The QUAD CITIES FILM COALITION welcomes Liz Gilman, Executive Producer of Produce Iowa, Office of Media Production, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

Ms Gilman will be touring the area, meeting with various community leaders, becoming acquainted with the Quad Cities area production community both in front of and behind the camera, as well as those who are interested in media production of all kinds in the digital age of computers.

The main focus of Produce Iowa is to rebuild the infrastructure of the promotional efforts of the production industry of the State of Iowa and to promote the abilities of the production community itself within the state as well to those outside of the state who are interested in utilizing the production professional's skills of the state while doing production in Iowa.  The Office of Media Production will also be engaged in the identification of new trends in media production and the advancements that are being made within the State of Iowa as those trends evolve on a global basis.

Ms Gilman will also be briefing an Ad Hoc committee of the Quad Cities Film Coalition, concerning the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs program and exhibit, HOLLYWOOD IN THE HEARTLAND, which is slated for development in the coming year and an unveiling in Des Moines at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, which is near the Capitol, in June of 2014.  The program is being co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Preserve Iowa, Main Street Iowa and Iowa Tourism.

HOLLYWOOD IN THE HEARTLAND's objectives are to bring attention to the many contributions that have been made to Hollywood through the actors that made their way to the silver screen from Iowa and became noteworthy, the motion pictures that have been shot in the state over the years and the many historic motion picture exhibition experiences that can be had throughout the state through the extensive theater venues located in the State of Iowa.  A vast inventory of these historic venues that are in existence and those that are long gone across the state is currently be developed.  The history of the film industry and its many facets with Iowa connections will also be explored through this program.  A virtual, (on the internet and otherwise) and real tour will be available for the public to experience once the proposed exhibit and program has matured in June of 2014.  Tours are contemplated across the State of Iowa to take place over the expected three years of the program.

The Iowa Quad Cities has a rich and deep history that is to be explored and contributed to this effort by the Quad Cities Film Coalition to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its co-sponsors, which spans motion picture and live entertainment going back over 100 years.

Davenport, Bettendorf and Scott County has an extensive background to share with regards to the many motion picture venues that have existed here going back to the 19th Century and the dawn of the motion picture era.  At one time, over 30 theaters existed in the Davenport and Bettendorf and Scott County area alone with some of the most famous actors of the era visiting the region from time to time to make personal appearances.  Most of these venues are gone but some still do exist though they are not used as theaters any more.  Two of the remaining four motion picture palaces of the golden era in the State of Iowa, with seating in the thousands, still exist here in the presence of the Adler Theatre (the former RKO Orpheum) in Davenport and the Capitol Theatre also in Davenport.

Many motion pictures stars came from the area going all the back to the silent era through to the present including Nate Pendleton, former President Ronald Reagan, Hugh Marlowe and Jock Mahoney to name a few, as well as Linnea Quigley, the B-Movie Queen, who was born in Davenport and graduated from Bettendorf High School.  All of these and numerous other notables in the industry can be researched by checking Davenport, Iowa on imdb.com the motion picture data base.

The area contributed greatly to the advancement of film related to inventions, manufacturing, production, and distribution industries globally through such companies as the Victor Animatograph Company, one of the inventors, developers and manufacturers of the first 16 mm cameras and projectors in 1923.  Alexander F. Victor was the holder of over 60 motion picture related patents that advanced the industry tremendously during the first half of the 20th Century.  At one time, the Victor Company, which began in downtown Davenport, employed over 500 people in the area in a large factory on the edge of the city in Northwest Davenport just after World War II.

Blackhawk Films contributed to the development of an advanced method of classic film distribution for over 50 years and became world famous because of the distribution agreements that they had acquired which included the Fox Movie Tone Newsreels and many others similar rare novelty items as well as a large number of the films of the most important actors and players in the silent era including Charles Chaplin and those of the golden age of the studios.  Blackhawk Films' products were highly prized by film buffs from around the world and are still considered to be the finest of their kind today.  Blackhawk Films was owned by the Eastin/Phelan Corporation of Davenport.

There will be a reception held at the Lodge Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa in the Garden Atrium next to the Black Bear Lounge to introduce Ms. Gilman to the local production community at large and those who are interested in Produce Iowa and the Office of Media Production.  Musical entertainment will be provide by members of the BUCKTOWN REVUE.

All are invited to this event which will include the opportunity for the local media to interview Ms. Gilman about her tour and impressions of the region.  The event will last from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

You can contact Liz Gilman, Executive Producer of Produce Iowa, the Office of Media Production, directly in Des Moines at 515-725-0044 for an interview in advance of her appearance in the Iowa Quad Cities on the 11th of June.

Doug Miller, the co-founder and facilitator of the Quad Cities Film Coalition, the main sponsor of this tour and reception event is available at 563-349-1041 for more information.

We would like to thank the Lodge Hotel and the BUCKTOWN REVUE for the gracious contributions.

BELOW IS A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS ABOUT MS. GILMAN'S APPOINTMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH IT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REVIEW AND USE.