Mark Ruffalo, HBO in Dutchess: Film production boot camp offers job training
John W. Barry | Poughkeepsie Journal
Would you like to work on an HBO production featuring actor Mark Ruffalo that is being filmed in Dutchess County?
Kingston-based Stockade Works — co-founded by actress and Dutchess resident Mary Stuart Masterson — is inviting Hudson Valley residents to apply for a “boot camp” training program for jobs in film and television production and post-production. The initiative is a partnership with HBO.
No experience is needed. And, those who complete the three-and-a-half day program in late February and early March could end up with a paid job working for HBO. The deadline to apply is Friday.
Some of the graduates will be picked for the premium channel's limited series production of “I Know This Much Is True,” starring Ruffalo, and others will be considered to work on other productions in the area.
The boot camp represents an opportunity for the mid-Hudson Valley to grow the number of residents employed in film production, following a year in which the industry generated $28.9 million in direct spending, according to data from the Hudson Valley Film Commission.
In 2018, the region saw such notable names as Bill Murray, Elisabeth Moss, Emma Stone, Jonah Hill and Danny Glover film locally. "A Quiet Place," a horror-thriller starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, which filmed in Pawling, Beacon and New Paltz, was also released last April.
Dutchess Tourism President Mary Kay Vrba lauded Stockade Words and said the boot camp could have broad implications.
Film Dutchess, which operates under Dutchess Tourism, handles inquiries from production companies looking to film in the county; and then works with those crews that choose to make their movies here.
"One of the things that will help us bring more films here is to have a skilled workforce to work on those films," Vrba said.
The cost of the boot camp is $699 but full and partial scholarships are available to at least 50 percent of the applicants. Visit www.stockadeworks.org/crewbootcamps or send an email to mnachsin@stockadeworks.org for information.
HBO filming locally
Marie Nachsin, director of external affairs for Stockade Works, confirmed that HBO and Ruffalo are filming “I Know This Much is True” in Dutchess County. Production jobs would start immediately after the boot camp ends.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with HBO on this production and offering this opportunity to residents of the Hudson Valley,” Nachsin said.
According to HBO’s website, the six-episode “limited drama series” will star Ruffalo as identical twin brothers in a family drama, set in 20th century America. Ruffalo is known for roles in such films as “Spotlight,” “The Avengers,” and “13 Going on 30.”
There is no premiere date set yet.
Hudson Valley Film Commission Director Laurent Rejto had previously told the Journal HBO would soon begin filming what he called the biggest project on which the commission has ever worked, but declined to identify the project.
Chris Petsas, City of Poughkeepsie 1st Ward Council member, said he and neighbors in the Mount Carmel area received letters more than six months ago alerting them to the fact that the neighborhood was being scouted by HBO for “I Know This Much is True.”
The mid-Hudson Valley has seen HBO productions before. Multiple episodes of the show "Girls" were filmed in the region, at SUNY New Paltz and at Fishkill Farms. And, in September, scenes for an episode of "High Maintenance" were shot at multiple Poughkeepsie locations, including Pete's Famous Restaurant, Mill House Brewing Co. and Emiliano's.
Stockade Works growing in Kingston
A nonprofit organization that fosters the potential of film and television production through training, programming and partnerships, Stockade Works is gearing up to build a production and post-production training facility in Kingston.
Stockade Works emphasizes the impact of film and television production on the regional economy; the potential for job creation; and the importance of opening up access to this industry to all, including women, minorities, and veterans, Nachsin said.
Stockade Works also underscores Masterson’s involvement in the regional arts community.
On Saturday, she will be at UPAC in Kingston with Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hilarie Burton for “Ghost Stories — A Night of Ghostly Storytelling with Hilarie Burton & Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Friends.”
The evening of spooky storytelling will raise money for Astor Services for Children & Families in Rhinebeck. Masterson is collaborating with Burton on a story
Also, Masterson and her husband, writer, producer and actor Jeremy Davidson, have been named the spring 2019 Larry Berk Artist-in-Residence at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge.
Stockade Works Boot Camp
Here are the details on the Stockade Works-HBO partnership boot camp involving the limited series production of “I Know This Much Is True,” starring Mark Ruffalo.
Applicants must be 18 or older. Residents of Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia, Greene, Orange and Sullivan will be prioritized.
No experience is needed.
The deadline to apply is Friday.
The cost of the boot camp is $699 but full and partial scholarships are available to at least 50 percent of the applicants.
A lead mentor will be provided for select trainees. This industry professional will provide 6-12 months of mentorship before, during, and after the boot camp; and remain on set during the production to assist and provide career development.
Visit www.stockadeworks.org/crewbootcamps or send an email to mnachsin@stockadeworks.org for information.
“I Know This Much Is True”
The HBO six-episode series is “a family saga that follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice, and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of 20th century America,” according to HBO.
Mark Ruffalo stars as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. He also serves as executive producer. The series is based on author Wally Lamb’s New York Times bestseller and award-winning book of the same name.
By the Numbers
2018 Hudson Valley Film Production
$28.9 million: Direct spending
3,176: Local actors and extras hired
453: Local crew members hired
367: Production days
174: Locations used
source: Hudson Valley Film Commission
And the winner is...
The Hudson Valley could emerge a winner when the Academy Awards are held on Feb. 24.
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” the movie about the rock band Queen starring Dutchess County native Joe Mazzello, has been nominated for Best Picture.
Mazzello, who grew up in Hyde Park, portrayed Queen bass player John Deacon in the film. Rami Malek, who portrays Freddie Mercury, the late lead singer of Queen, has been nominated for Best Actor; and the film earned nominations for Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.
“A Quiet Place,” the thriller starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt that was filmed in Dutchess and Ulster counties, was nominated for Sound Editing.
Part-time Ulster County resident Rachel Weisz was nominated in the category of Actress in a Supporting Role for "The Favourite."
And part-time Ulster County resident Joel Coen shared a nomination for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) with his brother Ethan, for "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." This film also received nominations for Costume Design and Music (Original Song).
“Roma” received multiple nominations, including in the categories of Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. Ulster resident Wyatt Sprague served as the film's sound effects editor.