New Mike Kirton Feature Set at Lake Okeechobee

Havana Bay, Mike Kirton’s new feature is all set to roll after the first of the year. The film stars David Keith (Men of Honor, U-571, Officer and a Gentleman); Jason Gedrick (The Last Don I&II, Murder One and Iron Eagle); and Amy Locane (The Heist, Airheads) and tells the story of a young boat racer whose best friend was killed in a tragic racing accident for which the young man blames himself. His life becomes further complicated when he falls in love with his deceased friend’s now grown-up sister and has to deal not only with his burden of guilt but also with the tribulations of newfound love.

Associate Producer Greg Hauptner explains, “This is an action film about a boat race from Lake Okeechobee to a fictional Havana Bay, but it’s also the love story between a damaged young racer and the woman with tragic ties to his past.”  The movie is being co-produced by Mike Kirton (The Last Marshall, The Librarians) and Chris Atkins. Like The Last Marshall and The Librarians, Havana Bay  will use many PBC locations including John Prince and Phil Foster Parks. 

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CityPlace

West Palm Beach, FL

CityPlace had just opened its doors, and the production companies were already clamoring to take advantage of this fantastic new location. In fact, just a  few days after the grand opening ceremony, the Mark Group received the first production permit for CityPlace. CityPlace has adopted the County’s One-Stop Permitting Process and the FTC will process all filming requests. And, judging from the reactions, there will be plenty.

Complete with townhouses, quaint storefronts, a renovated historical church and plenty of charm, this film friendly location  compliments the already spectacular downtown area. CityPlace was modeled after streets in New Orleans and the Northeast and encompasses the best of the county. 

When CityPlace opened last month the “oohs” and “aahs” could be heard for miles and continue to be heard as visitors and production crews flock to this city built from scratch.. Shoppers are buying out the lovely town, diners are flocking to the restaurants and filmmakers and location scouts are grinning; a new location with everything any production could want has emerged in West Palm Beach. 

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This Old House begins construction and production this month in West Palm Beach.       

Making the Band stopped by Palm Beach International Airport to shoot a scene for next season.

Bob Nichols named Chairman of the Palm Beach Int'l Film Festival Student Showcase 2000.

The Avid Master Editor Workshop will be held January 14-19, 2001 at the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront Resort. This workshop is the most advanced level of editor education offered by Avid Technology. The workshop normally includes about 30 participants. For more information, you can contact  Avid Educational Services Customer Information at 978-275-2071 or email edservices@avid.com.  

Florida to host the Sunshine State Soiree at Sundance in January, 2001! The Florida Film Commission, Universal Studios and the Palm Beach County Film Commission are hosting the event. For more information, call 1-877-352-3456 or email Bonnie King at bkingfilm@aol.com.

Rapper Ja Rule was in town late November shooting his latest video extravaganza! Lisa Collomb from All-Star Locations brought this big budget project in from New York! All Star has brought several projects to PBC in the last year including feature, The Bully, in September.

Catch the Chris Evert /Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic airing on ESPN December 24 at 4pm and January 7, 2001 at 1pm. Catch the excitement as the FTC’s new 30-second spot will premiere during the tournament. Regis Philbin, Chevy Chase, George Bush (Sr.) and Alan Thicke were some of the many celeb participants.  

TeenCourtTV was in town filming at Palm Beach Community College’s Duncan Theatre.  

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Poppy’s Birthday Party, produced by West Palm Beach based Parallax Productions and Boca Raton based Saden Productions, Inc., is the third in the penguin series and follows Poppy the Penguin and Poppy and Pals. Kennedy, the founder of Saden Productions, developed the idea eight years ago when she was unable to find enough educational programming for her young grandchildren.

Poppy shows are also available online at www.poppythepenguin.com.

G-Star, a non-profit organization designed to develop and encourage middle and high school students in the production field, has a deal with PAX TV to air 26 original half-hour programs and 26 repeats. G-Star is working with the School District of Palm Beach County to produce the 30-minute programs. The shows are scheduled to begin airing weekly on Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 10:30am.

Aerobics With Soul Comes to Delray

Maria Nhambu Berhg (left) is bringing her unique combination of aerobics and African Dance to the Milagro Center in Delray. Berhg invented the concept in the late eighties, eventually creating a video series, Aerobics with Soul,  which has become nationally renowned, featured in Dateline U.S.A., Lifetime’s Attitudes, SHAPE, Fitness, Glamour and Billboard. 

                For thirteen years, Bergh has performed African dance and lectured on African culture. She grew up in Tanzania and felt a compelling desire to combine her two passions, her heritage and exercise in a successful venture. The video series includes Aerobics with Soul-Karibu, -Serengeti and –Kilamanjaro. For more information, check out www.aerobicswithsoul.com.

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Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
Chairman Warren Newell, Burt Aaronson,  
Addie Greene, Karen T. Marcus, 
Tony Masilotti, Mary McCarty, 
Jeff Koons
Focus on Film Nov 2000                 Volume III Issue 11                
editor: Jennifer Williams       masthead design: Wendy Meyer

If you would like to be included in this monthly publication, please contact the Film Commission at 561.233.1000 or email information to jwilliam@pbfilm.com.