Don't Miss "Deadline"

As a journalist, I'm always interested in seeing movies centered on main characters who are reporters or editors. Usually these films are about real-life events and the reporters who covered those events or "broke" the stories in the first place. And even though Hollywood may not always get the details right when it comes to how stories are reported, or how newsrooms actually work, or – and this is what really irritates me sometimes – what reporters are willing to do to get the story, I still enjoy many of these films and will watch them over and over. Especially the films inspired by true events.

So, naturally, my interest was piqued when I learned of the upcoming film, Deadline, which is premiering in various U.S. cities in the month of March. The film is already bringing a great deal of good buzz with it. It has been called a movie with a conscience, and a well crafted thriller that packs a powerful punch.

Inspired by a true story, the film follows Nashville Times reporter Matt Harper (Steve Talley) as he helps a man try to solve a 20-year-old, racially motivated murder in rural Alabama. Deadline is based on Mark Ethridge's novel Grievances, which is based on the author's own experiences. Ethridge is a Pulitzer Prize winner and a former managing editor of The Charlotte Observer.

Directed by Curt Hahn and co-starring Eric Roberts, the cast and crew of Deadline currently are on a 42-city bus tour before the film opens nationwide April 13. Check the film's official web page for showtimes in your area. I know I'm not going to miss it.

Get Listed in Our 2012 Markee 2.0 Resource Guide

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MPAA Chairman Talks about Hollywood's Economic Impact in Georgia

Christopher Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) was in Atlanta on Feb. 22, 2012 to speak with the Atlanta Press Club about the importance of the Georgia entertainment industry to the state’s economy, and the diverse array of jobs created in the state through film and television production. Markee was there with other members of the local media.

"In just four years – between 2007 and 2011 – the economic impact of production in Georgia grew from $244 million to $2.4 billion. The number of jobs supported by the industry in Georgia more than doubled: from 11,800 to 25,000," the former senator from Connecticut said.

He continued: "And the economic benefits of film and TV production are not limited to those who work on the shows and movies. In Covington, production of The Vampire Diaries can mean 2,500 hotel rooms filled. Across Atlanta, owners of small office buildings and warehouses who have been unable to find tenants in a tough economy are renting them out as sets. Restaurants and caterers, drug stores and dry cleaners – when a production comes to town, everybody benefits."

Dodd then discussed the recent trade deal reached between the United States and China that would allow more U.S. films to be viewed in Chinese theaters. "One of the best ways for our country to spread our values abroad is through our culture," he said. "And this agreement will keep that line of dialogue open with Chinese audiences curious about the superpower on the other side of the Pacific."

He concluded his remarks by voicing the MPAA's views on online piracy, a top priority for the organization. "Let me be clear: Hollywood is pro-technology and pro-Internet. I firmly believe that our industry cannot survive without the innovations that come out of Silicon Valley every day – and I know that we must have a free and open Internet to keep those innovations coming.

"But it works both ways," he continued. "As a letter signed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the online activist group NetCoalition stated, 'A strong system of copyright protection for online content is critical to the continued success of the flourishing Internet marketplace of ideas.'"

There are sensible solutions to the problem. There's more to gain by working together, he said, but policymakers need to understand the full economic impact of this inudstry. "The future of the film and TV industry will look very different from its past. But the heart of our
industry – a great story, well-told – remains the same. And if we continue to do exactly what Georgia has done – treat films and TV shows not just as important parts of our culture, but as critical job creators – it will be a bright future, indeed: one in which this state will play a starring role."

Most Anticipated Movies of 2012

2012 looks to be a banner year for filmmakers and moviegoers alike. There appears to be a great number of potential blockbusters on the calendar, which may help to alleviate headaches among studio executives who view 2011 as a not-so-banner year for box office successes (the rampaging Harry Potter and Mission Impossible sequels notwithstanding). Thus, I present to you my list of the top 5 movies I'm most anxious to see – in no particular order. These five films are sure to find an audience, and very well could be the five highest grossing movies of the year.

Dark Shadows – Once again, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team up for a quirky Gothic tale (this one about vampires) that is sure to delight. Depp stars as Barnabas Collins, a man who is entombed in 1752 and released in 1972 where he must deal with his new surroundings and distant relatives. The movie is based on the cult TV series by the same name, and costars Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller, and Helena Bonham Carter (of course). Dark Shadows is set for a May release.

The Bourne Legacy – This Bourne series reboot stars Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross, another CIA operative with issues. I know, I know: "You can't have a Bourne movie without Matt Damon!" I don't agree. Renner is more than capable of carrying this movie, and with Tony Gilroy behind the camera (He wrote the screenplays for the other Bourne movies.), The Bourne Legacy is going to surprise the skeptics. There are not many details available yet on this film, but it is scheduled for an August release.

Gangster Squad – Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte, Giovanni Ribisi. Do you really need to know more? Really? Well, okay. The movie is about a group of LAPD officers trying to put away the LA mafia in the 1940s and 1950s. There are big shoes to fill in the world of mafia movies and period cop dramas, certainly, but this cast has me dreaming of fancy suits, fedoras, and Tommy Guns. Scheduled for an October release.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Peter Jackson's latest take on Tolkien doesn't arrive until December, but the lines are probably forming now, so invest in a snug sleeping bag and a comfy camping chair. The movie stars Martin Freeman (Sherlock, Hot Fuzz) as Bilbo Baggins who journeys to reclaim a stolen treasure. You don't have to be a sci-fi or fantasy "fan boy" to enjoy the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. Jackson has made them accessible and entertaining for us all. This film certainly will be remembered as a classic, just as the Lord of the Rings series before it.

Django Unchained – Two words: Quentin Tarantino. Two more words: Leonardo DiCaprio. Need to know more? Okay. Tarantino returns to action (finally) with this period action thriller about a slave-turned-bounty hunter (Jamie Foxx) who sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (DiCaprio). You just know this is going to epic. And yes, Samuel L Jackson makes an appearance. Look for this one in theaters in December as well. What a month that is going to be!

FirstCom Makes Beautiful Music with DJ Skee

FirstCom Music, a leading provider of production music services, has added Build Destroy Music (BDM) into The Chronicles Of Hip-Hop catalog. BDM, created and produced by DJ Skee, is a hybrid music company featuring up-and-coming musicians, songwriters, and producers. It is designed to fill the demand for unencumbered, cutting-edge, original music for TV, commercials, films and video games.

According to FirstCom, by leveraging its sister company, SKEE.TV and its founder DJ Skee, BDM looks to capitalize off of the brands’ built-in network – a network with more than 400 million impressions to date via video and radio content. “Skee has created a mecca for the freshest, newest talent anywhere around with BDM, and we are excited to have this incredible talent pool producing for Chronicles of Hip-Hop,” says Ken Nelson, Sr. VP/executive producer for FirstCom Music.

“As a regular consultant for artists, labels and brands, Skee is an industry icon and has a unique perception and ability to create innovative content," Nelson continued. "We look forward to collaborating with him and his group as the top resource for Urban and Pop music for editors, producers and music supervisors.”

In addition to being one of the highest regarded DJ’s in the world, DJ Skee has four Sirius/XM radio shows, a show on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, a leading media marketing and online entertainment company in SKEE.TV and was named to Billboard Magazine’s coveted “30 Under 30” industry Power Players. The multi-hybrid music mogul launched the SKEE.TV platform in 2007 and has quickly built it into one of the most successful producers of original content and marketing initiatives on the web, orchestrating campaigns for Fortune 500 companies including Daimler-Chrysler and T-Mobile, as well as producing some of the most viewed music videos of all time from artists such as Far East Movement, New Boyz, Soulja Boy Tell Em, Chris Cornell and The Game.

Holiday Classics

For many of us, one of the great pleasures of the holiday season is watching our favorite Christmas movies and TV specials. Just like the holidays themselves, these shows and films spark childhood memories of innocent times when our only cares were what would be waiting for us under the tree on Christmas morning, or which of our favorite cousins would be waiting for us at our grandparents' house when we arrived for the annual holiday meal.

Like me, it likely was in your grandparents' living room where you watched many of these holiday classics – such as It's a Wonderful Life or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – for the first time. Thus, we have a great deal of affection for these classics (which is why they are referred to as classics in the first place) and tend to make them holiday traditions with our own children. My personal favorites tend to be animated, such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. But thinking about these old standards this year has me wondering, are there any "new classics" out there? Are there any recently produced Christmas movies or TV specials that will earn a place among the holiday classics?

Every year there is a new crop of holiday programming and new films in theaters, but can you think of any that deserve to be called classics? The movie, Elf, is funny and airs on TV quite often this time of year, but it's not heart-warming enough to become a classic. Home Alone is much-loved, but again, can one consider it classic? I, for one, cannot. I think Tim Burton has come the closest to producing a new classic with The Nightmare Before Christmas. (Burton wrote and produced the film, which was directed by Henry Selick.) Close, but no cigar, as the saying goes. Don't get me wrong; I adore this claymation film, but I don't anticipate watching it every December. Perhaps there is a younger crowd out there that does.

On television, some more recent programming has tried to acknowledge older TV classics, such as Rudolph, with old-school style animated programs, though they tend to do so with a sense of humor. Last year's Community (NBC) holiday episode (pictured) and the recent holiday episode of Eureka (Syfy) spring to mind. Both shows were quite funny, especially if you're familiar with the material that is being lampooned, but they're certainly not destined to become classics.

So, what are your favorite holiday shows and movies? Please share your memories and family traditions with us.

About the image: Community (NBC) Christmas episode, Dec. 2010. Image courtesy of Eden FX. Originally appeared in Markee Nov/Dec 2010 issue.

TV Documentary Depicts the Prohibition Era Experience in South Florida

Premiering Nov. 4, 2011 at 9 p.m. on South Florida’s PBS Station WLRN Channel 17, Prohibition and the South Florida Connection – a WLRN original production by local filmmaker Steve Waxman – tells the notorious tales of the seedy, seductive and often scandalous side of the Sunshine State during the 1920s.

For many, the Prohibition Era conjures up images of some of America’s most infamous criminals from New York, New Jersey and Chicago: Bugs Moran, Meyer Lansky and Al Capone. Yet few realize the prominent role South Florida and its Caribbean neighbors played in the transportation of illegal booze into the United States during this era.

Filling the demand for alcohol were a host of bootleggers and rum runners transcending both gender and racial lines. Suave and sophisticated men, such as Bill McCoy and Cracker Johnson, who along with their savvy female contemporaries, Gertrude Lythgoe and Marie Waite, all relied on their wits and bravado to amass sometimes fleeting fortunes that often were fraught with risks and danger. Pirates, illicit still makers, an unmotivated local police force, along with an undermanned but determined Coast Guard, all added to an intoxicating South Florida cocktail of peril, profits and corruption.

Filmed in an intimate style with telling photographs, obscure footage, vivid recreations, and a lively soundtrack, Prohibition and the South Florida Connection, reveals yet another fascinating and intriguing chapter in Florida’s colorful past.

Additional broadcasts:
Sunday, November 6 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 10 at 10 p.m.
Tuesday, November 15 at 10 p.m.

About Steve Waxman:
Steve Waxman began his career in broadcast journalism in radio in 1981 when he created “WaxTrax,” a very successful weekly album review show in Arizona. Moving into TV in 1993, he has written and produced programming for a variety of national syndicated shows such as Travel Log, Business Today, American Journal, Inside Edition, and Fox Sports. He also received a segment producing credit for a VH1 documentary on Michael Jackson. Waxman’s documentary writing and producing credits include the PBS aired programs: Great Entrepreneurs, Generations in the Sun, and Israel Forgotten Heroes, which won an Emmy in 1999.