With an eye to the forthcoming (March 20th) Montgomery College Theatre red carpet gala screening of winning films, the Woodlands Young Moviemakers program recently completed its 2004 professional workshops for students in screenwriting, production and editing. Many parents attended with their aspiring young filmmakers and actors. Bruce Northcut, who attended with his daughter, 6th grader, Natalie, commented, “My daughter and I really enjoyed each of the WYM workshops. From character development to sound and lighting, the program gives the kids a ‘behind-the-scenes’ opportunity to learn how movies are developed and then filmed. It was good quality father-daughter time.” One of the high school students, Nick Gately, wrote, “Watching the editing workshop, I thought how great it was for this professional to take the time and pass on just a few hours of his immense knowledge. I was amazed towards the end of the class that he even made himself accessible by giving us his phone number so we would be able to reach him if any troubles occurred during our movie-making process. This opportunity is like no other.”

WYM is a non-profit organization founded and operated by Frank Eakin of Papillon Productions. Eakin is an advisor to both the Houston Young Moviemakers competition, (which is sponsored by the Museum of Fine Arts – Houston), and to the organization of Women in Film & Television/Houston. In addition, he sits on the board of a prominent area youth theatre company, Class Act Productions, and is a member of numerous filmmaking organizations. He is a businessman and producer, and a member of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. He began his journey in independent filmmaking in 1985.

Papillon Productions is producing a kid’s feature film called “The Bracelet of Bordeaux” in the spring and summer, and about a half dozen WYM workshop students have been selected to serve in internships under professionals during production. Eakin said the film’s director, 20-year veteran Casey Kelly, intends to provide additional intern positions to some of the winning WYM entrants, and scout the acting talent for young actors. Auditions for the film, which will include hundreds of young extras, will be held in early 2005.

With prime sponsors including Woodlands Online, Silver Rock Productions, The Woodlands United Methodist Church, and Papillon Productions, the dreams of young filmmakers and actors are becoming reality. The objective is to provide inspiration, quality training, experience and a theatrical venue for those with a passion for filmmaking and film acting. With the help of professional volunteers, WYM hopes to create a new positive outlet for expression, and help area youngsters to use their God-given talents to realize their dreams.

For contest application forms and a complete list of contest rules, film categories, and other contest details, go to www.woodlandsonline.com and click on the front-page link to Woodlands Young Moviemakers, or on the Contests link. For area youth who may be interested in competing, Eakin states: “A two-minute film can be completed in a single weekend, perhaps over the Christmas holidays when all the beautiful lights are out and friends and family are in town, and available to serve as a potential cast and crew.” Eakin pointed out that there are many online resources that provide instruction in videography, such as www.diynet.com (type “Making Home Movies” in the Search Box). He added that one could find excellent sound effects at www.sounddogs.com and a variety of available music at www.smartsound.com.

E-mail contest inquiries may be addressed to: PapillonMovies@aol.com while postal inquiries may be addressed to:

4747 Research Forest Drive, Suite 180-332 c/o Frank Eakin (Papillon Productions) The Woodlands, TX 77381.

(The Villager    12.23.04)

(The Courier    12.26.04)