HOLLYWOOD FOLIAGE
The success of the 2003 Woodstock Film Festival was followed by a succession of local film productions secured by the Woodstock Film Commission. Over the past four years, the agency has provided conduits to pre production, production and post production for filmmaking in the Hudson Valley and Catskill region. The commission, under the auspices of the Woodstock Film Festival, Inc, attracts filmmakers from all over the world to the region and provides free online resources and office support throughout the year to studio features, independent features, print, new media, short films and TV ads. Visit the Woodstock Film Commission for more info or call the film festival office to set you next film in the Hudson Valley / Catskills region.

FOLKS SHOT IN WOODSTOCK;
WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL AND FILM COMMISSION CITED AS "A BEACON TO MANY FILM COMPANIES"
When Heath Mensher contacted the Woodstock Film Commission seeking assistance in finding locations for "The Thing About My Folks," he was a freelance location scout on assignment to find "funky rural locations --  the more character, the better." The film, a comedy about a father and son's quest to get to know one another on the road, was written by Paul Reiser ("Mad About You") who is also producing and co-starring in the pix opposite Peter Falk ("Wings of Desire," "Rain," "Columbo"). Mensher had never been to upstate New York, but he had a feeling that it might be the right place. After two days of scouting, he knew it was.

Mensher and Bill Stitt, of the Woodstock Film Commission, covered a lot of ground in two days, taking more than three-hundred pictures - of diners, bait and tackle shops, mom and pop convenience stores, gas stations, junkyards, bars, pool halls, motels, fishing streams, farmhouses, ponds, winding roads, and farm stands. 

When Mensher returned to the production office in New York, convinced he had perfect locations for the picture, there was some concern as to whether or not there might be cost-effective accommodations for cast and crew in the Woodstock area. These worries were quickly laid to rest by Meira Blaustein, of the Woodstock Film Festival, who assured the production team that affordable accommodations were readily available.

Local production wrapped after ten glorious fall, foliage days. In addition to providing location, public relations, and accommodation resources, the Woodstock Film Commission was able to help fill in some key production positions with local film professionals, interns, and volunteers.

PATCH
Mid-October provided a glimpse of Hollywood in the Catskills as two film productions shared the same Woodstock road on the same day. As Paul Reiser and Peter Falk prepared for a magic hour shot overlooking Cooper Lake, film director Chris Romero and crew were wrapping after their first day of production.

"Patch" is a story about a woman who returns to her hometown shortly after her mother's death. What she finds is an erased memory from her childhood. It is a beautiful story about detours, near misses, and convergence.

Romero's most recent short film, "Joe and Charlie at the Ranch," can be seen on the Independent Film Channel throughout October, and his feature length scripts -- "Anika's Room" and "Tamson West" -- have both been optioned in the last several months. Both screenplays were finalists in, 21001 and 2002 Sundance Institute Labs. "Anika's Room" has been invited into the second round in the selection process for the 2004 labs.

Locations, cast members, and other resources for "Patch" were provided by the Woodstock Film Commission.

LOCAL FILM PRODUCTION TALENT OUTREACH
Anyone living in the Mid-Hudson Valley area with film production experience is encouraged to provide the Woodstock Film Commission with a listing for the online film production guide by emailing to info@woodstockfilmcommission.com.

WFF POSITIONS
Part-time positions, internships and volunteer slots are also available with the Woodstock Film Festival, with openings in the following areas; press relations, grantwriting, educational outreach, and technology. Resumes can be sent to Woodstock Film Festival, PO Box 1406, Woodstock, NY 12498, or email us..

AT A THEATER SOMEWHERE... LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS
If you didn¹t catch the following flicks at the 2003 Woodstock Film Festival, catch them now at a local theater.

Due to the folding of New York based indie distributor Cowboy Pictures, "Assisted Living," (winner of WFF Maverick Award for Best Feature) will not be released as scheduled. Producer Alex Laskey indicated that he and director, Elliott Greenebaum are pursuing other distribution options. If you get an opportunity, check the film out at upcoming festivals.

"Greenebaum is an alchemist, combining real moments and real people, documentary style, with an exceptional story and what ensues is a magical film." Caroline Wells, Indiewire

THE PARTY IS OVER
Speaking of revolutions and politics, "The Party Is Over," a film by Rebecca Chaiklin and Donovan Leitch opened an exclusive engagement at City Cinemas Village East (181 east 2nd avenue (@ 12th Street). The documentary, edited by Woodstock Film Festival advisory board member Sabine Hoffman, follows Philip Seymour Hoffman as a concerned citizen on an uncensored journey of the state of Democracy in America.

Mr. Hoffman is a genial host, skeptical interrogator and increasingly cynical narrator and reporter of political luminaries, ordinary people and stars during a six-month cross-country journey that begins with the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The film includes behind-the-scenes footage of activists spanning left and right, from Susan Sarandon to Charlton Heston, Jesse Jackson to Pat Robertson, from Eddie Vedder to Willie Nelson and from Rudy Giuliani to Michael Moore.

GIRLHOOD OPENINGS
"Girlhood," an amazing new documentary from Academy Award-nominated director Liz Garbus, tells two coming-of-age stories from the real America: Shanae, ten years old when she was gang-raped by five boys, responded by drinking and drugging, and then graduated to murder, with the stabbing death of a friend, at age 12. Megan, whose mother abandoned her to turn tricks to support her ravaging heroin addiction, ran away from ten different foster homes before being arrested for attacking another foster child with a box cutter. Both girls ended up in the Waxter Juvenile Facility, home to Maryland's most violent juvenile offenders. It is here that their journeys really begin.

Wellspring, which picked up worldwide theatrical distribution rights is releasing the film. It opens October 29th at the Quad in NYC, on October 31 at the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring, Maryland, Nov. 14 at the Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles, and November 26 at the Charles Theater in Baltimore.

Check it out! And bring your friends!

"Garbus brilliantly and nimbly pulls the layers back on juvenile justice statistics to reveal complicated, infuriating, and finally (and surprisingly) enchanting human beings. As a result, girlhood is one of the most haunting and important films of the year." -Ernest Hardy, LA Weekly

"Thanksgiving family reunion comedy that sparkles with acerbic wit, original characters and genuine heart." David Rooney, Variety

"[An] Intelligent and touching farce." Elvis Mitchell, New York Times

CASA DE LOS BABYS
John Sayles's "Casa de Los Babys" is also out in select theaters. The film, which co-stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, Marcia Gay Harden, Daryl Hannah, and Lili Taylor follows the travails of six American women who trek to South America to adopt babies. Produced by Woodstock Film Festival advisory board member Lemore Syvan, Casa De Los Babys shared the opening night slot at this year's fest with "Pieces of April".

"A powerfully written, well-acted movie that tackles an unusual and compelling subject." Claudia Puig, USA TODAY

SHATTERED GLASS
WFF closing night film "Shattered Glass," is also in limited release. The Lion Gate release helmed by Billy Ray stars Hayden Christopher as New Republic journalist Stephen Glass whose feature stories fell under scrutiny when Adam Penenberg discovered while working for Forbes.com major inconsistencies in one of Glass's stories. The discovery was just the tip of the iceberg. The film takes a look inside our culture's noblest profession, one that protects our most precious freedoms by revealing the truth, and what happens when our trust in that profession is called into question. With the recent revelations at The New York Times, one of this country's most respected newspapers, the issue seems to be pandemic.

"Right from the start, Hayden Christensen is a revelation." Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

SUMMERCAMP NIGHTMARE & L'AVVENTURA

Planet Noise Records recording artist 3, which played the WFF opening Night Film Gala is currently on tour in support of their brand new album Summercamp Nightmare. In addition, lead singer Joey Eppard will be opening for Little Feat and will be playing on the same bill with brother Joshua's band Coheed and Cambria. Should be an amazing series of shows.

If you're looking for a great holiday gift, Woodstock's Joan Knight of Catskill Mountain Pictures has a new children's book, "Charlotte in Paris," just out. Rave reviews for the first book in the series, "Charlotte in Giverny," (also Chronicle Books) say "Part faux diary, part scrapbook, this charming volume teeters between picture book and novel" -- (Publishers' Weekly) and "simply irresistible" -- (Kirkus Reviews). Books are in local bookstores now. Check them out!