Commercials Promoting Hot Springs Are Goal of Partnership Of Visit Hot Springs and Inception to Projection Film Program
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — If you’ve ever thought of creating commercials, a new partnership of Visit Hot Springs and the Inception to Projection (I2P) program will give you your shot.
Eight individuals will be selected to capture on film or video unique stories about Hot Springs that could wind up being used in VHS’s advertising and promotion mission for the city and its environs.
“I am really looking forward to seeing what these eight emerging filmmakers will create for Hot Springs tourism,” VHS Marketing Director Bill Solleder said in announcing the I2P project today [Wednesday, July 5]. “To my knowledge there are no similar film programs that give students the opportunity to produce material for destination marketing organizations like Visit Hot Springs.
“Tourism is a leading industry in Hot Springs, which is the No. 1 tourist destination in Arkansas. Nearly 7 million people travel to Hot Springs annually, and Visit Hot Springs is sponsoring this new and exciting version of Inception to Projection. We will hand eight filmmakers a camera and mentor them as they capture unique stories of Hot Springs. The program is free and you don’t have to be from Hot Springs to participate. Most of the program is virtual and can be completed from anywhere.”
Participants must register at www.inceptiontoprojection.com
Solleder said Inception to Projection is a program of Low Key Arts, a hands-on filmmaking program that trains participants to write, direct, produce and edit original short films.
At the conclusion of the program, the eight selected students will publicly screen their film at the Arkansas Shorts film festival January 5 - 7, 2024.
“Visit Hot Springs has always collaborated with professionals to create video content for our marketing strategies,” Solleder said, “but the idea of emerging filmmakers developing stories to promote Hot Springs opens up the possibility of new and exciting perspectives of the Spa City.”
Judges for the project will be Dan Waymack, founder of Waymack and Company, Wade McCune, creative director for CJRW, VHS’s ad agency, and Solleder.
I2P has a track record of creating a path for aspiring filmmakers to make a professional work while preparing them for a career in the film industry. Many students have used I2P to create portfolios for college applications. Alumni of the program have gone on to attend prestigious graduate film programs while others build their resumes by working on professional sets.
The program in under the direction of Low Key Arts Film Program Director Jen Gerber. A native of Arkansas, she built her film career in Chicago before obtaining a masters degree in fine arts in writing and directing from Columbia University in New York. Her debut feature, “The Revival,” received a theatrical run in Los Angeles as well as digital distribution on major platforms. The film received a jury special mention at NewFest for “outstanding performances” and “The Hollywood Reporter” called the film “riveting.” Gerber freelanced for a decade as a writer, director and first assistant director for a variety of commercial production companies in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. As a first assistant director, she worked with James Franco on “The Sound and the Fury” and “Birth of a Poet,” starring Whoopi Goldberg, Olivia Wilde and Chloe Sevigny. For six years, Gerber served as the Executive Director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and now works full time for Low Key Arts as the film program director where she runs Inception to Projection and and leads the annual Arkansas Shorts film festival..
Gerber said regarding the partnership with Visit Hot Springs, “Inception to Projection is a career accelerator for filmmakers of all ages and we are making a difference by providing equipment resources, mentorship and industry connections designed to advance the careers for storytellers at every level. Hot Springs is full of stories and we can’t wait to see what these talented filmmakers create through this unique opportunity.”
Here is how the project involving potential commercials for Visit Hot Springs works:
- Register at www.inceptiontoprojection.com
for the Free Commercial Development Class via ZOOM July 29, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Includes training for pitching projects to clients)
- All are welcome to apply, but this program is designed for seasoned filmmakers who want to step into commercial filmmaking.
- Prep your pitch based on the request for proposals.
- Pitches will be judged by a professional panel of experts.
- Eight projects will be chosen and will receive mentorship, crew, equipment, production and editing resources for the creation of an original short spot (no longer than 90 seconds) for the City of Hot Springs.
- The program is free. All participants will be paired with experienced mentors for the duration of the project.
- All projects will be released by Visit Hot Springs and will screen at Arkansas Shorts 2024. Final projects can be used to develop commercial reel and clientele for all participating filmmakers.
Key dates for those interested in participating in the project:
- Orientation and pitch class (free and open to anyone)
Saturday, July 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. CDT, via ZOOM
- Project Pitches (free and open to anyone)
Saturday, August 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. via ZOOM
- Eight Selected Pitches Announced
Monday, August 7
- Classes begin
Tuesdays, August 8 through August 28 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. via ZOOM
- Production
September 2 and 3 (In-person in Hot Springs, everyone must be present the entire time)
- Editing
September 5 through 9 (In-person in Hot Springs, unless otherwise arranged)
Tuesday, September 5 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, September 6, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, September 7, from noon to 9 p.m.
Friday, September 8, from noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday, September 9, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Possible project pitches for presentation to the judges who will select the eight finalists:
(The topics are open to any appropriate genre: comedy, documentary, mockumentary, romcom, sci fi or musical. The final project length should not exceed 90 seconds):
Water/Mineral Springs: The thermal water in Hot Springs National Park is nearly 4,000-years-old. Originating as rainfall during the same era the Great Pyramids were being built, this world-famous water makes a 4,000+ year journey through the Earth and runs freely into our incredibly unique destination. Named for these thermal springs, Hot Springs National Park is a curious town, with a wild and widely-celebrated history and an array of experiences that you just won’t find anywhere else.
Baseball: During the late 1800s and early 1900s Hot Springs was the off season capital of Major League Baseball. The Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Nationals, Chicago White Stockings and the Boston Red Sox all held spring training in Hot Springs. Famously, Babe Ruth visited Hot Springs as a young pitcher with the Boston Red Sox but returned often to take baths and play golf.
2024 Total Eclipse: Hot Springs National Park is one of two official national parks in the path of totality for the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. Most people who have seen a total eclipse have described it as the most spectacular natural event they have ever witnessed.
Gangster History: From the late-1800s through the mid-1900s, especially in the 1930s, Hot Springs was a popular hangout for Al Capone, Frank Costello, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano, and other infamous mobsters.
Lakes: Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs, is an outdoor paradise surrounded by Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. These lakes have helped happy visitors make some of the best memories of their lives. Float a canoe. Kayak to islands. Hook a bass. Camp on a shore. Wade by a waterfall. Or, just relax and soak it all in.
Biking: Hot Springs is home to a versatile trail system with offerings for riders of all ages and skill levels. With the addition of our Northwoods Trails Mountain Bike stacked trail system, mountain bikers can find a literal playground of beginner to technical rides just minutes from downtown Hot Springs with a back-country feel that seems miles away! Road cyclists can find amazing incline work with a ride to scenic overlooks on North and West Mountains right inside Hot Springs National Park.
Downtown attractions (restaurants/shopping/park): With Hot Springs National Park right in our backyard, there are hiking opportunities just minutes from delicious restaurants and shops in downtown Hot Springs.
Bathhouse/Spa: Hot Springs is packed with spa options throughout the city and lives up to the nickname of 'The Spa City' given by visitors over the years.
Major Attractions: Magic Springs, Garvan Woodland Gardens, Mid-America Science Museum, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Crystal Digging.
Freestyle (open category): Do you have a story about Hot Springs you want to tell? This open category is for any and all ideas outside of the prompts.
For more information call Bill Solleder at 501-321-2027.