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VIACOM SHOOTS SERIES PILOT IN COUNTY; ICE-T SET TO STAR IN THE DISCIPLES
Rapper/actor Ice-T is set to star in a new action pilot called The Disciples being created for UPN. The show is directed by The Big Hit's Kirk Wong, and features martial arts action, which CBS has used successfully in its freshman series Martial Law and Sons of Thunder. The order is consistent with UPN's strategy to attract young adult males, a desirable demographic for advertisers. The Disciples began filming March 22, and is being shot on location in West Palm Beach, Fla. A spokesperson for Paramount, the pilot's production company, said March 23, was Ice-T's first day on the set, and the show's cast will consist mainly of unknowns. Among those appearing in the show is Greg Lauren, nephew to fashion King Ralph Lauren, in the role of Mick. Ice-T starred in the NBC action series Players, and recently appeared in the Sci-Fi Channel anthology show Welcome to Paradox. Don Michael Paul, who wrote the pilot script, describes The Disciples as "the story of four young martial artists working under the tutelage of a formidable master to fight crime and injustice." The film crew will shoot at local locations including: Clematis Street, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Rybovich Spencer, and the Palm Beach County Courthouse. The potential economic impact to the County is substantial. For the shooting of the 1-hr pilot alone, the impact is 863 hotel rooms and 166 jobs. Palm Beach County has been selected as the principal location because Viacom has worked previously in Palm Beach County and had an excellent experience. Over the years, the County has worked successfully with Viacom, most recently with the television film Shame II. They have selected the Courthouse and County personnel to be partners in the production on the basis of their previous positive experience. Palm Beach County Film Commissioner Chuck Elderd is thrilled by the synergy between Palm Beach County officials and the executives from Vicaom. Elderd said "It takes more than a building and a location to create this film friendly environment; Commissioners, County Staff, Elected Officials and all City officials that go out of their way to make Palm Beach County a film destination with an excellent reputation." UPN will screen the pilot May 20, after which the network will decide if it wants to pick it up. Shooting is scheduled through April 8.
FILM OFFICE, UNIONS WORK TOGETHER
The South Florida Teamsters Local 390 invited Palm Beach County Film Commissioner Chuck Elderd to address the entire membership. The members were thanked for efforts in offering lower rates to attract Viacom's UPN pilot for The Disciples and the independent film The Last Marshall. Union Members were advised that all productions needing professional drivers and location personnel will be directed to Teamsters for reasonable rates and cooperation. The Teamsters have strong participation in the Film Florida Labor Council. Elderd says Teamster President Gerri Pape and Representative Purty Jackson attended trade shows and met with studio executives, which helped in bringing new productions to the South Florida area. Elderd added "Union leadership is responsible for creating this new friendly image."
FILM FESTIVAL READY TO ROLL
Mark Diamond, artistic director for The Palm Beach International Film Festival for the fourth year, announced the line-up of films for this year's Festival, taking place throughout Palm Beach County, April 9 - 18
The closing night presentation will include the World Premiere showing of The Last Marshall Starring Scott Glenn (Hunt for Red October and Backdraft) and directed by Mike Kirton, The Last Marshall was filmed entirely in Palm Beach County. With approximately 50 feature films from over 20 countries, the Festival will preview the official Oscar submissions from Macedonia, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Netherlands, Yugoslavia and Venezuela. Additional highlights include: Am I Beautiful, the closing night presentation at the Venice Film Festival, directed by Doris Dorrie; "Get Real," the Audience Award winner at the Edinburgh Film Festival, directed by Simon Shore; "The Boys," winner of six Australian Film Critics Awards including Best Picture, directed by Rowan Woods; "The Velocity of Gary," directed by Dan Ireland and starring Salma Hayek and Vincent D'Onofrio. The 1999 Palm Beach International Film Festival has expanded to ten screens in five locations. This year's theater venues are Muvico Town Center, Boca Raton, Regal Shadowood 16, Boca Raton, Carefree Theater in West Palm Beach, Regal 18 in Royal Palm Beach and Regal 18 in Jupiter. Founded by Commissioner Burt Aaronson and Co-Chaired by George Elmore, The Palm Beach International Film Festival is one of the only non-profit film festivals in the country whose net proceeds go to deserving film school students. For additional information, please call 561.233.1044.
PAX-TV SWEEPS UP IN FEBRUARY
West Palm Beach-based PAX-TV, the nations seventh broadcast network, has cracked the magic Nielsen rating of 1.0, the rating necessary for PAX-TV to break even. Lea Sloan, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations said, "Our advertisers are very happy to see the network support the stations and the stations supporting themselves. Sloan also sits on the board of Directors for the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission. PAX-TV will soon announce additional new original programming that will join the PAX schedule later this year. PAX-TV airs locally on WPXP, Channel 67. |
