Movie inspired by Lawrenceville progressive dinners soon to be filmed there

More filming coming to Pittsburgh in early March!

A new film titled Progression, inspired by the Lawrenceville Urban Pioneers Society Dinner, will be filmed in the neighborhood beginning in March. 
Written and directed by Gab Cody and Sam Turich, the narrative film takes place over the course of an evening, and will focus on three different couples as they wander through the homes and streets of Lawrenceville.

Cody says the film will be driven by conversations and the behavior of people, not by special effects or action sequences.  “Rather a world of people at dinner tables having funny conversations,” she says.

Which is how Cody perceives the LUPS Progressive Dinner.  That event is in its 27th year and has grown from 12 participants to 150.

Cody and Turich moved to Lawrenceville from New York City four years ago.  Three months after moving in they participated in the progressive dinner, and were able to meet “so many great, quirky, weird, strange, funny, hilarious, smart people that we were delighted that we'd chosen to live in Lawrenceville,” Cody says.

“It’s a really magical night in which you are thrust into situations with strangers but often times in their homes,” Cody says.  That type of encounter can be unusual, she says, but is always filled with interesting social interactions and conversations, where friendships develop, and even romance can bloom.
Which is why Cody decided it would be a great setting for a movie of this kind.

Cody and Turich's previous short film, Mombies, was also set in Lawrenceville.  Pageboy Salon & Boutique owner Rachel Vallozzi, who starred in Mombies, will design costumes for Progression, and Cody is reaching out to restaurants and chefs in the Pittsburgh area to design the film's food.

Filming is scheduled to take place between March and July, and Cody hopes to have a local premier as early as next fall.

Fat Beckett, a play written by Cody and directed by Turich, is currently in production by the Quantum Theatre, and runs through December 18th at the Old School House in Lawrenceville.

And a Kickstarter campaign has launched to help finance the film.  Visit that site here.

Read more at Pop City Media. Picture from FilmInPA’s Facebook page

‘Hometown Hollywood’ chronicles the film industry in Pittsburgh

Charleroi native John Tiech has written a book chronicling the legacy of the film industry in the "Hollywood of the East”…also known as Pittsburgh!

John Tiech's college experience was a lot like many other students.

He endured being stuck in a class he had no interest in.

For Tiech, it was Alan Natali's "Research for Writers" course at California University of Pennsylvania.

"I didn't think it really appealed to me," Tiech said.

"I was wrong."

Tiech, 29, of Charleroi, is now an adjunct instructor at Westmoreland County Community College, teaching, of all things, English, to about 35 students.

"Some mathematicians have numbers running through their head, well, I have grammar running through mine," Tiech said. "I love teaching it. Being 29, I think I really relate to students."

While Tiech wasn't excited at first about his writer's research class, it showed him he had a passion for research of all types.

That led him to his newest adventure.

Using his love for research and investigation, Tiech has written a book.

"Hometown Hollywood" chronicles the legacy of the film industry in Pittsburgh, which is known as the "Hollywood of the East," by the film industry.

"I just found that there was a lot of information, and wrong information, for that matter, when it came to chronicling what shows and movies were filmed in Pittsburgh," Tiech said. "As far as I know, my book is the first one about a particular city."

Tiech said he conducted a lot of research for his book.

"I found at least 150 movies and shows that were filmed in Pittsburgh, and I'm sure there's a lot more," Tiech said. "It all started in the late 1800s."

Tiech is currently waiting to hear back from a potential publisher for "Hometown Hollywood."

"I never really thought about looking into local university presses," Tiech said. "I sent inquiry letters to both the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University."

Pitt, according to Tiech, didn't seem interested in his inquiry, but he said he should be hearing from someone at Carnegie Mellon in the near future.

"It didn't even seem like the editors at Pitt read my letter," Tiech said. "They said it was going to be six to eight weeks, and then it was going to be a little bit longer. Finally, they sent me a letter saying they weren't interested."

Tiech didn't let the rejection stop him from following up on his work.

"I've been in touch with (Senior Editor) Cynthia Lamb at CMU. She's been nothing but nice and helpful."

Tiech said that Lamb requested a chapter of his book after reading his inquiry letter.

"Hopefully I hear something towards the end of this month or January," Tiech said.

Tiech has had the opportunity to interview many people involved in the Pittsburgh film industry and showed gratitude to former Pittsburgh Press and Tribune-Review movie critic, Ed Blank.

"Without Ed, I wouldn't be at the point I'm at now with the book," Tiech said.

"I've had the opportunity to interview producer Kristi Zea, who has been nominated for an Oscar and I've also interviewed some of the original actors in 'Night of the Living Dead,'" he said.

The "Night of the Living Dead" franchise has proved to be one of the most well-known films of the Pittsburgh region, but it has also proved to hold the most elusive of Tiech's potential interviews.

"I tried and would love to interview George Romero," Tiech sighed. "He is the most elusive man in the world.

"Good luck trying to find him," he laughed.

His passion for research, movies, and history have been instrumental in Tiech's writing process.

"I really enjoy looking through old newspapers," the aspiring writer said. "Researching for the book has been great and enlightening."

"I've gone as far as interviewing local actors and film crews," Tiech said. "A lot of big movies have filmed around here, even in the Mon Valley."

Tiech has interviewed the owner of the house that was used in the "Silence of the Lambs", which filmed in Layton.

He's also interviewed actors Dee Wallace Stone, Tony Todd, and special effects wizard Tom Savini.

"I really wanted to show that Pittsburgh truly has everything the film industry is looking for," Tiech said. "Everything is here, from historical and gothic architecture, to modern skyscrapers."

Buildings, architecture and the people of the surrounding region is what has lured films such as "Striking Distance," and"Robocop," which used Monessen as a locale for filming.

"Pittsburgh had 'The Dark Knight Rises' film here this year," Tiech beamed. "Now, Tom Cruise was here filming. It just shows that Pittsburgh is in high demand in the industry."

Tiech, the son of John and Noreen Tiech, of Charleroi, hopes to prove that when you have an idea and you go for it, you can succeed.

"If anyone out there wants to write a book, first off, write it on something you believe in and enjoy," Tiech said. "I'd say that's the most important thing.

"Secondly, you have to research your publishers."

Tiech stumbled into writing thanks to what he called a mistake.

"I didn't even want that class," he said about taking Research for Writers. "If it wasn't for that class, though, I wouldn't have found my love for research."

Tiech said the Facebook page he created for "Hometown Hollywood" is growing in popularity and he hopes more and more will come to share his passion.

"This region and Pittsburgh have it all," he proclaimed. "I'm glad that I have the opportunity to write about and do something that I enjoy."

Read more: College course leads to surprise career - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/news/s_770598.html#ixzz1gzlQdcJR

Walden Media Donates School Supplies to Pittsburgh School

Ever wonder what happens to movie props after the filming is over? One lucky Pittsburgh school recently found out!

The movie "I Won't Back Down" [later renamed “Learning to Fly”] won't be released until spring, but it already has produced some happy endings locally.

Sixty new desks and other school supplies, including globes, bulletin boards and books, were delivered last week to the Clairton City School District, a gift of Walden Media, which used the items in the production of the movie.

The film, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, was shot in Pittsburgh last summer. It is about two women who join forces to transform an inner city school.

Another truckload of school supplies and equipment from the movie set is expected to be delivered to Clairton this week.

"We are just so grateful for all of this," said Clairton superintendent Wayde Killmeyer. "It was such a generous donation."

Mr. Killmeyer said Clairton has seen an increase in enrollment this year and the new extra desks will be put to use. He said they likely will be used at the high school level since they are designed for older students.

The gifts to the Clairton district were arranged through the Consortium for Public Education, whose staff developed a relationship with Walden Media, a film production and publishing company, during the production of the film. That relationship came about because of line producer Mylan Stepanovich, whose father Myles, is a former superintendent of McKeesport Area School District, said Stephen Seliy, associate executive director of the Consortium for Public Education.

In addition to the gifts to Clairton, Walden Media is donating more than 45 cartons of books to the consortium's campaign, "Fifth Food Group: Food for the Mind," helping the effort to reach its goal of collecting 1 million books for local students to promote early literacy. The goal was set a decade ago.

Walden's donations are a generous gesture as production companies often sell or auction off props after filming is finished.

At the time the film was being shot in Pittsburgh -- much of it in Squirrel Hill -- its title was "Steel Town," but the name has since been changed to "I Won't Back Down."

The donated desks, school supplies and books are not the only benefits local students reaped from the movie.

During the filming, high school students from several Pittsburgh high schools and Elizabeth-Forward, McKeesport, West Mifflin, Steel Valley, Clairton and Gateway got to visit the movie set at various locations to get a firsthand look at film making

The high school students who visited the set were working on documentary projects through the consortium and the Pittsburgh Foundation depicting how state budget cuts affected their school districts. Those documentaries will be shown in the future, Mr. Seliy said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11349/1196899-55.stm#ixzz1gdYSsdD5

'Dark Knight' preview coming to Pittsburgh next week

Are you going to see the 'Dark Knight' preview next week?

Come for the Tumblers, stay for the tornadoes.

"The Dark Knight Rises" prologue -- the first six minutes of the 2012 movie -- will be shown with the documentary "Tornado Alley" at the Carnegie Science Center starting Dec. 16.

Tickets, $8 for an adult and $6 per child (with $1 off for members), can be bought through CarnegieScienceCenter.org or 412-237-3400. No separate tickets for the prologue, rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some violence, will be sold.

In some cities, the much-anticipated preview is being paired with "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" but not here where the Rangos Omnimax Theater will do the honors. It's not known how long the Batman opening sequence will screen with the documentary, which runs about an hour.

"The Dark Knight Rises" was shot partially in Pittsburgh and residents were miffed and disappointed when they learned Pittsburgh was not on the list of North American cities getting the sneak preview. That perceived slight has been remedied.

"We are delighted to provide our visitors, both new and veteran Batman fans, a chance to see the opening sequence of 'The Dark Knight Rises' on a giant screen," Ann Metzger, co-director of Carnegie Science Center, said in announcing the booking coup.

"Christopher Nolan and his crew transformed Pittsburgh into Gotham City during filming, and while we miss seeing the Tumblers around town, we are honored to be one of select IMAX theaters to have this exciting opportunity."

The Christopher Nolan movie, the third and final entry in his trilogy starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, will open in theaters July 20, 2012. Mr. Nolan, a husband and father in addition to being a director, writer and producer, visited the science center during his stay here.

The Omnimax theater, a four-story IMAX dome theater, is roughly 4,000 times bigger than the average home television and boasts 15,000 watts of sound. It is one of about 50 domes in North America and features the biggest screen in the Pittsburgh area.

IMAX, short for Image Maximum, uses a larger film stock -- about 10 times larger than conventional film. The oversize frames, combined with IMAX projection technology, create the huge, crisp image.

In making the 2008 blockbuster "The Dark Knight," Mr. Nolan was the first to use IMAX cameras in a major motion picture release, and, as now, audiences were given an advance look at that film's prologue months prior to the summer 2008 opening.

Mr. Nolan employed the extremely high-resolution cameras even more extensively on "The Dark Knight Rises" -- including the film's prologue -- to heighten the sharpness of the picture and immerse moviegoers into the action.

The conclusion to the series also will star Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman.

The first time the prologue will play likely will be 12:15 p.m. Dec. 16. In other words, Merry Christmas, baby!

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11342/1195491-100.stm#ixzz1gGkOQZtR

True Blood's Joe Manganiello in Pittsburgh Holiday Parade

Check out this great interview with Pittsburgh native and True Blood star Joe Manganiello!

You can take a man out of Pittsburgh, but you can’t take Pittsburgh out of the man. Hometown guy Joe Manganiello returned to parade down 5th avenue in downtown Pittsburgh in the My Macy’s Holiday Parade. Here is a clip of Joe’s interview with Alby Oxenreiter from WPXI. Joe sure loves the Steelers, and apparently they love Joe and True Blood right back!
Source: True Blood News

About Joe: 

Joseph Michael "Joe" Manganiello is a classically-trained American film and theatre actor. He holds a BFA in acting from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. He played Flash Thompson in the Spider-Man film series, and was previously best known for his recurring roles in television on ER, How I Met Your Mother and One Tree Hill, among others before landing his breakout role as werewolf Alcide Herveaux on the HBO television series True Blood for which he has garnered both popular and critical praise. 


For his work on True Blood, Manganiello received two 2011 Scream Awards for Breakout Performance – Male, and a shared award for Best Ensemble, as well as a Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role in Television and a NewNowNext Award. In 2011 Manganiello was voted "Favorite Pop-Culture Werewolf of All Time" by the readers of Entertainment Weekly. Along with the premiere of True Blood season five, the summer of 2012 will see Manganiello in two films, the Steven Soderbergh-directed Magic Mike and the all-star ensemble, What to Expect When You're Expecting. Aside from his work in film and television, Manganiello is active with several charities including Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and the Los Angeles based "The Art of Elysium."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Manganiello

Interview with Cat Woman stand-in and Pittsburgh local: Amy Staggs

Kate Stoltzfus, of Yinzpiration.com, recently interviewed Amy Staggs, the Pittsburgh local who served as Anne Hathaway’s stand-in for Cat Woman while filming Batman this summer. Amy had some great things to say about the Steel City. Check out the interview below for some great tidbits!

Meet Amy Staggs!

Amy worked as a stand-in for Anne Hathaway (aka Catwoman!) this summer during the Batman shoot. I'd heard of stunt doubles before, but a stand-in was a new concept to me. Here is what I learned: a stand-in is a person who walks through the scene for the actor before filming, for technical and staging purposes like lighting and sound.

It's not just about looking the part... but let's be honest, she does look quite a bit like Ms. Hathaway! Amy has to to be able to think quickly and learn how to interpret a scene from a very small amount of information, often that she has received moments before the shoot begins. That takes some serious talent.

All I have to say is props to Amy for wearing a pleather catsuit during the hot August heat! But seriously, what an opportunity to be a part of such an iconic movie.

When Amy is not prowling around as Catwoman or working on another movie set, she is very active in her neighborhood of Wilkinsburg. As you will find in her interview below, Amy mentioned that she loves Ms. Jean's Southern Cuisine. I had never heard of Ms. Jean's before and now I must try it. I am a huge fan of BBQ and mac 'n cheese!

I hope you enjoy Amy's Q&A.

***
Name: Amy Staggs

Job title: Film stand-in/photo double

Twitter: @amystaggs

Blog: ...in progress...will let you know when it's up!

Neighborhood you live in: Hamnett Place, Wilkinsburg - across from Garden Dreams Farm - love it here!!!

Coffee Shop Drink of Choice: Square Cafe coffee bar in Regent Square

Current Shampoo Preference: Pantene Brunette Expressions

Why do you choose Pittsburgh as your home?
I'm from the area, went to Chatham, but moved away to pursue a job opportunity in Austin, TX. I could only handle being away (and hearing about Pittsburgh's growing beauty and success) for 3 years. I then (nearly burst) and ran back to the burgh! My hubby and I absolutely love it here. He can make music, I can work in film and special events, we can live comfortably, in a neighborhood we believe in, and dream towards starting a family here.

Who do you spend your time with?
My hubby Brett Staggs (who plays in The Longtime Darlings with Dough Kochmanski!), our cats (Baba Ganoush and Cous Cous), my folks (Rick and Dody), my brother (Reid) and dear friends (yinz know who yinz are)...

What are your favorite aspects of your job?
The people. Hands down. Every person has a story, and the strange thing about being in a mini camp (which is what working on a set for 6-12 weeks with the same people every day can feel like) is that a lot of people are more likely to open up and share their story, empathize, connect and support one another because of the shared "let's finish this movie and not lose our minds" common goal.

Do you have a soul food?
Ms Jean's Southern Cuisine in Wilkinsburg on Penn. Best fried chicken and mac and cheese.

What are some of your recent personal goals?
To become a mommy
To work as Anne Hathaway's regular stand-in

What are your favorite Pittsburgh restaurants?
Brgr
Ms Jean's Southern Cuisine
ABAY
Green Mango, Regent Square location

Describe your ideal day.
Breakfast with Brett (and David and Angela Seals if they are around)

What is the most memorable live show you have seen in Pittsburgh?
Sigur Ros at the Byham and Damien Rice at Club Café

What do you think Pittsburgh will be like in ten years? What do you love most about the city?
I think it will be bursting (in a good way) with people who decided to stay AND people who discovered the city and decided to call it home. I believe in the intentional communities growing in Pittsburgh, and the influence they will have over future neighborhood growth .

------------------------------

About Yinzpiration
Inspired by the positive energy of the Steel City and a presentation by Nicole Crimaldi, I've set a goal to interview 100 Pittsburghers. Ms. Crimaldi challenged our class at PodCamp Pittsburgh 5 to have coffee with someone new every week. So, I decided to start an interview blog, and Yinzpiration.com was born (thanks to the help of Nik, my web developer husband). I hope you return to read what I have learned over the next 100 cups of coffee... or tea, my drink of choice. – Kate Stoltzfus.

Read more http://www.yinzpiration.com/content/interview-38-amy-staggs

Light Up Night - Holiday Cheer, Pittsburgh Style

Cast and crew members - if you do one thing this holiday season while in the 'burgh, please make it Light Up Night. Trust me, you won't regret it.

You better bet we're making a list — or two — and checking everything more than twice to get ready for the 51st annual celebration of Downtown Pittsburgh's Duquesne Light Light Up Night(R) this coming Friday and Saturday. Always the biggest, brightest and most joyous neighborhood party of the year, Light Up Night(R) officially opens the Downtown holiday shopping season with family activities, food, concerts and an awesome big-bang display by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale called The Pittsburgh Brewing Company 150th Anniversary Fireworks Celebration.  It'll fill everyone with the spirit of the season.


And when you're asking everyone in Downtown to keep the lights on for the party, there's no better sponsor than Duquesne Light to trip the lights fantastic for this high-wattage blast that attracts hundreds of thousands people to just about every nook and cranny of the radiant Golden Triangle. Of course, Market Square will once again be party central during Light Up Night(R) with dozens of hot spots to grab a bite to eat or sip a beverage to help you get your glow on as Downtown transforms into the Center of the Season. If you haven't been back in a while, check out this video on some of the new places opened in 2011.


Since last year's two-day festivities left everyone yelling "Encore, encore," Light Up Night(R) 2011 is another doubleheader with a full slate of activities on Friday evening and all day Saturday.
The stars will be out over Pittsburgh this weekend as some of our biggest performers take the stage.  And one of the biggest is the big guy himself — Santa Claus. This year Jolly Old St. Nick will prove that Mr. Claus is quite the song and dance man during the Celebrate Santa! Stage Show in Market Square, starting at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. With a little help from his friends — including Eat'n Park's Smiley cookie mascot — the merriest elf of them all will entertain the crowd before switching on the Eat'n Park Market Square Season of Lights.  This holiday light show has nearly 150,000 LED lights and stars a 33-foot tall, one ton "tree" made of giant spheres that twinkle, blink and flash along with a synchronized soundtrack of beloved holiday songs.


For a different musical interlude, Etta Cox, Joe Negri, Billy Price, No Bad Ju Ju, Johnny Angel and the Halos and other hometown favorites will perform over the two days, on the Clemente Bridge on Friday evening and in the Square both days. And remember to bring your holiday shopping lists because Downtown's department stores, boutiques and restaurants will be open late just for you. So join us this weekend for Light Up Night(R) as we usher in the Spirit of the Season and Downtown's most wonderful time of the year. For a look a back at last year's 50th Golden Anniversary of Light Up Night, click on the video below.

Read more http://networkedblogs.com/q935E

Katie Holmes Praises Pittsburgh on Live with Regis & Kelly

Everyone loves the Burgh!

Actress Katie Holmes (and wife of Tom Cruise) was on Live! With Regis & Kelly to promote her new film, “Jack and Jill” and spoke about Pittsburgh. Regis asked how her, Tom, and Suri celebrated Halloween and she said, “We were in Pittsburgh because Tom is shooting One Shot.” (Which got a few cheers from audience members!) Kelly Ripa then said, “Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh is GREAT! I love Pittsburgh.” Kelly and Katie discussed the mall “near the airport” and Regis chimed in that nowadays “so many movies are coming out of Pittsburgh!” Katie then said that she shot “Wonderboys” a few years back, right here in Pittsburgh, as well, and spoke about a few other movies that have been filmed here as of late.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dTag7mnBKEE

Talk of the town: Cruise and family sighted around Pittsburgh

Tom, Katie and Suri have apparently been checking out quite a few Pittsburgh establishments and neighborhoods while in the city for filming. Check out what the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has to say about the famous family in the Steel City:

There is no truth to the rumors that the Bigfoot Society has been enlisted to track Tom Cruise while he's in town shooting "One Shot."


A devoted legion of Tom Cruise-watchers has sprung up since the Pittsburgh Film Office announced that the A-lister would star in the action thriller. Also starring is British actress Rosamund Pike -- you know the beautiful Bond girl from "Pride & Prejudice" and "An Education." And famed German director Werner Herzog plays a very bad man known as the Zec.


Paramount reportedly has been more secretive than most film companies when it came to access to the star.


"One Shot" is being filmed entirely in the Pittsburgh region, according to Pittsburgh Film Office executive director Dawn Keezer.


That's led to numerous sightings of Tom, wife Katie Holmes and 5-year-old daughter Suri, around the region -- from Soergel Orchards and Farm Market in Franklin Park to the Starbucks in Shadyside. Katie and Suri visited Dad on the set and were seen strolling around town.


Thursday, the Daily Mail British tabloid ran photos of Katie exiting a local yoga studio. Tom was spotted taking Suri trick-or-treating in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Halloween.


Thursday, reporter Carly Noel at WPXI-TV revealed that Tom has been using their helipad for a week to chopper to and from a movie set in Saltsburg.


Tom would pull up in a black Chevy SUV, climb over a short brick wall and pose for photos and sign autographs for WPXI employees before boarding the helicopter, which is owned by Cherokee Helicopter Service in Ford City. A video on the WPXI website shows Tom disembarking from the helicopter on the grounds of the station in a gray hoodie and accepting a Terrible Towel from a fan.


Katie and Tom visited the Milk Shake Factory on the South Side, home of Edward Marc Chocolatier. Daughter Suri liked the chocolate turtles, or terrapins. They liked it so much, Katie brought Suri back for a return visit.


The couple also gave repeat business to Meat and Potatoes in the Cultural District. The dined at the gastropub Oct. 22. Hostess Sara DeShantz says they've since placed phone orders for food. The family is staying in a Downtown hotel.


"One Shot" filmed for two days last week at the former Sewickley Country Inn on Route 65. It became the Three Rivers Motel for the two-day shoot.


The shoot evoked varied reactions from the clientele at Sewickley Spa, director Jonelle Connelly says.


"We had a few customers coming in saying they thought they had seen Tom Cruise," she says. "Other customers complained about the traffic. But it did generate some nice buzz."


Sewickley spa massage therapist Christine Kohun says her husband, Frederick, got a glimpse of Tom while driving on Route 65.


"I kept on saying, 'I have two girls who live in New York City, and I've never seen a famous person anytime I've been there, and here my husband sees Tom Cruise where we live,' " she jokes.


"One Shot" director Christopher McQuarrie wrote the screenplay, which is based on the novel by Lee Childs. McQuarrie knows how to deploy suspense and plot twists. He wrote the script for "The Usual Suspects," the 1995 double-triple-quadruple cross caper film.


Tom is an executive producer on "One Shot," which is scheduled to open in February 2013.

Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_765628.html#ixzz1dPi5Dkiv
Picture from: http://www.infdaily.com/2011/10/pics-suri-cruise-carries-her-baby-doll-around-on-tom-cruises-pittsburgh-set.html

Nicolas Cage, Steve Carell may film in Pittsburgh

After serving as the setting for Batman and Tom Cruise’s latest movie, Pittsburgh is poised to host a film production that features singing, an animatronic disembodied robot head, a director feuding with a blogger, and four very well-known stars.

The production is called “Frank or Francis” and is the latest project by Charlie Kaufman, the visionary, quirky filmmaker who wrote “Being John Malkovich” (1999) and “Adaptation” (2002), and wrote and directed “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004) and “Synecdoche, New York” (2008).

New York-based production company Likely Story Inc. has been awarded a $4 million tax credit to shoot .

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/print-edition/2011/11/04/nicolas-cage-steve-carell-may-film-in.html

Three Rivers Film Festival Runs Through Nov. 19

Don't forget to go to the Three Rivers Film Festival, which runs through November 19! Which film are you most looking forward to seeing?


You don't need to trek all of the way to Park City to experience some of cinema's top new documentaries, contemporary international films and restored classics. For three decades and counting, the homegrown Three Rivers Film Festival has invigorated the local cinema community with its November program of visiting filmmakers, informal and insightful discussions, live music, and a celebratory opening bash.



Channel your inner auteur for the next 16 days, with more than 50 films at Pittsburgh's Filmmakers' three city theaters. Featuring films that span 29 countries, the 2011 Festival highlights documentary subjects, riveting storytelling, experimental cinema, and regional and global issues.


Much more than movies on a screen, the largest film festival in Western PA brings the craft of cinema to life, with a robust repertoire of accompanying programs, including the chance to meet contemporary filmmakers, view compelling classics alongside pioneering new works, and go behind the screen as visiting artists discuss their creative practice in Pittsburgh's hippest theaters. Last year, more than 7,400 film fans attended.


So what's not to miss during this year's installment?


One aspect that makes the Festival so lively is its impressive lineup of visiting filmmakers, who will be on hand to introduce and discuss their work. Don't miss the directors of the two opening night films, Farmageddon and Resurrect Dead, as well as the mid-festival highlight, The Encore of Tony Duran, with local Central Catholic and Carnegie Mellon grad, Gene Pietragallo.


On Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn-based director-editor team Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley will be in town to present their new award-winning documentary, Battle for Brooklyn, which will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local architect Rob Pfaffmann. Shot over seven years and compiled from 500 hours of footage, Battle for Brooklyn chronicles the very public and passionate fight waged by owners and residents facing condemnation of their property to make way for the controversial Atlantic Yards project, a massive plan to build skyscrapers and a new NBA basketball arena in the heart of Brooklyn. Described as a "gripping David and Goliath story," the film examines issues surrounding eminent domain, historic preservation and the use of public dollars to support private development.


Additional film screenings featuring visiting directors, producers, actors and crew members include Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterwork, Effects, Empty Quarter, Joanna, Mister Rogers & Me, Torn, and Patagonia Rising.


Mark your cinema calendar now for Black Power Mixtape on Nov. 11 and 12. Created from recently discovered archival footage recorded when a group of Swedish TV journalists came to the US in the late 1960s, the audio-visual collage chronicles the Black Power movement. Co-produced by Danny Glover and directed by Goran Hugo Olsson, the film also features newly added commentary by prominent African American voices, and original music by Questlove and Om’Mas Keith.


If classics are your cuppa joe, don't miss the chance to see some cinematic wonders on the big screen. Boasting new, restored prints, you'll relive the magic of the silver screen with the legendary Katharine Hepburn in The African Queen and Bringing Up Baby, and Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver. For horror fans (and there are plenty here in Zombieville, USA!), don't miss the last remaining 35mm print of Effects, a creepy cult classic made right here in Pittsburgh.


What's new this year?


Turning its lens to the environment, the Festival will spotlight five documentaries that address a broad range of timely issues that impact our planet, the global economy and our daily lives. Ever since An Inconvenient Truth raised a new level of awareness back in 2006, there's been a flood of films made by equally impassioned and informed directors, and the Festival is now providing a regional platform for these important voices. Works and topics in the Festvial's new "Enviro Cinema" series include: Farmageddon (local farming); Bophali (chemical spills); Into Eternity (nuclear waste); Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson (oceanic crusader); and Patagonia Rising (hydroelectric dams).


Back this year is the Festival's focus on contemporary Polish cinema, featuring five outstanding contemporary films and accompanying receptions. Don't miss the chance to experience The Adventures of Prince Achmed, a kaleidoscopic paper cut-out version of the Arabian Nights. Thought to be the first animated feature film, the dazzling work will feature live piano accompaniment by Rochester, NY-based Phillip Carli.


For cutting-edge contemporary cinema, Sync'd 4 is your ticket. The program will feature local experimental films and live music by Pittsburgh groups Gangwish and Lung Face Feet.

Always a Festival highlight, Boston-based Alloy Orchestra is back in town with a matinee of family friendly short films and live sound effects, including crowd pleasers by the legendary Buster Keaton. For the immersive cinematic experience, don't miss Alloy's closing night presentation, a premiere of the recently rediscovered German expressionist silent film, Morning to Midnight. Directed by Karl Heinz Martin, the 1920 masterpiece features radically stylized sets, which will be further enhanced by Alloy's live score.


Ready to help The Three Rivers Film Festival turn 30 and Pittsburgh Filmmakers turn 40? The flick festivities kick off during an opening night bash on Nov. 4 at 9 p.m., with films, live music by Colonizing the Cosmos, drinks and fare, and even a birthday cake and champagne toast.

Read more http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/3rff110211.aspx

'Warrior,' Filmed in Pittsburgh, Gets a DVD Release Date

If you weren't able to go see 'Warrior' in the theaters, you can rent it or buy it starting December 20, 2011.  You can get it as a Blu-ray combo pack, DVD, digital download and also on demand.

In September, Michael Machosky of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gave some background and insights into the film's production. Here is what he had to say:

"The setting for the new mixed martial arts flick "Warrior" was supposed to be Long Beach, Calif., a gritty working-class port town. The hardheaded father and coach played by Nick Nolte was meant to have worked on the docks.


Then writer-director Gavin O'Connor found Pittsburgh.


"It was working-class poetry," he says. "It smelled right.


"Also, it's wrestling country. There's a hardness and athleticism and love of sport that just felt right for this story. Literally, I was there a day, and said, 'Tell the studio this is where we're shooting.''"


[The film] was shot in Pittsburgh in spring 2009.


O'Connor hadn't want to travel far from home, so he set it in Long Beach. But budget concerns put the production on the move.


"When I had to get it to a certain budget -- which was $28 million -- to make it, it was required of me to find a city or state with tax breaks or rebates," he says. "So I started traveling to all these cities and states, and also Canada, that have them. When I got to Pittsburgh, which was high on my list for a number of reasons, I said, 'OK, we don't need to go anywhere else. This is it.'"


So, for all of Pittsburgh's efforts to show that it has moved on from its rusting industrial past, the city is still the answer to Hollywood's need for gritty authenticity and "working-class poetry." Shots of the Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock feature prominently in the beginning of the film.


"Warrior" concerns the return of two sons to the orbit of their father. Son Tommy (Tom Hardy) is an emotionally scarred Iraq war veteran. His brother Brendan (Joel Edgerton) is a physics teacher and family man in the Philadelphia suburbs who frets over the impending foreclosure of his home. Both grew up fighting -- taught by their father, Paddy, a wrestling coach. Both were driven away, at different times, by his alcoholic rages.


In the past, this might have been a boxing movie. Now, mixed martial arts is all the rage, drawing in fighters of all backgrounds, sorting out the toughest regardless of style. "Warrior" depicts the two brothers as polar opposites -- Tommy as a rage-fueled wrecking machine, Brendan as a canny technical fighter with untapped reserves of heart.


O'Connor, who already has one successful sports movie under his belt -- "Miracle" (2004), about the 1980 Olympic USA Hockey team -- first became interested in the sport in 2000.


"I had executive produced a documentary called 'The Smashing Machine,'" he says. "That was my introduction, and I've followed it ever since."


He doesn't fully embrace the "sports movie" label.


"It's a drama," says O'Connor, who insists the mixed martial arts action is just a backdrop. "It can't be about the sport. It has to be about the characters."


Still, he says, "you have to get the sports right."


To that end, he hired professional mixed martial arts fighters to portray the opponents for Tommy and Brendan. Nate Marquardt, a rising star in the UFC, fought Edgerton in the film.


"I was in Pittsburgh for five weeks, and my scene is probably two or three mintues long," Marquardt says. "I could not believe how many times they'd film the same scene over and over again -- and get the wide angle three times, the close angle on me three times, the close angle on him three times, the view from the audience, the view from the referee, the view from the corner.


"Then you have to do it again with the stunt double. It's just a lot of filming. I couldn't believe how much work goes into these films. It's amazing."


There was one fighter in the film from outside the mixed martial arts world -- Pittsburgh's own wrestling legend, Kurt Angle, who played the unstoppable Russian fighter Koba.


"I honestly didn't know who Kurt was," O'Connor admits. "I'm not a (pro wrestling) guy. I met him, and thought he was great."


Sports movies are challenging to make, because the outcome is rarely in doubt. If the good guys win in most movies, that goes double for sports flicks.


"The challenge to 'Miracle,' for me, was that everyone knew how it ended," O'Connor says. "What I was going for in 'Warriror' was to turn that upside down and do something you haven't seen before in a sports movie -- to get the audience invested in two different people. Usually, you're rooting for a person, or a team."


"Instead, you're rooting for Tommy and Brendan. You're emotionally invested in both of those guys. As they slowly go on this collision course to fight each other, as they go through this Grand Prix tournament, you're faced with a choice -- who are you rooting for? That, you haven't seen before."

Read more: Pittsburgh's 'working-class poetry' drew 'Warrior' here - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/movies/s_755729.html#ixzz1cfMy0lNL

Group hopes tech efforts can boost Pittsburgh filmmaking by 20%

We can’t wait to see the results of this effort to boost production!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011
By Deborah M. Todd, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


When Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe tout the virtues of working in Pittsburgh, it's safe to say the city has arrived as legitimate site for film production.


But as residents grow accustomed to movies featuring Taylor Lautner outrunning explosions on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, the Pittsburgh Film Office is working to help the city land a role that goes beyond scenery through the talents of its entertainment technology sector.


Spun out of the Pittsburgh Entertainment Technology Project, a partnership that was introduced in January, the new group plans to tap a database of more than 100 local businesses and a network of Pittsburgh expatriates plugged into the film industry in Los Angeles to highlight innovative ways area firms can assist productions that many film studios have yet to explore.


The goal is to increase the economic impact of film production in the region by 20 percent in the next year.


Some resources the region has to offer Hollywood are obvious.


Want to send Taylor Lautner running from another fireball? Plenty of businesses in the database have got special effects and animation covered.


But suppose a studio wanted to promote the scene directly to Mr. Lautner's target tween girl audience? That's where firms such as Allison Park-based iTwixie, a social networking site devoted to teen girls, can make an impact.


Rebecca Gaynier, iTwixie founder and CEO, said companies can benefit from data provided through the Tween Trends service, which links directly with young users for unfiltered opinions.


"Any movie producer or entertainment groups seeking powerful engagement with an audience, that's something we can help to facilitate," she said.


Michael Matesic, CEO of Oakland-based technology accelerator The Idea Foundry, said finding ways to market films directly to those most likely to buy tickets is quickly becoming a priority for Hollywood studios.


"Gaming, mobile media and social media all are ways to allow major motion picture content to be distributed in new and creative ways and to generate more revenue from an alternative revenue source," he said.


The group's efforts already have attracted the attention of a few studios and industry power players, including Jimmy Miller, an entertainment manager and partner in Mosaic Media Group, the fourth-largest talent agency in Los Angeles. Mr. Matesic said Mr. Miller, who oversees the careers of Jim Carey and Will Ferrell to name a few, is particularly interested in using mobile media and other distribution platforms to raise the profile of up-and-coming talent.


Patrick Mittereder, CEO and founder of East Liberty-based Electric Owl Studios, said technology his company uses to create video games for children's hospital waiting rooms could easily be tweaked to create video games starring characters that movie studios hope to promote for upcoming films.


"We can create games for them and put them on our kiosks to get movies out there before the movie even comes out," he said.


"The film industry contributes so much to the cultural and financial vitality of the southwestern Pennsylvania region, benefiting multiple sectors of our economy," said Pittsburgh Film Office director Dawn Keezer. "By partnering with these other great organizations dedicated to growing industry, we hope to extend similar economic growth opportunities to innovative entertainment technology companies in the region."


Joining the Pittsburgh Film Office in the new effort are the Pennsylvania Film Industry Association, Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center, The Idea Foundry, Teamsters Local 249 and the regional chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.


Read more: http://postgazette.com/pg/11291/1182892-60-0.stm?cmpid=newspanel0#ixzz1bMQZpope
Picture from: http://www.vmi.pitt.edu/images-t/Pittsburgh.jpg

10 Apps Every Pittsburgher Should Have

Getting used to a new city can be tough, especially if you're only planning to be here for a few months. Instead of driving yourself crazy, just download some of these apps to help you out.


"All are available in the iTunes App Store, and most have Android equivalents. You already use your phone to get some worldwide “face time”; it’s time to start using it to figure out what’s just around the corner.


Stuff To Do (and Drink)


Yelp
The ubiquitous what’s-around app has a wide variety of features designed to get you out of the house. Search for bars, restaurants and more by a wide variety of factors, or - in the app’s most useful function - check out a map to see what’s nearby. The user reviews will help you distinguish a hole from a haven, and you can check in to let others know where you’ve been. A must-have.


Cocktail Compass Pittsburgh
If you’re less discriminate about where you drink - and particularly if you just want cheap booze - this one’s for you. A real-time list of nearby happy hours tells you what the specials are and how much time is left. Flick it on after you leave work and see a laundry list of cheap bottles and bar grub.


Beerby
This is the ultimate app for Steel City beer lovers. Sort of a laser-focused version of Yelp, Beerby (rhymes with “nearby”) allows you to search for bars by the beer you’d like. Craving a Full Pint Brewing White Lightning, for example? Beerby will direct you to the nearest tap pouring it. Half the fun is logging your every brew - a great way to figure out what you still have to try and remember the particular IPAs and Imperial Stouts that truly impressed. Beerby was a co-winner in our 2011 Best of the ‘Burgh Readers Poll for Best App, so it is most definitely ‘Burgh approved.


Grab a Bite to Eat


LoyalTree
The weight of two many restaurant loyalty cards in your wallet getting you down? LoyalTree is the punch-card of the future. Sign up for rewards at a variety of restaurants (like the Square Cafe, NOLA, and Crazy Mocha) and scan a QR code when you drop by; the app keeps track of your purchases, and lets you know when you’ve got a free item coming your way. You can show your server your phone to redeem. As LoyalTree continues to add business and restaurants, this one will become more and more necessary for the local that loves free stuff. Which, of course, is all of us.


Primanti Bros.
Do you really need the Primanti’s app? No, of course not. Should you get it anyway, as a point of civic pride? Absolutely. Browse menus, find your way to the nearest restaurant and get special offers on your phone. More than that, keep it on your front page so that anyone who ever comes into contact with your phone knows where you’re from.


Keep Tabs on the Black and Gold


ESPN ScoreCenter
There are a million apps that will help you follow the Pirates, Pens and Steelers, but this is the best for keeping up on games you can’t watch. Set the alerts to give you a buzz with every scoring play in every game, or just a periodic update at the end of the quarter/period/inning. Within the app itself, browse scores around the league, check the standings and get news in a familiar ESPN scroll. You can be a hundred miles from the nearest television and still know the moment Mendenhall finds the end zone.


Pittsburgh Penguins Mobile
All the Pens info you need and more is at your fingertips 24/7 with this app from YinzCam. What sets PPM apart from imitators is the ability to tap into Consol Energy Center Wi-Fi for a staggering array of content. If you’re at the game, you can pull up instant replays from a multitude of angles, keep an eye on the bench, track Sid or Geno, and more. It transforms the live experience. Just don’t get too addicted - you’ll want to actually look up from your phone at some point during the game.


Getting There


MultiCamPlus
As much as I’d like to rely on GPS units and Google Maps for their assessments of local traffic, every ‘Burgher knows that things are much more complicated than simply how-many-cars-are-where. With this app ($2.99), you can link directly into PennDOT cameras all over town and actually see what’s going on along your route. And if you’re bored, you can always play the ‘Burgh equivalent of searching for Bigfoot - trying to catch the Squirrel Hill Tunnel at a moment without a jam on the inbound side!


ParkPGH
Spent one too many morning inching towards a downtown garage, praying that the “Full - Leases Only” sign isn’t out yet? Save the stress and check before you even leave the house. ParkPGH, the other co-winner of our Best App Readers Poll vote, gives real-time running counts of how many spaces are left at the garages surrounding the Cultural District. It doesn’t mean that you won’t end up parking in the Strip, but hey - at least you can plan ahead.


And One for Mom & Dad


Children’sPGH
A must-have for parents. The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC App is your go-to if the little one isn’t feeling well, allowing you to select symptoms from a list and advising on whether or not it’s time to see a doctor. If the answer is yes, the App will help you find a local doc or direct you to the nearest Emergency Room. Intuitive, easy, and endlessly useful, particularly for hypochondriacs like myself."

Read more http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/October-2011/10-Apps-Every-Burgher-Should-Download-Right-Now/

Search By Neighborhoods In Pittsburgh!

Not sure which part of Pittsburgh to stay in? We can help with that! We have information on the top neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.

The city of Pittsburgh was established in 1758 and has a population of 369, 879 in the city, and 1,281,666 in the county. It is the second largest city in Pennsylvania and ranks nationally as one of the most livable cities in the United States. In 2009, Pittsburgh ranked second for lowest natural disaster risk. The Pittsburgh Steelers are notable for appearing at the Super Bowl eight times, winning six. Pittsburgh’s economy has been strong through the national slump, and has given birth to several small businesses including Rent Jungle, Modcloth, and Pikimal. The city has been revitalized and is considered one of the best cities to get back on your feet.

Temperature

Average High- 82.5, Low- 20.8

Sports

Baseball- Pirates

Football- Steelers

Hockey- Penguins

Crime Rate

Pittsburgh was ranked the 7^th safest city in 2009 by Forbes, and is noticeably safe for a city of its population. Safer neighborhoods include Mount Lebanon, Mount Nebo, and Woodville.

Top Neighborhoods

Lawrenceville is one of the larger neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and is located northeast of downtown near the riverfront. Currently Lawrenceville is undergoing a revitalization and is known for its real estate appreciation, growing businesses, and strong art culture. Lawrenceville has several bars and restaurants located on Butler Street which runs through the neighborhood. The neighborhood has an exciting array of people, shops, and restaurants, all wrapped in an urban landscape.

Downtown Pittsburgh, also known as the Golden Triangle and the Central Business District, is located between the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. It houses several major corporations and is the birthplace of industrial barons. There are 10 bridges in the Downtown area alone which have inspired the nickname of “the City of Bridges” to Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh is a beautiful section of the city and hosts the Cultural District. It houses several galleries, museums, restaurants, and shopping areas as well.

The Strip District is a half mile stretch of land northeast of Downtown and is known for its street vendors and restaurants. It houses Pittsburgh’s historical market district, specialty shops, bars, nightclubs, and ethnic food purveyors. The original Primanti Brothers, a restaurant famous for its large sandwiches topped with coleslaw and french-fries, is located in the heart of the Strip District. Shoppers enjoy the wholesale items and curios found in this district.

 

For the full list of recommended neighborhoods please visit: http://www.castandcrewhousing.com/about/pittsburgh-neighborhoods/

Welcome to Cast and Crew Housing!

Cast and Crew Housing was created to help the cast and crew members of the movie industry find housing while filming in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By taking care of everything from catering to rides to and from the airport, Cast and Crew Housing is the one-stop-shop for your stay in Pittsburgh. With experience in aiding production companies such as Paramount and Warner Bros., Cast and Crew Housing makes it easy to locate and arrange for single or multiple apartments and rental homes. In lieu of full year leases, Cast and Crew Housing finds only listings that offer leases from 1-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months, and is the only company dedicated to accommodating premiere housing options for temporary occasions common among the film industry.
While paying strict attention to the budget parameters set by production companies, Cast and Crew Housing takes care of furnishing, utilities, and housekeeping. Even party planning, events, and receptions can be arrange for upon request. With strong relationships to Pittsburgh's most illustrious catering services, banquet halls, and linen companies, Cast and Crew Housing will take care of every variety of requests to make your stay in Pittsburgh relaxing and fulfilling. Our dedicated staff works with you on all matters to meet the time sensitive requirements of your specific schedules, and to ensure that all time constraints are met with professional punctuality.
Each neighborhood of Pittsburgh offers its own unique experience for your stay. You can search through over two thousand apartments and rental home listings in the greater Pittsburgh area by using the map view, list view, or by searching through specific neighborhoods. With thousands of easily accessible housing options, Cast and Crew Housing makes it simple to find and secure housing for cast and crew members online.

For more information please visit: http://www.castandcrewhousing.com/