanio, Alanna Wray, Dirt Haehnel, Rachaell Dama, Natalie Chau, Heidi Eklund, Krysten Pollard, Lisa Purcell, Julian Rodriguez, CrystalTweed, Michael Winsor, Morgan Millogo, Ready to Serve Catering and many more. Local actors too numerous to mention.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission was involved in this production from very early on and worked overtime to help with locations, cast and crew referrals (including 800 resumes for women inmates), vendors and permitting. 

Click below to watch the trailer 

BERLIN: SABAN SWOOPS ON RON PERLMAN'S 'ESCAPE OF PRISONER 614' (Exclusive)

THE ESCAPE OF PRISONER 614 was produced in the Hudson Valley in the fall of 2017. Locations included Phoenicia, Saugerties, Shandaken, Pine Hill and Arkville. The Hudson Valley Film Commission has worked to support Yale Productions with many other Hudson Vally Productions including MY FIRST CHRISTMAS, JACK GOES HOME, KING COBRA, SHOTGUN, WELCOME THE STRANGER and PLUME, which start filming February 2018.

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Text below copied from Hollywood Reporter - click to view

Saban Films has picked up North American rights to THE ESCAPE OF PRISONER 614 {filmed in the Hudson Valley}. The Escape of Prisoner 614, the upcoming crime thriller starring Ron Perlman (Hellboy) and Martin Starr (Knocked Up).

The film – in which two naïve recently fired sheriff’s deputies go after an escaped convict in the hope of getting their jobs back, only to find he’s innocent – is the feature-length debut of writer-director Zach Golden. Jordan Yale Levine (King Cobra, Shotgun), Jordan Beckerman (Shotgun, Green Dolphin) and Shaun Sanghani (Blood Heist, The Pretenders) produce.

The deal was negotiated among Clay Epstein, president of Film Mode Entertainment, CAA and Jonathan Saba, senior vp distribution, sales and marketing for Saban.

“We are so happy that Saban Films is as passionate about this film as we are and will be supporting it with a significant theatrical release,” said Levine. “Zach, Ron, Martin and our entire cast and crew created a film that’s unique and exciting, and we can’t wait for audiences around the world to see it.”

Film Mode – whose recent movies have included Sugar Mountain, The Good Neighbor and Gangster Land – is looking after international rights on The Escape of Prisoner 614, which is having its world premiere screening in Berlin on Thursday.

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CASTING CALL FOR NBC PILOT - MANIFEST

Casting for Newburgh, NY and New Windsor, NY area locals for NBC pilot MANIFEST. Filming scenes at Stewart Airport March 15 and 16. Looking for locals to play airport travelers, police, etc... This is paid extra/background work. Email name, union status (SAG-AFTRA or NonUnion), phone number, height, weight, clothing & shoe sizes, and current picture to pilots@gwcnyc.com. Write "Stewart Airport Local" in the subject line of your email.

Pilot description: In this high-concept mystery thriller, a plane disappears from radar and returns five years later after being untraceable and presumed lost at sea. No time has passed for those on the plane but, for their loved ones at home, a long five years have gone by. The series follows their personal lives as well as the larger mystery and purpose that is their destiny.

CREW CALL FOR UPCOMING FEATURE FILM

Feature film that will be produced in Kingston is looking to fill the following positions. Please send queries or resumes to filmcommission@me.com and we will pass it along.

1) KEY PA - given the scope of the movie, they need someone with Key PA experience and is very strong. 

2) SET PA / DRIVER 

3) REGISTERED NURSE - Production will have an infant on set one day and they need to have a nurse that can help with the infant. Scheduled date is 2/25

4) ON SET TEACHER 

We realize some of these positions were previously posted but the production is looking for additional options. Please state where you live in your email. Driver applicants should all live within 15 miles of Kingston.

CASTING CALL FOR LOCAL FEATURE FILM

CASTING CALL FOR LOCAL FEATURE FILM
SHOOTING DATES: Feb 24-March 26

There are a limited number of SAG/AFTRA Union slots. SAG-AFTRA BACKGROUND scale is $166 per day. Rates will vary for NON-Union roles.

Looking for…

• HARLEY RIDERS WITH HARLEYS
• TATTOOED MEN WITH SHORT HAIR or BALD with facial hair for 3/18, 3/19, 3/20, 3/21 (helpful if you are avails all days but not necessary)
• 14-16 YEAR OLD CAUCASIAN BOY willing to have his head shaved – $216 per day for SAG-AFTRA member.
• NEWBORN BABY for 2/25 (must be at least 2 weeks old, there will be  a nurse on set) 
• TEENAGERS (over 18 is a plus)  
• MIDDLE EASTERN BOY  (14-18)
• HALLOWEEN KIDS (8-18)
• HISPANIC or BI-RACIAL BOY (13-17)
• MIDDLE EASTERN MEN 

Submit resumes and queries to Please submit to AmyHeidiCasting@gmail.com

'THE RANGER' TO SCREEN AS SXSW MIDNIGHTER

Jenn Wexler’s directorial debut, THE RANGER, from GLASS EYE PIX was produced in the Hudson Valley in April and May of 2017.  The film follows teen punks on the run from the cops. Hiding out in the woods, they come up against the local authority – an unhinged park ranger with an axe to grind.

Locations included Phoenicia, Willow, Accord, Minnewaska State Park and Hunter Mountain. The film, which stars Chloë Levine (KING JACK), Granit Lahu, Jeremy Pope, Bubba Weiler, Amanda Grace Benitez, Jeremy Holm (HOUSE OF CARDS, MR. ROBOT), and the prolific Larry Fessenden, will World Premiere at SXSW in Austin, on the heels of DEPRAVED, which Wexler is producing and Fessenden are currently filming. Locations will include Boiceville, Stone Ridge and Annadale-on-Hudson. DEPRAVED will mark the 12th film production from Fessenden and Glass Eye Pix. Other feature productions have included WENDIGO, BITTER FEAST, STAKE LAND, LATE PHASES, LIKE ME, and STRAY BULLETS.

"It is always a comfort to embark on a new production and know that we have the support of the Hudson valley Film Commission."said producer, actor Larry Fessenden. "That support guarantees excellent access to locations, crew, housing and local talent. Having made a dozen films in collaboration with HVFC since 2000, it is no exaggeration to say that the Film Commission feels like an extension of our own production team. THE RANGER had special challenges and the commission came through for us again."

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Also thrilled to see that Melanie Laurent’s GALVESTON, production designed by former HV resident and Woodstock Film Festival alum Lisa Myers, is also heading to SXSW. The film stars Ben Foster, Elle Fanning, Beau Bridges. 

For more about SXSW midnighters, see Deadline

'WELCOME THE STRANGER' TRAILER RELEASED

Click above to view trailer

Production for Justin Kellly’s WELCOME THE STRANGER took place over 21 days during June and July 2016, in Ulster and Greene Counties. 

Indiewire describes the movie as a …”twisty (and twisted) new thriller about the limits of family bonding. The film stars Caleb Landry Jones and Abbey Lee as estranged siblings who reunite at a remote country home, before everything devolves into an unsettling and dark drama in which nothing is actually as it seems. Added bonus: Riley Keough as Jones’ girlfriend, intriguingly billed as “strange.” Strange, how?” Click here to read full Indiewire write-up.

The production team behind WELCOME THE STRANGER is currently in prep for their 10th Hudson Valley production. Keough also appeared in IT COMES AT NIGHT, which filmed August and September in Woodstock, NY.
 

CASTING CALL FOR MARIST COLLEGE FILMS

Marist College will hold auditions for spring films on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 11 am to 2 pm in the Lowell Thomas Center television studio B.  Two films will be cast:
 
One is TRUSTFALL, directed by Tim Gerstner.  

Roles available are:
- RATTMANN (pronounced RAT-min) - College-age young man or woman. Wiry, somewhat athletic build. A survivor rogue on the run from roves of Bandits in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world. Strong, a little hot-headed, is adept at slipping away when outnumbered.

- WOLFGANG - Man/woman older than Rattmann. A rogue paired with Jay. Short/average height, stocky. A hardcore survivalist, the kind of person who knows how to handle a variety of dangerous situations. Mature, no-nonsense, efficient and deadly. Takes care of Jay, but respects him/her.

- JAY - Man/woman older than Wolfgang. A rogue paired with Wolfgang. Tall and lanky, injured knee, needs a cane (provided) to walk. A bit more laid back than Wolf, holds him/her in high regard. Very intelligent, but not as "street-smart," always engineering new weapons and tools.

- BANDITS - Extras. Any age, gender, build. A post-apocalyptic iteration of a gang. Faces are typically covered. Leader is Sal, an unstable young man with southern mannerisms.

FOR ALL CHARACTERS: Costuming is flexible, but is ideally rugged, muted colors, warm and practical.

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The other is a yet UNTITLED film about a group of young people who aspire to be superheroes.  This film is directed by Michael Barron.  

Roles include:
SCOTT:(18-20, Male) Scott is neutral. He is the voice of reason when his friends try to convince him of bad ideas.
Scott can see the stupidity in his friend’s decisions, but somehow always seems to get involved.
 
ELLIOT: (Driver) (18-20, Male) (needs to be able to drive)
Elliot is a little full of himself. He talks up fighting crime from the start. Elliot inspires and convinces all of
his friends to go out and find a crime scene just like in the movies. When the time comes Elliot backs out and claims that someone should watch the car... he is actually very nervous but once they go without him he enjoys his alone time in the car.
 
QUINN: (18-20, Male or female) Quinn is very easily convinced. He/She thinks anything that sporadically happens is exciting. Quinn is fast-talking most likely from excited/nervous energy. Quinn is completely on board and has to convince Scott for the plan to fall through. Quinn is nervous when
they actually are about to go through with it.
 
DAX: (17-20, Male) Dax is a very unlikable person. No one is really good friends with him, but Quinn is forced to bring him along. He is very obnoxious and doesn’t really care about what anyone has to say. Dax is also the most courageous because he heads down that alley calling everyone out for not doing so. He is ultimately shot...but will not die.

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Auditionees need not prepare, except to read the above character descriptions.  Scripts will be provided at the audition.  Auditionees will be video recorded for further review by directors.
 
For more information, email Jeff.Bass@marist.edu or call 845-575-3000 ext. 2688

DRIVERS NEEDED FOR FEATURE FILM

Feature film shooting in and around Kingston, NY is looking to hire drivers for 15 passenger vans. Work will be full-time from Feb 24-March 26, with some additional days prior to Feb 24.

If you are a good driver who is interested, and you have a clean driving record, email us at filmcommission@me.com and we will forward asap to the line producer for their consideration.

HUDSON VALLEY CONNECTIONS TO SUPER BOWL MOVIE TRAILERS

The New York Times included two trailers with distinct Hudson Valley connections when reviewing The Best and the Worst of the Super Bowl Movie Trailers

A 30-second spot for A QUIET PLACE aired following the opening kickoff of Super Bowl LII. The trailer was recognized by The New York Times as one of the best movie trailers to be aired during the Super Bowl.  A QUIET PLACE, starring director John Krasinski and his wife Emily Blunt, was produced in the Hudson Valley in 2017. The Hudson Valley Film Commission provided support for the Paramount Pictures feature film, which used locations in Pawling, Beacon and New Paltz. 

The other spot featured a film trailer for SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, which was lensed by part time Hudson Valley resident Bradford Young. In 2011, Young was the cinematographer for PARIAH, which was directed by Dee Rees (MUDBOUND). Since PARIAH, Young has lensed many independent and studio films including SELMA , ARRIVAL and SOLO: A Star Wars STORY. In 2016, Bradford Young become only the second African American to receive an Oscar nomination in Cinematography for his work on ARRIVAL.

3 HUDSON VALLEY FILMS HEADING TO AUSTIN FOR SXSW WORLD PREMIERES

The Hudson Valley had the pleasure of hosting the production of A QUIET PLACE in 2017, but Austin’s SXSW will get dibs on the World Premiere. The feature film starring director John Krasinsky and Emily Blunt was filmed primarily in Pawling, and also  Beacon and New Paltz. “If they can’t hear you, they can’t hunt you!”

Former Hudson Valley resident Janet Pierson (Garrison), now head of SXSW, was quoted in Deadline saying “We are particularly pleased to present John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place as our opening-night film,” Pierson added. “Not only do we love its originality, suspense and amazing cast, we love seeing artists stretch and explore. While this is not Krasinski’s first feature as writer and director, it’s an exciting evolution for this multi-talented artist.” 

Several other films that feature Hudson Valley production include:

A VIGILANTE by director and screenwriter Sarah Daggar Nickson filmed primarily in Kingston, NY in February and March of 2017. The story follow a  once abused woman, Sadie (Olivia Wilde), who devotes herself to ridding victims of their domestic abusers while hunting down the husband she must kill to truly be free. Cast features Olivia Wilde, Morgan Spector, Kyle Catlett, CJ Wilson, Tonye Patano, Chuck Cooper, Betsy Aidem, Jusy Marte and many Hudson Valley extras.

SHOTGUN, directed and written by Hannah Marks and Joey Power, was partly filmed in Fishkill, Cornwall, Saugerties, and NYC. In the film, a young couple’s relationship develops quickly when one of them is diagnosed with a life-changing illness. Cast includes Maika Monroe, Jeremy Allen White, DeRon Horton, Marisa Tomei, Sasha Lane, Joe Keery, Gina Gershon, Dean Winters, Olivia Luccardi.

For more, see DEADLINE

2 HUDSON VALLEY PRODUCED FILMS WIN BIG AT SUNDANCE

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST, based on the coming-of-age teen novel by Emily M. Danforth has won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

The film, which was directed by Desiree Akhavan, was produced in the Hudson Valley in November and December of 2016. The story centers on a teenage girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is outed as a lesbian and sent to a gay conversion therapy center by her evangelical aunt. Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck and John Gallagher Jr. co-star.

Director and screenwriter Christina Choe was awarded the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for NANCY, which was produced in the Hudson Valley in January of 2017. The film follows a young woman (played by Andrea Riseborough) with a habit for spinning fantastical stories around her quiet life as a temp. When she sees a report on TV about parents whose daughter was abducted years prior, the photofit of what she might look like today looks similar enough to Nancy that she reaches out to them. The film also features John Leguizamo and Steve Buscemi.

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST was directed by Desiree Akhavan and based on the coming-of-age teen novel by Emily M. Danforth. Production took place at the end of 2016. The film commission worked with Unit Production Manager Rob Cristiano who has worked in the Hudson several times for productions including THE STRANGE ONES and MY FIRST KISS. THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST filmed in Saugerties, Catskill, and the high school scenes were filmed at Coxsackie High School. Local extras were cast by casting director Heidi Eklund of Hudson Valley Casting.

NANCY, directed by Christina Choe, stars Andrea Riseborough and two part time Hudson Valley residents John Leguizamo and Steve Buscemi.  The film came to our attention via production supervisor Kara Janesko, an Ulster County resident who worked on IT COMES AT NIGHT (currently on Netflix) in 2016. The film commission helped with casting, crew and location referrals. Executive producer Mynette Louie has attended the Woodstock Film Festival several times (CALIFORNIA SOLO, ARCADIA, CHILDREN OF INVENTION, MUTUAL APPRECIATION) and has brought several films to the Hudson Valley, including THE STRANGE ONES (currently in theaters), and COLD COMES THE NIGHT. Producer Michele Cameron has also worked on quite a few films in the region including GROWING UP SMITH, HITS and FIRST WINTER. 

For more SUNDANCE AWARD INFO, see Hollywood Reporter

Hudson Valley films have had past success at Sundance with several films winning major prizes including:

PERSONAL VELOCITY (2002 release but produced in 2001) by Rebecca Miller
*Won Sundance Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Film and the Cinematography Award (Ellen Kuras)

DOWN TO THE BONE (2004 release but produced in 2003) by Debra Granick
*Won Sundance Director's Award (Debra Granik) and the Special Jury Prize (Vera Farmiga)

STEPHANIE DALEY (2006 release but produced in 2005) by Hilary Brougher
*Won Sundance Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award 

MAN ON WIRE (2008) by James Marsh
* Won Sundance Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema Documentary and the World Cinema Audience Award

SMASH HIS CAMERA (2010) by Leon Gast
*Won Sundance directing award for Documentary Film

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (2011) by Sean Durkin
*Won Sundance U.S. Directing Award for Best Drama