It’s been a busy spring turning quickly into summer in Nebraska for film and media activities. Complementing a variety of local independent features and shorts, Omaha environs hosted locations for 3.5 days of filming for Alexander Payne’s current project, “Downsizing” in April. Other locations for the feature film from Paramount include Ontario, California, Pinewood Toronto Studios, Toronto, Canada, and Norway. The feature film from Paramount Pictures is scheduled for theatrical release in 2017.
The movie stars Matt Damon, Kristen Wigg, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris (who starred in a teli-movie 1994, “My Antonia” filmed on location in the Grand Island area) and a host of other fantastic actors. Nebraska provided several crew who were gamely employed, albeit for a short period of time on the “Downsizing” project. A number of extras were also part of the story as well as speaking roles from our local acting community. The story is characterized as a social satire centering around a man who realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself. The screenplay was written by writer/director Payne and his writing/producing partner, Jim Taylor who together have collaborated on many other films including Jurassic Park III, Citizen Ruth, Election, Sideways and About Schmidt.
Nebraska Independent Film Projects hosted a “Pitch Pit” in Lincoln in April. It was a well- attended event at Turbine Flats and we look forward to future events like this in both Lincoln and Omaha. http://nifp.org/pitch-pit-april-2016/
The Nebraska Film Association’s monthly networking events have brought many enthusiasts together this year with such local notables as Patty Dillon, filmmaker, “There Will Be No Stay,” Melanie Recker, “Dirges In The Dark,”The Man I Thought I Knew,” and, “Bush Pigs,” and, Omaha’s Adam DeVine’s mother, Penny shared with us the life and times of her Hollywood pop son, Adam DeVine and his rocket-like take-off in the industry. http://nebraskafilmassociation.com/nfa-updates/nfa-may-monthly-networking-event/
Nebraska’s independent film and media scene is exploding with development of features, shorts, documentaries and animation projects. For for information about what’s happening locally and beyond, check out these social media pages:
Nebraska Sreenwriter’s Forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1533309953593677/
Screenwriter’s Networking Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145170928866293/
Screenwriting Blogs, Interviews, & Advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1511632165767929/
Nebraska Actors and Actresses: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183022041897521/