California

Matt Cherniss has rejoined the Fox network as executive vice president of programming, announced Kevin Reilly, president, entertainment for Fox, to whom Cherniss will report. “We’ve had a philosophical change in the way we approach programming, and as we take the next step in our year-round process, Matt is the ideal executive to lead the charge,” said Reilly.

Robin Schwartz, who managed Regency Television for four years, is now president of the new Oprah Winfrey cable channel, which will debut in 2009. The channel is the joint property of Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and Discovery Communications. Schwartz started at NBC in charge of children’s programming then she became head of programming at ABC Family.

Alan Gordon Enterprises, Inc., manufacturer of the award-winning Mark Vb Director’s View Finder has developed the Blue Ring Gaffer’s Glass™ for professional video and cinematography. This tool is designed for lighting gaffers and cameramen.  It incorporates a large diameter 3.8-density filter with a handheld ring that allows the user to look directly into a light and find the center, so the user can focus the light to the exact location of the subject to be photographed. Incorporating a UV inhibitor, the Blue Ring Gaffer’s Glass™ can also be used to inspect the condition of the lamps while turned on, and to find the sun when behind clouds. The Blue Ring Gaffer’s Glass™ is precision-machined, anodized, and comes with a 36-inch lanyard to wear around your neck, priced at only $89.95. For more information, visit www.alangordon.com.

Florida

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, FL hosted the film H2O Extreme, with Bill Scharpf directing and producing along with Ryan R. Johnson. The production utilized the Ski Show Spectacular that made the park famous, and treads the same aqua locations once used in the classic Esther Williams movie, Easy to Love. The August release also stars Chris Carmack (the O.C.), Rider Strong, and John Schneider telling the summer-fun tale that gives the history of water-skiing.
Cypress Gardens, located between Orlando and Tampa, has expanded its facilities adding more than 40 major thrill rides, including the classic “Woodie” roller coasters and the Splash Island Water Park. That has brought additional filming for documentaries, commercials, and nature shows that shoot throughout the botanical and plantation gardens. For filming information, contact Haley Kish at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nevada

Last year marked the eighth consecutive year, in which film production revenue surpassed $100 million in Nevada, and its film office assisted over 400 productions. Although the state does not currently have any incentive programs for productions, Nevada does offer a favorable tax climate with no corporate or personal income tax, free permitting in most jurisdictions, affordable accommodations, and very little red tape.
Everyone knows that Nevada has casinos, gambling, and neon, but the film office also emphasizes its diverse locations that can be backdrops for anything from road pictures to outer space adventures. Locations like Lake Tahoe, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Black Rock Desert, and Hoover Dam have been the site of numerous features, commercials, music videos and much more, according to Ed Harran at the Nevada Film Office. He adds, “Our crew base is deep, experienced, and award-winning.” Productions can find a wide variety of above and below the line professionals, and support services in the Nevada Production Directory. Go to www.nevadafilm.com.

Maryland

For the first six months of fiscal 2008, Maryland was very busy. Productions included Step Up 2 the Streets, The Wire, Body of Lies, He’s Just Not That Into You, and From Within. This follows the economic impact of filming in the state in fiscal 2007, which was $70 million, thanks to productions such as HBO’s The Wire and Live Free or Die Hard. Drawing productions to the state is the Maryland Film Production Rebate Fund, which allows a qualified production company to claim a rebate in an amount of up to 25 percent of the total direct costs incurred in the state while filming on location. Rebates are funded by an annual appropriation and distributed in the form of a grant. Jack Gerbes from the Maryland Film Office explains, “The depth and experience of Maryland’s crew base and our film infrastructure is one of Maryland’s strongest selling points. Maryland also offers a diverse range of locations, from the inner city to bucolic horse farms [and] from rolling mountains to ocean front.” Go to www.marylandfilm.org.

Iowa

Iowa does not require a general state filming permit ─ such as state property and parks ─ nor do the bulk of the state’s locations require individual filming permits. The Iowa State Film Office provides an online production guide with a database of local production services, crew, equipment, and much more. Plus, the state has a transferable tax credit. For more information, go to www.filmIowa.com.

Utah

Filmmakers come to Utah for the same reasons that attract visitors: scenic beauty, geography, diversity, services, and the people. As for the latter, production people find top crews, locations, and tax benefits from the state. The Utah Motion Picture Incentive Fund offers a fully refundable rebate of 15 percent for expenditures made there, and is available for production expenses incurred in the state for feature films, television series, pilots, and made-for-television movies that have a minimum in-state spend of $1 million. Marshall Moore, director of the film office, says a staff is on hand at all times to help any production problems before, during, or after shoots. For information, visit www.film.utah.gov.

TECH NEWS

Tiffen has added the water-resistant, cotton canvas F-300 Long Lens Bag to its Classic Collection. The F-300 protects cameras with a 300mm lens attached. The Domke F-300 consists of foam padded on all 4 sides, which allows the user to store a lens-attached camera vertically. The F-300 has an expandable front pocket with fitted weather flap as well as a rear pocket for accessories, and a 45-degree angle zippered main compartment.  A strong carrying handle adds support, as well as adjustable straps that are made of high-friction rubber woven into sturdy cotton webbing. A  hook and loop straps on the side of the bag hold a monopod.  Complete with YKK zippers, the F-300 lens bag is sure to protect precious lenses.www.tiffen.com