A Media Collection Of Beacon Features In The News

By Yvonne De Salle

Beacon is one of those little cities that might remind you of that one kid in high school: quiet, effortlessly cool, and always recycling. Over the years, Beacon has been assigned some nicknames (that Beaconites may or may not accept), including “The Tree City” (well, that was an actual designation), Brooklyn North (Gawd, no), and NoBro (worse… that’s way worse).

Nestled in the majestic sprawl that is the beautiful Hudson Valley, Beacon’s renaissance has not gone unnoticed. Beacon has had a series of high-profile mentions in national publications over the past few years. What follows below are some of the more notable commendations Beacon has received. As more get published, we will add to this list so that you can find them in one easy place. If you or your business got great press that included being in Beacon, and it’s not on this list (yet), let us know about it.

PS: If you’re reading these and thinking: “Gosh, my business could have been featured here!” then you’re right! Tin Shingle, a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog and our sister media company, agrees with you. Tin Shingle has an interactive Buzz Building Membership Program that teaches you how to pitch the media to make this happen. Just because the media says something is the best, doesn’t mean that they know about your business yet - so you should go out and pitch them! Just like several of these businesses have.

Travel + Leisure
A feature on Dia:Beacon. The contemporary art museum, which opened in 2003, was the springboard to Beacon’s revitalization. Travel + Leisure Magazine covers the artistic creation.
Read it here

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Parade
Parade Magazine refers to Beacon as “the Hudson Valley’s most exciting gem.”
Read it here

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Vogue
The Inn and Spa at Beacon gets a sweet review by none other than Vogue magazine. Vogue, you guysss…
Read it here

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Food & Wine

The illustrious Food & Wine magazine covers one of Beacon’s newest and most delicious eateries, Meyer’s Olde Dutch Food & Such.
Read it here

Food & Wine (again!)

Who knows food and wine better than Food & Wine? And who knows wine better than Artisan Wine Shop?
Read it here

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Budget Travel

Budget Travel names Beacon the NUMBER ONE coolest small town in America. Our eclectic and free-spirited vibe, combined with our spirit of community and delicious food, are things that stood out.
Read it here

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USA Today
The Hudson Valley Brewery nabs a mention in USA Today.
Read it here

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Cleveland.com

Beacon’s own Lenny Torres is signed to the Cleveland Indians, their third pick in the June baseball draft. A reward after years of hard work.

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REFINERY29
Media and Entertainment website Refinery29 sheds light on Dia:Beacon as part of their roundup of day trips around New York City.
Read it here

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The New York Times
The Roundhouse gets a lovely review from The New York Times.
Read it here

The New York Times (again!)
Beacon receives a real estate-based feature.
Read it here

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Business Insider
Kitchen Sink Food & Drink (same owners/brains as Meyer’s Olde Dutch mentioned above) and The Roundhouse are mentioned as two of the best restaurants in the Hudson Valley.
Read it here

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The Travel Channel
The lucky journalist who spent 48 hours in Beacon had such lovely things to say. Those of you who’ve spent 48 years here are even luckier.
Read it here

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Condé Nast Traveler
An oldie but a goodie. 10 Things to do in Beacon!
Read it here

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Los Angeles Times
TBS’ comedy “People of Earth” was based in Beacon. They renamed Verplanck Ave. VANDERPLANK, ha ha.
Read it here

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House Hunters - HGTV
Former NYC house hunters, Richard Blakeley and his wife Lindsay Kaplan (as in the daughter of Richie Kaplan, co-owner of Max’s on Main), were looking to buy a home in Beacon and leave NYC. According to the episode’s premise: “She'd love a sprawling white farmhouse, but he loves Beacon's vintage charm and prefers a historic Queen Anne Victorian.” It’s a great episode!
Watch it here

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Boston Herald
Boston native John Krasinski picks Beacon’s own Natural Market to film the opening scene of the blockbuster hit movie “A Quiet Place.”
Read it here

There are more press mentions out there… If you don’t see it here, send it to us!

Beacon Independent Film Festival Is Back After Hiatus

The idea for the Beacon Independent Film Festival (BIFF) was born in the winter of 2012. It kicked off with success the following year. Terry Nelson, founder of BIFF, sought to create a local experience involving his love for film and community. “We started in 2013 as a small festival that placed an emphasis on the films and the filmmakers,” he told A Little Beacon Blog. “It was never about getting celebrities to show up. My intent was to create an atmosphere that was inviting to the average moviegoer and did not cost an arm and a leg.”

Terry’s connection to the film industry includes working in television post-production for 25 years as a videotape operator, scheduler, editor and assistant operations manager for various facilities. His vision for BIFF placed an emphasis on the films and filmmakers.

He accomplished the creation of a humble atmosphere, inviting and affordable to the average moviegoer; assisting was his team, consisting of Maureen Neary, Deana Morenoff and several dedicated volunteers. The Beacon Independent Film Festival did not originally lean toward a particular genre or theme, but diversity was highlighted when choosing a film. For instance, one year, nearly 90 percent of the selected screenings were created or produced by women in film.

Beacon Independent Film Festival Returns This Saturday - New Location

The Beacon Independent Film Festival started at the Settlement Camp with an outdoor experience, then it went on hiatus. Terry has made a “safe passing of the torch” to new organizers, including Diana Currie, so that it can return for a mini experience this Saturday at Story Screen Beacon, the theater on Main Street.

Aptly titled “BIFF 5.5”, this experience will be an introduction to the new interaction of BIFF. Diana is a local artist, with experience as a program director and event organizer (including Beacon fave Windows on Main Street).

The mini festival is a fundraiser for the highly anticipated launch of BIFF’s Year 6, which will happen in June 2020. Donations can be made through BeaconArts. The launch will be acknowledged through upcoming events leading to the expected date, we are told. The selected films in this year’s mini-festival are mainly documentary, with an unintentional motif of collaboration and community.

Selected films include:

• The Movie House on Main Street: A single-screen theater, family-owned for 60 years, struggles to survive in a digital world.

• This Is Home: Follows four Muslim families of Syrian refugees sent to resettle in Baltimore in 2016, with an eight-month deadline to become self-sufficient with jobs and learning English. Winner of the 2018 Sundance Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary.

• Hudson River Stories: A trio of short films by filmmaker and environmentalist Jon Bowermaster, titles include “Undamming the Hudson,” “A Pipeline Runs Through It,” and “A Living River.”

• The Yuge Nasty, January ’17: A view of the juxtaposition of the inauguration of Donald Trump and the Women’s March the following day.

BIFF continuously strives to showcase films from a multitude of backgrounds. Information on how to submit films will be released on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

More information about the festival can be found through the brand-new website.

Adams Fair Acre Farms' Chicken Cacciatore To Maybe Debut In HBO Mark Ruffalo Limited Series

The news first broke over at NOW 97.7 in their app’s news stream (and on lots of people’s Facebooks): the HBO limited series I Know This Much Is True, based on a novel by Wally Lamb and starring Mark Ruffalo, ordered up the chicken cacciatore from Adams Fair Acre Farms with plans to include it in a scene. Adams is a bucolic grocery store and nursery in the Hudson Valley with several locations, sourcing much of its stock from local farms and bakeries.

This isn’t the first time the HBO series has used a location in the Hudson Valley. Among others, I Know This Much Is True was at All Sport in Fishkill for a 12-hour film shoot.

I Know This Much Is True is a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers (played by Mark Ruffalo) in a story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th-century America. Mark is also the executive producer, serving alongside the writer and director Derek Cianfrance. Mark also lives in the Hudson Valley (because who wouldn’t want to?!) Read more about the show here at HBO.

“Our chicken cacciatore will likely make its on-screen debut during a cooking scene set in the 1930s, according to a crew member,” said the Adams Facebook Page. The grocery store shared the news on its Facebook page, and even included the recipe! Find it at the FB page, or right here:

Chicken Cacciatore (Serves 2)
- 2 Chicken Thighs (Skin-On, Bone-In)
- 2 Chicken Drumsticks
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- ½ Yellow Onion, sliced
- 1 small Red Bell Pepper, sliced
- 8 Crimini Mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 5 sprigs Fresh Thyme
- ½ cup White Wine
- 1 14-ounce can of Diced Tomatoes
- 2 sprigs Fresh Oregano, picked and chopped
- 2 tablespoons Capers, drained

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Heat oil in an oven-proof braising pan over medium heat.
3. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and lightly coat with flour.
4. Brown the chicken on all sides in the oil, then remove from the pan. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the oil.
5. Add the onions, peppers and mushrooms to the pan and sauté until the vegetables are soft.
6. Add the garlic and thyme and sauté for 1 minute longer.
7. Deglaze the pan with the white wine and simmer for 2 minutes.
8. Add the tomatoes and bring the sauce to a simmer.
9. Return the chicken to the pan, skin side up. Cover and place in the preheated oven.
10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
11. Stir in oregano and capers. Serve over pasta or polenta.

Drive-In Movie Theaters Still Open This Summer Through September!

Sunny days are storming into cool nights as summer seeps into September. School will soon begin, work schedules will fill up, weekend plans may be a little harder to make. Drive-in movie theaters provide an easygoing mode of entertainment to ease the transition of summer break into a fall state of mind, especially since most theaters are open rain or shine until mid-September. If you are looking for an evening of nostalgia from the glow of the silver screen, a whimsical summer night with starry lights and blankets on the plush grass, or a breezy family night, cruise around the Hudson Valley to spend an evening at one of these eight locations before summer slips away.

Overlook Drive-In

Poughkeepsie, 30 minutes, 18 miles from Beacon

Photo credit: overlook drive-in

Located in Poughkeepsie, Overlook Drive-In proudly offers a screen about the size of a six-story building, the largest in the tri-state area. Opened in 1955, Overlook hosts 750 cars to view their double-feature movies. Classic movie theater snacks such as popcorn and candy are sold here, along with pizza, hot dogs, and burgers. In addition to the massive screen, the freshly made funnel cakes set Overlook apart from the other drive-in movie theaters. Adults pay $10, children ages 5-11 pay $7, and kids under 5 are free. If you are able to make it to Monday Bargain night, everyone pays $7 for a ticket.

Hyde Park Drive-In

Hyde Park, 35 minutes, 21 miles from Beacon

photo credit: hyde park drive-thru

If you are looking for a simple setting, this is the place. Hyde Park Drive-In consistently screens recent releases, accommodates around 670 cars in this pet-friendly location, and offers fried dough and cappuccinos, in addition to fast food and theater snacks. Bargain night is Tuesday night, when all tickets are at times reduced to $7.

Four Brothers Drive-In

Amenia, 50 minutes, 45 miles from Beacon

photo credit: four brothers drive-in

Established in 2014, this ’60s themed drive-in provides a modern yet whimsical aesthetic. General admission is set at $11, seniors pay $8, children 5-10 pay $6, and children under 5 are free. Four Brothers has a playground, mini-golf course and a hotel on site. Movies are centered around family-friendly content, ranging from comedy to drama, with the occasional cultural indie film. Their grounds boast a lively atmosphere, a wheelchair accessible park, and a communal litter box for the welcomed pets. The elaborate menu goes beyond the classics and dives into innovative, including hand-spun shakes with flavors such as baklava or wine, grilled burgers that go beyond beef to include salmon or veggie options, and paw treats for pets. I could probably write a separate piece on the menu alone.

Warwick Drive-In

Warwick (Orange County), 50 minutes, 41 miles from Beacon

photo credit: warwick drive-in

Open seven nights a week with three screens, this rustic setting plays recent releases. First opened in 1950, this drive-in serves usual theater snacks and fast food, most notably their popcorn chicken. Adults ages 12 and up pay $12, children 4-11 and seniors are $8, and children under 4 are free.

Hi-Way Drive-In

Coxsackie (Greene County), 1 hour, 68 miles from Beacon

photo credit: hi-way drive-in

Open seven nights a week since 1951, four screens showcase a different double feature every night. Offering only a classic snack bar, this location plays recent releases. Admission is set at $10 for adults, $5 for children 3-11, and free for kids under 3.

Greenville Drive-In & Beer Garden

Greenville (Greene County), 1 hour 18 minutes, 77 miles from Beacon

photo credit: greenville drive-in & beer garden

In business since 1959, this drive-in leans toward playing independent films, shorts, community works and the occasional classic. Locally produced beer, wine, and spirits are served here. Occasionally, drinks are coordinated to theme with the scheduled film, such as a kryptonite drink for the Superman movie. Outdoor seating provides a stage for live music, and the snack bar includes potato skins, ice cream and locally made popsicles.

Hollywood Drive-In

Averill Park (Rensselaer County), 1 hour 41 minutes, 102 miles from Beacon

Photo Credit: Hollywood Drive-In

Look out for random free passes at the bottom of your popcorn boxes at this charming drive-in. First opened in 1952, the Hollywood Drive-In plays a double feature seven nights a week. Crunch on nachos and pizza as recent Hollywood releases flicker across the silver screen. General admission for adults is $10, kids pay $5.

Jericho Drive-In

Glenmont (Albany County), 1 hour 25 minutes, 87 miles from Beacon

Photo Credit: Jericho Drive-In

Jericho Drive-In provides an old-time feel but plays recent releases. Pets are welcome - bring your pup on Sundays after 6 pm to receive a free Doggie Vanilla treat. An on-site ice cream shop sells fun flavors such as s'mores or Raspberry Rumble, a heavenly blend of raspberry swirls and truffles. Classic snacks and fast food are available, ranging from mozzarella sticks to popcorn and slushies. Adults pay $10, kids $5. Oh, and be sure to save your ticket stubs for a prize at the door!

HBO Series "I Know This Much Is True" Films In All Sport In Fishkill

Photo Credit: All Sport

This summer, on June 4, 2019, the HBO limited series, I Know This Much Is True, based on a novel by Wally Lamb and starring Mark Ruffulo, filmed at All Sport, the fitness center, in Fishkill off Route 9.

I Know This Much Is True is a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers (played by Mark Ruffalo) in a story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th-century America. Mark is also the executive producer, serving alongside the writer and director Derek Cianfrance. The storyline follows middle-aged Dominick Birdsey who recounts his troubled relationship with Thomas, his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother, and his efforts to get him release from an asylum.

Regularity of film location opportunities is new to the Hudson Valley. Businesses such as All Sport are making their customers a priority as they work to also accept the opportunity of being a film location. According to a press release from All Sport, the shoot lasted for 12 hours. During that time, All Sport offered their members 2 off-site alternative morning workouts, complimentary classes at Elevate Yoga and Barre Studio (before it was folded into All Sport’s flagship location), and re-opened the club at 5pm to allow for evening workouts.

If you are thinking about making your property available as a location for film or TV shoots, read A Little Beacon Blog’s interview with a NYC Locations Manager about what to be aware of when negotiating your rate and contract.

I Know This Much Is True is set to air on HBO in 2020.

Newburgh Native Screens Locally Made Indie Film "Myth" At Towne Crier

Photo Credit: Brian DiLorenzo

Did you see these indie filmmakers at any point during the making of “Myth,” screening Thursday, June 6, at 7 pm in the big music room in the back at Towne Crier?

This crew was all over the Hudson Valley, including a driving shot on the road from Cold Spring to Peekskill, and another on a road off of Rock Cut Road in the Town of Newburgh, and another scene filmed at the Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston.

“Myth,” written and directed by Brian DiLorenzo, was a locally made production which gave aspiring young filmmakers the chance to come together to make a movie.

The Film Crew

Said Brian when A Little Beacon Blog inquired about where he found his crew: “Every single person was a great friend, mostly from the film program we all graduated from at C.W. Post College. We did however have a ton of family and hometown friends involved as well.

“My college roommate Dan Brady was our Director of Photography (DP), my friend Gia McKenna produced, and my buddy Dan Rodenhizer helped out as Assistant Director (AD).

It was a great ask - because I essentially had to ask people to ditch their paying jobs and come live with me in the woods for 10 days to make this thing happen. One of the guys, Richie Theodule, who ran our sound, didn't even know anyone before he joined our team! Now we're great friends.”

What’s The Movie About?

“Myth” details the exploits of a shady movie director (Nicholas Tucci, who can also be seen in Hulu’s original series “Ramy,” as well as the just-released psychological thriller “Long Lost”) and his devoted protégé (Justin Andrew Davis), as they embark on a chaotic new project, filled with intrigue and deceit at every turn. Actress Sadie Scott (can be seen on “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Crshd”) looks to be a breakout star as she just won Best Actress at the 2019 May Day Film Festival as the film makes its way through the festival circuit.

Glimpse Into The Low (Low, Super Low) Budget Film World

Being that this was a young filmmaking team, A Little Beacon Blog inquired with Brian the Director about the budget, as our readers like to know how things work:

“We were extremely low budget! In the indie film world, there are all these different tiers that span from a project like ours, all the way to something like ‘Garden State’ or ‘Little Miss Sunshine.’ In terms of ‘low-budget,’ SAGIndie defines it as between $650K to $2 million, ‘low-budget modified’ between $200K and $650K, ULTRA-low budget for films between $50K and $200K. We get our own special category, which is sometimes known as either "micro-budget" or "no-budget filmmaking." In terms of my own budget, between about seven credit cards, we were around $35K!”

Want To Be A Location For A Film?

Large- and small-budget movies from all over are filming in the Hudson Valley. A reader of A Little Beacon Blog wrote in to ask about Beacon’s permits, and about renting a house out in general - as a homeowner - to a film crew. We interviewed a Location Manager to discover some of the ins and outs you’ll want to know about as you negotiate your rate with the production company. Click here to get that article.

Reader Question: “Do You Know About Renting Your House Out As A Location? And The Permits Involved In That?"

Pictured here is the crew shooting a scene for the first “Super Troopers” movie, when it used the Telephone Building as a location.
Photo Credit: Deborah Bigelow, owner of the Telephone Building at 291 Main Street, Beacon, NY

One evening, a reader wrote in with a question, having read one of our articles about filming in Beacon. My husband, David Martin, is a Location Manager for film and television. Mainly his work is in New York City, but the sphere of filming has been expanding to out here in the Hudson Valley. Dutchess Tourism has been promoting this area to film productions for years, and CineHub also works with film production companies looking to film in the area, to help them make the production a little easier.

Below is an interview with David the Locations Manager to gather some tips about renting out your home to a film crew to be used as a location:

Q: What should I charge to rent out my house as a film location?

A: The location fee - which is for the use of your home - just depends on what you’re willing to allow. The fee will include Prep Day(s), Shoot Day(s), Wrap Day(s). Several days could fall into Prep, Shoot, or Wrap Days. It all depends on what the production needs to do, and what their budget is. A full Shoot Day is 12 to 14 hours on average. You should be asking for more money for the Shoot Day, as those days are more involved with what the crew needs to do.

Wrap Days (aka Restoration Days) include putting your house back together the way that it was. You’ll want to consider to what extent you want the film production to do this. For example: are they painting a room in your house a different color? Do you like that color? Or do you want it back the way it was? You could even speak to the Production Designer to possibly find a new color that works for you and the movie or TV show. It’s a win/win. The production saves on labor and materials, and the homeowner gets a new paint job. It doesn’t always work out that way, however.

The amount of the fee is an arbitrary number. They are basically paying you for the disruption to your home and your life. How much is that disruption worth to you? If it’s big-budget production, you’ll probably get a larger fee. If it’s a smaller-budget production, it may be a smaller fee just because of budget constraints on the production.

Q: How can I arrive at a good location fee?

A: Always break the fee down by:

• How many Prep Days they need to make your home look like what they need it to look like.

• How many Shoot Days - which is a much larger disruption. You can stay in your home, but depending on what they are doing, the production may want to put you up in a hotel. For example: filming in your bedroom, or shooting very late into the night and you don’t want to stay up that late.

• Typically Prep and Wrap Day fees are much less than the Shooting Day fees.

Q: Should these “type of day” fees be spelled out in the contract?

A: Yes. In the terms listed in the contract, the fees will be, or should be, spelled out. So much money for the Shoot Days, and how many hours that covers. And even for those hourly breakdowns on the type of day, that is part of your negotiations as well.

The production might be able to shoot the space as-is, and not need full Prep Day. It will always be different. Don’t do anything without a contract that spells this all out.

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: Don’t do anything without insurance. The production company will have insurance for the homeowner or business owner for filming on their property. Unless it’s a student film. The City of Beacon’s permits require proof of insurance before they even consider issuing the permit.

Q: Are Beacon’s permits to film expensive or restrictive?

A: For me - in a larger production - Beacon’s fees are fine. For an independent film with a lower budget, that fee may be more difficult to sustain if they are filming for a period of days. Read more about how director Brian DiLorenzo was able to film his movie “Myth” on a super-low budget.

Keep in mind, it is the film production company who would pay the permit fee.

You can find Beacon’s fees here. These fees will allow the production to park on the town streets, obstruct the sidewalks with equipment, or film a “walk and talk.”

The City of Beacon has based their film permits on the type of film, and whether filming takes place on private or public property:

Photo Credit: Screenshot of the PDF of film permit fees from the City Of Beacon as of June 5, 2019.

Q: Who makes the decision on where to film? Is it up to a scout? A director? A writer?

All of them. Everyone. The Scout in the Locations Department will have their mission to find a certain type of look for a location. A certain type of exterior, interior, etc. The Scout will check first with the homeowner to see if the homeowner is OK with filming. If a homeowner is interested, the Scout will take pictures.

The Scout will show these pictures to the Production Designer who gives each location its look. If the Production Designer likes the pictures, the location pictures will be shown to the Director or the Creator of the show/film.

From there, there are all kinds of variables, like:

• Is the location available the day they want to shoot?

• Can they afford the location?

• Is the town a film-friendly town?

All of these factors come into play. If they do come to shoot the movie or TV show, the logistics will be worked out, like where to park the equipment trucks. The Locations Department will work with the city or town to see where the production will be allowed park their trucks.

Trucks include anchors like the Hair and Makeup truck, the camera Truck. There are typically always these four trucks: Grip, Electric, Camera, Props.

Then you’ll have campers for the actors, Hair and Makeup, Wardrobe, Catering, etc., depending on the size of the production. Typically they want to park as close as possible to the filming location. The Locations Department will work with the city to coordinate this parking.

If you do take an opportunity to rent out your home for filming, hopefully at the end of the day you will have enjoyed the experience. If done right between the town, the production, and the home or business owner, you might want to do it again. Keep communications open to keep things running smoothly.

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Reel Life Film Club Presents: "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song"

The Reel Life Film Club for tweens and teens returns to Beacon on Friday, January 11, at 6 pm. The Howland Public Library will be screening the film, Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, a documentary about the life and music of folk singer, activist, and local hero, Pete Seeger. 

Q&A with David Berns & Jeff Haynes

After the film, there will be a Q&A with Grammy Award winners David Bernz and Jeff Haynes. David worked with Pete Seeger for many years producing his CDs, including the 2010 Grammy Award-winning Tomorrow's Children with the Rivertown Kids and Friends. David is also the co-owner (with his son, Jake) of Jake’s Main Street Music. Jeff Haynes collaborated with Seeger on his last project, the spoken-word record The Storm King, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013. David Gelber, creator of the docuseries Years of Living Dangerously, will moderate the discussion. 

What Is Reel Life Film Club?

Reel Life Film Club is an opportunity for middle-school students to view award-winning documentary films and talk about them with inspiring people. Now in its third year, the film series is a collaboration between the Beacon, Cold Spring and Garrison public libraries. A new film is shown each month, rotating among the three locations. 

All students in grades 6 and up are invited to the screening. Pizza will be served at the event and registration is encouraged to ensure there is enough pizza for everyone. To register to attend the January 11 screening of The Power of Song, email community@beaconlibrary.org.

Lights! Camera! Action! Locations Wanted for Filming in Dutchess County

This just in from Dutchess Tourism!

Film production has been picking up in the Hudson Valley, with a new film production facility going up in Newburgh (as we discovered through this commercial/retail Real Estate listing, thanks to the tip from Sarah Beckham Hooff). CineHub in Beacon has been a great resource for filmmakers over the years. Residents of Beacon have already experienced film production. Now a wider range of businesses can get in on that call for “Action!” by serving as an amazing backdrop location to films and television shows filming in Dutchess County.

You and your business can get in on the fun and benefit from the filming boom that has hit the area. Dutchess Tourism provides film location assistance to location scouts and producers, and they are working to expand their database so they can respond more quickly to requests. The types of locations they seek span from homes and local businesses, to farms and warehouses.

You can be added to the recommendation list by filling out this film location form. Hosting a film or photo shoot can increase your exposure as well as provide some economic benefit. The Hudson Valley Film Commission has estimated that in 2017, the direct regional film spending was over $30 million.

You can learn more about the benefits of being a part of filming in New York State, such as earning tax credits, by clicking here.

Advice About Being A Location For A Film

Hey - it’s Katie from A Little Beacon Blog here, taking over this part of the article. While the fame and glory of having your home or business be in a film or television may be appealing, there are a few items you’ll want to be aware of as you negotiate your way through an experience. Disclaimer: My husband is a Location Manager, and I have worked as a Production Assistant on jobs, where I carried around a walkie-talkie and basically relayed messages and told people where the bathroom was. (The film production life wasn’t for me… the way-too-long hours were a deal-breaker.)

• The filmed part that your house or business is in may end up on the cutting room floor. The film production may have spent a ton of money on it, but for whatever reason, it got cut out.

• A “Union Production” can be a different ballgame than a production who doesn’t need to be union. This means that everyone in the film crew is in a union. It’s a “union job.” Members have to follow certain rules, and had to achieve certain milestones to get into that union. Pay scales may be different, and budgets may be different. To work with a job not in a union is fine, and may help a low-budget film production do some big things. It also helps people who aren’t in a union to get valuable experience.

• Insurance: The film job should have it! Should something go wrong in your home or business, the production company may pay you directly to have it fixed, or their insurance company may pay. The job should have insurance in case this happens. Wishing for damage? Like, are you hoping for a new wall for your kitchen, and crossing your fingers that some piece of crew equipment would ding it pretty badly? Bad idea. You really don’t want to deal with the back and forth - it’s not worth it!

• Check in with your neighbors. A film production gathering is a big deal. Sometimes they park on the street, sometimes they close a street. If it’s a night shot, there will be lights at night. You’ll want to talk to your neighbors to let them know if something will be going on.

• Everything is negotiable. Usually in New York City, if someone’s apartment is getting filmed in, the owners of the apartment get paid, and the building itself gets paid. Not that a Producer or a Location Manager would like to pay everyone, but it’s good to know that for inconvenience, a price could maybe be negotiated for others.

• Speaking of negotiation, read the contract. Know your contract well, and ask for things to be included in it that are important to you. Did they go past a filming date? Or an hourly end time? That should cost extra (them paying you). So, think of scenarios that might call for additional compensation, and ask questions.

• You’ll be tight with Locations and the Art Departments. The Art Department will be the ones messing up your place, and cleaning it up again. They should return it to the state they found it in. Again, this should not be viewed as a free way to get a new paint job. The Locations Department will be with you from the beginning, and possibly after the Art Department has left. The Locations Department will be the ones giving you the check, delivering the contract, and working with the Art Department to make sure things are done right - as you want them.

Read more about Filming in Beacon:

• “Homeland” Films At Key Food In Beacon for Episode 8, Season 6

• Movie Filmed on Main Street is by British Romance Novelist Katie Fforde to Air in Germany