DRIVEWAYS, FEATURING BRIAN DENNEHY, SET FOR VIRTUAL PREMIERE

driveways01.jpg

DRIVEWAYS, directed by Andrew Ahn, will be released by Film Rise Releasing on May 7. on several streaming pltforms including iTunes and Amazon Prime 

A special virtual screening took place on May 6 at 7pm. A Q&A followed with director Andrew Ahn, actors Hong Chau, Christine Ebersole, and Lucas Jaye, and writers Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen. 

Other upcoming film and TV premieres featuring Hudson Valley film production, includes Amazon Prime’s Upload, HBO’s I Know This Much is True, The Undoing, and I’m Thinking of Ending Things from Netflix.

Driveways was produced by Nicolas Bertelsen (The Speed of Life), Joe Pirro (Furlough), Celine Rattray (Skin, Bernie, The Kids Are All Right), and James Schamus (Taking Woodstock, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain). Jamie Buckner worked as line producer. The film features Hong Chau, Lucas Jaye, Christine Ebersole, Jerry Adler, and the versatile stage and screen actor Brian Dennehy, who passed away on April 16, 2020.

Dennehy who has appeared in several other Hudson Valley production including The Seagull and Crypto has received praise for his role in Driveways. The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “Dennehy has had a long career in television, film and theater. He created one of the most memorable interpretations of Willy Loman in an award-winning stage production of Death of a Salesman. But movie audiences have had to settle for seeing him in occasional, small supporting parts in recent films. Driveways rights that omission by giving Dennehy a juicy role that he plays to the hilt without ever overplaying. He has a final monologue, in which he expresses a lifetime of regrets, that is a breathtaking piece of film acting.”

Nominated for 2 Film Independent Spirit Awards, this heartwarming drama follows single mom Kathy (Chau) as she travels with her shy eight-year-old son Cody (Jaye) to her late sister’s house in upstate New York to clean and sell it. As Kathy discovers how little she knew about her sister, Cody develops an unlikely friendship with Del (Dennehy), the Korean War vet and widower who lives next door. Over the course of the summer and with Del’s encouragement, Cody develops the courage to come out of his shell and, along with his mother, finds a new place to call home.

“Production on Driveways took place in July and August of 2018 in Dutchess and Ulster Counties,” recalls Laurent Rejto from the Hudson Valley Film Commission. “The film commission made a lot of referrals for lodging, crew, casting directors and vendors. Over fourteen locations were featured from Hyde Park (Hyde Park RollerMagic), Kingston, New Paltz, Pleasant Valley (Miller Hardware), Poughkeepsie (Mid-Hudson Civic Center), and Rosendale (My Town Market Place).”

Joe Pirro, Laurent Rejto, Andrew Ahn

Joe Pirro, Laurent Rejto, Andrew Ahn

“The people and the businesses of the Hudson Valley were integral to our success filming Driveways ” says producer Joe Pirro. “The Hudson Valley Film Commission went to great lengths to connect us to these wonderful people and places both before and during our shoot. It was a joy filming in Dutchess and Ulster counties, and we hope to return again soon.“

Director Andrew Ahn adds that “We could not have made Driveways without the support of the Hudson Valley community. Our production found the talent and resources to not only make a beautiful film, but also to have a beautiful experience, collaborating with local cast and crew. I think back to my time in the Hudson Valley with an intense nostalgia for the generous people and the beautiful landscape.“

Funding has been severely impacted due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our continued efforts during these difficult times.

Since 2000, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has worked on over 500 FILM & TV productions to refer and help secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! The results have created thousands of jobs, education & training opportunities, regional promotion & marketing, and over $250 million in regional economic development.

SELECT Hudson Valley productions include:
To stream regional films, visit hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Werewolves Within • Things Heard and Seen • Billions • Monsterland • Audrey • The Plot Against America • Silent Retreat • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing • I Know This Much Is True • Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things • Scare Me • Can You Keep a Secret? • Panic • High Maintenance • Driveways • Shirley • The Dead Don't Die • Avengers: Endgame • The Irishman • The Climb* • Swallow • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place • Fabled • Then Came You • Furlough • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times •  The Seagull • HAPPYish • The Ticket  • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother •  First Winter • The Last Keepers • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock • American Gangster • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

UPLOAD USES MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE FOR AFTERLIFE

uploadposter.jpg

Amazon Prime will be releasing the series UPLOAD on May 1. The ten part series was filmed in part at the Mohonk Mountain House in November 2017.

The science fiction comedy satire web television series was created by Greg Daniels (The Office) and stars Robbie Amell and Andy Allo.

In October 2017, location managers for the project reached to to the film commission regarding scenes for the “afterlife.” The film commission also referred several local crew members for what was essentially production on background plates.

“The Mohonk Mountain House is a national treasure, so it’s not surprising that productions want to film there.” says Laurent Rejto from the film commission. “It’s as idyllic and picturesque on the screen as it is in real life. Even though the series uses a lot post production special effects, the movie magic with a venue like that all derives for the location.”

In 2033, people can be "uploaded" into virtual reality hotels run by 6 tech firms. Cash-strapped Nora lives in Brooklyn and works customer service for the luxurious "Lakeview" digital afterlife. When L.A. party-boy/coder Nathans self driving car crashes, hiss high maintenance girlfriend uploads him permanently into Nora's virtual reality world.

The trailer includes several clips of the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. The Victorian Castle Resort is nestled in the Hudson Valley and surrounded by 40000 acres of forest and wildlife. It was founded by the Smiley Family in 1869, and has been featured in several films and TV shows. Alan Parker’s The Road to Wellville, starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Broderick was primarily filmed there in 1993. The location was also featured in Season 5 of Showtime’s Billions. Production took place in December of 2019. The location was also featured in the British television series Long Way Round, which documented the 19,000-mile motorcycle journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York City.

Funding has been severely impacted due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our continued efforts during these difficult times.

Since 2000, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has worked on over 500 FILM & TV productions to refer and help secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! The results have created thousands of jobs, education & training opportunities, regional promotion & marketing, and over $250 million in regional economic development.

SELECT Hudson Valley productions include:
*Asterisk indicates 5 films that premiered at 2020 Sundance Film Festival
Werewolves Within • Things Heard and Seen • Billions • Monsterland • Audrey • The Plot Against America • Silent Retreat • Black Bear* • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing • I Know This Much Is True • Save Yourselves* • I’m Thinking of Ending Things • Scare Me* • Can You Keep a Secret? • Panic • High Maintenance • Shirley* • The Dead Don't Die • Avengers: Endgame • The Irishman • The Climb* • Swallow • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place • Fabled • Then Came You • Furlough • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times •  The Seagull • HAPPYish • The Ticket  • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother •  First Winter • The Last Keepers • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock • American Gangster • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

2020 FIRST QUARTER TOTALS ANNOUNCED

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is reporting that first quarter totals for 2020 were off to a fast start before production was halted due to Covid-19 outbreak safety measures.

Over $9-million was spent on over 70 days of production with 85 local crew members and over 100 local actors & extras hired. Over 5000 room nights were rented at local lodging establishments.

Productions included DIARIES OF AN EXCHANGE STUDENT (Diários de Intercâmbio), directed by Bruno Garotti and Anita Barbosa; WEREWOLVES WITHIN, directed by Josh Ruben, and Keith Boynton’s THE WINTER HOUSE from Choice Films. Totals do not include data from several days of filming that took place on reshoots for HBO’s I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE and work in Fishkill and Wappingers Falls for the sci-fi series “RAY JAMES,” inspired by HG Wells The War Of The Worlds. Several smaller films rounded out the first quarter, as well as post-production work, which continues largely undeterred by the pandemic. 

G&E crew members at Woodstock FIlm Studios for WEREWOLVES WITHIN

G&E crew members at Woodstock FIlm Studios for WEREWOLVES WITHIN

Work on the Brazilian film, DIARIES OF AN EXCHANGE STUDENT (Diários de Intercâmbio) took place in February. The comedy stars Instagram phenom Larissa Manoela (@larissamanoela) as Barbara, and Thati Lopes as Talia. Their dreams of life abroad are met with obstacles and culture shock. The film commission is grateful to Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Delgado for their help in securing visas, which allowed us to secure the production for the region.

Dutchess County producer Jonathan Burkhart oversaw local production with John Hay overseeing UPM duties. Many locals were hired, including Amy Hutchings Casting, Hudson Valley Casting, AC Brian Barney, Chuck Merrihew, Corey Spears and Poughkeepsie’s Ready To Serve Catering. Rio based executive producer Julio Uchôa, recorded a 1 minute message about what it was like to film in the Hudson Valley region. Watch it online at https://vimeo.com/393579636.

WEREWOLVES WITHIN wrapped on March 9 after a 25-day production schedule. The movie was directed by Woodstock native Josh Ruben. In January 2019, Ruben was in the region filming his directorial debut SCARE ME, which World Premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival along with 4 other other local films. (SEE BLOG). Ruben recorded a short message about how he felt about making movies in the mid-Hudson Valley. Watch it online at https://vimeo.com/395841263

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is very grateful to all the folks at Ubisoft and Vanishing Angle for working so hard to hire as many local crew and vendors as possible. We counted more than 25 local hires including director Josh Ruben, G&E folks including Greg Meola, Anthony Stracquadanio, Kevin Koniewicz, Chris van Houten, Bill Hevessy, Mike Hunold, Chris Washington; art, prop and set dressing folks including John Ashton, Tom Newton, Tashav L Powers and Jesse Hegney; HMU department's Erica Pearce, Doria Riker and Yesim Osman; John Livermore from Stone Pony Catering, Frank Dianda for craft services; Others included actors Anni Krueger, Kat Gonzalez and Willis Williams; scripty Chuck Girard, Jesse Rolfe, Willo Hausman, Daniel Rohn, Eugene Hitt, Corey Spears, Woodstock Film Studios and many others.

88111623_1466561490172193_3325397593072074752_o.jpg

In addition to supporting production and tabulating data, the Hudson Valley Film Commission also took part in several networking opportunities including the Dutchess Tourism event at Cinehub, Career Day at Bard College and 2020 BardWorks. 

The film commission also kept busy promoting the region through articles and podcasts including Lights... Camera... Catskills! From Kaatscast

Upcoming screenings of regional film and TV productions , including three HBO productions that took place in 2019 (THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, and THE UNDOING) are now featured on a new webpage, which was created to make it easier for people to learn how to screen films that have been produced in the region since the Film Commission started work in 2000. For details, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest

Film and TV Production throughout the state ended in mid March when safety measures were put in place in New York State to combat the Covid-19 Pandemic. Luckily, most productions had wrapped before the mandatory work stoppage. Unfortunately, the stoppage has left thousands of freehand film production contractors without employment. As of April 13, nonessential businesses must stay closed through April 29. For updates, visit www.coronavirus.health.ny.gov

Unfortunately, the stoppage has left thousands of freehand film production contractors without employment. As of mid-April, several productions have expressed interest in starting up production, but nothing will happen until new production paradigms have been created for on-set and location safety. Entertainment Partners, the New York Production Alliance, and several other organizations several other organizations have been providing webinars and related information. Find answers to pressing questions and to get up-to-date news, visit The Production Community 

THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA

April 6. 2020 • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY

In August of 2019, the Hudson Valley Film Commission started work on the David Simon HBO series THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, based on the Philip Roth novel. It was the 4th HBO series to film in the region. Over a 5-day period, the production spent over $200,000 on LOCAL locations, venues, vendors, crew, cast members and lodging. 1,397 hotel rooms were rented. Among the many referrals, the film commission recommended very specific locations, and found an excavating company to build a road for the movie. A casting call was done in conjunction with Grant Wilfley Casting.

IMG_3087.jpg

"Working in the Hudson Valley for THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA was a truly enjoyable experience," said line producer Joe Guest. "It was a beautiful time of year to work upstate and the people, towns and communities were tremendously supportive and friendly. The Hudson Valley Film Commission provided exceptional support from day one. With their support, we found great locations and quality local vendors & crew. Our show was set in the 1940s, which meant greater demands from the local area, and on a tight time frame. We found everything we were looking for locally - 1940’s picture cars, props and period-correct set dressing, facility support, a local contractor who built us a dirt road, a horse wrangler, the list goes on. Everyone went out of their way to ‘make it happen’ for us. A big plus - almost every day we managed to find ourselves at yet another restaurant with wonderful food and drink, and coffee. Overall an excellent experience. We look forward to our next opportunity to work in upstate New York.”

HBO has released the first promo for THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA’s upcoming fourth episode, featuring Morgan Spector’s Herman Levin and Zoe Kazan’s Bess Levin as their son continues to idolize Charles Lindberg under the influence of his aunt Winona Ryder’s Evelyn. Directed by Thomas Schlamme from a script written by co-creator David Simon and Reena Rexrode, the new episode is set to premiere on April 6.

the-plot-against-america-episode-104-part-4-promotional-photo-promotional-photos-03.jpg

Based on the novel by Philip Roth, THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA six-part miniseries imagines an alternate American history told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they watch the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist who becomes president and turns the nation toward fascism.

The series stars Golden Globe winner Winona Ryder (Stranger Things) as Evelyn Finkel, Golden Globe nominee John Turturro (The Night Of) as Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf and Emmy nominee Zoe Kazan (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Olive Kitteridge) as Elizabeth “Bess” Levin. It will also feature Morgan Spector (Homeland) as Herman Levin, Anthony Boyle (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Alvin Levin, Azhy Robertson (Juliet, Naked) as Philip Levin, and newcomer Caleb Malis as Sandy Levin.

THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA is written and executive produced by David Simon and Ed Burns. Joe Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Nina K. Noble, Annapurna’s Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and Susan Goldberg will also executive produce. Co-executive producers include Dennis Stratton and Philip Roth.

For more information or to watch the series, visit HBO.

STAY HOME, STAY PRODUCTIVE & BE WELL

math.jpg

As we continue to endure the Corona Virus pandemic, it’s important to heed the warnings. For developing details and information, visit https://www.cdc.gov

The best way to fight this right now is by paying attention to social distancing. Here’s photo that might explain the math. An enlightening short documentary is available for viewing at https://youtu.be/XU9FVqwO4TM 

As we observe these important directives, it essential to stay productive and positive. If you can help with deliveries or by helping local establishments, please do what you can. We feel pretty helpless but we’ve compiled a directory of most of the film productions we’ve worked with over the past 20+ years. We’ve also included a few other films. Several were produced before we started our work in 2000 to help film productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more.

We look forward to future film productions. Until then, check out the Hudson Valley Stream Fest at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest


DIFFICULT TIMES & THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA

As we all try to make sense of COVID19 FACTS & related difficulties, it is important to stay informed and to keep a healthy and positive outlook. We recognize that this is a very distressing, confusing and hectic time. Many productions (including several local ones) are postponing start dates for safety reasons. Like many of you, we are trying to figure it out, one day at a time, and trying to stay productive.

Turning the Wittenberg Store in Bearsville into a 1940’s Sinclair Gas Station

Turning the Wittenberg Store in Bearsville into a 1940’s Sinclair Gas Station

It’s a good time to catch up on local films that are streaming online. We will compile and provide a directory in the coming week, but for now, HBO is premiering THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA on Monday evening on March 16. 

The series, which was partly filmed in the Hudson Valley, follows a working-class Jewish family in 1940s America, as the they watch the political rise of aviator-hero and xenophobic populist Charles Lindbergh. This six-part re-imagining of history is based on the Philip Roth novel of the same name. The series co stars SUNY New Paltz alumni John Turturro, Wynona Rider

In August, the Hudson Valley Film Commission started work on THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA by producer David Simon (THE WIRE, TREME). Over a 5-day period, the production filmed in four regional counties, spent over $200,000 and rented 1,397 hotel rooms.

IMG_3071.jpg

"Working in the Hudson Valley for THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA was a truly enjoyable experience. It was a beautiful time of year to work upstate and the people, towns and communities were tremendously supportive and friendly,”  said line producer Joe Guest. “The Hudson Valley Film Commission provided exceptional support from day one - with their support, we found great locations and quality local vendors & crew. Our show was set in the 1940s, which meant greater demands from the local area, and on a tight time frame.  We found everything we were looking for locally - 1940’s picture cars, props and period-correct set dressing, facility support, a local contractor who built us a dirt road, a horse wrangler, the list goes on. Everyone went out of their way to ‘make it happen’ for us.  A big plus - almost every day we managed to find ourselves at yet another restaurant with wonderful food and drink, and coffee. Overall an excellent experience. We look forward to our next opportunity to work in upstate New York.”  

For more information about THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, visit https://www.hbo.com/video/plot-against-america/videos/enter-1940s-america

These precarious days also offer up a good opportunity to be creative. For example, it might be the perfect time to start that screenplay you’ve always wanted to write. Using Final Draft 11, you can brainstorm, visualize, report, tag, collaborate and customize your writing and the software automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards.

And on a beautiful day like today, it’s a good time to start a vegetable garden and prepping seedlings inside. 

covid.jpg

Be well and take care of yourselves, and others.

Film & TV production, with its ripple effect of production, distribution and the festival circuit, offers a way to invest both financially and personally in the creative potential of a burgeoning industry that generates billions of dollars in annual economic activity. The Hudson Valley Film Commission continues to provide broad support. Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

2020 WINTER UPDATE

Three Hudson Valley feature films recently wrapped up production, including WEREWOLVES WITHIN. Director Josh Ruben urged everyone to film in the region.

“Let’s all make movies here.” Click to watch video.

“Let’s all make movies here.” Click to watch video.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is very grateful to all the folks at Ubisoft and Vanishing Angle for working so hard to hire as many local crew and vendors as possible.

We counted more than 25 local hires including director Josh Ruben, G&E folks including Greg Meola, Anthony Stracquadanio, Kevin Koniewicz, Chris van Houten, Bill Hevessy, Mike Hunold, Chris Washington; art, prop and set dressing folks including John Ashton, Tom Newton, Tashav L Powers and Jesse Hegney; HMU department's Erica Pearce, Doria Riker and Yesim Osman; John Livermore from Stone Pony Catering, Frank Dianda for craft services; Others included actors Anni Krueger, Kat Gonzalez and Willis Williams; scripty Chuck Girard, Jesse Rolfe, Willo Hausman, Daniel Rohn, Eugene Hitt, Corey Spears, Woodstock Film Studios and many others.

Several new film productions are gearing up while many of the 2019 films and TV shows are rolling out distribution including: 

THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA (March 16 on HBO)
A QUIET PLACE, PART II (March 19)
I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE (April 27 on HBO)
THE UNDOING (May 10 on HBO)

Click on above links to watch trailers.

Film & TV production, with its ripple effect of production, distribution and the festival circuit, offers a way to invest both financially and personally in the creative potential of a burgeoning industry that generates billions of dollars in annual economic activity. The Hudson Valley Film Commission continues to provide broad support. 

Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

2019 FILM PRODUCTION UP MORE THAN 55%

On location with HBO's THE UNDOING, starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland.

On location with HBO's THE UNDOING, starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland.

In 2019, the Hudson Valley Film Commission worked with over 50 potential productions.
Of the 25 productions that filmed in the Mid-Hudson Valley counties of Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Greene, Delaware and Columbia, the following data was compiled. 

• $46-million+ in DIRECT REGIONAL SPENDING (*2018 was $29.5-million)
• 42,164+  rooms rented at local lodging establishments
• 441+ production days 
• 460+ scouting days tallied 
• 180+ locations used 
• 500+ local crew members hired 
• 762+ crew members traveling to region
• 4058+ local actors and extras hired

2019 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED: 

  • BILLIONS (Showtime)

  • I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE (HBO)

  • I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS (Netflix)

  • MONSTERLAND (Hulu)

  • A QUIET PLACE: PART 2 (Paramount)

  • SILENT RETREAT (Miramax) (READ BLOG)

  • THINGS HEARD AND SEEN (Netflix)

  • THE UNDOING (HBO)

  • THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA (HBO)

  • 5 regional films also premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival including SHIRLEY, SAVE YOURSELVES, SCARE ME, THE CLIMB and BLACK BEAR. (READ BLOG)

“It was a phenomenal year for film production, especially with HBO’s I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE filming almost every day,” said film commission director Laurent Rejto. “We look forward to more mini-series and TV productions coming to the region so that the many trained professionals in the region can work locally instead of having to travel to NYC or other states. Creating local work has been our goal since 2000."   

As a 501c3 non profit, the mission of the Hudson Valley Film Commission is to create work and educational opportunities, by attracting, supporting and promoting local film, tv, photography, and new media work. The results, since 2000, have led to more than $250-million in regional sustainable economic development.  To analyze the impact of regional FILM, TV and MEDIA production, the Hudson Valley Film Commission collects film production data to track the LOCAL economic impact of productions. Data includes scouting days, production days, local lodging information, local crew and cast hires, location fees, catering, transportation rentals and more. 

Every year, the Hudson Valley Film Commission also refers select local productions to press outlets and film festivals worldwide. 2019 Woodstock Film Festival referrals included: 

The New York Film Tax Credits continue to be the principal factor cited by companies who decide to produce work in the region. Since 2010, according to the New York State Governor's Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, the Film Tax Credit program has received 2,280 applications, representing $28.2 billion in NY spend. Productions invest $4.50 in the NYS economy for every $1 in tax credits issued.

For 2020, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has already worked with over TEN potential production companies to create, support and develop regional economic development. 

Four films are already in production including:

  • The TIER 2 feature film WEREWOLVES WITHIN, which hired over 20 local crew members thanks to film commission referrals. 
    • DIARIES OF AN EXCHANGE STUDENT, which also hired local cast, crew and vendors. With help from Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Delgado’s offices, the film commission helped get 32 visas for this production traveling from Brazil.

On location with Sam Richardson from WEREWOLVES WITHIN

On location with Sam Richardson from WEREWOLVES WITHIN

Film & TV production, with its ripple effect of production, distribution and the festival circuit, offers a way to invest both financially and personally in the creative potential of a burgeoning industry that generates billions of dollars in annual economic activity. 

The Hudson Valley Film Commission continues to provide broad support. 
For more details, email filmcommission@me.com

Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support


Hudson Valley Film Commission
www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org

SELECT Hudson Valley productions:
*Five films recently screened at 2020 Sundance Film Festival
Werewolves Within • Diaries of an Exchange Student• Things Heard and Seen • Billions • Monsterland • Audrey • The Plot Against America • Silent Retreat • Black Bear* • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing • I Know This Much Is True • Save Yourselves* • I’m Thinking of Ending Things • Scare Me* • Can You Keep a Secret? • Panic • High Maintenance • Shirley* • The Dead Don't Die • Avengers: Endgame • The Irishman • The Climb* • Swallow • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place • Fabled • Then Came You • Furlough • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times •  The Seagull • HAPPYish • The Ticket  • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother •  First Winter • The Last Keepers • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock • American Gangster • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

A HUDSON VALLEY FAIRY TALE

Erik Peter Carlson had a dream to make a Fairy Tale film. For years, he imagined what his perfect set would look like – where his magical childlike world would come to life. When the opportunity came to life in November 2019, to produce A Fairy Tale After All, there was no better place for Carlson to produce his movie, than the area he grew up in.

"Coming back to make my fourth feature where I once had impossible childhood dreams is truly emotional,” says Carlson. “After working on both coasts, there’s no question that filming in the Hudson Valley, especially at Wing’s Castle, made for the most enjoyable production experience ever.”

Wing’s Castle in Millbrook, New York, was the brain child of artists Peter and Toni Ann Wing. In 1970, the long illustrious love affair of building the castle began. Forty-seven years later, the castle is still under construction. It has become a live in art project. 

Wing’s Castle in Millbrook

Wing’s Castle in Millbrook

Filming in the Hudson Valley brings a special charm. The locations, the history, the air, and the people (more than anything) make it magical. 

“Local crew members bring more than just themselves to the project, they bring a whole community,” says photographer Chuck Merrihew.

“Chuck knows everyone!” was the running joke on the set of set A Fairy Tale After All. Students and first timers (many from  SUNY New Paltz) got hands on experience on what it’s like to be on a film production – set life as they call it. Throughout the filming, they connected  with industry professionals, and opened doors for for themselves to more potential film work.

“A Fairy Tale After All was the first film I ever worked on and, as cheesy as it might sound, it was a fairy tale inside and out,” recalls recent SUNY New Paltz graduate Kathryn O’Mara. “Everyone was so nice and worked so hard. I learned an incredible amount about the film industry and can’t wait to learn more.”

Hanna Al-Tarmidhi, another recent SUNY New Paltz graduate, was so glad that her first time on a feature film set turned out to be A Fairy Tale After All. “The cast and crew made me so comfortable,” recalls Hanna. “The sense of camaraderie being one of the best things I took away from this experience. I learned so much from the sheer dedication everyone had towards making this a reality, and it was incredible watching this combined effort and passion turn this story into a reality.”

Photo courtesy of Chuck Merrihew

Photo courtesy of Chuck Merrihew

A Fairy Tale After All wrapped production in early December. Like most regional productions the film benefited greatly from the community. The film business feels accessible in the Hudson Valley. It takes a village to make a film, but in the Hudson Valley, you get the village and then some.

“A carved Indian sculpture stands six foot tall at the top of the staircase in the home I grew up in,” wrote Sage Higgins. “It’s hand carved with many intricate details. It was created by Peter Wing, who is best known for handcrafting Wing’s Castle from his imagination. Growing up with that sculpture, I never imagined I would one day assist on a film production set primarily in Peter’s magical kingdom. Among other duties, feeding the cast and crew through my mom’s granola company, Raspberry Fields Farm, brought the experience full circle.” 

The Hudson Valley Film Commission helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! Since 2000, the film commission has supported and worked on over 500 productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and over $200 million in regional economic development.

If you are looking for help with your next production (or post production), contact us at filmcommission@me.com

SELECT Hudson Valley productions:Billions • Monsterland • Things Heard and Seen • A Fairy Tale After All • Audrey • The Plot Against America • Silent Retreat • Lapsis • Save Yourselves • Foxhole • The Undoing • I Know This Much Is True • I’m Thinking of Ending Things • Scare Me • Can You Keep a Secret? • Panic • High Maintenance • Shirley • The Dead Don't Die • Swallow • Avengers: Endgame • The Climb • The Irishman • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place • Fabled • Then Came You • Furlough • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times •  The Seagull • HAPPYish • The Ticket • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother • First Winter • The Last Keepers • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock • American Gangster • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity 

Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

FROM SILENT RETREAT TO BECOMING BACKGROUND

In May of 2018, the Hudson Valley Film Commission was contacted to provide referrals for locations and other production needs for Silent Retreat, a Miramax comedy written by Todd Strauss-Schulson and Matthew Fogel. The story centers on a man and woman with relationship issues who decide to go on a meditation retreat that requires absolute silence for three days along with the man's best friend and recently widowed mother.

IMG_2578.JPG

Pre-production got complicated. It’s not uncommon for a film to be delayed, but this project took some unusual twists, turns and detours. After being pushed several times, production finally moved ahead in August and September of 2019 at the Old Stone Barn, a country inn, retreat, and wellness center in Rhinebeck, New York. Several other locations were used including Nana's Ice Cream and Grill in Hyde Park.

Director Todd Strauss-Schulson (Isn’t It Romantic, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) moved into temporary housing in town. Crew was hired and the principal cast was put in place, including Sarah Goldberg, Isabella Rossellini, Jack Whitehall, Dennis Haysbert, and Lorraine Toussaint.

With those building blocks in place, the production was left to find meditators who could commit to the entire production schedule. The task fell to Amy Hutchings Casting, also based in Rhinebeck. Amy Hutchings has over thirty years experience in production coordination, management and casting, including twelve years on Sesame Street.

Inside the horse arena which would double as meditation center and casting office.

Inside the horse arena which would double as meditation center and casting office.

“Amy is the queen of upstate New York – a bright light who seems to know everyone, everywhere she goes, wrote back director Todd Strauss Schulson. “I asked her to find me a group of background actors with meditation experience to be on set with me every day. I didn't need them to just act, I wanted them to actually meditate. I needed them to hold the space for the actors the crew and for me as we worked. The idea was like when Martin Scorsese makes a mob movie he puts real mobsters in the scene to create a biosphere of authenticity, and it wafts off into the actors and creates the feeling of realness. I wanted to do the same thing... but with meditators... creating a container for our intense shoot... I didn't want them breaking between takes, or getting frustrated by the long hours, I was trying to create a beautiful container of loving awareness and equanimity that could hold us all as we did our work. Not only did Amy find the most amazing people to do this for me, she did it with a smile on her face and was moved to tears when she saw this makeshift retreat family she put together all together on location. Amy is more than just a casting director. Amy creates families…”

Amy Hutchings (in stripes) with several of the Silent Retreat actors.

Amy Hutchings (in stripes) with several of the Silent Retreat actors.

The film commission has worked closely with Amy Hutchings Casting on over two dozen films including Rhymes with Banana, Cold in July, Then Came You, Skin, Can You Keep a Secret, Shirley, Audrey and over 500 zombies for The Dead Don’t Die.

“We definitely consider ourselves part of the family,” added film commission director Laurent Rejto. “When a film hires Amy, we know they are in good hands. She’s not trying to sell dreams the way some casting directors do, so we’re always happy to post on our Facebook page for any casting needs, no matter how obscure. We thought finding twenty four meditators in the Hudson Valley would be a breeze but the time constraints proved otherwise. Luckily, Amy was able to put together a great group from the amazing pool of local SAG-AFTRA and non union talent.”

"From the moment I read an early draft of Silent Retreat, I knew I had to be involved,” said Amy Hutchings. “I laughed out loud throughout the reading. Todd Strauss-Schulson and Matthew Fogel wrote an innovative, compelling and meaningful screenplay and it was a pure joy to help realize the vision that Todd has as a director. Finding our ‘core meditators’ who would commit to working with our ever changing schedule was a casting challenge but the result was a group of wonderful creatives who, during the course of filming, bonded with one another and created their own ‘community ‘ which translates in the film. My personal take away from Silent Retreat was the value of finding a calm 'center' in spite of all the chaos around us -- a reasonable message for our times."

Background actors included many Hudson Valley regulars who have recently been able to work more locally thanks to the influx of film productions over the past eighteen months. We reached out to a few for their thoughts about Silent Retreat.

silentretreat.jpg

In 2018, Rhinebeck based actor, artist and political activist, Norman Magnusson was cast as Bill Murray’s stand-in for the Jim Jarmusch production of The Dead Don’t Die. In 2019, he became a meditator.

Norm Magnusson and Amy King on location with Silent Retreat

Norm Magnusson and Amy King on location with Silent Retreat

“Working on Silent Retreat was a delight,” wrote Magnusson. “Amy Hutchings brought together a core group of “meditators” who were on set for weeks, working together, working in close quarters, working in the heat of the day and coolness of the night, and the individuals in that group were all spectacular. Such a wide range of personalities and resumes and dreams for the future, all of us working together and goofing off together in the vast time between takes. It was a magical experience and I would guess that everyone of us made new friends for life during it. One thing that definitely joined us together . . . our happy membership in the Amy Hutchings fan club!”

"I met Amy through a friend and colleague, Jacinta Kroner who shared the casting call for meditators," recalled Jalesia Randi (aka Juju). "I appreciated working with Amy for my first acting gig. I enjoyed her sunny personality and thoroughness plus I appreciated her checking in on set to see how we were doing. It was nice working with her, I hope we work together again in the future. The experience of working as a background actor was wonderful. I feel truly blessed to have been apart a film centered on meditation and mindfulness. Meeting with Todd to audition was really cool. I could tell by his vibe this was going to be fun. The cast and crew were great to work with, shout out to Mitch and Brian."

"I've been an actor my whole life, but people just started paying me to do it in the last 3 years!" wrote Nacia Walsh. "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be able to do this professionally without going to NY city on a regular basis, competing against thousands of hopefuls. Instead, I am able to work close to my home in Red Hook on so many projects like Silent Retreat. That 20 minute drive to work each day was a dream. As actors in the Hudson Valley, we really do get to be big fish in a little pond.

Mehtab Akal Singh, Jacinta Kroner and Nacia Walsh

Mehtab Akal Singh, Jacinta Kroner and Nacia Walsh

Typically on sets, the background actors serve the specific role for setting the space and filling the world for principal actors to fill. From the beginning of the casting process I knew this film was different. After combing through all the head shots our Director Todd met with each one of us to discuss the kind of authenticity we would bring to our role. From the diverse and amazing group of people that Amy Hutchings assembled, Todd hand picked each of us based on our interviews. The idea for the movie created a space where each of us really grounded the reality of the story while the main characters were able to explore their outlandish high-jinks. It was such a beautiful juxtaposition.

The reason I love working with Amy so much is that she really looks out for her actors, even though we are the bottom of the actor food chain. For a new actor, like myself, it's comforting to know that you matter, even when you're last on the call sheet. She is also known for finding real people, plucking them from obscurity and helping them to have real acting careers.

In addition I have formed so many true friendships with the amazing group of actors I worked with on Silent Retreat. The connections we formed will without a doubt last a lifetime."

Maria Heng, who considers herself extremely fortunate to have Amy as a neighbor, can now also vouch for Amy as "a mama-bear casting director that makes you feel seen, heard, and cared for.”

“I would never have tried for the role if it weren’t for Amy Hutchings.” Maria wrote. “Amy's trust-worthiness and caring encourages a sense of possibility and adventure and that paid off for me in much more than a pay-check; I had thirteen days of unforgettable camaraderie with a diverse group of delightful fellow extras. A camaraderie that, I believe, was born of an unusual level of caring from the top down. That caring spiraled right back up. Everybody, from Todd to the ADs to the caterers, was lovely to be around. Everything, from the scenic location to the delicious buffets, was a treat. Seasoned extras noted how remarkably positive the film set experience was. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to being an extra and am grateful for the life-long friends I feel I’ve made on set, the lessons learned, the appreciation I’ve gained for the demands of movie-making, the respect engendered by stars who are people first, and the most fun I’ve ever had earning a pay-check!”

Several actors have moved to the area as a result of film productions. Jeffrey Dean Morgan fell for the region after co-starring in the 2011 BCDF Pictures production of Peace Love & Misunderstanding (which Amy Hutchings was also involved with). One of the principals from Silent Retreat has also just recently bought a home, within miles of where the film was produced.

Maria Heng’s recollections regarding her involvement were more involved and led her to write extensively about the experience. Her words are a testament to how art and teamwork can transcend the ordinary to provide hope and inspiration. It’s also a reminder that it can bring a sense of belonging and home. Maria wrote the following after being an extra for thirteen days on Silent Retreat.

BECOMING BACKGROUND by Maria Heng

My neighbor, Amy, is a casting director.

“I want to make you a movie star,” she said one day, not long after we first met.

I took it as a compliment rather than as a career plan. But about two years after making that casual remark that had me laughing, she actually found me a potential role; a zombie.

The invitation was followed by hesitation in her voice. I presumed, right after she’d heard herself, she worried I’d presume it was my body full of burn scars that qualified me for the role.

The fact is I did. I presumed my scars made me supremely suitable for the role, and considered the cost-effectiveness to the production team of hiring me.

“I won’t need body make-up,” I joked on the casting reply to the film’s hire team, “and my left hand comes conveniently amputated.”

I didn’t hear back. They may not have shared my sense of humor.

In truth, Amy saved me from that role when she realized the film conditions would torture me; hours of body make-up application on sensitive skin followed by long hours of running around in that make-up on hot summer days. Even at Zombie speeds it would have been too much. I agreed it wasn’t for me.

Then, this May, she found the perfect role for me; all that was required was real life meditation experience for a Miramax movie set in a silent retreat to be shot locally. I didn’t need to speak to reveal my unusual accent, or smile which would reveal my on-going dental work, or run, I presumed, being a movie plot revolving around silent meditation, or even drive a distance over my threshold of half an hour to reach the film site. It was as perfect for me as could possibly be. I was learning to “Yes” to new experiences and this was a new experience that was easy to say “YES” to.

Then my hesitation set in. Meditation isn’t a performance art but show-biz is. Wouldn’t the movie require its meditators to do the one thing that “shows” the act of meditation — that cross-legged, straight-spined posture well-seasoned meditators are capable of maintaining in stillness, on the floor, for hours? My injuries made sitting on the floor impossible. Forget about trying to sit on the floor cross-legged with a straight spine. I wasn’t even capable of sitting straight-spined on a chair without a fat cushion to prop me forward. Even with a cushion and a chair I wasn’t capable of sitting for long. I began to wonder if the one thing that might qualify me for the role didn’t measure up. My enthusiastic “yes” may have been premature.

I emailed Amy the fine print that came with me, in bold.

She reassured me; “They want it to look like a real meditation retreat so there will be some chairs for those who can’t sit on the floor. Just tell Todd what you can and can’t do when you meet him.”

Turns out I had been shortlisted for an audition with the director, Todd Strauss-Schulson.

Being new to the whole experience I didn’t know that it was unheard of for directors to audition Extras, otherwise known as “Background”. Afterall background is just that; the blurred shape behind the action or that anonymous crowd on a busy street, their sole purpose to lend authenticity to a scene focused on anything but them as individuals. Background isn’t even significant enough to qualify for the category of cast and crew. I think a more accurate description for Background would be prop furniture with rights, but individually much less important than significant props. Directors don’t take time from the million significant decisions they must make to deal with Extras.

But Todd was an unusual director. In his previous movie, the rom-com Isn’t it Romantic, he was reported as saying he wanted to create a goofy, fun, and loving environment for everyone on set and one of the ways he accomplished that was to include real-life couples as extras, including the couple that had introduced his parents to each other. As testimony to the success of Todd’s strategy, three couples in the crew of the movie, Isn’t it Romantic, fell in love on set, and two of his starring actors married after the wrap. I deduced he was repeating this strategy for the movie Silent Retreat, glad it wasn’t a gruesome murder movie.

And so I arrived at my five minute allotment with the good-looking, curly haired, nearly forty years young Todd Strauss-Schulson. It was past 6pm and he’d been working all day. I’d never have guessed I was about the twentieth extra in to see him by the warm enthusiasm with which he greeted me, as if I were an old friend or a movie star.

Then he made the mistake of asking me an open-ended question, “How did you become a meditator?”

Despite answering with close to the speed of a disclaimer in a pharmaceutical ad and with the animation of a QVC host, fifteen minutes was no where close to enough to answer his question. Anyone who knows me knows my love for backstory, something you may have deduced by now. Unlike my family inclined to race me to the point, Todd listened with obvious interest, his face as animated as mine, his questions as rapid-fire as my speech, waving away the interruptions of his assistant’s time-up alerts. By the third interruption I made myself stop and stood up to go, in apparent fairness to everyone still waiting their turn, but also thinking it best to leave while the going was good. I squeezed in the fine print of my limitations, and made sure Todd knew my arms were scarred in case he wanted us to wear short sleeves. He waved away my concerns with a “pfff”.

“Can you do walking meditation?” he asked.

“It’s not part of my tradition but my husband complains I walk too slowly, does that count?” I asked in reply, and began demonstrating how slowly I can walk, nearly tripping in my clogs.

“Think of kissing the ground with the soles of your feet,” he suggested.

“I’ll practice,” I promised, as he hugged me goodbye, not expecting to get the part. I was quite happy to have had the pleasure of meeting Todd. This was as close to getting a real job as I’d come since my accident fifteen years ago. Work I do with and for my husband, not being based on fair hiring practices, and coming with no fixed schedule, work of interest or even an official paycheck, never felt like it counted. I was genuinely thrilled to get this close to what was an exciting possibility for me, a sign I really needed to get out of the house more.

The next day Amy told me I was Todd’s first choice. I didn’t care if Amy told every selected candidate that. I was thrilled to believe I was special enough to have been selected to play a role that required complete anonymity.

I was thrilled I was actually going to get paid for something I didn’t mind doing, a role that couldn’t possibly come with less performance pressure. Being thrilled, for however long or short, is a wonderful thing. In two weeks I would find out exactly what I’d signed up for.

END OF PART 1 of BECOMING BACKGROUND by Maria Heng.
For more info regarding Ms. Heng, please contact gekcho@gmail.com

The Hudson Valley Film Commission helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! Since 2000, the film commission has supported and worked on over 500 productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and over $200 million in regional economic development.

If you are looking for help with your next production (or post production), contact us at filmcommission@me.com

SELECT Hudson Valley productions:Billions • Monsterland • Things Heard and Seen • Audrey • The Plot Against America • Silent Retreat • Lapsis • Save Yourselves • Foxhole • The Undoing • I Know This Much Is True • I’m Thinking of Ending Things • Scare Me • Can You Keep a Secret? • Panic • High Maintenance • Shirley • The Dead Don't Die • Swallow • Avengers: Endgame • The Climb • The Irishman • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place • Fabled • Then Came You • Furlough • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times •  The Seagull • HAPPYish • The Ticket • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother • First Winter • The Last Keepers • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock • American Gangster • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity 

Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

MID HUDSON VALLEY FILMS HEADING TO 2020 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 

Many will remember 2019 for the mega productions that took place in the Mid Hudson Valley. Major production companies including HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount and Showtime helped the region turn the corner with TV shows, limited series and feature films including A QUIET PLACE II, BILLIONS, I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, I”M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS, MONSTERLAND and THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA.

On location in Hudson Valley with PERSONAL VELOCITY. Photo courtesy of HVFC

On location in Hudson Valley with PERSONAL VELOCITY. Photo courtesy of HVFC

The 2020 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL selections will remind people that the Mid Hudson Valley is also a bastion for low budget indie films. The “SUNDANCE track record for films produced in the region dates back to Rebecca Miller’s PERSONAL VELOCITY: THREE PORTRAITS (2002), which won the Grand Jury Prize and the Cinematography Award for Ellen Kuras. It was the first “film” shot on a SONY PD-150 to win the prize. Other big winners at Sundance include Debra Granik’s DOWN TO THE BONE (2004). The Grand Jury Prize and Directing Award went to Granik. A special jury prize went to Vera Farmiga for her performance. Hilary Brougher’s STEPHANIE DALEY (2006) was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize and walked away with the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. James Marsh’s MAN ON WIRE (2008) was partly filmed in the Mid Hudson Valley and won the World Cinema Jury Prize Documentary Award, prior to winning Oscar. Also in 2008, FROZEN RIVER, which featured local actor Melissa Leo and director Courtney Hunt, was awarded the Grand Jury Prize. Jumping ahead, 2018 brought another Grand Jury Prize for the locally produced feature narrative, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Desiree Akhavan. Christina Choe’s NANCY was honored with the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. 

This incredible run bodes well for the five locally produced feature narratives heading to the 2020 Sundance FIlm Festival. They include (alphabetically):

BLACK BEAR, directed by Lawrence Michael Levine, filmed briefly in the Hudson Valley during the summer of 2019. The film features Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott, and Sarah Gadon.

"We're honored to have BLACK BEAR in Sundance this year, along with so many great films, and many from the Hudson Valley,” wrote producer Jonathan Blitstein, who filmed his 2013 directorial debut ANOTHER KIND in the region. “Tandem Pictures has a history of shooting films in and around the area, and we love it. Not only does it make economic sense for independent filmmakers to work in NY-State, there are amazing crews around the Valley, the sights and locations are one of a kind, and the support of the Hudson Valley Film Commission is unparalleled."

Synopsis: At a remote lake house, a filmmaker plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in the pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention. 

THE CLIMB, directed by Michael Covino filmed primarily in Columbia County during the summer of 2018. The cast features Kyle Marvin, Michael Covino, Gayle Rankin, Talia Balsam, George Wendt, and Judith Godrèche.

“I'm from the Hudson Valley, got married to my wife there, and return every Christmas,” wrote producer Noah Lang. “I've also had the privilege of producing several films throughout the region (including Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein's THE STRANGE ONES) and greater New York state There isn't a more comfortable, economically viable, collaborative, and visually impactful region for indie filmmaking out there in my opinion. There's nothing more valuable than good people (and good locations and resources) which the Hudson Valley has in force. Look forward to returning in 2020 with another film.”

Synopsis: Kyle and Mike are best friends who share a close bond—until Mike sleeps with Kyle’s fiancée. A portrait of a tumultuous but enduring relationship between two men across many years of laughter, heartbreak, and rage. 

save-yourselves-credit-matt-clegg-.jpg

SAVE YOURSELVES, written and directed by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Fischer, filmed during the summer of 2019.

“Shooting in upstate NY was our intention even before we started writing the script,” wrote Wilson and Fischer. “We were VERY excited that the logistical aspects made it not only easy, but hugely beneficial to shoot in the Hudson Valley. Laurent was one of the first people we talked to about the film, and was hugely helpful getting us in touch with all the right people. Having access to locations that appear to be so remote while actually being 5-10 minutes away from real amenities and comforts was a dream. Special shout out to Krumville! And to Jesse Rolfe, location scout king.”

Synopsis: A young Brooklyn couple head upstate to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with themselves. Cut off from their devices, they miss the news that the planet is under attack

Cast features Sunita Mani, John Reynolds, Ben Sinclair, Johanna Day, John Early, and Gary Richardson.

SCARE ME, directed Ulster County native Josh Ruben, was produced in January and February of 2019. "I've shot everything in the Hudson Valley," says Ruben. "From superhero fight scenes on the Sony Handicam Hi8 my parents gifted me for elementary school graduation, to sketches for my comedy group, to now, my directorial debut, which is headed for the most exciting film festival in the world. My next feature shoots in the Hudson Valley, and I plan to film my third there as well. What can I say - it's a magic place that photographs pretty well."

Synopsis: During a power outage, two strangers tell scary stories. The more Fred and Fanny commit to their tales, the more the stories come to life in the dark of a Catskills cabin. The horrors of reality manifest when Fred confronts his ultimate fear: Fanny is the better storyteller. 

The cast features Aya Cash, Josh Ruben, Chris Redd, and Rebecca Drysdale.

SCARE ME cast and crew. Photo courtesy of Hudson Valley Film Commission

SCARE ME cast and crew. Photo courtesy of Hudson Valley Film Commission

shirley01.jpg

SHIRLEY, directed by Josephine Decker and starring Elisabeth Moss, Michael Stuhlbarg, Odessa Young, and Logan Lerman was filmed during the summer of 2018 in Greene and Ulster Counties and at Vassar College in Dutchess County.

"The Hudson Valley provided everything we as independent producers needed to create an impactful, important work of art," emailed producer Jon Read, who also worked on ZOLA, which is also heading to Sundance.

Synopsis: A young couple moves in with the famed author, Shirley Jackson, and her Bennington College professor husband, Stanley Hyman, in the hope of starting a new life but instead find themselves fodder for a psycho-drama that inspires Shirley’s next novel.

On location with SHIRLEY at Vassar College. Photo courtesy of Hudson Valley Film Commission

On location with SHIRLEY at Vassar College. Photo courtesy of Hudson Valley Film Commission


The Hudson Valley Film Commission helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! Since 2000, the film commission has supported and worked on over 500 productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and over $200 million in regional economic development.

If you are looking for help with your next production (or post production), contact us at filmcommission@me.com

SELECT Hudson Valley productions:
Billions • Monsterland • Things Heard and Seen • Audrey • The Plot Against America • Silent Retreat • Lapsis • Save Yourselves • Foxhole • The Undoing • I Know This Much Is True • I’m Thinking of Ending Things • Scare Me • Can You Keep a Secret? • Panic • High Maintenance • Shirley • The Dead Don't Die • Avengers: Endgame • The Climb • The Irishman • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place • Fabled • Then Came You • Furlough • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times •  The Seagull • HAPPYish • The Ticket • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July • Katie Fforde Films • True Story • The Sisterhood of Night • The Better Angels • We Are What We Are • The Bourne Legacy • Frances Ha • Our Idiot Brother • First Winter • The Last Keepers • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock • American Gangster • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity 

Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

5 Groups That Support And Celebrate Filmmakers

Screen Shot 2019-10-12 at 7.42.48 AM.png

Honored to have made this list and video. Watch it EZVID. Story about Hudson Valley FIlm Commission starts at 1:15, following The Film Foundation, founded by director Martin Scorsese.

5 Groups That Support And Celebrate Filmmakers

Film is a versatile medium that can entertain, educate, and make audiences see things from new perspectives. Many institutions in the industry are driven solely by profit, but there are some groups, like the ones listed here, that are motivated by a love of the craft. Some of these organizations celebrate and showcase the history of cinema, while others work to benefit modern filmmakers.

Founded in 2011, Ezvid Wiki was the world's first video wiki, and is now among the top 3,000 websites in the United States. The YouTube channel has over 500,000 subscribers, with nearly 300 million views since founding.