Apr 25, 2013 — The movie world is changing the way it makes films. Hollywood studios are going digital and later this year will no longer release films on film. Movie projectors are disappearing during this digital revolution. For most small theaters, the price to upgrade to digital equipment can be staggering, and the change is putting many in a very difficult financial situation -- upgrade costs are as high as $100,000.

The Adirondack Film Society and Adirondack North Country Association are kicking off a campaign Friday night at the Palace Theatre in Lake Placid to raise money to help local theaters complete the digital upgrades needed to continue to operate. Todd Moe has more on the Go Digital or Go Dark world premiere.  Go to full article

South Glens Falls, NY, Aug 08, 2012 — A South Glens Falls man opened a small movie theater earlier this summer and says he's not worried about the film industry's decision to switch distributing first run features from film to digital. Jerry Aratare says his single-screen Cinematheque shows foreign and first-run movies, though usually a couple of weeks later than the larger movie theaters.

The 82-year-old Aratare got his first movie theater job as a projectionist in 1951 in Vermont. He's opened about a dozen small theaters in the region over the years. He told Todd Moe that his newest theater has 66 seats, a decades-old projector he's dubbed "the old workhorse", and a "hometown" atmosphere.  Go to full article

Indian Lake, NY, Jun 26, 2012 — An independent feature film, Begin the Beguine, will be filmed in Blue Mountain Lake this summer. Todd Moe talks with director Ari Gold about why he chose the Adirondack hamlet as the location for his next film, and his desire to include as many local landmarks and people in the film as possible. For more information about the film and auditions on Wednesday: guideboatproductons@gmail.com  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Jun 12, 2012 — The 12th annual Lake Placid Film Festival opens Wednesday, with new stars, new movies and a panel discussion on the future of small town theaters. This year's festival will feature screenings of films from local, national and International filmmakers, special guests and events such as the North Country Shorts and the return of the 24 hour student film-making competition, "Sleepless in Lake Placid."

Todd Moe spoke with Tim Brearton, the festival's project specialist. He's helped out since the inaugural forum in 2000. He calls it an event that brings people together, supports local artists and allows film students from area colleges to learn about the rigors of the film industry.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 24, 2011 — A locally-produced film gets its premiere tonight in Potsdam as part of the weekly "Cinema 10" series at the Roxy Theater (7:15 pm). Dissection of an Olive was written, filmed and produced in the Potsdam area and includes a cast and crew composed of local residents and students, faculty and staff at the four local colleges.

Todd Moe talks with writer/director Summer Dorr, who says Dissection of an Olive is a quirky film about a young screenwriter and the protagonist in her story. In the film, characters struggle with issues like intimacy, stability and grieving. Dorr says the film is only remotely autobiographical.  Go to full article

Sep 30, 2011 — Scenes for the upcoming feature film "The Place Beyond the Pines" were shot in a farm field near Saranac Lake on Monday. Local residents say a large film crew was working all day near Norman Ridge Road in Vermontville filming several scenes for the movie.

The "Place Beyond the Pines" stars Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes and was mostly filmed this summer in the Schenectady area. As Chris Knight reports, this wasn't the only film shoot in the Saranac Lake area this week.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Aug 06, 2010 — The Adirondack Film Society invites you to "follow the Yellow Brick Road" to the Palace Theatre in Lake Placid this Saturday for a special screening of The Wizard of Oz. And after the film, you'll meet a panel of experts on the 1939 musical fantasy film. It's an opportunity to ask any question about this enduring classic.

Todd Moe spoke with one of Saturday's panelists: film historian and Oz expert, John Fricke. He's written three books about the film, and is past president of its international fan club. Fricke says The Wizard of Oz has become, over the years, one of the best known of all films. He remembers watching it for the first time on network television in 1956.  Go to full article

Dec 03, 2008 — Author Russell Banks visits the Champlain Valley Film Society in Willsboro this Saturday. He'll introduce the film, Affliction, based on his novel. It'll be shown at 8 pm at Willsboro Central School. David Reuther, with the Champlain Valley Film Society, told Todd Moe that he's thrilled Russell Banks will talk about the film.  Go to full article

Jun 11, 2008 — Filmmakers and film fans will gather in Lake Placid this week. The Lake Placid Film Forum opens tomorrow night and continues through Sunday. Co-organizer Barry Snyder teaches film production at Burlington College. He told Todd Moe that the annual forum features world-famous film producers, directors, workshops, screenings and a 24-hour filmmaking marathon.  Go to full article

May 30, 2008 — Earlier this year, Indian Lake residents banded together to save their historic theater in the middle of town. It's re-opening this weekend. It could have been just another casualty of the North Country's declining population and struggling economy. But a summer schedule of movies is planned, and it's hoped the theater will once again be the center of Indian Lake's artistic, cultural and community life. Todd Moe spoke with Colleen Doyle, the new director of the theater, as she took a break from some touch-up work on the theater's stage.  Go to full article