In The News

Mr. McFeely Invites All Pittsburgher's Back to the Neighborhood on November 28th

2008-10-12T23:48:16Z

A trailer has been created to promote the screening of 'My Tale of Two Cities' as part of the Homecoming Weekend festivities over Thanksgiving Weekend with Mr. McFeely from 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' extending an invitation to both hometown and expatriate Pittsburgher's, inviting them to join in the event which will promote the Youth and Media Initiative of Steeltown Entertainment Project and Holy Family Institute. It can also be viewed on Youtube.com at the following url: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Uwu-rNSmI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Uwu-rNSmI) For more information on how to order tickets for the Homecoming screening of 'My Tale of Two Cities,' which will take place on November 28th at the Byham Theater, please buy tickets at pgharts.org or calling 412-456-6666. Ticketing information for both the screening and the Pittsburgh themed after-party is posted there.]]>

Local Filmmaker to 'Focus' Lens on Allegheny Observatory

2008-08-28T14:39:43Z

A local post-doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh has set his sights on producing a documentary about the almost century old, Allegheny Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, in the city's Riverview Park. Daniel Handley, who is a resident of Observatory Hill hopes that the film will give Pittsburgher's insight into the 96 year old Pittsburgh Landmark. The film is being produced with help from some local government leaders as well as a few of Steeltown's advisors. Bill Peduto, one of Pittsburgh's City Councilmen, is serving as the film's Executive Producer, which Steeltown advisor Mark Knobil will serve as the film's cinematographer. Pittsburgh actor David Conrad will also lend a hand, as has agreed to narrate the film. The film is being partially funded by grants from the [Buhl Foundation](http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/buhl/), [Pittsburgh Foundation](http://www.pittsburghfoundation.org/), and the Henry J. Simonds Foundation. Handley hopes that the documentary will premiere at the Heinz History Center sometime early next spring. To read more about this story, please click [here](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_583645.html).

November Screening of "My Tale of Two Cities" to Benefit Holy Family Institute, Youth and Media Initiatives

2008-08-15T15:48:28Z

Pittsburghers everywhere are invited to come home this Thanksgiving weekend for a special red-carpet screening of the film "My Tale of Two Cities," November 28th at The Byham Theater, Downtown Pittsburgh, as part of the city's Homecoming Weekend and 250th birthday celebration. The evening will benefit Steeltown Entertainment Project's "Youth & Media Initiative" in partnership with the [Holy Family Institute](http://www.hfi-pgh.org/). ]]> The Holy Family Institute provides a nurturing environment for young people facing challenging family situations. Steeltown Entertainment Project is working to build a sustainable entertainment sector in Southwestern Pennsylvania by connecting former Pittsburghers in the entertainment business to its rich regional resources. Working together, these two organizations will launch the first "Youth & Media Initiative" where Steeltown will arrange for film and television professionals to mentor and work with the students at Holy Family to make a promotional film showcasing its remarkable stories of transformation and redemption. Join the film's notable cast members and other special guests for this once in a lifetime evening, as we all blow out the candles for Pittsburgh's 250th birthday, raise funds for the "Youth and Media" initiative, and join Mister Rogers' Neighborhood's "Mr. McFeely" in singing the city's unofficial theme song: "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" For information about tickets, email [homecoming@steeltown.org](mailto:homecoming@steeltown.org). See [www.mytaleoftwocities.com](http://www.mytaleoftwocities.com) for clips from the movie. **Poster Photo Credit:** Copyright © 2008 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Mickey Mouse to Join CMU

2008-08-12T16:06:04Z

[The Walt Disney Company](http://corporate.disney.go.com/) has recently annouced plans to partner with [Carnegie Mellon University](http://www.cmu.edu/index.shtml) to open a Research and Development Lab for Disney's Theme Parks, television networks, and animation studios.]]> The lab which will be known as Disney Research in Pittsburgh, will be headed up by Carnegie Mellon factuly on a part-time basis in concert with full time research and development employees that will be hired by the Walt Disney Corporation. Disney's vision is to have the lab serve as a chance for interaction and collaboration between Disney's con[](http://www.popcitymedia.com/timnews/disney0813.aspx)sultants, CMU students, factulty, and other Pittsburgh organizations. Plans are for Disney to fund the lab or a five year period. CMU is one of two sites for the new Disney-university lab partnership; Disney plans a similar setup at the the [Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich](http://www.ethz.ch/index_EN) (ETH). Disney is finalizing terms of a lease at a space near CMU's campus in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. Please click [here](http://www.popcitymedia.com/timnews/disney0813.aspx), to read the full articley.** "**Image courtesy of Walt Disney Company**"

Latest CMU Spinout Brings Video-On-Demand to College Campuses

2008-08-11T15:12:17Z

[Panopto](http://www.panopto.com/), a Pittsburgh based technology company that grew out of the vision of former [CMU](http://www.cmu.edu/index.shtml) students Eric Burns and Bill Scherlis has worked to capitalize on the desire for video-on-demand by students and faculty at univeristy campuses around the world.]]> Panopto's latest product, CourseCast 2.0, allows educational institutions and coorporate training departments take full advantage of an integrated IT system, enabling individuals to instantly interact with others around the corner or around the world. "This is really the future of education," explains Eric Burns, co-founder and chief technology officer. "YouTube has really brought to the masses the idea that it should be simple to record a video and put it online. I believe we're the most elegant solution to the problem of how to record content that consists of multiple streams - video, slides, screen, etc. The recording application is lightweight and easy to use." In addition to CourseCast, Panopto also offers the Socrates Project, which offers free CourseCast software to approved academic institutions in exchange for feedback on their products. To read more about the developments in Panopto software, please read the article [here](http://www.popcitymedia.com/timnews/panopto0813.aspx).

Special "Pittsburgh Homecoming" screening of "My Tale of Two Cities" at the Byham Theater November 28th

2008-08-03T17:54:33Z

On November 28th at The Byham Theater, as part of "Pittsburgh's Homecoming Weekend" celebrating the city's 250th birthday, there will be a special red-carpet screening of "My Tale of Two Cities", a film about coming home and the city of Pittsburgh reinventing itself. The city of Pittsburgh stars in this often funny and sometimes moving "comeback story" where "St. Elmo's Fire" screenwriter (and Steeltown co-founder) Carl Kurlander tosses a football with Franco Harris and his son Dok, goes shopping in the Strip with Teresa Heinz Kerry, has breakfast at Ritter's diner with Paul O' Neill, asking them and others how their hometown can once again become "The City of Champions." Pittsburghers everywhere are invited to come home for this special Thanksgiving weekend event and then join Mr. McFeely and the cast in singing "Won't You Be My Neighhbor?". Go to www.mytaleoftwocities.com to see clips from the movie and email homecoming@steeltown.org for information on tickets to the event.

Actress Kate Hudson to Join Cast of 'Nine'

2008-07-22T21:18:25Z

Director, and Pittsburgh native Rob Marshall added another Hollywood star to the cast for his upcoming film, the musical 'Nine.']]> Actress [Kate Hudson](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005028/) has signed on to the project which already boasts a cast of Oscar Award winners and nominees such as [Daniel Day-Lewis](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000358/), [Nicole Kidman](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000173/), [Marion Cotillard](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182839/), [Judi Dench](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001132/) and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000047/, and [Penelope Cruz](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/). "Nine" was adapted from the original 1982 Broadway production that won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Marshall, a Squirrel Hill native, and partner John DeLuca ("[Memoirs of a Geisha](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397535/)," "[Chicago](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299658/)") will choreograph and also are part of the producing team. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in the UK on Oct. 10. To read the full article, click [here](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08197/896992-42.stm).

Film Shorts to Premire This Friday on PCTV 21

2008-07-17T21:06:49Z

Two locally produced short films will premiere Friday, July 18th on Pittsburgh Cabel acess channel, PCTV-21.]]> Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The film centers around a young priest who makes the decision to leave the priesthood to marry a partitioner. The second film titled, Vader: The Wonder Years," is a 15 minute comedic short produced by Point Breeze's Andy Fenlock. The films will air back to back beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday, Saturday July 19th at 7 p.m., Tuesday July 22nd at 1 p.m., Thursday July 24th at 3 p.m., and July 26th at 9 p.m.

Greetings From Pittsburgh Neighborhoods: Local Narratives to Screen This Fall

2008-07-07T17:19:07Z

This fall as part of Pittsburgh 250, a 90 minute film titled, "Greetings From Pittsburgh: Neighborhood Narratives" will showcase some of Pittsburgh's most recognizable neighborhoods such as Bloomfield, the Strip District, Oakland, Regent Square, and Homestead.]]> here. To visit the blog for "Greetings from Pittsburgh," click here.

British Software Developer Hoping to "Design" Future in Pittsburgh

2008-06-23T16:25:17Z

Eutechnyx, a British software developer, best known for designing games such as "Big Mutha Truckers," and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" has its sights set on Pittsburgh as its US headquarters.]]> here.

"Live from Pittsburgh, it's Saturday Night!"

2008-06-16T15:18:05Z

Another new film recently began shooting in Pittsburgh and stars many current and former cast members of the long running NBC show, "Saturday Night Live." ]]> here.

New comedy begins shooting in Pittsburgh

2008-06-10T15:49:56Z

The Pittsburgh Film Office has announced that principal photography has begun on a new comedy being shot in the city. article]]>

Young Hollywood actors make Pittsburgh home for film projects

2008-05-22T20:29:15Z

In many American cities, transience in one's 20s and 30s is an accepted part of modern life, but Pittsburghers, unaccustomed to young people leaving town during the city's manufacturing heyday, continue to wring their hands over such departures. here]]>

'48 Hour' film contest set for June

2008-05-16T20:13:10Z

The 48 Hour Film Project returns to Pittsburgh for a second year, with the competition taking place in early June rather than early August. Twenty-six teams have registered so far, and organizers are hoping to sign up 48 before the cinematic scramble begins three weeks from tonight. To read more about the upcoming '48 Hour Film Project, click [here](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08137/882294-42.stm)

"My Tale of Two Cities" Premieres for 'Neighbors' in Sonoma

2008-05-16T18:49:06Z

The theme of Pittsburgher's coming together played a prominent role during the events surrounding the premiere of Carl Kurlander's documentary "My Tale of Two Cities" at last week's Sonoma Valley Film Festival.]]> My Tale of Two Cities" which chronicles Kurlander's decision to leave his life as a successful screenwriter and producer in Hollywood ("St. Elmo's Fire," "Saved By The Bell") behind and move back to his hometown of Pittsburgh, struck a resonate chord with current and former Pittsburghers and as well as many non-Pittsburghers who were in attendance for the film's two festival screenings on Friday April 11th and Friday April 12th. Many of those in attendance commented after the premiere that they were particularly moved by how Kurlander's own personal struggle with whether he made the right decision moving back to Pittsburgh, mirrored many of their own concerns regarding a sense of home, place, and community in today's world. Following both screenings of the film, Kurlander and members of his production staff conducted a Q&A session in which Kurlander addressed questions regarding the genesis of the documentary and his own feelings concerning Pittsburgh's future. A poignant moment during the Q&A came when a young girl asked Carl whether he thought his film would 'help' in the today's fragmented and disconnected world. Following up on the theme of brining Pittsburghers together; Steeltown Entertainment Project hosted a Pittsburgh themed reunion party at local Sonoma establishment, Steiner's Tavern following the April 11th screening. This party afforded current Pittsburghers, expatriates, and anyone else who attended the chance to experience, the food, sounds, and stories of the 'Burgh.' Those who attended the party enjoyed Pittsburgh themed food and drink such as Isley's chipped ham, Heinz condiments, sweets from Betsy Ann Chocolate, Eat 'n Park Smiley Cookies, baked goods from Jenny Lee Bakery, snacks from local vendors Popcorn-n-That, Pittsburgh pretzels, and Iron City and IC Light beer from Pittsburgh Brewing Company. The party had a decidedly hometown atmosphere as guests got to enjoy watching the Pittsburgh Penguins second playoff game, and also enjoyed the opportunity to share stories and reminisce about the hometown they all care so much about. The climax of the Pittsburgh themed weekend in Sonoma came on Saturday night as the film festival paid tribute to actor/director and former Pittsburgh native, Michael Keaton. During the tribute, clips were played from some of Keaton's most memorable films including "Beetlejuice," "Batman," and "Jackie Brown." Keaton who began his career in Pittsburgh on the set of "Mister Roger's Neighborhood" was presented with a clip reel of his work from that show was also given a "This Is Your Life" style tribute by David Newell, who played the show's speedy deliveryman character, Mr. McFeely. The night was capped off with Keaton being presented with a Pittsburgh themed gift basket and a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey jersey by VisitPittsburgh representative Tinsy Lipchak. In all, the Pittsburgh invasion of wine country during last week was an unabashed success, providing an opportunity for those who take pride in their Pittsburgh roots to enjoy great food, great drink, and the company of their old and new 'neighbors.' To learn more about the film, "My Tale of Two Cities" click here. To read an article from the Sonoma News chronicling the Pittsburgh themed events surrounding the Sonoma Film Festival click here. The following are links to related stories promoting "My Tale of Two Cities" and the events surrounding the 2008 Sonoma Film Festival: Wine Country Tastes Pittsburgh http://www.popcitymedia.com/inthenews/winectypgh0416.aspx http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/04/11/entertainment/doc47ffabef19527544559593.txt Break a Leg http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08101/872594-326.stm (Scroll down) Hollywood invades Sonoma http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2008/04/10/news/doc47febd5937c1b368500828.txt Rockin' and Rollin' at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival http://gil-mansergh.petaluma360.com/default.asp?item=2187593 Michael Keaton to be honored at Sonoma Valley Film Festival http://www.sonomasun.com/pub/a/2776?full=1 Pittsburgh Diaspora at Sonoma Valley Film Festival http://pqblog.pittsburghquarterly.com/pqblog/2008/03/pittsburgh-dias.html Sonoma Film Festival to Honor Keaton and Premiere Kurlander's 'Two Cities' http://enewsletters.pghtech.org/Council/PghTech.aspx "Wine Country" to Become "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/04/blog-release-intopittsburgh-diaspora.html Pittsburgh's Film Diaspora http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/04/pittsburghs-film-diaspora.html Islay's in Sonoma http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/04/islays-in-sonoma.html Olympus Advisory member Carl Kurlander 's film, "My Tale of Two Cities," has been invited to screen at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival in April! http://www.olympus.cs.cmu.edu/news/index.html DON'T MISS THE "PITTSBURGHERS PARTY"! http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/pages/08program-My_Tale_of_Two_Cities