Jupiter has made a new home for friends to pay tribute to Burt’s work.  The walls of the Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum are lined with photographs from cult flick Smokey and The Bandit and hit television show Evening Shade.  The canoe from one of the biggest thrillers of all time, Deliverance, is placed gingerly against the wall while visitors browse through the museum.  The Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum had its grand opening on February 9, 2003.  Mike Daniel, President of the Museum, stated: “The opening was a roaring success!  Over 2,000 people attended the grand opening.”  The museum is open daily to the public and admission is free. Call: 561.743.9955 for museum operating hours. 

Palm Beach County (PBC) had a visit from Arnold Shapiro Productions’ The Family.  This reality based television show, which wrapped in February, revolves around an extended family thrown into the world of the social elite.  The Family members compete against one another to win $1 million. Actor George Hamilton will host the show.  Mindy Moore, Creator of The Family, says: “The show’s hook lies in a group of “secret trustees” who guard the fortune. Viewers find out who those people are in episode one, but the family doesn’t find out until the very end.”  The Family is scheduled to air on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at 10pm on ABC. 

Oprah Winfrey spoke to Ex– Jewel Thief Walter Shaw on the episode: It took a thief to stop a thief.  Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey’s production company, came to PBC to feature ways to secure your home from intruders.  The show aired on February 21st at 4pm on NBC.  The show featured local residents Michelle and Jim Putnik’s home in Boynton Beach. 

Ko-Mar Productions, Information Television Network(ITV), Television Interactive (TVI), Ch. 12, and Avanti Group were a few of our local companies that received an Addy Award for their talents. The Addy Awards recognize excellence in advertising.  Congratulations to everyone!

Next month brings students and veteran filmmakers from all over to mingle with one another. This year will be extremely beneficial to students because the PBIFF has added an extra bonus, The 2^nd Annual Florida Film Educators Even Exchange.  This event is an annual forum for networking, professional development and communications for Florida’s secondary and post secondary educators in the film, television and media arts.  The goal of this initiative is to increase communications among education, government, and industry and to foster continued educational and economic excellence in Florida’s motion picture and video production and distribution industry sector and services allied.  Each panel discussion will feature a mix of educators and industry professionals and will be led by a moderator.  This 2-day event will take place at Palm Beach Community College (PBCC), in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 7 and 8, 2003. The PBIFF will begin its festivities on April 3-10, 2003.  To find out more contact: the FTC at 561.233.1000 or log onto: www.pbfilm.com. For more information go to our website under education.

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The Historic Jenkins House
815 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL.  33407

Built in 1946, the Jenkins House was home to Dr. Joseph Jenkins, wife Roberta, and daughter Ramona.  Dr. Jenkins was actively involved within the community to inspire and motivate young people to seek a higher education. Dr. Jenkins was one of the first African American pharmacists in the Northwest community.  In 1996, the Jenkins house was sold to the city of West Palm Beach to begin paving the way for it to be a historic site and an artists showcase of the Palm Beaches.  After much anticipation, the Jenkins house is now open to the public to present art exhibits focusing on multicultural, diverse artists.   To find out more about the Jenkins House please visit: www.artistshowcase.org. 

Locations Extraordinaire brought many new faces to PBC.(Top)
The sassy styles of hip magazine Marie Claire visited PBC twice along with the sophisticated styles of Brooks Brothers.  PBC also provided the quintessential backdrop for the edgy looks of magazine Cosmo Girl.  Verna Shore, Owner of Locations Extrordinaire, found the perfect locations to shoot the hottest trends.  In addition, Macy’s and Frontgate shot in the county for their stylish home designs. Shore is also in the process of working on a shoot for Sony and American Elle.  The still shoots brought in over 250 room nights for local hotels throughout Palm Beach County!

An A-List Cast of Stars flooded PBC  (Top)
The independent feature brought to us by the 2002 PBIFF came to a wrap early last month.  The coming of age film produced by Suzanne Delaurentiis Productions, written by Howard Flamm and Steve Chase, and directed by Gary Brockette, with technical advisor Stewart Raffill, splashed into the Port of Palm Beach in early January.  The film stars young heartthrobs Brad Rowe from Billy’s First Hollywood Screen Kiss and Krista Allen from Liar Liar.  Veteran actor Burt Young from Rocky and Mickey Blue Eyes joins the star studded cast.  Writers Flamm and Chase hope to enter the film in the 2003 PBIFF. For more information log onto: www.suzannedelaurentiisproductions.com

Governor Bush appoints new State Film Commissioner  (Top)
Susan Albershardt will be appointed on March 11, 2003, to replace State Film Commissioner Rebecca D. Mattingly.  Albershardt has served since 1999 as the Assistant Manager of Television and Development at the Universal Orlando Resort.  “The Governor and I are confident that Susan’s experience will go a long way in expanding the film industry in our state,” said Lt. Governor Brogan. As for departing Film Commissioner Rebecca D. Mattingly,  “We wish her good fortune and a heartfelt thank you for making a difference.  She is a class act,” stated Chuck Elderd.

Exposure FotoFestival premieres in West Palm Beach  (Top)
View the beauty of PBC and local artists at Exposure FotoFestival on Saturday, April 19, 2003.  The event is to encourage still photography shoots in PBC while providing an opportunity for local artists to display their work.  Exposure FotoFestival will be held at 222 Clematis Street in Suite 206.  To find out more about this event contact: Greg Ross at 561.876.7900. 

Lemonade makes the final round
Writer/Producer George Williams and Producer/Director Aaron Wells were honored as finalists in the Showcase Shorts Film Festival in Orlando for their film Lemonade.  The next appearance for Lemonade will be at the 2003 Palm Beach International Film Festival in Palm Beach County.  For additional information contact: Aaron Wells at 561.792.7290. 

Finishing Touch opens in Royal Palm Beach
Jann Seal, Consultant for Modeling Association of America International and Associate writer for many network television soap operas has opened a modeling and life skills training center located in Royal Palm Beach.  To find out more call: Jann Seal at 561.798.3775.