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For Immediate Release
January 27, 2006
Lieutenant Governor Announces Revenues, Launches Book and Presents Awards at Annual Event
LAS VEGAS, Nv. B Lieutenant Governor Lorraine T. Hunt, Chair of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development which oversees the Nevada Film Office (NFO), announced today that filming revenues for calendar year 2005 reached approximately $102.5 million, which continues a six-year trend for Nevada of exceeding the $100 million mark.
“We have seen television programming of all kinds remain in the forefront of our revenue figures once again, which has been a trend for three years,” says Lt. Governor Hunt. “Between television series, specials, reality programs and documentaries for television, these productions represent 58% of the total $102.5 million in calendar year 2005.” The Lieutenant Governor noted that a diverse range of motion pictures represent nearly 18% of all revenue. These included films from major studios such as Rocky 6 starring Sylvester Stallone that wrapped recently, and Lucky You starring Drew Barrymore, to the smaller-budget independent motion pictures like Buckaroo with Lindsey Wagner, Siren with Erin Gray, and many others. Commercials generated approximately 10% of revenue, showcasing Nevada locations as the backdrops for cars, clothing, sporting goods, recreational merchandise, glamorous lifestyle products and much more. Still photography was also a strong media component in Nevada, representing more than $10 million infused into Nevada’s economy. The balance of revenues stemmed from music videos, student films, corporate and industrial filming, and miscellaneous media including “new media” such as internet webcasting, pod casts, production of mobile media content and more.
Charles Geocaris, Director of the NFO, added, AThe Nevada Film Office is always employing new methods and seeking additional opportunities to attract more production. We constantly refine how we raise the awareness and enhance the credibility of Nevada’s filmmaking assets. Our locations, our crew and service providers, and the ease of shooting throughout our state continue to be our greatest strengths.”
The press event was held at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and hosted by Planet Hollywood, the owner of the popular luxury resort located directly on “The Strip.” The press event included the official launch of the 2006 Nevada Production Directory. Thousands of copies of this award-winning resource guide are distributed throughout the year by the Nevada Film Office, to select industry professionals around the world. It contains extensive information essential to successful production throughout the State, and is considered the primary reference tool for all media projects that shoot in Nevada. An electronic version can also be found online at www.nevadafilm.com, where it receives more than 100,000 hits per month.
At the press event, the Lieutenant Governor also announced the top three winning scripts in the 2005 Nevada Screenplay Competition, with the screenwriters and their guests present to accept awards and prizes in recognition of their accomplishments. Each of the honorees was presented with a plaque from Lieutenant Governor Hunt, received sponsor gifts including Final Draft software, gift items from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and certificates for a cash prize courtesy of the newly established Johnny Brenden / Women in Film Screenwriting Achievement Awards for the Nevada Film Office competition.
The NFO Screenplay Competition is the oldest state-sponsored event of its kind in the United States, and provides unsold writers the chance to win not only prizes and awards, but the opportunity to have their scripts read by select producers and production companies in Hollywood for consideration. “Access is the best prize,” said Director Geocaris. “To have industry professionals that are actively making movies and producing feature films read your script is invaluable and the goal of all new screenwriters.” Interested producers and production companies may contact the NFO for copies of the top 3 scripts without cost or obligation, by calling toll-free: 1-877-638-3456.
The First Place/Best Screenplay award went to Jennifer Lewey of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, for her romantic “dramedy” Before Midnight, which takes place in Las Vegas between Christmas and New Year's Eve, when a charming rogue who plans to break the house meets a hapless casino hostess for high rollers trying to overcome her anxiety and professional woes.
Second Place was awarded to Uninvited T.R.O.U.B.L.E., a comedy that shows what happens when a bride decides at the last minute to invite her wedding guest stand-by list. The "out-of-touch" friends realize they’re just a second-string afterthought and concoct a plan to sabotage the bride's Las Vegas bachelorette party, which ultimately spills over into wedding day trouble For the first time in the competition’s 18-year history, the second place winning script was written by the same screenwriter as the first place winner: Jennifer Lewey. “Ms. Lewey has set a new standard for all of our writers by taking the two top prizes,” said Lt. Governor Hunt. “As all scripts are judged blind by numerous judges, this has always been a possibility as some writers often enter multiple scripts, but Jennifer is the first to accomplish this achievement.”
The award for Third Place was given jointly to Clinton and Jim Braly, brothers from Salt Lake City, Utah, for their family drama Zero Handicap, about a fourteen-year-old black teenager who leaves home after a firearms accident severely cripples him for life. Sixty years after the shooting, after years of struggle and self-discovery, he reconnects with the family he abandoned, and helps a twelve-year-old great-nephew survive a crippling injury and overcome its accompanying demons.
For additional information, copies of materials, questions or comments, please contact Jeanne Corcoran, at the Nevada Film Office at (702) 486-2711.
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