Local news that's not newsworthyPosted Thursday, October 14, 2010, at 8:25 AM
Now, I will express my anger over the paper's view of what is newsworthy. I co-wrote a screenplay with another Mtn Home local this past year. From a hand-written story in a spiral notebook, we created a feature film with a cast and crew of over 25 people. We joined with two local cameramen, held auditions, did rehearsals and filmed in several places in Mtn Home as well as a few in Boise. I emailed this paper several times to let them know where we would be filming, giving them the excited news of our Indie film. We brought many actors into the city over a 4 month time span, who also spent their money here. Not once did a reporter show up to interview any of my cast. I was upset but used to the snubbing and being ignored. Afterall, I have worked with the Glenns Ferry Dinner theatre for two years and not once did the paper send a reporter for opening night. Even though the Twin falls paper gave the show a full page article, our NONPROFIT Opera Theatre was not considered newsworthy. So why would I be surprized? My co-director told me one day that he had been walking down the street when he saw a high school teacher with a person from this paper. The teacher asked my friend what he had been doing since graduating, so he told her all about our film. She was impressed. She turned to the Paper-person and said, "Isn't that something? You should put that in the paper. A local filmmaker doing their film here." The Paper-person's response was, "That's not newsworthy." Yeap, I was pissed when I heard that too. But I wasn't surprized at the ignorant reply. I wanted my cast to be recognized for all of their hard work with no pay and got nothing from this piece of Media! I sent a press release to announce our film's trailer being featured at the Castlerock Film Festival in Colorado on Oct. 3. Did I get a whisper of a word in our local paper? NO! My film trailer and all of the cast are not newsworthy! But to look in the paper yesterday and see a half-page article about a local filmmaker releasing an Indie film that was shot in Mtn Home was a big slap in the face of us all. Again, I will say that I am very happy and supportive of that filmmaker and his crew (all listed by name). This anger will never be directed at them. But Mountain Home News, you should be ashamed! You should be told how freaking ignorant it is to turn away from a large cast of actors who put together a feature film in our local town with no money! You should be ashamed that you would show such little support for the "Arts", such a disregard of the accomplishments of local people! I could care less if you ever reported my name as an actress in a local play or film, but to overlook the talent and dedication of 25 people who did something that most couldn't do, is unforgiveable. They deserved better hospitality. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
I've lived in Mtn Home for over 20 years. I love my city and my country. Since I am a writer, my decision to blog here seemed appropriate. I enjoy acting so I've been blessed with the opportunity to work on some independent films and with Prairie Dog Productions and Bogus Creek Ranch. I hope that something I have to write about has some value for others or just amuses someone.
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get your self-righteous, inflated ego self outta here. "Not newsworthy" is code for YOUR FILM SUCKS!lol geeeeez.
Not sure where this complaint comes from, since nobody contacted me (the editor) about it. In any event, our story was intended to highlight a student project that will be shown in the local theater. We try to show positive things kids are doing in our community as often as we can. Adult projects are a slightly different genre, but if you can get the local theater to show it that would probably be worth a story.
What? No Obama bashing? What is happening to you Kim? Sheesh......
Kim, Please dont stop producing art.
Kim:
I could not help but notice that your prior blogs regarding your employer have been removed (homage/tribute to the Pest Abatement District, etc.). Why is that?
Tracy: Figures you would notice that. The reason is that I did it this morning as I was finishing up with this blog. Didn't have much time before work but I will be removing more. Why? Because I'm trying to remove my stuff from here. It's a waste of my time, but thanks for asking.
Thanks Kelly. Appreciate the response. I'm sure that adult acheivements are not as noteworthy, however, if anyone at the paper had read the emails that I sent, and followed up; then perhaps you would have found some students from BSU working in the film. As I have been a long time reader, dating back to the 80's when I married a Mtn Homie but lived in Lousisana. I read alot of the articles. So local people making an indie film is not newsworthy but say a base resident who wins online poker. Now's there's something! I'm sorry but if what you say is true, then explain why the paper can't send someone to cover the Opera Theatre shows which have alot of youth doing positive things in a nonprofit theatre that has done many great things for Elmore County Arts? Do those youth not count? Where was Mtn Home News on Opening night this year or last year? Twin Falls did a full page article and the theatre is not even in their county! What about the newsworthiness of kindergarten children planting corn in a community garden? What about those cute kids learning about gardening? Yes, you sent a reporter who was wonderful and very excited about the day, so I place no fault on him. He wanted the story but sadly, every month the story never appeared. Sadly, the community garden project and the goals of educating the community about organic gardening must not be newsworthy either. I'm sorry if I allowed myself to get upset over this, but I have over 25 people that I feel an obligation to. These people deserve to be recognized and I will make sure that they are in many other ways. I just felt embaressed that my own local paper, time and time again, have ignored my press releases or emails. I felt bad for all of my cast. Forgive me, if I over-reacted.
Kim,
If you look in the actual paper itself you will see that Brian Orban stars in the film. Conveniently he is also a reporter for the Mountain Home News.
http://www.mountainhomenews.com/contactu...
It is nothing new that the Mountain Home News is showing favoritism to people that are associated with the Newspaper or are well known in this town.
Somethings never change. What is actually newsworthy is considered not newsworthy by their staff.
It is also ridiculous that the newspaper doesn't report the actual NEWS until a week after the fact. What's the point in having a newspaper when it gets to you faster by talking to people???
Kim,
Although most of the time your posts regarding our presidency and other political issues infuriate me, I do not think that you posting your opinion to a blog is a waste of your time. If in fact this blog was a waste of time, you would not get the tremendous amount of feedback from people that obviously read your stuff. I actually agree with you on this issue. (Never thought I would say that, LOL) It is unfair and unjust to not give everyone in the community some sort of exposure especially when it comes to the arts. This is a small town and the paper should make room for the stories that they think is not newsworthy as some of us may think it is. I was not aware of the gardening story and I think that is wrong. Keep writing and keep posting! It may annoy me and others, but it is your right and your freedom so excercise it!!!!
Kim,
I just saw your blog about this. I am terribly sorry to hear about not being picked up in the news with your film. I hope everyone will stop with all the nasty comments. I'm sure you worked your rear end off to produce your film. Sorry if my film brought up old wounds. I had no idea. Please read my other post and email me when you can.
Rusty Earl
Sage Riders
Kim,
I too enjoy your writing. I do not have to agree with everything you say to get pleasure from it. I have even been educated by you in these posts.
I can understand your displeasure with the paper, but unfortunately there is little or no chance of them changing.
People,
Kim Kovac is not an arrogant, self-inflated egotist, or a media hound, but a woman, a mother, a writer, a film maker and as of recent I call her, friend. She fights back solely for her cast, crew and for what she believes is right.
Yes, I have seen her deeply frustrated, angered, and having to take charge while filming, yet it has not been without reason.
While our market is budding, frankly it is still a joke by industry standards. I don't care who's in town for this appearance or that cameo; until we are able to offer production companies serious incentives, there's no reason for them to film here. That horse is at the glue factory....moving on.
You may not like the trailer, Kim, her opinions or think this is worthy of any response, but if anyone has ever gone through the process of making a film, especially in a micro-market like Idaho, you KNOW you do it for the love.
Kim's not one to let small minded mentality, or lack of budget, or absence of media derail her progress. Again, she wanted her people to get some attention for their work. It's that bad?
When was the last time your boss fought for you to get praise? Didn't think so....
I too worked on this movie with Kim, and I'd have to say we got a lot of support from the community of Mountain Home. But I would've really liked to see a write-up in the paper just so maybe citizens of Mountain Home could be aware of what this community has to offer.
I used to participate in camera-8 before it shut down and was really disappointed when it did, but I feel awareness would of helped there as well. We have to support the great things in this town no matter on what scale or budget it happens to have. How many people knew of Preston Idaho before Napoleon Dynamite (I didn't anyway lol)? Whether you loved it or hated it, the community gained much from it is all I'm saying.
Thanks so much for the comments of support. for the record, nobody in mtn Home has seen the Gray Area trailer in order to like it or not. That first post was just a mean-spirited person. The only people who have seen our trailer are those who acted in it and their friends, plus alot of filmmakers and strangers in Castlerock, Colorado. I made sure that it was known that we were from little ol' Mtn Home, Idaho too. They were impressed. I just couldn't help but feel so very frustrated that all of these people gave their time to come here to Mtn Home and my own local paper tells me that we are not newsworthy. That these talented people took words from a script, made characters come alive surrounded by our home town, makes me so proud yet the people of this town had no idea that we were making a film. Oh well. I know that people on this paper may not agree with the things that I have passionately written about. I know that my views don't always sit well with others. I don't know if that causes the problem, but it is hard to not wonder. When I am involved with the theatre, a community garden or a film that are all overlooked and considered not newsworthy, one has to wonder. Just saying.
Kim, I' not, nor ever HAVE been a "theater-goer" so to speak, so I don't have any input at all in this area.
But I solidly agree with you politically...........so do a LOT of folks out here. If I didn't have so many "irons in the fire" right now, I'd be tempted to re-start my own blog again.
Ya got friends out here lady..........hang in there.
Kim, I look forward to seeing your film.... when might that be possible?
And I agree.... the MHN needs to give the people what the people want. More info about the people, from the people, of the people..... There are things going on here all the time that many don't know about, for years.
I've seen some ask, I've asked.... you've asked.... maybe soon..
Jessie
.....and yet the hard copy version of the MH Newspaper keeps getting thinner and thinner.
Just like the Boise 'Bama Booster (Idaho Statesman).
I deeply appreciate the support and encouragement. As far as writing my blog, I think that I will try to write more. I can't let them get me down. I am so very proud of my cast and crew. With or without paper support, I will promote this film and always be a champion for all of the people who helped us make a film. So for everyone interested, I am working with Randy to produce a short film of Gray Area so that I can promote it at film festivals, Sandpoint and a short film day at the Flicks in Boise. At least, I can generate interest while we are working at completing the feature film. Again I say, Thanks and God bless all of you.
As an Idaho-based actor, it is frustrating to see how little interest is taken in our state as far as films. I do work on gigs in other states and it seems to me that Idaho is weak when it comes to supporting the arts and artists, ESPECIALLY compared to other places such as Nevada, Oregon and California. As an actor, I take much pride in where I am from but it does not make it any less sad or less frustrating to not receive credit for the artistic work that is done in Idaho. We Idaho filmmakers try really hard to get some light shown on our state in order to attract filmmakers from all over the country. In my opinion, it is a good thing that there was a story published about young artists but at the same time, there should also have at least been mention of a film that was made using local talent and filmed in the Mtn Home area. Also, in my opinion, by at least giving some mention of local art, it might attract the attention of artists in other parts of the country and give them cause to bring their money to Idaho, thus creating jobs and helping our failing economy. It is a bit foolish to not mention any and all film, and other art projects that are going on in Idaho in order to draw more positive attention to the place that we all call home.
Snarfs: Thanks for your great comments. It's also nice to see a new person here. Your dedication to acting and film is to be commended. I hope that all of us Idaho film-people will keep doing our Indie films and getting out to festivals to let people know what a wonderful state we have. We have the best scenery in America. Keep on working your acting heart out. I send you all my good thoughts for success.