For Immediate Release....

Shreveport-Bossier Selected as Shooting Location for New Television Series
“The Gates” from Fox Television Studios
Series to Air on ABC
SHREVEPORT, La. – The Shreveport-Bossier Film Office and the Office of the Mayors today announced that Fox Television Studios has selected Shreveport-Bossier to be the shooting location for The Gates, the studio’s new one-hour drama series to air on ABC.
Created by Grant Scharbo (The Mountain) and Richard Hatem (The Dead Zone) who are executive-producing along with Gina Matthews, The Gates tells the story of a cop who gives up big city life to take a job as Chief of Police in a seemingly blissful suburban community, only to learn there is much more to the residents than meets the eye.
The Gates begins shooting the first of 13 episodes on March 29th at Stageworks and at locations throughout the city. Fox Television Studios’ production offices for the series also will be based in Shreveport.
 “We are extremely pleased and excited to be the new home of Shreveport-Bossier’s first big studio television series,” said Mayor Cedric B. Glover.  “To be selected by Fox Television Studios is a clear indication that Shreveport-Bossier has what it takes to attract a series of this caliber and magnitude.  “The Gates will garner tremendous national and international attention for our area, and we are delighted to welcome Fox TV Studios and ABC to our community.”
 The creative look and feel of the city’s locations, the high quality and availability of experienced crews, and the overall film-friendliness of Shreveport-Bossier all contributed to the decision to select Shreveport-Bossier for The Gates.
 Arlena Acree, Shreveport Director of Film, commented, "We competed with several other cities and states to bring The Gates to this area and we are hopeful this is just the beginning of a long collaboration with the studio and network.  The Gates will strengthen our local film industry and will to continue to drive our crew and vendor base.  We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome The Gates to Shreveport-Bossier!"
 “As a partner in the Shreveport-Bossier Film office, with the City of Shreveport and the Shreveport-Bossier Tourist and Convention Bureau, the City of Bossier City is proud and honored that Fox TV Studios and ABC have chosen to bring The Gates to our local community,” added Pam Glorioso, Bossier Film Liaison.

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January 20, 2010 - For Immediate Release

Shreveport -Bossier Area Named No. 3 of the 10 Best Cities To Live, Work & Make Movies in 2010

by:

MOVIE MAKER - MAGAZINE

by Julie Jacobs with Jennifer M. Wood | Published January 18, 2010


Some say that money is the root of all evil, while others hold that evil follows money’s absence. Likewise for today’s independent moviemakers, while some contend that bigger budgets open up more creative options, others maintain that limited budgets have a better chance of generating true innovation.
The latter seems to be proving true in American cities big and small, as increasing numbers of would-be auteurs make the leap from moviegoer to moviemaker. They’re being aided by the low cost of digital technologies, which make the medium ever more democratic at the same time that costs creep lower. The barriers that existed for independent moviemakers just a few years ago have all but disappeared, not only in terms of accessibility to reasonably priced production and post-production equipment, but with distribution opportunities, too. Best of all, freshly minted moviemakers don’t even need to leave home to make cinema happen.
For the past decade, MovieMaker’s editors have paid careful attention to location trends. From recent financial incentives to new soundstages, we have tracked these developments while being vocal proponents of the “backyard/backlot” lifestyle—the idea that one should be able to shoot close to where he or she lives.
We also understand that moviemaking is not a solo enterprise; it’s an endeavor that benefits greatly from the support of like-minded artists. It would stand to reason, then, that moviemakers in traditional “cinema cities” such as New York and Los Angeles might have an edge over their peers in lesser-known production areas. But with previously under-utilized areas such as Shreveport, Louisiana and Albuquerque, New Mexico continuing to climb our “best places” list year after year, the truth is that moviemaking can happen anywhere—as long as there are creative artists willing to make a go of it and a community of supporters happy to nurture their talents.
Here, then, is MM’s 10th annual ranking of the country’s best cities in which to be an independent moviemaker.


1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Shreveport, LA
4. New York, NY
5. Austin, TX
6. Stamford, CT
7. Boston, MA
8. Detroit, MI
9. Philadelphia, PA
10. Seattle, WA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:
Bob Maynard, Executive Director
The Hal Sutton Foundation
(318)-213-PUTT
Or e-mail: Bob@halsuttonfoundation.com

NEWS RELEASE

Original Kevin Costner Artwork Auction to Benefit Hal Sutton Foundation set for February 10-22 on EBAY

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LOUISIANA –  The first original painting in the Shreveport Cinema Series by artist Vernon Wells will be auctioned on EBAY February 10-22.  The proceeds from this auction will benefit the Hal Sutton Foundation.  The subject of the first painting is actor Kevin Costner, who graciously allowed his image to be used in this fund-raising effort.  The images in the painting are a central portrait of Mr. Costner surrounded by scenes from 2 movies he made in Shreveport – The Guardian and Mr. Brooks.

In announcing this project, Hal Sutton, Chairman of the Board for the Foundation, stated, “We are very excited about this series of paintings and are certainly thankful to Kevin Costner for agreeing to be our first subject.  Hopefully, this project will help us to raise money to support children’s health and also raise awareness of our community as a center of film and television production ”

In addition to the original work, 250 limited-edition prints will be made of the painting so that others can have a piece of Shreveport movie history and help the foundation achieve its goals. These prints will be available through the foundation for $100.00.

The Hal Sutton Foundation is also pleased to recognize Vernon Wells and the considerable talent he brings to the project.  Vernon has been commissioned by more pro athletes to do paintings
than any artist in the world. Literally! As a former professional athlete himself, he has maintained his involvement in sport by painting those that play for over 30 years. He turned his talent for art into a career despite having no formal training. He graduated from TCU, but with a degree in Radio/TV/Film and never used it. Instead, his love of sport and his passion to paint it, led
him to his place at the top of his field. His client list is long and star-studded with the
biggest names in sports. At times, Vernon veers away from sports to do special portraits and projects like the Shreveport Cinema Series.

The artwork is an original 30" x 40" painting, utilizing acrylic paint applied with airbrush and traditional brushes on acid-free 100% rag illustration board. The artist has spent more than 30 years perfecting this technique that he developed to fit his own particular skill set. It begins with a pencil drawing. Acrylic paint is then applied over that with traditional brushes, with the bulk of the paint applied with airbrush.

 In addition to the painting, the winning bidder will also receive an autographed photo courtesy of Kevin Costner. More information is available by calling the foundation at 318-213-7888.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  (January 25, 2010)

Centenary Film Society Begins Spring Schedule, Showing at Robinson Film Center

The Centenary Film Society will begin its spring 2010 schedule Tuesday night January 26  at 7:30 pm in the Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.   This spring's series, which is open to the public, will feature fourteen award-winning independent, international, and documentary films, with a special emphasis on French Cinema. 

Contact:
Jefferson Hendricks  (318-820-1414)
jhendric@centenary.edu
Professor of English and Film Studies (Faculty Director, Centenary Film Society)
Centenary College of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT  (Centenary College).   The Centenary Film Society will open its spring 2010 schedule Tuesday night January 26 at 7:30 pm in the Robinson Film Center with the French film “Paris,” a  comic drama that the New York Times says “sprawls invitingly across the screen like a glowing Impressionist painting.”   

Centenary Film Society films at the Robinson Film Center are open to the public;  admission is $5.00. 

This spring schedule features a special emphasis on French Cinema.  After opening with Paris, the French Film Series includes the documentary The Beaches of Agnes on February 23 and the thriller The Girl on the Train on March 23.  The series concludes with a French Film Weekend on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 featuring two classic films by the comic actor/director Jacques Tati (M. Hulot's Holiday and Playtime), a new animation film for all ages, A Town Called Panic, and the documentary La Danse:  The Paris Opera Ballet. 

Other films in the spring series include a wide variety of international films from Italy, Denmark, the United Kingdom and Australia, Chile, and Japan, as well as independent documentaries from the US.    

According to Centenary student director Anna Medica of Alexandria, Louisiana, “This spring's series will be one of the biggest and best that the Film Society has presented in its twenty-six years of operation.  And most of the films that we'll show will have their Louisiana premieres in our series.  I'm also especially excited about partnering with the Robinson Film Center; the theater experience there is outstanding.” 

For more detailed information on the films, see The Robinson Film Center's site for the Centenary series at:
http://www.robinsonfilmcenter.org/now-playing/14-now-playing/423-centenary-film-society-presentsthe Centenary Film Society's web site at:
http://www.centenary.edu/life/film

The complete schedule of films for the spring 2010 Centenary Film Society:

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January 5, 2010 - For Immediate Release

"PERIL, THE SECOND FEATURE FILM FROM JEFFREY GOODMAN, COMING TO 

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER”

GOODMAN CONTINUES HIS COMMITMENT TO MAKING FILMS IN THE AREA

 Shreveport, La. – Jeffrey Goodman is bringing PERIL to Shreveport-Bossier in the same way that he brought The Last Lullaby.  His commitment to making films in the area with the local business community will further entrench this new industry and help ensure that it continues to prosper in the area.  

     Goodman will begin taking meetings on the new film in the coming weeks and is tentatively planning for a late Fall 2010 shoot.

     PERIL is an exciting new installment in the "young box in peril" genre, a group of films that has long enjoyed a successful financial history.  In fact, among this group are two of the most successful films of all time:  The Sixth Sense and Home Alone. Other films in this group include The Client and Witness.

    Jeffrey Goodman grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and lived and worked in Los Angeles for over seven years.  After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis, Goodman spent time in France as a Fulbright Scholar.  When he returned, he began working on commercial and music video productions.  After helping other directors on more than 50 commercials, 20 music videos, and three feature-length films, Goodman began to work for himself.

     Financed and shot entirely in and around Shreveport-Bossier, The Last Lullaby competed in nineteen film festivals, won numerous awards, and played in theaters for ten weeks.  Goodman's accomplishments landed him a position as a weekly contributor to the "World's Best-Selling Independent Movie Magazine" and have greatly raised his profile in the world of independent film.

     Jeffrey Goodman now brings his years of experience and award-winning talents to his next feature-length film, PERIL.