31st Street Studios brings in Paramount, ETC

Exciting news for Pittsburgh!

31st Street Studios is ready to bring some high-powered and high-tech partners into its 330,000-square-foot former steel facility that it expects will further solidify its goal to make its Strip District facility a world-competitive movie and video game production hub.

Led by Principal Chris Breakwell, the company announced a three-way arrangement that will bring in Hollywood-based Knight Vision Studios, the motion-capture studio whose principal provided the computer-generated animation and digital production for the blockbuster movie "Avatar," to establish its capabilities at 31st Street. The studio does so in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center, which also will establish a presence in the Strip District facility, beginning to house some of its classes at the studio facility this semester and giving its students a graduate-level curriculum and exposure to the latest in motion-capture and digital filmmaking.

On top of the motion-capture agreement, 31st Street also has established a long-term agreement with major Hollywood player Paramount Studio Group and its Paramount On Location division, which will offer production support services for such regular film production demands as lighting, grip and transportation. James Knight, the founder of Knight Vision, which he launched after a three-and-a-half year assignment on "Avatar," a film that’s considered groundbreaking for its extensive use of computer-generated film techniques, said in a prepared statement that the opportunity to work with 31rst Street was a unique one.

“The environment at 31st Street and the cooperation with CMU’s ETC make this a unique opportunity,” said Knight. “We’re going to do things no one else is doing anywhere.

Don Marinelli, executive producer of the ETC program, described enormous potential for the Knight Vision technology to be set up at 31st Street that converge in different industries and in ways that have yet to be fully explored.

“The digitization of filmmaking provides myriad opportunities for the creation of new forms of visual expression, immersion, storytelling and gaming,” he said in a statement. “Having Knight Vision System at 31st Street Studios will give ETC students a tremendous opportunity to advance filmmaking in Pittsburgh.”

The deal with Paramount comes after the studio spent months using the facilities at 31st Street in shooting the Tom Cruisemovie “One Shot,” as well as after the studio facility hosted the last installment of the Batman franchise last summer, a Warner Brothers production.

No specific terms of all the financial agreements involved were divulged. No estimated cost for installing the new motion-capture capabilities was disclosed, either.

Randy Baumberger, president of Paramount Studio Group, described the 31st Street facility as ”the perfect gateway to many of our major partners across the East Coast,” calling the complex an “ideal location” in which to expand its production services.

Breakwell, whose Gateway Entertainment Studios LP bought the studio property in May, said the partnerships will play an important role in making Pittsburgh a key destination for filmmaking in the years to come.

“Our idea from the beginning was to create the best facility of its type in the country," he said. "We’ve gone a long way toward that goal in our first year, and these partnerships will continue to help cement Pittsburgh as a production environment unrivalled throughout North America.”

Breakwell does so with the firm support of Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who welcomed Paramount on Location and Knight Vision Studios to the region and expressed hope to see the region continue to bring more productions to the region, further helping to boost the local economy.

Read more at bizjournals.com/pittsburgh.

Bill Hinzman, First Zombie from Night of the Living Dead and more

Carl Kurlander wrote this great piece for Community Voices about Bill Hinzman, the “first zombie” of Night of the Living Dead.

Bill Hinzman passed away earlier this month, leaving behind quite a legacy in Pittsburgh. Best known by some for playing the first zombie to appear in the classic 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, Bill was loved by fans for his eagerness to show up to all sorts of horror film events and conventions, dress in costume, and tell stories. But I first met Bill in 2002 when I first came back from L.A. to teach at the University of Pittsburgh at a gathering which I will never forget on Halloween night where he and some of the other cast and crew had graciously agreed to speak to students of a new club called "Pitt In Hollywood" that I was faculty advisor for. 

Truth be told, I had never seen the Night of the Living Dead when growing up as I was afraid of scary movies. I, like the makers of Night of the Living Dead, had watched Chilly Billy Cardille on the local NBC. And my mother actually appeared in one of George Romero's movies, Hungry Wives (which I have never seen for fear she may be naked in the movie.) But one of my students wanted to get a guy named Bruce Campbell to speak on campus, and we didn't have any budget, so I heard Pitt had an original print of Night of Living Dead which seemed like it might be a good special event.  Then another student suggested getting the cast and crew to attend.  When I asked how, someone got a phone book and we remarkably discovered that many of those involved in the movie still lived in Pittsburgh. 

And so on October 31, 2002, Bill Hinzman joined screenwriter John ("Jack") Russo, producer Russ Streiner (who also utters the classic line "They're coming to get you Barrbarra", and actors Karl Hardman and Marilyn Eastman.   They shared with us how Night of the Living Dead came to be, a story that is now somewhat legendary in the world of independent film. Shot on a budget of sixty thousand dollars, with cameramen filling in as zombies, a automobile borrowed from Streiner's mother, and chocolate syrup used as blood, the film represents a unique group effort that embodies the spirit of the Pittsburgh film scene.   Because of their low budget, Bill and his cohorts had to be creative.   For instance, if you look at the graveyard scene, the lightning only appears in close-ups.   And if you watch closely when Barbara's car crashes, their is a dent before it hits the tree-- because Russ Streiner mother had had an accident with her car between days of shooting.   

But what really came across that evening was the wonderful comraderie that still existed between the filmmakers.   They had not just made this film on a whim.  They had worked for years on their craft, doing commercials, working on the legendary Rege Cordic radio show.   They had collectively chosen to write a horror script because they could be done on their budget.   Everyone did whatever had be done on the set-- including Bill helping out as on camera-- as he would go on to be a DP and a director of his own films.   

There is also a wonderful story of how Bill ended up saving the brother of Russ Streiner, Gary Streiner who was doing sound, when his arm accidentally caught fire during a special effect mishap.  Bill, in full zombie make-up, tackled Gary to the ground and helped put out the flames.

What came across most when I finally did get to watch Night of the Living Dead with that crowd was how wonderfully the movie holds up.   It is far more than a horror film.   Though it was not planned while they were making it, the film held great meaning in the era of the 60s with the Vietnam War and Civil Rights movement in full swing.   But it also speaks to the importance of us working together in crisis-- that all we have is each other.

Ironically, or perhaps because of Pittsburgh, when we were filming My Tale of Two Cities in a Steelers bar in Burbank, I got to meet a nice young woman named Heidi Hinzman-- Bill's daughter who has worked on many shows in L.A.   Pittsburgh is everywhere.

Although more and more mainstream films are beginning production in Pittsburgh, the film community here remains tight-knit and collaborative. Myself and the rest of those involved in this community are saddened by the loss of Bill Hinzman, but grateful for all the things he contributed to Pittsburgh and the world.

P.S.

Shortly after this, I learned that Russ and Gary's mother Josephine also passed away just shortly after Bill.   We send along our deepest condolescences to both families.  

Read more: http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/arts-entertainment-living/six-degrees-of-pittsburgh/31897-night-of-the-living-dead 

Film Notes: Film Office's Oscar party stocked with auction prizes

Are you going? Tickets are still available!

The winner of, say, the Oscar for best actress won't be the only contest at stake at this year's "Highmark Presents Lights! Glamour! Action!" party.

A poster for "The Dark Knight Rises" autographed by director Christopher Nolan along with actors Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is among the nearly 150 items partygoers can bid on at the Feb. 26 gala.

The mix of entertainment, sports, Pittsburgh and pampering prizes includes two tickets to a summer Poison concert, the chance to watch the show from the side of the stage and to meet Bret Michaels.

Both of those items carry hefty minimum bids, but partygoers can bid on a copy of the book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" autographed by writer-director Stephen Chbosky along with stars Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Logan Lerman, Nina Dobrev and others.

A collection of T-shirts and posters from "Abduction" ($25 minimum bid) will be on the block along with an autographed script for "The Good Wife," a collection of DVDs signed by Denzel Washington, along with two seats from the Civic Arena, a Hines Ward autographed football, Steelers tickets, a trip to Walt Disney World and a "Dancing With the Stars" VIP experience.

The 12th annual Oscar party, a main source of support for the Pittsburgh Film Office, will be held at Heinz Field. The telecast will be streamed live on a big screen at the event, which is black tie optional.

Tickets, still available, are $250 per person and include entry at 6 p.m., a VIP champagne reception and valet parking; $125 gala ticket provides admission at 7:30 p.m.; and Oscar tickets, $75 if six or more ordered, with admission also at 7:30 p.m. The gala will feature food stations, a bar and live music.

To order or for more information, call the film office at 412-261-2744 or go to www.pghfilm.org.

Honorary event co-chairs are Dr. Tony G. Farah, president and CEO, WPAHS Physicians Organization, and his wife, Dr. Katie Farah. The film office, which is coming off the biggest year in its 22-year history, markets the 10-county southwestern Pennsylvania region to Hollywood.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12048/1210748-60.stm#ixzz1mgRDZTDu

Two Carnegie Mellon grads play key roles on NBC's 'Smash'

Between the school of drama and the Entertainment Technology Center, Carnegie Mellon churns out some top talent in the film industry!

Two Carnegie Mellon School of Drama grads are hoping that NBC's new television series "Smash" will be just that.

Christian Borle, class of '95 and a Fox Chapel native, and Megan Hilty, class of '04, have significant roles in the musical drama series that debuts at 10 p.m. Monday on NBC.

"Smash" follows the fictional story of the cast and creative team from inspiration to opening, as they work to develop the next Broadway blockbuster, a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Shot in New York City, "Smash" offers a behind-the-scenes look at the sacrifices, betrayals, schemes, triumphs and rivalries that take place in everyone's private and professional lives as the Broadway-bound production moves from first concept through out-of-town tryouts.

"It actually is a story about some people at the absolute top and some who are getting started," Borle says. "I think it's very smart and adult, and the way they folded the music into it is very smart."

Steven Spielberg initiated the idea for the show and heads the list of executive producers, many of whom have Broadway credits. Others on the list include playwright Theresa Rebeck, who wrote the pilot, and "Smash" music creators Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman, who co-created the score for "Hairspray."

Much of the show's tension and drama are focused on the competition between Hilty's character Ivy Lynn and Katharine McPhee's Karen as they vie for the starring role of Marilyn. Karen (played by the former "American Idol" runner-up) is a talented but inexperienced newcomer hoping for her big break. Ivy is a stage veteran ready to make the leap from chorus line to lead character.

"You are going to love her, you are going to hate her, root for her and want her to fail," says Hilty, describing Ivy. "These are people who are deeply flawed and wanting to do what's best."

Borle plays Tony-nominated composer Tom Levitt, who is creating the Marilyn musical with his writing partner, played by Debra Messing ("Will & Grace). Levitt fights hard to get his long-time friend Ivy cast in the Marilyn role.

Borle is best known for originating the role of Emmett Forrest in "Legally Blonde the Musical" and Prince Herbert and Not Dead Fred in "Spamalot." He last performed in Pittsburgh in 1997, with the national tour of "West Side Story" and, in 1999, with the national tour of "Footloose." The day after "Smash" finishes shooting, he will begin rehearsals for "Peter and the Starcatcher," which is headed for an April 15 Broadway opening.

Hilty, a Seattle native whom some might remember for her work in "Cafe Puttanesca" at City Theatre, made her Broadway debut as a replacement for Glinda in "Wicked" and continued in that role in the musical's national tour and Los Angeles company.

She's best known for creating the role of Doralee in "9 to 5: The Musical" on Broadway.

"What's really nice is that ('Smash' producers) are hiring a lot of theater actors," Borle says. "They really wanted to get it right."

Those familiar with the New York theater scene are likely to savor the show's authenticity and attention to detail, Borle says. Others will gain an insider's entree into auditions and dance rehearsals, and a crash course in the politics and personalities that affect them.

Although Hilty and Borle graduated from the same drama department, they knew each other only by reputation before being cast in "Smash."

They each express an admiration for the other's work.

"Working with Christian has been fantastic. I've been such a big fan of his for a long time," Hilty says. "He's an absolutely wonderful guy, as well as a creative, smart, generous actor."

Borle is similarly positive: "She's going to blow people away," Borle predicts.

Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_779824.html#ixzz1ldfrO8hC