LANDING LINCOLN – Bringing Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln project to the Commonwealth

Join Virginia Film Office Director Rita McClenny and Location Manager Andy Edmunds on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 for a lively discussion of DreamWorks’ upcoming film project about Abraham Lincoln, his Cabinet and the Civil War in Lincoln (aka Office Seekers). Rita and Andy will share details of the eight-year saga of their recruitment of the high-profile Spielberg project to the Commonwealth. Additionally, they’ll share valuable insights and some insider stories from along the way.

The dynamic duo will give a general overview of what to expect when production begins this fall in Virginia, including information about casting, jobs and hiring protocol.

This is a special monthly event that you won’t want to miss!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to expected numbers, this event will NOT be held in the CVPA office, it will be held at the Main Street Arena. Discussion will begin PROMPTLY at 6:30.

WHERE:
Charlottesville Main Street Arena
230 West Main Street
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

WHEN:
June 28, 2011
6:00pm: Networking/Happy Half-hour (cash bar)
6:30pm: Landing Lincoln

If you are a current VPA member, please reserve your seat now by visiting www.cvillevpa.com. Click on CVPA event registration and follow the RSVP instructions (payments are also being taken on-line…THIS IS NEW)!

This event is free for VPA corporate members, $5 for VPA individual & student members or $30 for non-members.
 To join VPA or renew your VPA membership, please register on-line at Virginia Production Alliance. Memberships are valid for one calendar year (January – December). After you join, you may reserve your CVPA event seat as stated above. Please make sure you register for your proper membership level.

CVPA’s mission is to unite film, video, audio and new media professionals, enthusiasts, and amateurs in Central and Southwest Virginia.

Register

Following is a .pdf doc with information about the casting, resumes, jobs and hiring protocol for the ‘Lincoln Project.’ To be filmed in Virginia by Steven Spielberg in 2010, this highly anticipated major feature film is based on the book “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin and will be shot in the Richmond and Petersburg areas. Filming will begin in the Fall and the movie is slated for release in 2012.

>> Click here for the ‘Lincoln Project: Office Seekers’ handout

STAY UP-TO-DATE on the latest developments regarding the ‘Lincoln’ project by signing up for the VPA >> Listserve Sign-up

Commonwealth of Virginia – Office of Governor Bob McDonnell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 4, 2011

Office of the Governor

Contact: Jeff Caldwell – 804-225-4260 – Jeff.Caldwell@Governor.Virginia.Gov

Contact: Mary Nelson – 804-545-5530 – MNelson@Virginia.org

Governor McDonnell Announces Steven Spielberg to Film Lincoln in Virginia

~ Highly Anticipated Feature Film by Legendary Oscar Winning Director to be Shot in Richmond and Petersburg~

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell today announced Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg will shoot his highly anticipated major feature film Lincoln in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The film is based on the book “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin and will be shot in the Richmond and Petersburg areas.  Filming will begin in the Fall and the movie is slated for release in 2012.

The film will star Academy Award-winning actors Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, There Will be Blood) as Abraham Lincoln and Sally Field (Norma Rae, Places in the Heart) as Mary Todd Lincoln.  The screenplay was written by Tony Kushner who last worked with Spielberg on the feature film Munich.  The film will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks Studios.

“We are honored that Steven Spielberg, an award winning and visionary film maker, has chosen the Commonwealth for this important film. It is especially notable coming during the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and emancipation,” said Governor Bob McDonnell.  “Steven is an exceptional storyteller who brings historic themes to life on screen, resulting in such important and influential films as Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Munich and the mini-series Band of Brothers. I have no doubt that Lincoln will quickly join the ranks of those famous works.”

Steven Spielberg noted, “Virginia’s rich historic legacy, coupled with the remarkable period architecture found in Richmond and Petersburg, make Central Virginia the ideal location for this production.”

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng remarked, “It would not have been possible for Virginia to attract such a prestigious film to the Commonwealth without the work of the Virginia Film Office, support of the General Assembly, and the cities of Richmond and Petersburg.”

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones commented, “Richmond played a central role in the Civil War, and we are honored that our city will be featured in a film about this important time in American history.  We welcome this extraordinary opportunity to be part of this film.”

The Virginia Film Office worked with the cities of Richmond and Petersburg to secure this project. The incentive package includes $1 million from the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund, $2.5 million from the Virginia Motion Picture Tax Credit program and $1.1 million in in-kind contributions. The amount of funding awarded to a project is based on Virginia workers hired and the purchase of Virginia based goods and services.

The direct and indirect impact of Virginia’s motion picture and video production industry in 2009 was $346 million, representing 2,700 jobs for the state.

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Leonardo DiCaprio Stars as J. Edgar Hoover

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the towns of Warrenton and The Plains in Fauquier County, Great Falls in Fairfax County and the cities of Alexandria and Arlington were recently used in a major feature film with the working title of J. Edgar. The film examines the life and legacy of F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover and is directed by Clint Eastwood – who was last in Virginia shooting a scene for his film Flags of Our Fathers at the Iwo Jima Memorial. J. Edgar is being produced for Warner Bros. Pictures by Imagine Entertainment and Malpaso Productions.

More >> http://www.film.virginia.org/news_pub/News_Documents/ClintEastwoodFilmShootsInVirginia.pdf

Governor Bob McDonnell and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling announced their budget economic initiatives yesterday. The Va. Production Alliance is thrilled to report that we are included in this new budget. The budget requests an additional 2 million dollars for the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. This proposed funding is in addition to the funds and tax credits that were approved during the 2010 session. This is great news!! 
The Alliance will keep everyone updated on legislative activities for the upcoming session. I know we will need to have a big Film Day turnout. For the moment, industry members should begin calling their legislators today and let them know what this proposed funding means to them.

I have personally assured the Governor and Lt. Governor that the industry will strongly support this important budget request. The Governor will unveil his entire budget on Friday /Dec 17 at 9:30 am House Room D/ General Assembly Building. it will be crowded but is open to the public.

I would like to wish all industry professionals a wonderful, relaxing holiday season and I look forward to working with everyone during the upcoming legislative session.

Important dates to place on your calendar are January 26/Plant Zero/ SOI/ Richmond and February 1/ Film Day at the GAB offices. Please contact legislative@filmva.com if you want be involved. Watch for for updates in the near future on the listserve.

Thank you for your continued interest in the industry’s well being and your invaluable personal support. Our past efforts have, and will make a difference in our future.

Terry L. Stroud
Chairman
Va. Production Alliance

McClenny’s work has brought hundreds of film and television projects to the Commonwealth

RICHMOND – Rita D. McClenny, Director of the Virginia Film Office and  Vice President for Film and Operations for the Virginia Tourism Corporation, has received the prestigious 2010 Theresa Pollak Award for Excellence in the Arts.  Given yearly, the award honors those who, through their dedication, vision and talent, have made a significant impact on the arts in Virginia.   McClenny is this year’s recipient in the area of film.

The Pollak Award was created in honor of Virginia artist and educator Theresa Pollok whose vision and pioneer spirit were instrumental in the growth of Richmond’s flourishing arts community, in part because she founded the art departments at Virginia Commonwealth University and at the University of Richmond.  A lifelong advocate of the importance of the arts in all aspects of life, it is Theresa Pollak’s inspirational spirit and dedication that are honored through these awards.

President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation Alisa Bailey commended McClenny on her award stating, “There is no one more deserving of this award that Rita McClenny, whose rare combination of intelligence, tenacity and grace allow her to her excel at everything she does.  Her leadership and commitment have been instrumental in the growth of film production in Virginia and we are honored to have her on our team.”

McClenny is a Virginia native who grew up in Southampton County.  Because of her work with the Virginia Film Office, the state has been the site of hundreds of film and television projects that have had an economic impact on Virginia’s economy in the billions of dollars.  Some of these high-profile projects have included John Adams, Sommersby, Hannibal, First Kid, Lassie, The New World, The West Wing, Cold Mountain, The Contender, and War of the Worlds. She has also been instrumental in fostering the growth of Virginia’s in-state film industry and has spearheaded efforts to develop well-respected film education programs at Virginia universities.

She takes the greatest pride in bringing the Emmy Award-winning HBO mini-series John Adams to the Commonwealth, stating “John Adams is the kind of enduring project that will continue to have an impact for years to come.  It is a quintessentially American story told with the greatest integrity and artistry and I am proud to have played a part in bringing it to Virginia.”

Rita’s influence does not stop with her film endeavors.  As Vice President for the Virginia Tourism Corporation, she works to promote the state as one of the country’s premiere travel destinations.  She is also committed to community service and has served on the boards of the Virginia Film Festival, Virginia Center for Media and Culture, Maymont Foundation, The Byrd Theatre Foundation and HCA-CJW Medical Center. An accomplished sportswoman, she excels at many athletic activities including polo, tennis and golf.