NEVADA FILM OFFICE Award Presentation for the NEVADA SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS

By
Erica Hector Vital
Red Rock Review
Las Vegas Round The Clock
http://www.lasvegasroundtheclock.com
ericavital@cox.net
ericav@theflickchicks.com
ericav@lasvegasroundtheclock.com

Sin City Strong in Movie Industry
Erica Hector Vital
663words

Holding its annual press event, hosted by Planet Hollywood in the newly renovated Tremezzo at the Aladdin Resort and Casino, the Nevada Film Office presented the winners of its Nevada Screenplay Competition on January 27, announced record earnings for filming in Nevada for 2005, and also released what has become the film-maker’s bible for professionals filming in this
state, the 2006 Nevada Production Directory.

At a time when film production revenue has declined in many states, Nevada continues its steady increase in filming revenues, generating $102.5 million for the calendar year 2005. NFO Director Charles Geocaris credits this strong six-year trend to Nevada’s industry friendly environment. “Our locations, our crew and service providers, and the ease of shooting throughout our state continue to be our greatest strengths.” The goal of the Nevada Film Office, according to Geocaris, is to attract more business, more filming, in a state which already boasts longstanding productions such as the award winning CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS, which has filmed in Las Vegas since 2000, and mini-series such as Stephen Spielberg’s INTO THE WEST.

The attraction Nevada holds for movie makers continues with upcoming projects for 2006. The gaming network, GSN, recently announced it will begin taping “The World Series of Blackjack” in 13 episodes from the historic Las Vegas Hilton, while Section Eight, the production company headed by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney, has slated a return to Ocean’s 11, as Ocean’s 13 may begin filming sometime in Las Vegas this year.

The Nevada Film Commission’s goal of generating industry interest has been championed by Lieutenant Governor Lorraine T. Hunt, Chair of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development under which the NFO falls. In opening remarks to press and industry professionals who attended the NFO event, the Lt. Gov. reminisced on the earlier, often paper-logged, days of filming in Las Vegas. “Back at the Bootlegger’s, sitting around with the crew from Casino, they would talk about the horror of getting permits for the county, permits for the city. But now we are in the business of helping production companies do business in this town.”

“Film friendly,” is the message Hunt wants to convey to production companies scouting for potential locales. “We can compete,” says Hunt. “I will approach the House and the State senate to keep from making costs prohibitive, to provide labor rebates and tax breaks for those who want to make their films in Nevada.”

In a further show of support for filmmaking in Nevada, the NFO sponsors an annual screenwriting competition, the oldest of its kind in the United States. The top three winning scripts for the 2005 Nevada Screenplay Competition were presented at the event, with awards going to Clinton Braly from Salt Lake City, Utah and Jennifer Lewey of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Braly and Lewey received gift items from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority, Final Draft Software, and a cash prize from the newly established co-sponsorship of Johnny Brendan of the Brendan Theatres and the international non-profit organization Women in Film, and its Las Vegas director Phyllis Cesare-Taie. For the first time in the history of the competition, a screenwriter placed first and second, with Jennifer Lewey awarded 1st Place, Best Screenplay, for BEFORE MIDNIGHT, and 2nd Place for UNINVITED T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

Former Lieutenant Governor Lonnie Hammergren was in attendance, Joseph Girouard, Executive Director of Marketing and Promotions for Brendan Theatres, and Jeanne Corcoran, Public relations and production manager for the NFO. Lieutenant Gov. Hunt was awarded the Silver Nitrate Award for, “an individual or company that has notably contributed to the quality, visibility,
and/or success of filmmaking in Nevada.”

The newly released 2006 Nevada Production Directory is coveted in the industry as a comprehensive resource to film and equipment vendors, casting and editing facilities, Nevada production houses, talent agencies, and directors. Thousands of copies are distributed by the Nevada Film Office. An online version is available at www.nevadafilm.com.