Tag Archives: Black Bear Film Festival

Black Bear Film Festival and Historic Milford Theatre

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on

Both JoAnne and I had a great meeting with Jerry Beaver the other day.  We talked about all things film.  Jerry is a wealth of information and he had some excellent advice on a couple of projects that JoAnne and I are involved in.  Creative criticism, creative critique, creative advice.  The key word being creative!  It also makes it very easy when you respect someone.

Jerry, come by anytime.  See you at the Milford Theater soon! JoeD

“Jerry Beaver – A native Pennsylvanian born in Gettysburg and raised in Harrisburg, who attended the Mercersburg Academy, Jerry has lived in Pike County for 29 years. A casting director for film, theatre and TV commercials; his firm has been active in Manhattan for 25 years where he is known for discovering many now-famous actors. Jerry founded the Black Bear Film Festival in 2000 and purchased the Historic Milford Theatre.   He lives in Shohola, Pa.” ~Focus Media

©Joe DiMaggio

©Joe DiMaggio

Hugh Brodie Early in the Morning

Posted by Joe DiMaggio on

Photo ©Joe DiMaggio

Many of my friends know I have had a love affair with film for the last thirty plus years. Twenty years ago, I walked into a cocktail party with approximately 150 people. Out of the 150 people I could only see one; just one. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.  I worked my way through the crowd of martinis, and white wine to get to a gentleman who was drinking a cup of coffee; two creams, two sugars. His name is Hugh Brodie. If you don’t know the name you may know the music. His cousin was Ella Fitzgerald. He was brought up in the south with a saxophone in one hand a painter’s brush in the other. Half Cherokee and half African American; he’s got to be cool. Approximately six or seven years ago, my son Dylan did a short film on Brodie which came in first place in the Black Bear Film Festival. It actually opened the Black Bear Film Festival. Subsequently, Dylan and I have been collaborating on a feature film. The working title is “The Life and Times of Hugh Brodie.” Another possible title is “The Black Cowboy.” Many people have complimented me on some of my photographs of Brodie and I try to explain to them that I have very little to do with the particular photograph. Brodie is so magnificent, so beautiful, so honest, straightforward and sincere. It’s F8 and show up. Okay maybe it’s F2.8 and show up. We are now in the process of cutting and scoring the film. The great editor Victor Goretsky will be doing the editing and the scoring will obviously be Hugh Brodie. We’re looking forward to having it wrap somewhere in the fall of 2011 maybe earlier.

Hugh Brodie and the Cosmic Ensemble will be playing at The Falcon on July 2nd.

Dinner Begins at 5 pm, Opening Act 7pm, Headliner 8pm.

The Falcon

1348 9W Marlboro NY

Phone: 845-236-7970