RIDGECREST FILM

 COMMISSION ON

 "LOCATIONS" 

(Ridgecrest)---The Ridgecrest Regional Film Commission (RRFC) attended the LOCATIONS 2005 film trade show in Santa Monica last week, pitching the 10,000 square miles in and around Ridgecrest to hundreds of location professionals. This was the 14^th consecutive year the RRFC has participated in LOCATIONS and Film Commissioner Ray Arthur is happy with the results, "This year's show had a strong turn out.  We distributed our material to over 300 industry people and we had 26 good meetings with folks interested in shooting in our area."

Arthur notes that of the 28 leads, he expects three or four to eventually become serious and one or two should result in future productions in the greater Ridgecrest area, "One three day commercial shoot from LOCATIONS will generate about $70,000 in local revenue, Arthur said.

Arthur is particularly excited about a feature film project that has been considering Ridgecrest for the past two years.  Writer, director, actor Hart Bochner stayed in Ridgecrest several weeks in 1997 while filming the movie BREAK UP with Bridget Fonda and Keifer Sutherland.  Bochner fell in love with the uniqueness of the town of Trona and wrote a movie script around it.  Location Scout Lori Balton and Arthur scouted Trona for Bochner nearly two years ago, but the project was put on

hold.  Last Saturday at LOCATIONS, Bochner walked into Arthur's booth and said, "Ridgecrest...Trona." 

Arthur responded "Hart Bochner...TRONA."  The two, along with producer Clifford Werber discussed when and how TRONA will be shot.

Arthur said he also received dozens of comments concerning the wildflowers.  And while the "once in a century" wildflower season has provided an economic boon to the tourism related businesses, it cost local film revenue an estimated $1.2 million due to flooded locations like Cuddeback Dry Lakebed and the Trona Pinnacles.  Production has recently resumed as the desert dries out and Arthur is optimistic that the remainder of the year will see an increase in film production, compared to decreases of the past two years.

The RRFC estimates that commercial film production has produced $4.2 million dollars a year in local disposable income since 1992.  The RRFC is a member of FLICS, Film Liaisons In California Statewide, a network of 55 film commissions throughout the state.

EDITOR'S NOTE:     

Attached is a photo of Ridgecrest Regional Film Commissioner Ray Arthur (left) with writer, director, actor Hart Bochner (center) and producer Clifford Werber (right) at LOCATIONS 2005 film trade show.