NEWS ARCHIVE

April 2003
Though the Los Angeles area remains Ladyhawke's home base, both the global economy and the growing diversity of international talent very much require we be able to travel to every corner of the world. Fortunately for our budget and our busy schedules, we can now do much of that travel in the virtual world of the Internet.

But nothing quite takes the place of personal contact. Though it may sound cliché' shaking hands -- and, yes, rubbing elbows -- can still make all the difference in an industry where secretaries, agents and lawyers often prevent us from sharing what would otherwise be considered normal avenues of communication.

And so it was when Ladyhawke President Debby VanPoucke and I sat down for lunch with television producer Cathy Frank a few weeks ago.

And what we found in Cathy, by way of quiet conversation in a restaurant crowded with industry elbows, was a kindred spirit. A woman who believes as we do -- that the future of women in the industry is bright, the horizon limitless. Someone who has kept safe in her heart the belief that hard work, faith and perseverance are the stuff that dreams are made of.

Needless to say... she'll fit right in.

Ladyhawke Productions Goes to AFM
by Patricia J. Dawes
February 2002

AFM, the American Film Market, is the single largest gathering of independent film producers in the world. Companies, large and small, successful and aspiring, travel to Santa Monica, California from all over the nation and the world hoping to buy, sell, or secure distribution for one or more movies. Five floors of rooms and suites are converted into offices, staffed with a secretary or receptionist and professionals from a given company's acquisitions and sales departments. The atmosphere is one of a nearly constant business party; the conversation friendly and frenetic, playful and pressured. Everyone at AFM is there to make a deal.

Everyone except Ladyhawke Productions, it seems. Our immediate endeavors were a bit different. We wanted to meet and speak with the many company's at AFM in order to get a feeling for what their goals are, what aspects of the process of film production, purchasing, and distribution they plan to pursue in the coming year, what direction they see the industry moving in, and what the climate is for female driven projects. We also wanted to introduce ourselves to those companies, familiarize them with our name, our logo, and our endeavors; to begin to establish relationships now with those that might be interested in co-producing, co-financing, or distributing a Ladyhawke project in the future.

The response we received was overwhelmingly positive. Nearly every company we spoke with told us they were actively looking for a female driven film project, and were interested in learning more about Ladyhawke Productions and about the properties we currently have in development. And nearly every person we spoke with about Ladyhawke responded by telling us that the last great frontiers of the film market have finally been discovered in the female and alternative audiences, and that the timing for both our projects and our company are impeccable.

And regardless of what you might hear about the sometimes heartless nature of this industry…the people we met were wonderful. Giovanna from First Look International, Holly Anderson from Shoreline, Sara Crohem from Castle Hill Productions, Mark Reinhart from Here! @ Regent Entertainment, Jeff Aikman from JEF Films International, Chris Phillips from Picture This, Carrie Kommers from Kathy Morgan International, are just a few of the gracious, kind, friendly, and receptive individuals we were privileged to meet and speak with at AFM.

So, at least for Ladyhawke, the AFM was a resounding success. We left with far more than we came for. And a briefcase full of business cards later, we're still trying to catch up with all of the promised correspondence. What a joy and what a journey. And what great company along the way.

Ladyhawke announces the addition of the following staff members...
February 2002

Dee Archer: Ms. Archer, Ladyhawke Productions Chief Operating Officer, is a singer/songwriter and highly successful corporate executive and consultant with extensive experience in both the entertainment industry and the corporate world. She was former executive partner of two software companies, one of which sold to Electronic Data Systems (EDS) after only four years in business. She was also Founding Senior Executive and partner at Boston Communications Group (now BCGI), Dee helped build and grow the company to a successful Initial Public Offering in 1996.

Mark Healy: Mark Healy, Ladyhawke Productions Executive VP of Business Affairs and in-house Financial and Investment Advisor, is a successful business owner and executive with extensive experience in international banking. He is the former Vice-President and Trading Manager of Foreign Exchange for First Interstate Bank of California in Los Angeles, and as Chief Dealer of Foreign Exchange Trading and Investment Banking for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto, Canada. He was formerly a member of the Board of Directors for Silent Screen Pictures, as one of the Executive Directors, and was an Executive Producer for the Canadian animated reality series, The Pub.

ML Haynes: ML Haynes is the Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for Ladyhawke Productions Inc., and the principal of her own successful creative services firm. She has extensive cache of award-winning advertising work in all media and for more than ten years has provided creative and high-impact advertising and promotion for both the domestic an foreign markets.

Lorri Adams: Lorri Adams is Ladyhawke's VP of Investor Relations, and is a fund raising specialist with extensive experience in high-level corporate networking, public relations, and successful corporate fund raising. She is a former executive director of operations for the YMCA and a current executive manager/campaign director for fund raising and financing at Jackson and Associates, a commercial fund-raising corporation with a 96% success rate of meeting client specified fund raising goals.

Patricia J. Dawes: Patricia J. Dawes is the acting VP of Project Development for Ladyhawke Productions, as well as co-creator and writer of Ladyhawke's feature film project, "Cait Montana", co-writer of the screenplay for Tropical Storm, and writer/creator of the feature film project, "Soul Searching." Ms. Dawes has 10 years of management experience in the health care field. In addition to screenwriting, her written efforts include fictional and biographical works, essays, prose, poetry, and educational copy for the health care industry.

Kris Voelker: Kris joins Ladyhawke Productions as our Internet Media Specialist. She is currently responsible for the design, function and modification of the Ladyhawke Web site and will be integral to the team developing and directing Ladyhawke's Internet broadcast network, Merhawke Entertainment, scheduled for launch in 2005.

Ladyhawke Productions at Locations Expo
January 22, 2002

Fans of "Tropical Storm" already know that the series is slated to be filmed in Florida, setting for both the novel on which the story is based and for its author and one of its script writers, Melissa Good.

"We've had a wonderful relationship with the people from the Florida Film Commission, particularly Elizabeth Wentworth and Leandra Carter, for some time now, and our plans to shoot "Tropical Storm" there remain firm," says Debby VanPouke, CEO and Executive Producer for Ladyhawke Productions. "Shooting costs are lower generally, and though we may do some interior work elsewhere, for exterior shots you really can't properly reproduce the Florida feel. I know producers shoot the Miami surround at other locations, like San Diego for one. I know San Diego well and I've traveled the streets and waterways of Miami more than once... there is a palpable difference. There is only one Miami. We'd like to keep it as real as possible."

Ms. VanPoucke was especially excited after having spoken with representatives from the New York Film Commission. "I heard some wonderful news concerning filming in New York. In the past the cost of shooting full-productions there were often prohibitive for a television series, or even for feature films. The film commission has worked hard to bring these costs down and to offer wonderful incentives to shoot in New York. Shows like THIRD WATCH, ED, SOPRANOS, and SEX IN THE CITY, are able to complete all levels of their production at competitive rates now," says Van Poucke.

"Production cost has been a big concern of mine with regard to "Backstage." The whole premise of the show really necessitates that it's produced in New York. The city itself is a living, breathing character... and there just isn't any understudy for the part. Historically, shows like NYPD BLUE have gone to New York 3 or 4 times a year, only to do their exterior shots, because it was too expensive to house the entire production there. It pleased me to no end to learn that it will be economically feasible to film there."

According to VanPoucke and writer/co-creator Patricia J. Dawes, "Cait Montana" will have to be filmed in many locations because the story lines will take the lead characters all over the world.

"The majority of production work for the first six episodes will center around Washington, D.C. and Texas. We can shoot a Texas-type environment many places, but there aren't any substitutes for D.C.," said Dawes. "We spent a lot of time scoping out locales and talking to the Film Commissions' representatives from many mid-western states as well as those from D.C. regarding "Cait."

ML Haynes, our Director of Marketing.

Joe Stanton, who has been hired on as a theatrical consultant for Backstage.

Steven Gunderson, who will be playing Steve Lawson in Backstage. He will also act as Music supervisor for Ladyhawke's productions.

Ladyhawke Productions Goes To NATPE
[ National Association of Television Program Executives ]
January 22, 2002

Ladyhawke Productions recently attended the 2001 NAPTE convention in Las Vegas, Nevada with sights set on making contacts for future development deals. "We had several opportunities to pitch three projects we currently have in active development. We were very pleased with the interest expressed in all three," says Debby VanPoucke, owner and CEO of Ladyhawke Productions.

Ladyhawke Storms NATPE

The Highlights

Day 1: Girls Night Out with representatives of TV Guide and the Fox Network, who were kind enough to spring for a very expensive dinner at a posh French restaurant. It was an evening of good food, better company and many entertaining stories about doing business, in the business.

Day 2: We had an unexpected opportunity to pitch the projects we currently have in active development to Mr. Jonathan Koch of Merv Griffin Enterprises. He was such a gentleman; kind, receptive and... best of all... interested in some of our projects. Needless to say, we will be in touch with Mr. Koch again, very soon.

Sat in on the Pitch Me contest - 15 writers/production companies had the opportunity to pitch (sell) one project. The winner received the opportunity to meet with executives for all of the major studios in order to pitch their projects.

Day 3: Attended seminars on the status and future of Internet TV.

Toured the exhibit hall. More than 800 production companies, networks, syndicators and related vendors displayed their wares as well as their good taste in finger foods and beverages.

Day 4: Coffee and insight with Mr. Merv Griffin. The master himself discussed his history in the business and his opinions on the state of television today. This is a man who appears to have his priorities, and ethics, in order. We were honored and privileged to share a few moments of his time.

Women in Television - Whoopi Goldberg and Judge Judy, among others, participated in a panel discussion on both the effects and needs of women in television.

Met and talked with several independent producers. Wonderful people one and all, who readily shared their hard-won wisdom with us.

Met and talked with film financing companies regarding current and future properties for potential feature film development.

A Get-Together At The World Café
After-party for the AFM [American Film Market] and Location Expo events
January 22, 2002

From the keyboard of Debby VanPouke

I had been exchanging phone messages with a wonderful gentleman by the name of Fred Harris, co-owner of Omega Partners, for what seemed like weeks. I was beginning to believe that he was fictitious. When we finally did meet at a "Thank You" Party held for the American Film Market and Locations Expo, I asked for his identification, just to be sure.

Mr. Harris and I chatted about Omega and Ladyhawke, our experiences in the industry and about things that really matter, like the people you meet along the way. He and his partner have had great success, with more to come, but I found him honest and straightforward, very down to earth. He shared a wealth of advice with us and introduced us to Lanz Alexander, one of the producers for a soon to be released film called "All or Nothing." Lanz is also a successful accountant. He supplied us with stories of his recent experiences as a new producer and some very clever, yet pragmatic, approaches to production.

Thanks to the American Film Market and to Locations Expo for the opportunity to mix and mingle. We met such kind and gracious individuals... people generously shared the wealth of their own experiences in the industry and encouraged us in our endeavors to bring quality women's projects to film and television.

Special thanks to some wonderful ladies, Elizabeth Wentworth and Leandra Carter, from the Ft. Lauderdale Florida Film Commission, for the invite and the introductions.

You two are INCREDIBLE. Your consistent support over the last 2 years has meant so much. There is much we could not have accomplished without you! (Good hotel accommodations for example... =) You have our undying gratitude.

Ladyhawke Productions Hits The Jackpot In Vegas
2001 Las Vegas Screenwriters Conference
January 22, 2002

From the keyboard of Patricia J. Dawes

Las Vegas seems to be the hot spot for entertainment-related conferences and conventions this year. Debby and I had made the trip in January to attend NAPTE and found ourselves returning again in July for the 2001 Screenwriters Conference put on by Script Magazine and the wonderful people at Nightstar Entertainment.

The conference ran for four days and each day was so packed with activities and events that it gave new meaning to the term "working vacation."

The Highlights

Thursday: I attended an all-day presentation by Robert Kosberg, a man routinely referred to as "The Pitchmaster." Mr. Kosberg has made a career out of selling his own, and other people's, ideas to Hollywood. He shared many interesting stories about how people - and their ideas - sometimes make their way to him.

Friday: I sat in on a wonderful class on character development given by William C. Martell. Mr. Martell has sold more film scripts than many people will ever write. He is a man who learned his craft by dissecting every aspect of the films he loved. I found him to be very practical and entertaining.

Later that afternoon, I passed a man sitting behind a table in the hallway, selling a book titled "Get a Reel Job." The man turned out to be Philip Nemy, a former Disney executive, now independent producer. Of course, never having met Mr. Nemy before, I told him I might be interested in buying his "how to" book on the entertainment industry - if he could tell me why he was qualified to write one.

Fortunately for me, he laughed. I found God's grace in a moment of levity, folks. And a reminder, I suppose, to be myself. I had a delightful conversation with Mr. Nemy during which I shared with him "our" story. I told him about the incredible collective of individuals who are Ladyhawke, and the supporting cast, our fans. He willingly shared his hard-won experience with me, the benefit of so many years in the industry and working up the ranks.

Saturday: During the weekend conference attendees had the opportunity to pitch their ideas and scripts to the industry professional of their choice. I took this opportunity... twice!

Saturday morning I met with a charming woman by the name of Tashia Cronin, a writer and director who currently works in development and acquisitions for Samuel Goldwyn Films. Ms. Cronin was so relaxed and personable that I felt more like I was excitedly sharing ideas with a good friend than I was pitching a major film project to an important studio executive. She was probably one of the best listeners I've ever met, too - a trait that allowed me to fully immerse myself in the business of telling her all about Ladyhawke Productions, the projects we are working on and the incredible collective of talented people who are coming together under the Ladyhawke banner.

Fifteen or twenty minutes later, she handed me her business card and told me she wanted to see the script for "Cait Montana" when it is ready. She also accepted the log lines and synopsis for "Tropical Storm," "BackStage" and a promise that I'd forward a copy of the novel "Tropical Storm," by Melissa Good, to her when I got back to the office.

Later that same day I had the opportunity to meet Richard Krevolin, a talented instructor in graduate writing studies for the USC screenwriting program and author of the book "Screenwriting from the Soul." I found the book very reflective of the man - intelligent, direct, funny.

Saturday night there was a cocktail mixer offered for the conference attendees, guest speakers and lecturers. It was a nice opportunity to mix and mingle with aspiring writers from all over the country as well as the industry pros.

I particularly enjoyed visiting with Mike Rich, who wrote a film I absolutely loved called "Finding Forester." He shared with us that he had shopped the script to several major studios with no luck. His prize possession is now the rejection letter he received from a major studio approximately six weeks prior to the day they made an offer to buy it.

Mike told me he attended the conference in the hope of inspiring other writers, to show them it was possible to break through that glass bubble that sometimes seems to surround Hollywood.

Sunday: On this morning I had an opportunity to discuss Ladyhawke and our projects with Mr. Marty Katz, a man with an extensive and impressive resume in the industry, much too long to list for you here. Suffice to say he's been the Director/Vice President of several important production companies, all of them successful. I spoke with him about Ladyhawke, our growing cast of characters, our goals, desires and our many projects in development.

That afternoon I attended what was a "rubbing elbows luncheon," which sounds a lot more formal than it was. After spending three or four days with each other it was pretty hard to stand on pretense.

Keep the Faith,
Patricia J. Dawes