---Hello Miller County---
The Southwest Georgia Film Commission Office,from the desk of Ralph Wilcox, Director

The Jokara-Micheaux Production Studio is buzzing with activity. The studio is located in the Miller County Industrial Park in Colquitt, Georgia, and it houses the Southwest Georgia Film Commission Office, Henny Penny Video/Television Production Company, and Schusters Cash, LLC. Not a slow day exists in either office.

Ralph Wilcox, who serves as the Southwest Georgia Film Commission director, markets 12 counties to the film and television industry by promoting Southwest Georgia's wonderful locations. He has demonstrated Southwest Georgia's readiness and willingness to accommodate production companies by shooting his first feature film, The Lena Baker Story, all in Southwest Georgia. Many production locations were in Miller, Baker (Patmos and Newton), and Early counties. Much of the talent and crew lodged in Mitchell, Seminole, Miller, Early, and Decatur counties, and a host of businesses in those counties were financial beneficiaries.

Southwest Georgia has many reasons to be proud of this achievement:

1. It is the first feature film to be shot in this region.

2. Wilcox received tremendous cooperation from the county residents and businesses.

3. Out of the budget that was raised for this project, more than one third of the budget was applied to employing over 60 residents and businesses in the Southwest Georgia region for a period of about six weeks.

4. The Lena Baker Production employed, not only local extras, but also hired at least four residents (Veryl Garland-Cockey, Lamar Perkins Jr., Ben Saponaro, and Bobby Dews) that will be featured in the movie if they do not wind up on the cutting-room floor, which may not be their fault.

Time and time again during the Lena Baker production, many of the outot town production crews commented on the unbelievable scenic locations and the hospitality that was shown to them, a few of whom just might become residents.

Laughing Crow Entertainment, LLC and Schusters Cash, LLC are proud to announce that The Lena Baker Story has been chosen as the premiere feature in the Atlanta Film Festival. This red carpet screening will take place at the Atlantic Station Theater. Visit the Atlanta Film Festival website at www.atlantafilmfestival. com. The Lena Baker Story is the first in a line of many projects that will be produced in the Southwest Georgia region.

Speaking of film festivals, the third annual Jokara- Micheaux Film Festival will be held August 28-31. A full day of events in Early, Miller, and Mitchell counties is being discussed. Preparation is underway. Wilcox is anticipating bringing in a star-studded host of celebrities this year which will include Tichina Arnold, Peter Coyote, Beverly Todd, and Michael Rooker, just to name a few. Tables are scheduled to go on sale soon. Refer to the Festival website at www. swgafestival.com for more information.

Henny Penny Video/Television Production training classes are in full swing with students from Bainbridge College, Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia, and Bishop Hall Chartered School which is located in Thomasville, Georgia. This semester students are training in various disciplines of the film and television industry: cameras, lights, sound, set construction, and hair and make-up. Editing classes are scheduled to begin later this month.

These students had a great opportunity to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired and are producing a marketing video for the upcoming 2010 Global Mural, Arts and Cultural Tourism Conference that will be held in Colquitt, Georgia. Joy Jinks, Karen Kimbrel and staff will be using the video around the world as a marketing tool to promote the upcoming events. What a wonderful opportunity for the students who were paid for their participation in setting up cameras and lights, operating boom mics, handling hair and make-up responsibilities, scheduling on-camera talent, and overseeing script logistics and editing.

As a result of small grants and a great deal of sweat equity by Wilcox and a devoted staff, students have been attending these classes free of charge. Henny Penny recently received a $50,000 grant through the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Entrepreneurial Grant for set construction classes and editing classes. "Every little grant helps and keeps the program alive," remarked Wilcox.

In cooperation with Flint River Arts Council, Henny Penny will produce a small project for Mitchell and Baker counties as a result of a small grant from the Grassroots Arts Program. Under this grant, a combination of eight acting classes will be taught. Four of the classes will be offered in Baker County at Baker County High School, and four will be offered in Mitchell County at Camilla Java. Please call Joe Soponaro at (229) 328-8009 dates and times. The classes are opened to students from other counties also. As a highlight of the classes, students will audition for and produce a 15 to 20 minute video project that will be filmed in three locations---Mitchell, Baker, and Miller---and of course using the Jokara-Micheaux Film Production Studios. The completed project will be screened at Camilla Java in late May or early June.

Cameras began rolling in October 2007 on The Lena Baker Story. There are several other projects slated for production 2008-2009. Wilcox has been back and forth in Los Angeles and is working on securing distribution for a 2008 theatrical release. Visit the Lena Baker website at www. lenabakerthemovie.com to view the trailer. In addition to promoting the project in California, Wilcox was also invited to be one of the hosts at the MovieGuide Awards Gala in February 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. He was honored to have the P& W Trio on stage with him. Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide, heard this group for the first time as they performed at the second annual Jokara Micheaux Film Festival in Colquitt, Georgia. As a result of an astonishing performance, Baehr invited them out with an all-expense paid trip to perform at the MovieGuide Awards Gala. Once again, Southwest Georgia was made proud.

On a final note, Wilcox is pleased to announce that Congressman Sanford Bishop, through the Appropriations Committee, has secured an additional grant that will allow Henny Penny to continue its training program throughout 2008. If you would like to participate in the Henny Penny training classes that are being offered at Jokara- Micheaux Production Studio, call (229) 758-8188. Your participation is welcomed.