Netflix series “House of Cards” will stay in Maryland

image by IMDb.com

image by The Hollywood Reporter

image by Governor.Maryland.gov

Through an article published by The Hollywood Reporter, their sources say that an agreement has been reached between producers of the Netflix series “House of Cards” (HOC) and Maryland Governor Martin O’ Malley within several negotiations.

Because of state politician term limits, this term will be O’ Malley’s last one, he has chosen the act of saving HOC from leaving Maryland as one of his last acts as Governor.

The Hollywood Reporters sources also say that O’ Malley has been a strong supporter of efforts to keep the series shooting in Maryland.

Media Rights Capital (MRC) is the company that produces HOC and they have sought to receive $15 million in tax incentives for their third season but will now receive $11.5 million through the comprise that was made between MRC and O’ Malley.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that while $4 million will be the actual tax incentive, $7.5 million will come from grants authorized to be taken from the 2015 fiscal year budget.

“‘House of Cards’ is the gift that keeps on giving, having injected hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy while also helping to provide thousands of jobs to our Maryland community,” commented Asif Satchu, co-CEO of MRC, to The Hollywood Reporter. “We are very grateful to both Governor O’Malley for his tireless efforts to help keep jobs in Maryland and the leadership of the general assembly for their continued advocacy and support.”

Governor O’ Malley gave some comments on this entire situation on his blog.

“Spoiler alert: We’re going to keep the 3,700 jobs and more than 100 million dollars of economic activity and investment that House of Cards generates right here in Maryland,” O’Malley said on his blog. “Media Rights Capital has been a great supporter of the people and entertainment community in Maryland, and we couldn’t be happier to continue our partnership.”

The delayed production of HOC will soon resume this summer.

I, personally, am so excited for Hoc to stay here in Maryland. It gives me an excuse to go hunting to meet celebrities. I would love to meet Kevin Spacey and thank him for his work in Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty.”

It’s also a great way to promote the state of Maryland. I love when Maryland get recognized.

What are your thoughts on HOC staying in Maryland? Are you happy about it? Or not?

Who here has binge watched HOC?

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New Towson Movie Theater to open in Summer 2014

This past weekend, I had the privilege of visiting one of Maryland’s most popular (mainstream) theater. As part of Maryland’s top hot spot, Cinemark Egyptian 24 theater is located in Hanover as part of Arundel Mills mall which is located next to the newly built Live! Casino.

But as for the Cinemark in Hanover, I usually work there as a crew employee during the summer and winter seasons when I am out of school. But for right now as I am living on campus at Towson University during the spring and fall semesters and as I am without a car, I am not working with a flowing income. But that will all change coming this Fall 2014 semester.

At and around where the Towson Commons currently stands on the corner of York Road and Pennsylvania Avenue at the Towson circle near the Towson Town Center, a new Cinemark theater will soon have its grand opening this summer 2014, predicting to be the new hot spot for all Towson University students for movie nights and employment opportunities.

“Big screen movies are coming back to downtown Towson in a big way, and we are really thrilled to welcome Cinemark to Towson,” said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz at a conference in Towson’s historic courthouse, covered by Towson Patch. “It’s really a great coup for Cinemark to come to Towson and offer that quality product to the entire region.”

The new theater is said to include 16 wall-to-wall screens and 3,200 stadium-style seats, along with a high-end X.D. Extreme Digital Auditorium.

“Cinemark Marketing Director Bryan Jeffries said the number of screens will allow the theater to screen blockbusters alongside independent films, Ultimate Fighting Championship fights, opera performances and other fare,” according to Towson Patch.

So what does this say for the competition between all the theaters within the Baltimore/Towson area? What will happen to theaters such as Regal Hunt Valley, the Senator or the raved Charles?

My opinion is that there will be no changes to the surrounding theaters. Regal Hunt Valley may see a decline in clientele just because I know that most Towson U students say they go there. But begin historically beloved theaters, I see no drop in popularity with the Senator or the Charles.

As for me, I already have the opportunity of transferring from my home theater in Hanover to the new Towson theater when I come back to school in the fall when the theater is already up and running.

The management for the new theater is already housed in Towson connecting the nuts and bolts for the upcoming theater, including looking for potential, loyal and hard-working employees.

If you would like to find out about how to get an interview with the General Manager of the new theater, please contact me through my twitter.

Here is a list of other Cinemark openings that will occur in the future.

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Towson University sends a message of individuality and diversity at this year’s WAMM Film Festival

The entrance to WAMM

Lucas Cullen (Stevenson University class of 2013 (left)) and Jose Diaz (T.U. junior (right))

Van Bokkelen room 204 was the location for WAMM 2014.

It wasn’t exactly a full house but it was pretty packed.

This is me with Matthew Vandyke, a film director who chose of speak on behalf of his screen film “Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution.”

After the festival’s conclusion, I had someone snap a pic of me and a friend.

 

To shed light on some of the local women and minority film directors, a local university holds an annual film festival just for that purpose.

The Towson University 7^th annual WAMM (Women And Minorities in Media) film festival took place from Thursday, April 3, 2014 to Saturday, April 5, 2014.

On Friday’s section of the festival, ten diverse types of motion pictures were shown. Some were animation pictures, some were live-action narratives, some were documentaries and one was a music video.

All of these motion pictures had some sort of special message or tribute towards women, minorities or even female minorities.

A film that really stood out was entitled “Tryouts.” This nearly 14-minute professionally made narrative told the story of a female Muslim high school student, Nayla, who has been practicing hard with her friends to make it on the cheering team.

But after giving it her all as she tried out with her friends, the cheering tryout judges said that Nayla could not wear her religiously worn Hijab (head dress) during the cheering practices or events.

After being picked on by bystanding students, being rejected by her cheer friends and not being allowed by her mother to cheer without her hijab, Nayla thought of a brilliant and clever plan to make everyone happy.

Nayla decided to shave her head. This would allow her freedom of not having to wear a hijab, since she had no hair. The last shot of the last scene in this film is of the cheering committee, who rejected Nayla, looking at her bald head as Nayla takes off her hijab.

Festival director Elsa Lankford has been the festival director for seven years.

“I try to take what works each year and build on it,” Lankford said. “A big part of that is marketing and branding the festival – and making it an enjoyable, fun, learning experience.”

At this year’s WAMM fest, there was a special appearance by one of the film’s directors.

Matthew Vandyke directed the film entitled “Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution,” he attended the festival and was asked to come up in front of the audience to answer questions and speak about his film, which is about the current Syrian civil war which first began on March 15, 2011.

Vandyke also discussed an issue he had with budgeting.

A good way for Lankford to hear about the success of the festival is people talking about their favorite films.

“I usually get comments about how eclectic and diverse the programming is, in a really good way,” Lankford said. “People laugh and cry, and people are coming back each year.”

Lankford also notes the festival’s main point and overall message, something that she hoped left with the audience.

“The main point of WAMM is that the right now, media production is not diverse – in age, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.,” Lankford said. “Each film will have a specific message – but the overall message is the power of an individual’s voice in media to entertain and to educate.”

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