November 29, 2021

GIVING TUESDAY

November 29, 2021

The Hudson Valley FIlm Commission is still struggling to recover from 2020, but grateful that we have had an important impact on the region by working with so many productions that have filmed in the region. 2021 has in fact, been a record breaking year for Film & TV production. To date, we’ve tracked more than $50-million in direct spending. That is a huge benefit for the region, but we need your support to continue. If you’ve already contributed, we thank you. If you haven’t, please consider supporting our efforts at https://tinyurl.com/hvfcsupport

The Film Commission is always working with past, present and future productions.
In the past few weeks, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has:

Promoted the release of Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls." The Film Commission found the main location (Vassar College) and referred hundreds of cast, crew and vendors. On 12/10, BCDF Pictures’ The Hating Game, premieres.
Visited 4 of 6 recent Film & TV productions, including The Adults, New Me, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Welcome to Fairy Rings. Each project benefited from referrals for locations, crew, casting needs, vendors, promotion, and more.
Worked with location scouts from Amazon Studios, Showtime, and other production companies, to lock down more work for the region in 2022.
Worked with ITV America to find location, vendors and pictured cars for local filming.
Worked with a former Kingston-based intern (now a Los Angeles based filmmaker) on an upcoming 2022 production she will direct.
Worked with local counties and towns to increase benefits of local production.
Confirmed a Showtime production will film in the region.
Programmed an upcoming special film screening with special guest (Details TBA).

In order to advance, the Hudson Valley FIlm Commission continues to:

React immediately to daily requests for crew, cast, vendors, locations and more.
Promote hundreds of trained local professionals through our free online directory
Create opportunities for young people in the region to find career opportunities.
Create demand for services and hospitality.
Invest in local infrastructure through productions, jobs and new businesses.
Promote the region to millions of people internationally.

YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION will help us sustain our free online directory, social media presence, referrals for qualified production facilities, post production houses, and more! Most importantly, your contribution will allow us to urge productions to hire local crew, cast members, and vendors.

There are many ways you can give to the Hudson Valley Film Commission, including:

FACEBOOK
https://tinyurl.com/fbgt21
100% of donation goes to our charity. On November 30, Facebook may match funds through Giving Tuesday.

PAYPAL GIVING FUND
https://tinyurl.com/hvfcpaypalgivingfund
100% of donation goes to our charity

For more details and live links, visit https://tinyurl.com/hvfcsupport

Thank You for your consideration

Laurent Rejto, Executive Director
Hudson Valley Film Commission, Inc
A 501c3 non profit organization
Federal Tax ID #85-2021435

Hudson Valley Film Commission

November 22, 2021

THE ENDGAME

Hudson Valley Film Commission

November 22, 2021

Back in July of 2021, the Hudson Valley Film Commission had the pleasure of working with the location team for an untitled NBCUniversal pilot going under the name 'Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project.'

Based on the pilot, the series has recently been picked up by NBC and is now titled 'The Endgame.'

Production was based in Putnam County at Glynwood Farms in Cold Spring. The scene, which featured a complicated car stunt, was in the very capable hands of director Justin Lin, best known for his directorial work on 'Better Luck Tomorrow,' the 'Fast & Furious' franchise from 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' to 'Fast & Furious 6' and 'F9,' and 'Star Trek Beyond.'

Here is the logline for the series provided by NBC:
A pulse-pounding, high-stakes thriller about Elena Federova (Baccarin), a very recently captured international arms dealer and brilliant criminal mastermind who even in captivity orchestrates a number of coordinated bank heists, and Val Turner (Bathe), the principled, relentless and socially outcast FBI agent who will stop at nothing to foil her ambitious plan.

Despite the size and scope of the production, it remains one of the most intimate crews we have ever worked with. We're grateful for the mutual respect and their kind comment regarding our efforts: “Thank you for all your help with our shoot on Cold Spring last week. You turned out to be a real lifesaver on more than one occasion!”

A release date has not been set but, we're looking forward to more regional production and watching 'The Endgame.’

Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to support our continued efforts to bring economic development to the region through Film & TV production. For more info, visit hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

There are many ways you can support the
HUDSON VALLEY FILM COMMISSION, including:

PAYPAL GIVING (100% of donation goes HVFC)
https://tinyurl.com/hvfcpaypalgivingfund

FACEBOOK (100% of donation goes HVFC)
https://tinyurl.com/fbgt21

Hudson Valley Film Commission

November 17, 2021

WELCOME TO ESSEX

Hudson Valley Film Commission

November 17, 2021

The first episode of Mindy Kaling's 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' premieres on HBO Max on November 18. The season continues with three new episodes dropping on November 25, followed by another three episodes on December 2, and the final two on December 9.

Episode 1, which is called 'Welcome to Essex,' was directed by David Gordon Green, who is best known for the series 'Red Oaks,' and 'Pineapple Express.' The series features Reneé Rapp, Pauline Chalamet, Alyah Chanelle Scott and and Amrit Kaur.

The New York Times wrote: "anyone hoping for the scripted series version of “Girls Gone Wild” or Playboy’s “Women of the Ivy League” will have to look elsewhere. The show instead treats undergraduate intimacy with the friendly skepticism it deserves. There’s mortification, bewilderment, klutzy desire and sometimes, between rounds of beer pong, the stirrings of self-discovery.

Filming took place over a three week period, primarily on the Vassar College campus, which doubles as Essex College.. The Hudson Valley Film Commission introduced Vassar as the main location (along with several other colleges) back in October of 2020. Vassar was also referred by HVFC and used in 2020 and 2021 for the upcoming series, 'Master,' on Amazon.

As pre production kicked into gear in May, the Film Commission also referred other locations, including a place for building sets. Local crew members and production assistants were also referred, and working under Roman Candle Casting, the Film Commission was able to recruit hundreds of local background actors.

"It was great to see so many local crew members and actors working on set," recalls HVFC executive director Laurent Rejto. "In addition to seasoned pros, I got to see several recent college grads (mostly from Marist) working their first professional gig on a Mindy Kaling production. That's a pretty good indoctrination into the business. It was a challenging production with very long hours, thunder storms coming through and ninety degree weather."

Production wrapped in early July. Hopefully, many others seasons of the show will bring further production and the economic development that results. In addition to location fees, millions were spent on hiring local crew members, vendors, security and thousands of dayplayers. Other direct spending resulted from thousands of hotel room bookings, local construction and a very dedicated staff that was hired to maintain Co-Vid 19 safety protocols. On top of daily testing, all members of the crew and cast were provided with a tracking device, so they could be alerted if anyone in their vicinity tested positive.

Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to support our continued efforts to bring economic development to the region through Film & TV production. For additional information, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

There are many ways you can suooirt the
HUDSON VALLEY FILM COMMISSION, including:

PAYPAL GIVING (100% of donation goes HVFC)
https://tinyurl.com/hvfcpaypalgivingfund

FACEBOOK (100% of donation goes HVFC)
https://tinyurl.com/fbgt21

CHECKS can be sent made payable to
Hudson Valley Film Commission, Inc
PO Box 1325, Woodstock, NY 12498

Hudson Valley Film Commission

November 2, 2021

BLUES CLUES & THE MAGIC GARDEN

Hudson Valley Film Commission

November 2, 2021

Two recent productions that involve Hudson Valley filmmakers, recently brought a lot of memories to the forefront. Both projects feature shows that many grew up watching during childhood, or with their children – THE MAGIC GARDEN and BLUES CLUES.

BLUES CLUES & YOU
In July, Rhinebeck based producer Jonathan Burkhart (Great Point Films) got a cold call from a a producer in LA who said someone at Paramount studios had recommended him for the feature film BLUES CLUES & YOU. The project is a revival of the 1996–2006 BLUES CLUES TV series with a new host, Josh Dela Cruz. It was co-developed by original series creators Angela C. Santomeroand Traci Paige Johnson and produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and 9 Story Media Group's Brown Bag Films.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission asked Jonathan several questions about the upcoming movie.

QUESTION: How did you get involved with “Blues Clues.”.

JONATHAN: They wanted a producer who knows film and broadway. In 1996, when the series was initially on, I was producing RENT in New York City. In addition to producing musicals on Broadway, I’ve produced a lot of movies. We talked, and this particular movie for BLUES CLUES, was all about singing and dancing. It’s the first time the characters leave their animated world., so I figured, why not.

Steve Burns, was the original host for the popular children's show "Blue's Clues from 1996 to 2002

QUESTION: Did you watch the show? Was it something you shared with your kids?

JONATHAN: My kids watched BLUES CLUES all the time. I loved the show because it was gentle, slow, and easy going.

QUESTION: How did the recent production work out. Were there any special special mini mysteries that needed solving?

JONATHAN: Producing a singing, dancing feature film on the streets in New York City during covid was difficult. Because the vast majority of filming was outside, rain was an issue once in a while, but once the actors and dancers were in place, the music playing, the cameras rolling, it was great fun.

QUESTION: How was the Hudson Valley involved in the making of BLUES CLUES & YOU?

JONATHAN: Because I live in Rhinebeck and have produced movies in the Hudson Valley for many years, I have local crews here that I favor, like Company 1 Productions. Whenever I produce a movie elsewhere, I tend to bring my people with me. Mind you, it's incredibly busy all of the country and most crews are booked way in advance, so it's catch as catch can. But as the years tick on, I tend to hire the same people. I know who they are, I know how they work, and it helps me sleep at night.

QUESTION: When can we expect to see BLUES CLUES & YOU on the screen,?

JONATHAN: -The release date for Blues Clues & You; Broadway Dreams is set for October 2022 streaming on Paramount+.

QUESTION: What’s next for Jonathan Burkhart?

JONATHAN: I have a live awards show I'm producing in December for SOVAS and I have 8 different feature films that all want to go late winter through to the Summer of 2022. Which one actually solidifies and goes is always a question based on financing and cast availability. The day the phone rings and the person on the other end says "Hey Jonathan, we got the money, open the office, we're going!" then that's my next gig.

THE MAGIC GARDEN
On September 20, production for "Magic Women, Magic Garden," took place in Woodstock, NY with Carole Demas and Paula Janis, the main characters and hosts of a show that aired on WPIX-TV from 1972 through 1984. A ‘magic garden’ was recreated for the documentary by Heidi Sjursen and Jeffrey Abell of Out of the Wood Productions.

The show was popular with millions of children. As characterized by The New York Times, The Magic Garden "was a cheerful, low-budget, inadvertently psychedelic half-hour show in which Ms. Janis and Ms. Demas sat on giant toadstools, spoke to flowers, sang songs and told stories."

The Hudson Valley Film Commission asked Heidi several questions about the documentary.

QUESTION: How did you get involved with THE MAGIC GARDEN.

HEIDI: It was all very kismet really, as much of the production has been. My husband/partner Jeffrey, our friend Rosie, and I went as The Magic Garden for Halloween, a couple of years ago. People freaked over our group costume. A picture of us was snapped and posted on Facebook. Someone tagged Carole, one of the stars of The Magic Garden. I happened to be costumed as her. She messaged me saying many people had dressed up as them over the years, but she was blown away by what we created. That eventually led to the Doc.

QUESTION: How did you develop the idea for the doc?

HEIDI: Carole and I clicked right away. We went from FB, to emailing, to chatting on the phone. We formed a real bond. One day, I got off the phone with her and told Jeffrey about all of the fabulous behind the scenes stories she had told me about The Magic Garden. He responded with one word – “Documentary?” I said, “Hell yes!"
We pitched it to the ladies. They jumped right on board, and we were off and running. Incidentally, when we first met Paula, her response to our costume catalyst was “I knew you were either completely brilliant, or completely insane.” Now that we’ve become close through the process, she says we're both.

QUESTION: Did you watch the show?

HEIDI: I absolutely watched the show, it was my very favorite!! I would get super close to the TV, as if I were diving right into Carole and Paula's dream world with them. Even though we have been close with them for some time now, to have them here in our house, in the very spot where I watched them TV, was pretty surreal.

It was a really fun, funny, interactive show, which was ahead of its time, but also innocent and gentle.. The ladies were being totally themselves, which is very young at heart. They love kids, and you could definitely feel that. It’s still so special to the people who grew up with it.. The set design and the ladies costumes (their own clothes) were amazing as well. I never realized how much they subconsciously inspired my own aesthetic until we started the film–it’s kind of nuts. Ok, I’ll digress now–yes, I watched the show.

QUESTION: How did the recent production work out. Were there any special highlights?

HEIDI: It’s been a really smooth, low stress production, which I feel is a reflection of who we are working with. Diving deeply into these women's lives, who were such a big part of my childhood has just been amazing.
The highlight was definitely designing, and building a recreation of/homage to the original Magic Garden set. We did a double interview with Carole & Paula back on their swings, surrounded by the original mushrooms, the magic tree, etc… It was like stepping into a time machine, being transported back to your childhood. Parts of the interview on that set drove the crew to tears, which was SO beautiful.

QUESTION: Other than yourselves, are there any Hudson Valley ties to “THE MAGIC GARDEN?

HEIDI: Definitely. It made perfect sense to us to bring them to Woodstock. It was very fitting, ‘The Magic Garden’ goes ‘Back to the Garden’ and all, plus we really wanted to feature the ol' hometown in the film.
The first time we shot them in Woodstock, we produced a double matinee of The Magic Garden Live at The Colony. I knew they had tons of fans here, so capturing the live show, and interactions was a no brainer.
And WOW did it exceed expectations, the packed audience were mostly adults, and they were all out of their seats singing, and jumping like they were 5 years old again. They came from all over the Hudson Valley. So yes, I have seen the ties they had, and still have to the Hudson Valley, and the whole tri-state area.
Also, many of our local crew members were absolutely thrilled to be on set, with Carole and Paula. The crew on the recreation set were in hog heaven, us included.

QUESTION: When do you think the doc will be ready?

HEIDI: We’re projecting mid 2022 for completion. We can’t wait to bring it to the fans, and I can totally see people who didn’t necessarily grow up with the show really digging it, which makes us extra excited to bring it to an even broader audience.

Click below to watch the trailer.

QUESTION: What’s next for Heidi and Jeff, and Out of the Woods?

HEIDI: We've bounced around a few options, and have landed on George David Weiss as our next doc subject. He's one of America’s premiere song writers, having written many of the anthems of our lives, including “What a Wonderful World,” “I Can’t Help Falling in Love,” & beyond. He’s also in the song writers hall of fame, and was the president of the songwriters guild America for 20 years. He lived a juicy life of twists and turns both personally, and in the music biz.

As we reminisce about these past favorites, we can look forward to seeing new developments soon.
STAY TUNED.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that 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 $275 million in regional economic development.

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

SELECT Mid-Hudson Valley productions:
To view full list or to stream regional films, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
The First Lady (Showtime) • Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO) • Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project (NBC Universal) • Pretty Little Liars (HBO) • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Crumb Catcher • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Porcupine • The Hating Game (BCDF) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)• Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix) • Scare Me • A Quiet Place 2 (Paramount) • Can You Keep a Secret? (BCDF) • Depraved (IFC Films) • Panic (Amazon Prime) • High Maintenance (HBO) • Shirley (Killer Films) • Driveways • The Dead Don't Die (Focus Features) • Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios) • The Irishman (Netflix) • The Climb • Swallow (IFC Films) • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place (Paramount) • Fabled • Then Came You (BCDF) • Furlough (IFC Films) • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane (IFC Films) • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times • The Seagull • HAPPYish (Showtime) • The Ticket • King Cobra (IFC Films) • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July (IFC Films) • 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 (BCDF) • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (IFC Films) • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock (Focus Features) • American Gangster (Imagine Entertainment) • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint (National Geographic) • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds (Dreamworks) • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

Hudson Valley Film Commission

October 21, 2021

FILM & TV SPENDING BREAKS RECORD

Hudson Valley Film Commission

October 21, 2021

The third quarter of 2021 included Film & TV economic development from several new productions in the region, including the “Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project” directed by Justin Lin (“Fast & Furious” anthology) for NBC/Universal, “Duet” (Hallmark/Choice Films) and “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” (HBO).

Production also included continued work for major shows like “Life & Beth” (Hulu), and “White House Plumbers” (HBO), as well as local projects including “Magic Garden, Magic Women." Other projects, some of which were filmed elsewhere (“Blue's Clues & You!” “As Sick as They Make Us”) counted on local crew, including producer, casting, grip and other services.

The above-mentioned projects, as well as others, drove direct spending for the quarter to $15,025,000. That brings the 2021 total to $48,380,000, which breaks the annual record of $46-million set in 2019. In addition, a dozen projects have either started up or are in consideration for the fourth quarter.

Third Quarter (July 1 - September 30) totals include:

Direct Spending from Film & TV Production: $15,025,000
Rooms Booked at local Hotels and Lodging: 15,571+
Production Days: 115+
Jobs Created For Local Industry Members: 160+
Jobs Created For Local Actors & Extras: 1,259+

The above-mentioned data does not include "multipliers," or indirect spending. That revenue, which results from shopping, cultural tourism, dining, recreation, new businesses, indirect jobs, services, royalties and new home buyers, should, however, be taken into consideration. The Film Commission also does not include post production revenue even though we make every effort to recommend local film editors, sound editors, color correction professionals, VFX specialists, mixers and composers.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission continues to:

Work with producers to recommend regional crew members.
Work with casting directors to refer regional cast members.
Work to promote local vendors and the region.
Work with location managers to refer and find regional locations.

The Hudson Valley FIlm Commission is proud of its continued efforts to support and promote inclusion and diversity. Over the past 21 years, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has provided career and educational opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status), age (over 40), disability, and genetic information.

The October 8 article in Variety, featuring the Film Commission pointed out local job opportunities. "The good news is that those productions spend enormous amounts of money;” HVFC director Laurent Rejto says.

Recent local hires, specifically by HBO’s “Pretty Little Liars,” shows a definitive shift in hiring practices to local crew, cast and vendors.

“Filming in the Hudson Valley is a great option for any production,” says producer Ashleigh Snead who worked on OLD MAN at Umbra Stages. “ The tax incentive is hard to beat, the Film Commission is super helpful. There is a large variety of locations, great local crew and production resources, and it’s close to NYC for easy access to specialty items. We will be back soon!

The location team for NBC/Universal’s “Untitled Wootton & Coburn Project,” also expressed gratitude. “Thank you for all your help with our shoot in Cold Spring. The Film Commission turned out to be a real lifesaver on more than one occasion!”

As part of its mission, the Hudson Valley Film Commission continues to create work and educational opportunities by attracting, supporting and promoting local film, television, photography, and new media work. The results over the past 21 years have led to more than $300-million in regional sustainable economic development, more than 3,500 crew jobs and 10,000+ jobs for actors, dayplayers and background actors. See Film & TV list below to gauge the kinds of productions the Film Commission has worked with.

SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS
Financial support for the Hudson Valley Film Commission in 2021 came primarily from Dutchess Tourism, Putnam County, Markertek, and the Wood Dock Foundation. Additional support was provided by several foundations and private donors.

In order to continue its efforts, the Hudson Valley Film Commission must find additional support from regional counties, private foundations, companies and donors. Please consider supporting our work.

To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

For screening info, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
The First Lady (SHOWTIME) • Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO) • Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project (NBC Universal) • Crumb Catcher (Glass Eye Pix) • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Porcupine • The Hating Game (BCDF Pictures) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole (Glass Eye Pix) • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)• Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix) • Scare Me • A Quiet Place 2 (Paramount) • Can You Keep a Secret? (BCDF Pictures) • Depraved (IFC Films) • Panic (Amazon Prime) • High Maintenance (HBO) • Shirley (Killer Films) • Driveways • The Dead Don't Die (Focus Features) • Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios) • The Irishman (Netflix) • The Climb • Swallow (IFC Films) • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place (Paramount) • Fabled • Then Came You (BCDF Pictures) • Furlough (IFC Films) • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane (IFC Films) • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times • The Seagull • HAPPYish (Showtime) • The Ticket • King Cobra (IFC Films) • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July (IFC Films) • 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 (BCDF Pictures) • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (BCDF Pictures) • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground (BCDF Pictures) • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock (Focus Features) • American Gangster (Imagine Entertainment) • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint (National Geographic) • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds (Dreamworks) • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

Hudson Valley Film Commission

September 24, 2021

FAREWELL GUARDIAN ANGEL

Hudson Valley Film Commission

September 24, 2021

On September 23, 2021 I lost one of my best friends to Covid-19. Mark Braunstein was a spectacular human. The world has lost one of the kindest and most giving men ever.

In 2000, I had the good fortune of meeting Mark at the old Markertek company headquarters in Saugerties. I was looking for support to launch a Film Festival. I left that day with a founding sponsor and a friendship that would bless me forever.

Later on, when things got tough, Mark became the primary sponsor of the Hudson Valley Film Commission. His support directly impacted hundreds of productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and regional economic development. His impact cannot be overstated! In 2015, he suggested turning One Tompsons in Saugerties into a Film Studio. Today, as Upriver, it is hosting an HBO TV show. He never took credit for any of those things.

His humility was admirable. I will also miss his kindness, support, patience, mentorship, wisdom, and his friendship above all.

I miss our breakfast club at Bread Alone, the gossip, laughs, concern, community matters. I miss standing around the kitchen island for more gossip and laughs with barbecued salmon, steak, a little whisky for me, and Katharine’s delicious sides and salads. I miss the firepit, stoking the flames, kind hearted people sitting in a circle. I miss the club chairs by the fireplace reserved for petting Coco and discussing serious matters, or just silence (and petting Coco some more). I miss the Amphicar, driving the pavement one minute and floating magically down river the next.

Mark was a mind reader so it wasn’t always necessary to speak your mind to be heard. He had an uncanny ability to feel compassion, hopes and fears. Maybe it was the fact that we both lost our first born sons. I’ll never quite understand why he was so kind to me. I only know that he was my guardian angel, and he somehow always knew when to come to my rescue. Whenever I felt lonely, Mark would somehow reach out and invite me over. Whenever the Film Commission faced obstacles, he would clear them away. Whenever I felt betrayal or sadness, he would make it disappear, like magic!

I wish I could have rescued him from the treachery of the Lyme disease that stole his health or from the final coup that Covid-19 dealt him. It’s hard to feel so helpless, especially when it’s your guardian angel that needs rescuing.

I’m bereft, but thinking about Katharine and Eliza and Andy. I know how much he adored them. And I know that I was not unique with my feelings. Mark helped thousands of people with his magic humanity.

We all grieve and will never forget our guardian angel.

Godspeed Mark Braunstein.

With love,
Laurent Rejto
Executive Director
Hudson Valley Film Commission

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to engage, support and promote regional Film & TV productions. As we start our 25th year in 2024, we will continue to recommend thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background extras, qualified production facilities, post production houses and more. Mark Braunstein was our founding sponsor and best friend. His continued support made it possible for us to continue to create regional economic development.

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

Hudson Valley Film Commission

August 23, 2021

BEING BACKGROUND

Hudson Valley Film Commission

August 23, 2021

By Tyler McGuigan

A few background actors on location at Vassar College for The Sex Lives of College Girls in July 2021. Sebastian Deerkop, Willis Williams, Dario Saraceno, Jennifer Arnaboldi, Rachel Konstantin, Kevin Fouhy — A few background actors on location at Vassar College for *The Sex Lives of College Girls* in July 2021.
Sebastian Deerkop, Willis Williams, Dario Saraceno, Jennifer Arnaboldi, Rachel Konstantin, Kevin Fouhy

Many of you have probably imagined seeing yourself on screen in a movie or television show, and most of you probably thought it would never happen. Well, to my surprise, it is actually easier than I thought to get on the set of a high-profile, big budget production. The best way to do it is to apply to be a background actor. There are so many television productions happening in the Hudson Valley that it is easy to land a gig as a background actor because these productions will hire almost anyone, as long as they are vaccinated. I recently landed my first background acting gig this summer for The Sex Lives of College Girls, the new HBO Max show produced by Mindy Kaling. I never thought I would get the chance to be an extra for a TV show, let alone an HBO Max show, nor did I think that I ever wanted to be one. I’m a film student at Marist College who’s been looking to be behind the camera, not in front of it. However, I heard about the casting call through my internship with the Hudson Valley Film Commission, and I thought “why not?” and applied.

The great thing about being an extra is that you don’t even have to be in a union to be one, though you won’t get paid as much as the union actors. That was fine by me, though, because the pay is still really good for non-union actors. I was only on set for two days and still made a decent amount of money, and most of the time I wasn’t doing anything. Still, what’s more valuable than the money, in my opinion, is the knowledge you gain about film and TV production. As someone who dreams of working on movies, I learned more about production from two days of background acting than I ever learned from school. For instance, I learned that they usually queue the background before queuing the actors on set so that the scene is moving when the characters begin their lines. Nothing beats getting real experience. That reason alone is why anyone who is looking to get into the film/TV industry should work as a background actor.

Another great aspect about background acting is the people you meet while doing it. I had the pleasure of meeting so many friendly people while also seeing some familiar faces from my college among my fellow background actors. Even the crew was nice to us and looked out for us, which seems to be a standard. Even though you may be neglected by the viewer when they’re watching your scene on TV, you won’t be neglected on set. If you’re lucky, you might even get the chance to meet a star. In one scene in The Sex Lives of College Girls, I got to walk right past Pauline Chalamet, no more than two feet away from her, while I was carrying a box pretending I was helping move my brother into college. I believe it was one of the first scenes of the show. In addition, I had the privilege of meeting Gavin Leatherwood, who you may know from the Netflix show Sabrina. What was funny, though, was that I didn’t know who he was at the time. He was by the bathrooms when I saw him, and he was talking to one of the background actors I made friends with, so I thought he was a background actor, too. I went up to him and gave him a fist bump and said “What’s up man. I’m Tyler,” and he told me his name was Gavin. It was then that I was told he was actually one of the actors for the show, and about an hour later I was in a scene with him in which he was runnin with his shirt off. The people I met on set were all great people, and I could see myself being friends with all of them, so not only is being a background actor a learning experience, but you make great connections along the way.

You’ve read my thoughts about background acting, but here is what other people have said about it, as well:

Amy Hutchings, Laurent Rejto and Rita Powers Photo: Chuck Merrihew — Amy Hutchings, Laurent Rejto and Rita Powers
Photo: Chuck Merrihew

"In my opinion background actors are integral to every scene they appear in. If not for the long hours and dedication of the BG, the authenticity of scenes would be void. The scene comes to life with the BG!!!!" –Rita Powers (Rita Powers Casting)

“I love casting the actors who create the 'atmosphere' in a scene. These actors lend a sense of 'reality' to a film and they are an essential factor in the telling of the story. It's a special breed of actors who are dedicated to background work. They love the work, the camaraderie, and are excited to see the finished product that they collaborated in. There is humility in background acting. You might end up as a blur in the background or maybe as a person having a dinner conversation with a friend in a restaurant. Either way, the background would feel barren without background actors.” –Amy Hutchings (Amy Hutchings Casting)

"If there weren't background actors in the shows and films we watch on a daily basis, our hair would stand up on the back of our necks... we would think we were watching a horror, or that something was drastically wrong in the scene or in the world of the show or film... like that amazing scene in 28 Days Later, when the streets of London were completely empty. Similar to our own recent pandemic lives, where many of us experienced those moments where no one was out and about where they normally would be, something is wrong with the world when we don't see the life that is lived by the other humans to whom we are connected. Those amazing background actors who remind us of how we are all connected and work as a group to tell all the other parts of the story that we aren't focused on; we are so grateful for your work. We are grateful for your presence, and how you help to tell the whole story and create a whole world of life ." –Heidi Eklund, Casting Director

Emma Tizzano (Marist 2021) and Sierra Slaughter

“The Sex Lives of College Girls was such a great experience for me. It was my first time as an extra and we always did something different. It’s so amazing knowing all of the hard work and time go into making great art and in the Hudson Valley? A win/win.”
–Sierra Slaughter

“One of the best things about working on set of The Sex Lives with College Girls was getting to meet so many like minded, creative individuals. Also, being on set was incredible! I had no idea just how much effort goes into one day of production. I just kept thinking about what it’d be like to be on crew. They get to work way earlier and leave later a lot later. The dedication was astounding!” –Emma Tizzano (Marist 2021)

“When I moved out of the city to Putnam County, I was asked to volunteer on a movie called What Breaks the Ice. I had the opportunity to hang out with one of the producers and we arm wrestled while we sat in holding, went method rave danced in our transport van, and played massive amounts of UNO. This kind of camaraderie that is built while working "in the trenches" with fellow actors on hot/cold days, out of season wardrobe and unusual situations, makes it completely WORTH IT. Plus, these are the experiences that you pull from when you were just laughing with your pals in holding and now you are taken to set with little notice and are taken to an intense situation and need to look sad, serious or something other than happy.

Jennifer with Willoughby Pyle at recent iPark mixer Photo: Chuck Merrihew — Jennifer with Willoughby Pyle at recent iPark mixer
Photo: Chuck Merrihew

“Since COVID, I have enjoyed the fact that I don't have to go all the way to Brooklyn to work since there is so much work here in the Hudson Valley! I am so grateful for all the hard work Laurent does to entice the productions up to this gorgeous place! It is fun going to work on set, as you always get to run into someone you know. This summer, I ran into the 2nd 2nd that I had worked with two years ago on The Hunters with Al Pacino on the set of The Sex Lives and College Girls. While working on that production, I also ran into an old college buddy. It’s always a good time on set when you can run into old friends or meet new ones.” –Jennifer Arnaboldi

Mark Ruffalo with De'Juan "D.J." Encarnacion

“My first experience as a background Extra was two years ago on I Know This Much Is True. Everything was well organized and started promptly. The set production assistants were very welcoming and treated me the same as others. I am happy they didn't give me special treatment because I am in a wheelchair. If I needed help they told me to ask and they would help me. I also had the chance to meet Mark Ruffalo. He was very cool and down to earth.

“The second experience was recently on the The Sex Lives of College Girls set. The first day there was a huge thunderstorm. The production assistants told everybody to take cover. The thing was that I don't drive and I took an Uber in so I asked a PA where I should take cover. They told me to go under one of the COVID testing tents until the rain eased up. The campus was hilly but a challenge I was happy to tackle. Also, the food truck caterers remembered me from the I Know This Much Is True. Also, I was grateful to the crew and PA's for treating me the same way as others. I also had the chance to meet Sherri Shepherd. She is so sweet and funny.” –De'Juan "D.J." Encarnacion

“I recently spent a week working on The White House Plumbers at Umbra. It was super impressive to say the least! The makeup tent, wardrobe tents, covid testing, and food trucks, were outside, and the interiors were used for holding and the stages. Our set was a replica of parts of the US Capital building. The set design was amazing. My scenes involved walking down a narrow hallway past Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux who were plotting loudly, as they prepared to enter John Dean's office. It was a week of great encounters in the Capital hallways! Wonderful people everywhere, from covid techs to director David Mandel. I was really glad to get this gig.

“This summer, I also worked at Vassar College on Mindy Kaling’s The Sex Lives of College Girls. I cannot say enough about how grateful I am when I can work locally and return home at a decent hour.” –Joy Campo-Decker

Kevin Fouhy on location at Vassar College

“I have been doing background work for almost three years now. I was introduced to extra/background work back in early 2019. I played a businessman waiting for my plane at Stewart Airport, and I also got to use two of my classic cars. It was for the HBO production of I Know This Much Is True, produced in part by Mark Ruffalo. I have also worked a few 1 and 2 day gigs, and recently finished up over three weeks on the set of the new HBO series The Sex Lives of The College Girls coming out this fall. It’s so much fun getting to make new friends, going to new places in this beautiful Hudson Valley that we live in, and, best of all, getting paid! I can’t wait for the next one.” –Kevin Fouhy

“After I retired from IBM in 2012, I responded to a Film Commission announcement of an open casting call for background actors. I was cast as a funeral attendee in We Are What We Are, an Indie film being shot in Margaretville. I was hooked! Over the years, I’ve worked on student films, TV shows and movies. I’ve filmed in both the Mid-Hudson Valley and in NYC and accumulated the credits to join SAG. As more and more productions found filming in the area attractive, I’ve been able to work almost exclusively in the Mid-Hudson Valley. One of my most memorable experiences was with The Plot Against America. In the fall of 2019, the HBO production team planned to shoot some scenes locally. I was cast as a ‘Jewish Store Owner,’ a man who watches his dry goods store burned to the ground by the KKK. Unusual for me, I was personally prepped by the director, ‘bloodied’ by the head of makeup, and filmed by a dedicated cameraman as I stood, somber and dejected, handcuffed to a town police car. While the closeups of me weren’t used in the aired episode, I was thrilled to be included in one of the tensest, most chilling, and pivotal scenes of the series. It was one of the best experiences of my career, and the scene was shot a reasonable drive away, in Bloomville.”

“I’m vaccinated and glad to follow industry COVID protocols. Since May, 2021, I’ve worked in Troy, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie on three different HBO productions. I look forward to more background acting in the Mid-Hudson Valley." –Norman Aaronson

Aaronson in background (left) during disturbing KKK scene for The Plot Against America — Aaronson in background (left) during disturbing KKK scene for *The Plot Against America*

“Coming to the Hudson Valley to attend New Paltz College in 2017, I had a dream to be part of the team that makes movies! With dreams of acting and a respect for all aspects of production, I was so pleasantly surprised to find a huge influx of film productions thanks to the Hudson Valley Film Commission. I found my way in would be to be in the background. Amy and Heidi from Hudson Valley Casting made my dreams come true, and the next thing I knew I was painted up like a Zombie attacking Bill Murray and Adam Driver in The Dead Don’t Die!

“Since then, I joined the Screen Actors Guild and have worked on Several productions including Skin, I Know This Much Is True, Can You Keep A Secret, The Hating Game, and many more. This year, I was able to get my first ever speaking role in a SAG-AFTRA production in The Green Veil! As an independent filmmaker myself, there is nowhere I would rather be than observing the many professionals on a movie set. I learned so much from witnessing these huge sets in action.

“My favorite of all time was as a core background actor in the new Todd Strauss-Schulson comedy that takes place in a meditation retreat called “Silent Retreat”. I could not believe I was getting paid to meditate, walk around in the sun, eat delicious food, and connect with some incredible people. These film jobs have helped me fund my personal projects like directing my improv theater troupe out of New Paltz— Happenstancery Improv!” –Joe Davis

If you are interested in being a background actor, the Hudson Valley Film Commission posts casting calls for local productions at www.facebook.com/hudsonvalleyfilmcommission

“In addition to having the opportunity to be on set and experiencing how a Film and TV production works, it’s important to understand how much economic development results from hiring background actors,” adds Hudson Valley Film Commission executive director Laurent Rejto. In 2004, War of the Worlds spent more than a quarter million dollars on background extras for the ferry scene in Athens. This summer, more than a 1000 background extras were hired for The White House Plumbers, The Sex of College Girls, Life and Beth, and about ten other projects. The indirect spending that results from background actors traveling in the area is also enormous. Many stop at local stores to buy supplies, drinks, food, gas, and some who travel far, rent hotel rooms. It’s a win win for the region.”

Keep an eye out for posts regarding indie films and popular TV shows from HBO Max, Hulu and others. If you want to be a part of those productions, definitely apply sooner rather than later. Their most recent post for Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, reached a quarter million people. Once I get back to Marist, I will definitely sign up to be a background actor again because I had so much fun the first time, so hopefully I’ll see you on set!

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

SELECT Mid-Hudson Valley productions:
To view full list or to stream regional films, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO) • Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project (NBC Universal) • Pretty Little Liars (HBO) • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Crumb Catcher • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Porcupine • The Hating Game (BCDF) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)• Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix) • Scare Me • A Quiet Place 2 (Paramount) • Can You Keep a Secret? (BCDF) • Depraved (IFC Films) • Panic (Amazon Prime) • High Maintenance (HBO) • Shirley (Killer Films) • Driveways • The Dead Don't Die (Focus Features) • Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios) • The Irishman (Netflix) • The Climb • Swallow (IFC Films) • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place (Paramount) • Fabled • Then Came You (BCDF) • Furlough (IFC Films) • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane (IFC Films) • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times • The Seagull • HAPPYish (Showtime) • The Ticket • King Cobra (IFC Films) • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July (IFC Films) • 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 (BCDF) • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (IFC Films) • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock (Focus Features) • American Gangster (Imagine Entertainment) • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint (National Geographic) • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds (Dreamworks) • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

Watch our sizzle reel online

Watch Hudson Valley DRONE reel

Hudson Valley Film Commission

August 6, 2021

IPARK84 SOUNDSTAGE MIXER

Hudson Valley Film Commission

August 6, 2021

On Saturday, July 31, the Hudson Valley Film Commission hosted a mixer at the newest Qualified Production Facility in the region – Michelson Studios at iPark84.

“It was a great turnout,” said Laurent Rejto, who hosted on behalf of the Film Commission. “We’ve been making introductions and referrals like this for two decades with the goal of creating mutually beneficial relationships that will benefit the region. We’ve worked closely with many other regional qualified production facilities, including Including Basilica Hudson, BSP (now closed), One Tomsons Road (now Upriver Studios), Tech City (now closed), and Umbra Newburgh. Upriver and Umbra are both hosting HBO projects, Pretty Little Liars, and The White House Plumbers. Ideally, Michelson Studios at iPark84 will bring more Film and TV projects to the region.”

Attendees included industry representatives, local politicians and even rock star, Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs.

Dutchess Tourism President and CEO Melaine Rottkamp attended on behalf of Film Dutchess.

“Film Dutchess is proud to work with the Hudson Valley Film Commission to promote Dutchess County as a great destination for productions of all sizes and types,” Rottkamp said. “We’re incredibly excited about the development of the state-of-the-art Michelson Studios at iPark which will help extend the tremendous economic impact we’ve seen in recent years for our community.”

“In addition to providing jobs for local crew members, actors, and others providing production services," Rottkamp added. “It also brings workers from outside the area who enjoy dining at our restaurants and exploring our many tourism attractions. And, once they realize what a great place Dutchess County is to live, work and play, they’re inclined to invite friends and family to visit while they’re here or plan return leisure trips.”

Michelson Studios at Ipark84 is a NYS qualified production facility (QPF) at 745 East Drive in East Fishkill, NY. The facility is 10 minutes from 2500+ hotel rooms, Amtrak and Metro North, and 60 minutes from the George Washington Bridge.

Michelson Studios at iPARK84 is a partnership between National Resources and Eric Michelson of Michelson Studios. Michelson is working with architect Stephen O’Dell, who has previously worked on W Hotels and Hilton Hotels, and engineer Wei Wang, who worked on the new Mario Cuomo Bridge, to create a futuristic look that pulls people in.

“Everyone has run around and done what they can to look for an existing building that kind of fits the bill,” said Michelson to the Times Union. Instead, he wondered: “Why don’t we just build an empty building and make the ceilings tall? No one has purposefully built one” here in the Hudson Valley.”

Michelson presented his ideas for the new purposefully built sound stages to Joe Cotter, President and CEO of National Resources, the developer for iPark Hudson in Yonkers. In partnership with Great Point Capital Management, a $100-million film and television facility is being developed for Lionsgate Entertainment.

National Resources is a development company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. In addition to many other projects, they maintain and run iPark84, the former IBM East Campus in East Fishkill, New York. iPark 84 is situated on 300-acres of land with over two million square feet of buildings and is set to become one of NRE's signature iParks, a branded mixed-use tech/flex redevelopment with film studios, retail, hotel and residential components. National Resources is also the developer for iPark Hudson in Yonkers. In partnership with Great Point Capital Management, a $100-million film and television facility is being developed for Lionsgate Entertainment.

Eric Michelson has created several studios including Michelson Studio 1 NYC and Michelson Studio 2, which was one of the largest studios in New York State. In addition to creating and running studios, Michelson was basically raised around Hollywood studios and backlots where his parents, Harold and Lillian, worked. Their work was the subject of Daniel Raim's passionate and beguiling documentary Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story. The story was recently adapted as a musical starring Michael McKean and Annette O'Toole. Movie fans know the work of Harold and Lillian Michelson, even if they don’t recognize the names. Working largely uncredited in the Hollywood system, storyboard artist Harold and film researcher Lillian left an indelible mark on classics by Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Mel Brooks, Stanley Kubrick, Roman Polanski and many more. Through an engaging mix of love letters, film clips and candid conversations with Harold and Lillian, Danny DeVito, Mel Brooks, Francis Ford Coppola and others, Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story, offers both a moving portrait of a marriage and a celebration of the unknown talents that help shape the films we love.

The EXISTING STAGE includes:

52,500 square foot space with 480 3-phase electric service
23 foot ceilings
2 loading docks
An additional 100,000 square feet, including:
- Hallways
- Office spaces
- Cafeterias
- Kitchen

The complex also includes Sloop Brewing, Jane Bakes Cafe, Powerhouse Gym, The Barns Art Center and other facilities.

The PROPOSED STAGES include:

8 new stages, including:
- Six 30,000 square foot facilities with 40 foot ceilings
- Two 15,000 square foot facilities with 40 foot ceilings
- A 10 acre backlot
A video of the proposed facility is online at https://vimeo.com/568611573

For more info about Michelson Studios at iPark84, email michelsonipark@gmail.com

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

SELECT Mid-Hudson Valley productions:
To view full list or to stream regional films, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project (NBC Universal) • Pretty Little Liars (HBO) • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Crumb Catcher • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Porcupine • The Hating Game (BCDF) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)• Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix) • Scare Me • A Quiet Place 2 (Paramount) • Can You Keep a Secret? (BCDF) • Depraved (IFC Films) • Panic (Amazon Prime) • High Maintenance (HBO) • Shirley (Killer Films) • Driveways • The Dead Don't Die (Focus Features) • Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios) • The Irishman (Netflix) • The Climb • Swallow (IFC Films) • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place (Paramount) • Fabled • Then Came You (BCDF) • Furlough (IFC Films) • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane (IFC Films) • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times • The Seagull • HAPPYish (Showtime) • The Ticket • King Cobra (IFC Films) • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July (IFC Films) • 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 (BCDF) • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (IFC Films) • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock (Focus Features) • American Gangster (Imagine Entertainment) • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint (National Geographic) • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds (Dreamworks) • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity

Watch our sizzle reel online

Watch Hudson Valley DRONE reel

Hudson Valley Film Commission

August 3, 2021

FILM & TV WORK SHATTERS RECORDS

Hudson Valley Film Commission

August 3, 2021

The 2nd quarter of 2021 (April 1 - June 30) was the busiest for Film & TV Production that the Hudson Valley Film Commission has witnessed in twenty-one years. The region became home to more than 15 projects.

The 3rd quarter is off to a fast start with several production days already wrapped in Putnam County for the Untitled Nick Wootton/Jake Coburn Project directed by Justin Lin (Fast and Furious) for NBC Universal. Also making headlines is the announcement regarding new Film & TV soundstages at iPark84 in East Fishkill.

Early estimates for the 2nd quarter of 2021 indicate that production resulted in over 70 days of work, more than a thousand part time jobs, and twelve-thousand room nights. The Hudson Valley Film Commission is still waiting for data from several productions but is comfortable estimating that direct spending resulted in more than $25-million.

“We’ve never had this many productions in the region working simultaneously,” said Film Commission director Laurent Rejto. “On June 30, we had five productions filming in a 25-mile radius of Poughkeepsie, NY, including Crumb Catcher, Life & Beth, Redemption in Cherry Springs, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and The White House Plumbers. It’s been an incredible run and the fact that we are currently working with 30 potential productions for 2021-22 combined with news regarding new soundstages for the region, makes us optimistic that production companies understand how the Mid-Hudson Valley offers ideal locations, trained crew members, A-list actors, dayplayers, vendors, qualified production facilities, and more.”

Here’s a list of some of the projects that took place during the second quarter of 2021. (Listed alphabetically)

CRUMB CATCHER
On June 22, Glass Eye Pix started production on Chris Skotchdopole’s Crumb Catcher in Dutchess County.

Crumb Catcher writer, director and producer Chris Skotchdopole has worked extensively with Glass Eye Pix, an independent production outfit led by producer, director, and actor, Larry Fessenden.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission has worked on more than ten Glass Eye Pix productions over the past two decades, including Bitter Feast, Stake Land, Stray Bullets, Foxhole. In addition to Fessenden, the production also includes producers James W. Skotchdopole, (Furlough, Birdman, Django Unchained), and Bonnie Timmermann (i Origins, The Insider).

Crumb Catcher focuses on a newlywed couple that is held captive in a remote lake house by a maniacally optimistic inventor and his sour wife who are desperate to finance his dream project with a half-baked blackmail plot. Actors include Lorraine Farris and John Speredakos.

A search for the ideal location started back in 2019. After a delay due to Covid-19, Skotchdopole settled on a “hero” location in May of 2021. The Film Commission made several referrals and helped with a last minute casting decision.

THE GREEN VEIL

Irene Bedard in Owen Clarke’s 1953 Lincoln

Several pickup days were added for The Green Veil, a TV mini series from Aram Rappaport with John Leguizamo, and Irene Bedard (Smoke Signals). The Hudson Valley Film Commission recommended ideal locations for the 1950s period series, including the Historic Village Diner and St. John’s Church in Red Hook. Filming also took place at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

Hudson Valley Casting helped with local casting. Actors have included Wayne Pyle, Anni Krueger, Tim Miller, Samantha Jones, and Owen Clarke, who has supplied many classic picture cars for this production and others. Amy Hutchings handled background for the additional pickup days.

LIFE & BETH

Written, directed, executive produced, and starring Amy Schumer, Life & Beth follows Beth (Schumer), on her journey toward building a more authentic life. Michael Rapaport (Atypical) and Michael Cera (Superbad) co-star in the half hour comedy series from Hulu, which received a 10-episode order in July 2019.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission was contacted in March of 2020 prior to the Covid pandemic outbreak which postponed production from fall of 2020 to summer of 2021. The Film Commission made several location referrals and also supported the production with crew, vendor referrals and casting notices on behalf of Roman Candle Casting. Mid Hudson Valley filming has taken place primarily in Dutchess and Putnam Counties. UPM duties were handled by Jamie Buckner (Driveways, The Green Veil, The Sixth Reel).

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

As was recently announced in Deadline Hollywood, filming on the HBO Max reboot Pretty Little Liars, will start late summer 2021. The Hudson Valley Film Commission has been supporting the pre-production team with location and crew referrals since November of 2020. For more, see Deadline Hollywood.

Titled Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, the reboot is set in modern time and centers around a group of disparate teen girls who are being stalked by a mysterious assailant. Taking place 20 years after a series of events rattled the fictional town of Millwood, the show will follow Tabby (Chandler Kinney), Noa (Maia Reficco), and other disparate teen girls who find themselves tormented by an unknown assailant. Upriver Studios in the town of Saugerties will be the base of operations for the show.

REDEMPTION IN CHERRY SPRINGS

Also filming in June 2021 was the Hallmark Mystery Redemption in Cherry Springs, directed by Letia Clouston, who has worked on nine features, airing internationally on Hallmark, Lifetime, Starz, Warner Bros. VOD, Disney Channel LA, UPtv, and NBC/Universal UK. Tony Glazer and Summer Crockett Moore produced through their company Choice Films. Local actors were hired through Hilary Greer Casting. Filming took place in Newburgh, Wappingers Falls, and other towns in the region.

A brief synopsis for Redemption in Cherry Springs reveals that investigative journalist, Melanie (Rochelle Aytes) returns to her hometown of Cherry Springs for a much-needed break. When she arrives, her Uncle Joe (Frankie Faison) welcomes her with open arms. However, her quiet retreat is disrupted when a childhood friend suddenly goes missing. This leads to Melanie having to use her investigative skills to uncover what is behind his sudden disappearance. For more info, visit Hallmark.

REMOTE

The art film Remote, was also produced in May and June, primarily in Tivoli and at SPAF, the Saugerties Performing Arts Factory. The film was directed by Argentina-born, New York-based artist Mika Rottenberg, who is devoted to a rigorous practice that combines film, architectural installation, and sculpture to explore ideas of labor and the production of value in our contemporary hyper-capitalist world.

On set in Tivoli with lead man Tim Bruno

As ART news reported, Remote was created with Mahyad Tousi and even has a narrative, though one that is something less than straightforward. “It’s about five women,” Rottenberg said. “It happens in the near future, in 2027—or 2032. We’re not exactly sure about the exact date, but now it is 2027. And it’s five women in different parts of the world, all quarantined still. But it’s a different pandemic. They all connect through a South Korean dog-grooming show that they’re all fans of. So they find this portal through the show that unleashes this ancient internet.” The dialogue is in Korean, and there will be an interactive online version and a cinematic version.

Remote, was line-produced by Dutchess County’s Jonathan Burkhart who has a remarkable ability to hire the best trained professionals in the region (because he knows them and understands how professional they are). Burkhart has worked on over a dozen local projects, including Higher Ground, Peace Love and Misunderstanding, I Dream Too Much, Furlough, Antarctica, and many more.

Other regional industry members working on Remote, included production manager John Hay, set dresser Leisah Swenson, lead man Tim Bruno and construction grip, Jack Bruno. Co-Producer Michael Goodin (from Canada) has worked locally before on Beyond the Night, After Party, A Different Sun, and Amy Makes Three.

The project is supported by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, and the London-based nonprofit Artangel. Both will screen it.

THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS

The Sex Lives of College Girls, Mindy Kaling’s HBO Max Series starring Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott, follows the lives of four 18-year-old roommates at Essex College in Vermont, covering their sexually active lifestyle as they deal with different struggles and hardship that college brings.

Background actors on location at Vassar College

The series was first announced at the HBO Max presentation in October 2019, under the working title College Girls. It was given a straight-to-series order of 13 half-hour episodes with Mindy Kaling announced to create, write and executive produce the series under her overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. In May 2020, the series was confirmed to be launching the following year in 2021, under the new and expanded title The Sex Lives of College Girls.

The series began filming on November 20, 2020, in Los Angeles. Vassar College was recommended to serve as the location for the fictional Essex College, by the Hudson Valley Film Commission in September of 2020. Vassar College was used for prior Film & TV shows, including Master, Shirley, The Brass Teapot, and Frances Ha. The Film Commission also supported the project with crew, vendor, cast and permit support. Casting notices were also shared, on behalf of Roman Candle Casting. Filming took place in Poughkeepsie in June 2021 with director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Red Oaks).

STAY AWAKE

Production wrapped on July 3 on the independent feature film Stay Awake, by Emmy-nominated director Jamie Sisley. Filming took place primarily in and around Saugerties. The Film Commission worked closely with line producer Rob Cristiano (The Miseducation of Cameron Post) and other crew members to help with location referrals and contacts, as well as crew, cast and vendor recommendations

As reported in Variety, "Emmy and two-time Golden Globe Award Nominee Chrissy Metz ('This is Us') plays Michelle, a loving and well-meaning mother of two whose struggle with prescription drug addiction is adversely affecting her entire family. Wyatt Oleff ('It,' 'I Am Not Okay with This') plays Ethan, the quick-witted younger brother about to leave the nest, and Fin Argus ('Clouds') plays Derek, the eldest sibling who’s desires to care for his family are keeping him from moving forward with his own life."

As has been the case with many recent productions, filming for Stay Awake, took several detours prior to kicking off in early June 2021. The Film Commission was initially contacted to help refer locations back in 2019. The feature film is based on the narrative short film of the same name, about two teenage brothers and their weekly routine of finding their wandering mother and taking her to the hospital to detox from a prescription drug addiction. The short premiered internationally at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival and won the Jury Prize at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival.

Sunny Edelman (president of UPWIFT) was responsible for hiring locals to fulfill background roles and Heidi Eklund (Hudson Valley Casting) supplemented cast members in dayplayer roles, including Rosemary Howard, Sierra Leanne Walter, Talha Ahmad Khan and Robert Vincent Smith.

THE WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS

Based in part on public records and the book Integrity by Egil “Bud” Krogh and Matthew Krogh, the five-part limited HBO series The White House Plumbers will tell the true story of how Nixon’s own political saboteurs and Watergate masterminds, E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, accidentally toppled the presidency they were trying to protect.

Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux star as Hunt and Liddy, respectively. Domhnall Gleeson (Run) will portray the brilliant, and ambitious White House Counsel, John Dean. Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) will play Hunt's wife, Dorothy, a CIA asset who tries to hold her family together. Part time Hudson Valley local Corbin Bernsen, best known for L.A. Law, recently appeared in the locally produced BCDF production The Hating Game, directed by Peter Hutching. According to Deadline, “Bernsen will play Richard Kleindienst, the Harvard-educated attorney general that is tainted by the ITT scandal and a contentious confirmation process. He refuses to use his power to shield the Plumbers from investigators.”

Along with appearing in the series, Harrelson and Theroux are executive producers. Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, who were writers and executive producers on Veep, created the series and will executive produce alongside Veep showrunner David Mandel, who is pulling double duty as director of all five episodes.

Frank Rich, executive producer of Veep and Succession, Paul Lee, Nne Ebong, Mark Roybal, Len Amato, and Gregg Fienberg (I Know This Much Is True, Big Little Lies) are also executive producers.

Crew includes many holdovers from I Know This Much is True, which spent 12 months in the region. The location team, led by Stephen Grivno, knows the region better than most. Following up on several key location referrals for I Know This Much is True, the Film Commission recommended several locations in December of 2020, including the former Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Newburgh, which was used for a key scene. Crew referrals and background support in conjunction with Grant Wilfley Casting have also kept HVFC busy.

This is Harrelson’s first visit to the region as a working actor. He previously visited to support his work on Ron Mann’s Go Further, (2003) and Oren Moverman’s The Messenger (2009). Theroux previously spent time in the Mid-Hudson Valley while working on Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Maniac.

G. Gordon Liddy spent much of his early career in Dutchess County as a prosecutor and assistant district attorney. Liddy’s funeral was actually held in Poughkeepsie, where he is buried, a few days before production started. Local lore surrounding Liddy goes back to the mid-sixties. According to Wikipedia, Liddy led a drug raid in 1966 on the Hitchcock Estate (then occupied by Timothy Leary) in Millbrook, New York, leading to an unsuccessful trial. Although the case generated much publicity, other lawyers complained that Liddy received credit for something in which he played a relatively small role. A Liddy-directed drug raid on Bard College in 1969 involved, among others, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who later formed the band Steely Dan and wrote the song My Old School about the raid. Liddy is referred to in the lyrics as Daddy Gee.

OTHER PROJECTS

Four other Film & TV projects that kept Mid-Hudson Valley cast and crew members employed nearby, included Mayim Bialik's As Sick as They Made Us, HBO’s The Gilded Age, Paint, and the Untitled Katie Holmes Project.

The Gilded Age, a co-production between HBO and Universal Television, turned the clock back to 1882 in Troy, NY with stunning production design and costumes. The series was created by Julian Fellowes, best known for writing and executive producing Downton Abbey.

Featured actors include Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Morgan Spector (Boardwalk Empire), Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson, Simon Jones, Harry Richardson, Thomas Cocquerel, Jack Gilpin and Jeanne Tripplehorn (Big Love).

The Hudson Valley Film Commission helped get the word out for background extras through Grant Wilfley Casting. Additional employment included G&E and HMU crew members from the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

Mayim Bialik's As Sick as They Made Us, starring Dustin Hoffman and Candice Bergen worked with Hudson Valley Casting’s Heidi Eklund. Two young actors from Dutchess County were cast. Anastasia Veronica Lee played young Abigail, and Oliver Patnode played young Nathan Oliver appeared in a speaking role in the award-winning series I Know This Much Is True, which filmed in the Hudson Valley. Rhinebeck-based Amy Hutchings helped to fill out background roles and stand-ins. Filming took place in New Jersey. The production company, Yale Productions, has kept many ties to the region after filming more than ten films in the Hudson Valley.

Yale Productions was also responsible for the Untitled Katie Holmes Project, which was lensed in Connecticut. The film stars Katie Holmes (who also directed), and Hudson Valley Oscar Winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter). Also featured is Zosia Mamet, who has appeared in several Mid-Hudson Valley films including Rhymes with Banana and The Last Keepers. Mamet also produced Fabled in the region). Rhinebeck-based Amy Hutchings Casting was hired to fill background roles and stand-ins.

In April and May, Owen Wilson starred in Brit McAdams’s Paint, in Saratoga Springs. Heidi Eklund of Hudson Valley Casting handled local casting, which included many Mid Hudson Valley actors and dayplayers. Elisabeth Henry (Bread Factory) had a significant role, as did Denny Dillon, Vin Graig, Elizabeth Loyacano, Noa Graham, and Rob Figueroa.

Other local production work included series work from Remedy Television + Branded in Rhinebeck and Milton, a commercial for Land’s End, at Kaaterskill Falls, and a commercial for Nature Valley, at Minnewaska State Park. Lisa Thomas of Thin Edge Films shot her Graduate Thesis Film, Change of Scenery, in Catskill, NY during the month of May with the help of Hudson Valley Casting. HV local Samantha Walsh stars in the film as Julia. Many locals to Catskill were a part of this project which asked for participants from LGBTQ communities in the region.

Click to watch FOX 5 TV news report: Movie and TV production BOOMIN’ in Hudson Valley

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Hudson Valley Film Commission

June 1, 2021

JUNE 2021 UPDATE

Hudson Valley Film Commission

June 1, 2021

The Hudson Valley Film Commission spent much of the month of May referring locations, crew members, hotels, vendors and posting casting calls for a lot of upcoming projects. June 2021 will have more than ten projects in the region including four productions from HBO. Other featured productions will include Hallmark, Hulu, and four indie companies.

When the Hudson Valley FIlm Commission reported at the beginning of May that the floodgates had opened on regional Film & TV production, we underestimated the amount of work coming to and featuring the region. Additionally, past projects that were filmed locally, were released in theaters, and/or online. The economic development impact that has already resulted from the first quarter has eclipsed totals for all of 2020.

THE WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS

Grant Wilfley Casting continues to seek Hudson Valley locals who are interested in working as extras in the upcoming HBO limited series “The White House Plumbers,” starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux. Filming will take place through September in the Hudson Valley and Capital district, in Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Albany).

“The White House Plumbers,” is a period show from the 1970s. Applicants must be ok working around smoke and have natural-colored hair. Applicants must also be willing to take 2 Covid Tests and attend a Wardrobe Fitting beforehand. Union and non-union actors are welcome to submit their information.

Click to see original post
Click here to read more about the series in Variety

THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS

Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” for HBO Max / Warner Bros Television is seeking Dutchess County locals interested in participating as students, faculty members or female soccer players. Filming will primarily take place at Vassar College, which was referred to the location team by the Film Commission in October of 2020. Other locations in the Poughkeepsie region will also be used.

Click to see original post

THE GILDED AGE

In addition to hiring many local crew members for the mid Hudson Valley for G&E, HMU and more, Grant Wilfley Casting posted for locals (men, women, and children) to portray various roles as extras in the HBO series "The Gilded Age," which takes place in the 1880s. Production will be filming in Troy during May and June. The transformation to the location around Monument Square has been stunning.
See photos in Times Union

Against the backdrop of change the was the gilded age, the story begins in 1882 — introducing young Marian Brook, the orphaned daughter of a Union general, who moves into the New York City home of her thoroughly old money aunts Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook. Accompanied by Peggy Scott, an accomplished African-American woman, Marian inadvertently becomes enmeshed in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of the old money set, and her stupendously rich neighbors, a ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, George and Bertha Russell. In this exciting new world that is on the brink of the modern age, will Marian follow the established rules of society, or forge her own path?

The series features Christine Baranski (“The Good Fight”), Cynthia Nixon (“Sex and the City”), Carrie Coon (“Strange Weather”), Morgan Spector (“The Plot Against America), Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga (“Higher Ground”), Blake Ritson, Simon Jones, Harry Richardson, Thomas Cocquerel, Jack Gilpin and Jeanne Tripplehorn (“We Only Know So Much”) have all signed on.

Click here for more info regarding the series

REDEMPTION IN CHERRY SPRINGS

HBG Casting posted a casting call for “Redemption in Cherry Springs,” a Hallmark Mystery of the Week film, which will be filming in Newburgh and Beacon.

To be considered by HBG Casting, fill out the form at https://hbgcasting.com/join-our-database

A&H CASTING

As part of our weekly Monday Local Industry Referrals, we highlighted Dutchess and Ulster based A&H Casting Associates, which combines the skills and talents of Amy Hutchings and Heidi Eklund. Together (and separately) these two casting forces have worked on more local projects than any other group over the past 21 years. Recent projects include Brit McAdams’ “Paint,” with Owen Wilson, and Katie Holmes’ second movie as a director. In the still untitled movie, two strangers embroiled in bad relationships wind up in the same upstate New York Airbnb. They’re forced to confront quarantine and their disdain for one another in this unexpected and unlikely love story. The movie stars Holmes, and two actors very familiar to the Hudson Valley, Melissa Leo and Zosia Mamet.

A&H Casting Associates is currently working on various current and upcoming film projects. They are specifically seeking multi ethnic actors from Putnam County to Albany County. If you are interested, email amyheidicastingassociates@gmail.com

OTHER PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENTS

In addition to the numerous casting calls, the Hudson Valley Film Commission was busy looking for, and referring locations in the region. Several will be used by some of the many productions coming to the region.

Several projects are still seeking locations and other film related needs for several projects. All referrals are forwarded directly to film productions. The most pressing current LOCATION NEED is for two neighboring homes…

The main house is an "aspirational" home for a young newly married couple with a newborn. They get married in the backyard at the start of the film. It's their first home. The neighbor's house is owned by an older couple who have lived there most their lives. The house is well kept and pretty, but it hasn't been "done-up" the way someone would if they were flipping the home for new buyers.

The neighborhood needs to feel open enough that everyone can see through each other's yards to the natural surrounding beauty. Not a lot of natural barriers between houses. The less tree-lines, the better. It should be the kind of place you walk your dog at night and wave hi to the neighbors who are out in the front.

Both homes must be willing to allow interior filming. If you have any of the following, please email us at locations@hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org or fill out our location form.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is also currently looking for PICTURE CARS including a police cruiser, an ambulance, an older (80s-2000) Mercedes, and a beat up minivan for 2 days. All other types of vehicles are catalogued for potential use in local productions. If interested, send picture car photos with year, make, model and contact info to locations@hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org

DISTRIBUTION NEWS
For a full list of films produced in the Hudson Valley, visit STREAMFEST

A QUIET PLACE II

On May 28, the sequel A Quiet Place II,” opened in theaters only. Filming this time around was limited in the mid-Hudson Valley but you should be able to recognize several locations in Dutchess and Ulster Counties.

Click to see Times Union article

“A Quiet Place Part II,” the horror-thriller sequel featuring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, opens in theaters on May 28 during Memorial Day weekend. Often seen as the start of the summer blockbuster season, Memorial Day weekend will be a particularly important bellwether for the movie industry this year, now that moviegoers can return en masse to theaters.

The first movie, which earned $341 million worldwide against its $20 million budget, follows a family who lives in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound in a post-apocalyptic world. The sequel follows the family as they face the outside world and venture into the unknown while continuing their fight for survival in silence. Both feature scenes from the Hudson Valley.

The cast and crew for the sequel only spent a total of three days filming in the region, compared to the 2018 production that spent a month of production days and nearly a year of preparations. Nonetheless, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail bridge in New Paltz — which saw a surge in visitors since the first movie, said Laurent Rejto, executive director of the Hudson Valley Film Commission — will reappear in the Paramount Pictures sequel along with the movie family’s home in Pawling.

PANIC

On May 28, "Panic," a new series premiered on on Amazon Prime. The series filmed part of its pilot episode in the Hudson Valley over three nights during late September of 2018. The featured location, Minnewaska State Park, features some of the lead actors appearing to jump off a 60-foot waterfall into a pool below. The "Panic" waterfall shoot was plot-related. The full series began filming in late October 2019 in the Austin, Texas area. The series was created and written by Lauren Oliver based on her 2014 novel of the same name. The series stars Olivia Welch, Mike Faist, and Jessica Sulathe and revolves around a group of graduating high school seniors who compete in a dangerous game for prize money and the chance to escape their small town.

The production company, Picrow ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,") booked hundreds of rooms in Kingston and the Town of Ulster for cast and crew. More than 75 young adults were booked through Grant Wilfley Casting, and a dozen local crew members joined the production team. Local vendors that provided support included Partner Rentals.

"Minnewaska State Park has been a key location for dozens of projects over the years," says Hudson Valley Film Commission executive director Laurent Rejto. "Some of the movies that have featured the location gloriously include Vera Farmiga's "Higher Ground," Bruce Beresford's, "Peace, Love & Misunderstanding," and Derek Cianfrance's "I Know This Much is True."

To watch the series, visit Amazon Prime

SWEET TOOTH

Although “Sweet Tooth” was not filmed locally, it was created by filmmaker Jim Mickle and produced by Linda Moran. Both are part-time locals who have made three previous films in the Hudson Valley region including "Stake Land," "We Are What We Are," and "Cold in July," with Michael C. Hall, Don Johnson and Sam Shepard.

“We wanted to make a show that offers escape and adventure, where nature is reclaiming the world and in many ways it feels like a fairytale,” Mickle said in a release. “‘Sweet Tooth’ is a new kind of dystopian story, it’s very lush and hopeful. We want people to come into this world where there’s beauty and hope and adventure. This is a sweeping story — we ride on trains, climb mountaintops, run through forests. This is a show about what makes a family, what home really means, and why it’s important to keep faith in humanity.”

The Netflix series, which was filmed in New Zealand, is based on the American comic book limited series written and drawn by Canadian Jeff Lemire and published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. On a perilous adventure in a post-apocalyptic world, a boy who's half-human and half deer searches for a new beginning with a gruff protector. In addition to Mickle and Moran, executive producers included Susan Downey, and Robert Downey Jr.

SWEET TOOTH premieres June 4 on Netflix! Click here to watch the trailer.
For more info, visit https://www.sweettoothmovie.com

WHITMAN IN THE WOODS

Taylor Mac’s “Whitman in the Woods” features Walt Whitman as the “turbulent, fleshy, sensual, eating, drinking and breeding” bard in his book of poetry “Leaves of Grass.”

Produced with Pomegranate Arts, “Whitman in the Woods” was filmed in Putnam County in July 2020 at Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Glynwood Center for Regional Food & Farming, and Saunders Farm.

To screen the series, visit Thirteen

WEREWOLVES WITHIN

In conjunction with IFC Films, the Hudson Valley Film Commission will present a special screening of the locally produced comedy-horror, WEREWOLVES WITHIN, at the Greenville Drive-In on June 20.

FOR TICKETS, CLICK HERE

After a proposed pipeline creates divisions within the small town of Beaverfield, and a snowstorm traps its residents together inside the local inn, newly arrived forest ranger Finn (Sam Richardson) and postal worker Cecily (Milana Vayntrub) try to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community.

Director Josh Ruben will be in attendance to introduce the film, which was produced during February and March of 2020 in Fleischmanns, Phoenicia and Woodstock Film Studios. Local cast and crew members will also be in attendance. WEREWOLVES WITHIN, which will world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18 and open in theaters on June 25, stars Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns, Michael Chernus,Catherine Curtin, Wayne Duvall, Harvey Guillén, Rebecca Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson, Michaela Watkins, Glenn Fleshler, Anni Krueger...

For details, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/werewolves

OBITUARY

Sad to report that Walden, New York's very own Samuel Edward Wright passed away on May 24, 2021after a three-year battle with cancer, which he fought with unwavering strength, grace and his trademark sense of humor. An American actor and singer, Wright played Mufasa in the original Broadway cast of "The Lion King. He may be best known as the voice of Sebastian in Disney's "The Little Mermaid," for which he provided the lead vocals to "Under the Sea," which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Among other roles, he played Dizzy Gillespie in Clint Eastwood's 1988 biographical film about Charlie Parker, "Bird."

In 1994, Wright and his wife Mandy helped open the Hudson Valley Conservatory and The New Rose Theatre. Touted as the cultural epicenter of Walden, Sam and Mandy dedicated their lives to teaching thousands of young students dance, drama, and the idea that even the most foolish and irresponsible dream can come true with determination and heart. To honor the life and continue the mission of their beloved leader and mentor, the New Rose Theatre Group will be starting The Samuel E Wright Scholarship Fund to support the children, school and community of young artists he created at the Hudson Valley Conservatory.

Hudson Valley Film Commission

May 26, 2021

SPECIAL SCREENING

Hudson Valley Film Commission

May 26, 2021

In conjunction with IFC Films, the Hudson Valley Film Commission will present a special screening of the locally produced comedy-horror, WEREWOLVES WITHIN, at the Greenville Drive-In on June 20. To reserve tickets, visit https://www.simpletix.com/e/werewolves-within-r-tickets-71145

WEREWOLVES WITHIN
After a proposed pipeline creates divisions within the small town of Beaverfield, and a snowstorm traps its residents together inside the local inn, newly arrived forest ranger Finn (Sam Richardson) and postal worker Cecily (Milana Vayntrub) try to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community.

Director Josh Ruben will be in attendance to introduce the film, which was produced during February and March of 2020 in Fleischmanns, Phoenicia and Woodstock Film Studios. Local cast and crew members will also be in attendance. WEREWOLVES WITHIN, which will world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18 and open in theaters on June 25, stars Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns, Michael Chernus,Catherine Curtin, Wayne Duvall, Harvey Guillén, Rebecca Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson, Michaela Watkins, Glenn Fleshler, Anni Krueger...

PRESS INQUIRIES FOR INTERVIEWS can be directed to news@hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org

WEREWOLVES WITHIN was the second local feature production for Ruben in two years. His first feature, SCARE ME, world premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

The short film PARE, directed by Lauren Sick will screen prior to the feature. The psychological horror, which star Dana Drori (Freaky, Tentacles) was also produced in the region in the fall of 2020. The film screened at the Cannes World Film Festival where Lauren was semi-finalist for Best Director. The film also took home the awards for Best Horror Short and Best Female Director at Indie Shorts/LA International Film Festival.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission will not benefit from ticket sales. If you can, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to support our continuing efforts at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

SELECT Mid-Hudson Valley productions:
To view full list of regional films, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Porcupine • The Hating Game (BCDF) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)• Save Yourselves • I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix) • Scare Me • A Quiet Place 2 (Paramount) • Can You Keep a Secret? (BCDF) • Depraved (IFC Films) • Panic (Amazon Prime) • High Maintenance (HBO) • Shirley (Killer Films) • Driveways • The Dead Don't Die (Focus Features) • Avengers: Endgame (Marvel Studios) • The Irishman (Netflix) • The Climb • Swallow (IFC Films) • Skin • The Mountain • A Quiet Place (Paramount) • Fabled • Then Came You (BCDF) • Furlough (IFC Films) • A Vigilante • Nancy • Diane (IFC Films) • The Miseducation of Cameron Post • La Devotee by Panic at the Disco! • It Comes at Night • Super Dark Times • The Seagull • HAPPYish (Showtime) • The Ticket • King Cobra (IFC Films) • Growing Up Smith • Cold in July (IFC Films) • 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 (BCDF) • Francine • Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (IFC Films) • Martha Marcy May Marlene • Higher Ground • Rocksteady • Bitter Feast • Stake Land • Man on Wire • Taking Woodstock (Focus Features) • American Gangster (Imagine Entertainment) • Michael Clayton • The Human Footprint (National Geographic) • The Night Listener • Stephanie Daley • War of the Worlds (Dreamworks) • Down to the Bone • Personal Velocity…

Hudson Valley Film Commission

May 6, 2021

MAY 2021 RECAP

Hudson Valley Film Commission

May 6, 2021

In January of 2021, the Hudson Valley Film Commission was excited to work with a variety of film and television productions, which were finally returning to the region after almost a year-long shutdown brought on by the pandemic.

“We anticipate the floodgates will open as soon as safety concerns are under better control,” wrote Laurent Rejto for the Film Commission at the time.

As it turns out, much of the year during the pandemic was spent working tirelessly behind the scenes referring locations, soundstages, local crew, cast, vendors, lodging and post production facilities to potential productions.

As of May 6, the Film Commission is pleased to report that it has been in touch with 25 Film & TV companies, including 5 HBO shows and one project for Hulu.

“We’re delighted to see that production is back,” says Rejto. “2021 should be bigger than ever throughout the mid-Hudson Valley region.”

On May 5, the Film Commission posted a casting call in conjunction with Roman Candle Casting for Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” Back in October of 2020, staffers made several location referrals for the series while working with location managers and scouts for the project. We’re gratified that one of our introductions worked out and will be the central location. As production nears, local crew, actors and vendors are being hired. Dutchess Tourism has also provided a wealth of support.

For “The White House Plumbers,” which will be based out of Umbra Stages, and “The Gilded Age,” which will film around Troy, casting calls were posted in conjunction with Grant Wilfley Casting. The relationship with “The White House Plumbers” goes back to relationships that were established during the 2019 production of “I Know This Much Is True,” and Jim Jarmusch’s “The Dead Don’t Die” (2018).

“It’s a comfort to know that key personnel on some of these productions understand that they can hire local industry professionals without any concern,” added Rejto. “The Hudson Valley has an abundance of trained crew members who need work, especially after the mass unemployment during the Covid pandemic.”

Luckily, many local industry professionals were hired during the first quarter of 2021. Direct spending from Film & TV productions came from work on “Master” (Amazon Studio / Animal Kingdom), “The Whale” (A24), “Old Man,” “Severance” (Apple TV+) and pre-production on “The White House Plumbers” (HBO). Revenue for the first quarter actually eclipsed direct spending for all of 2020.

In addition to production, the Film Commission continues to promote upcoming releases for film and television shows that were filmed in the region, including “Things Heard & Seen,” which premiered on Netflix on April 30, “A Quiet Place II,” which opens in theaters on May 28, and “Werewolves Within,” which opens theatrically on June 25. We anticipate that another ten films will reach the marketplace soon. To keep up-to-date about theatrical and virtual screenings, visit https://www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more!
Thanks to the more than one-hundred people who contributed to our spring fundraiser. We fell short of our goal, but we are extremely grateful for the support we received. For more information about supporting our non-profit organization, please visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support