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[scottjsmith]

Jacksonville is ripe for a professional theatre company.

While some people just want to focus on who to blame for the lack of cultural support in this region, we should all ask ourselves, "What are WE going to do about it?"

While the few existing performing arts groups have a dedicated subscribership, and the FCCJ (FSCJ?) Artist Series brings touring shows to the area a few weeks each year, there is still not a banner organization that is a Jacksonville destination.

Of course, once the city supports a resident theatrical troupe, it opens the door for other performance-related organizations to grow.

Now, HOW do we get Jacksonville excited about this?

[devlinmann]

Very well said Scott!  That is what we aim to accomplish with BackLight starting this year...

[samiam]

devlinmann great project ! I have a quick queston. Is the film industry history of Jacksonville well known among actors?

[devlinmann]

samiam - I have found that a lot of the actors I work with know a bit about Jacksonville's place in film history but very few actually realize the scope of our city's rich film past.  After all we were the first filmaking capital long before Hollywood.

[Lunican]

Here is an article about Jacksonville's silent film industry: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-feb-distinguish-jacksonville-the-silent-film-industry

[samiam]

If only one of the Hollywood power player would make a move to bring it back to Jacksonville. At least part of it

[devlinmann]

That is indeed one of the main goals of BackLight...

The tax incentive plan would certainly help!

[devlinmann]

To be clear, BackLight Theatre Group, Inc, focuses on Theatre, Dance, Film and Television.  We have several projects in development and we fully intend to bring as much of that work as we can here.

[samiam]

Great!
I know Russell Crowe is aware of it. He talked about it when he came to town with his rugby thing a few years ago

[zoo]

Jacksonville is a culturally hungry town, Mann said.

Still is, imho.

"Anybody in town that has a warehouse should prick up their ears when they hear this because when we build a set, we're not going to strike it. We're going to need a place to store it."

Have you looked at the Springfield warehouse district? Lots of warehouse space, and I always thought it would make a great studio backlot. Good incentives for working/hiring in that area.

I've got a friend looking into doing something like Spike & Mike's Animation Festival here: http://spikeandmike.com/sitepages/festival.php

[devlinmann]

Thanks for the info Zoo i will check that out asap!

[devlinmann]

I can remember going to work with my father from as far back as 1980,81 and watching the area change, better and worse while the company expanded and grew.

I was always drawn to the architecture of the houses around the factory and I know my father was as well, he did a lot to preserve some of those neighborhoods when people started buying up those old homes just to tear out and sell the crown moldings or columns or other antique elements, leaving behind a gutted shell.   

[devlinmann]

Jacksonville is a culturally hungry town, Mann said.

Still is, imho.

"Anybody in town that has a warehouse should prick up their ears when they hear this because when we build a set, we're not going to strike it. We're going to need a place to store it."

Have you looked at the Springfield warehouse district? Lots of warehouse space, and I always thought it would make a great studio backlot. Good incentives for working/hiring in that area.

I've got a friend looking into doing something like Spike & Mike's Animation Festival here: http://spikeandmike.com/sitepages/festival.php

Would you be willing to put me in contact with your friend so that we might coordinate efforts?

[scottjsmith]

Here is an article about Jacksonville's silent film industry: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-feb-distinguish-jacksonville-the-silent-film-industry

Most local actors know some of Jacksonville's film legacy. (When that's your passion, you tend to pick this stuff up, right?)  Also, the local media outlets tend to publish/broadcast stories every year during the Jacksonville International Film Festival, 48 Hour Film Project, National Film Project, and whenever a film (of any scale) is being shot on "The First Coast."

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville+Economic+Development+Commission/Film+and+Television/default.htm
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Jacksonville+Economic+Development+Commission/Film+and+Television/History.htm

http://jaxhistory.com/Jacksonville%20Story/Arts,%20News,%20and%20Entertainment.htm
Scroll half-way down the page for a TON of information.  (Poorly organized website, but lots of content.)

[devlinmann]

thanks scott will check it out