Mountain Stage Live! A 6 DVD collection of great music from the mountain state. Proposal 2011 Contact: Producer: Matthew J. Pellowski Producer Denny Bellamy Red Line Studios Kanawha Gateway Heritage Area 181 Broadway Suite 301 PO BOX 256 New York, NY 10007 Buffalo, WV 25033 www.redlinestudios.net [email protected] (main) 212-566-2031 (direct) 304-593-0237 (cell) 347-401-3869 copyright 2010 WGAE Registered: 1205479 INDEX 1. Synopsis 2. About Mountain Stage 3. About the Production Company 4. Sponsorship 5. Distribution Relationships 1. Synopsis Synopsis Music is a powerful art form capable of transcending cultures, bridging generational gaps, and unifying people of all ages, creeds, and genders. Plato defined music as having the ability to “give one soul to the universe, providing wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to all things.” Music will always be a craft with a life force of its own; it brings us happiness, defines who we are, evokes memories and hopes, and soothes a troubled soul. It can speak for a band of people or an entire generation, giving one voice to many. Leonardo Da Vinci even postulated that our souls were created from, and composed of, “harmony.” For over 25 years, the founders of “Mountain Stage,” an artistic musical venture created in West Virginia, have shared these feelings of music and have strived to create a venue to help spread the gift of song. Mountain Stage is a live event that occurs 25 times per year and brings 5 diversely talented artists together for one night of musical performance ranging in genres from traditional to modern rock, folk, roots, bluegrass and more. Although the program began in Charleston WV and still predominately operates in that city, Mountain Stage has since expanded its borders and produced shows in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia. Throughout the years, the program has become known for bringing the first national exposure to a variety of well known artists and bands including: Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Crash Test Dummies, Barenaked Ladies, Counting Crows, Phish and R.E.M. Today, Mountain Stage can proudly boast the accolade of being one of the longest running radio shows on air. Broadcasting on NPR since 1986, the program has been a venue for new artists to be discovered and seasoned veterans to perform in a variety program that is like no other. The two hour live show allows and encourages all performers of the evening to play their own brand of music while performing duets and cross platform musical ventures with one another. Anyone who has had the privilege to witness a Mountain Stage performance can speak to the unique nature and distinct experience it provides for the audience. Viewers are exposed to new artists and obliged to witness different blends of musical styles that are always raw, gritty, moving, free-flowing and fun. It’s like having the opportunity to watch some of your favorite artists play on stage and feed off one another in a “formal” jam session that often feels extremely intimate and personal to the audience. Mountain Stage has entertained live audience members and listeners on National Public Radio for over two decades, and now “Mountain Stage Live on DVD” will look to continue that trend, bringing the same unique experience though a special collection of HD DVDs. Mountain Stage Live on DVD will look to capture the same electric musical energy each show possesses, and to make it available for a whole new group of people through a different medium. Through this special collection 6 DVD set, Mountain Stage Live on DVD will showcase 6 individual concert performances to be sold individually through the direct to video market, video on demand, and possibly broadcast television. The DVDs will have a total running time of 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, and contain a compilation of live music and behind the scenes exclusive interviews with the singers and songwriters. Each DVD will be available individually, as well as in a box set of the 6, creating a complete collection of performances from within the same year. Mountain Stage Live will be recorded in high definition and filmed and edited in a dynamic and entertaining fashion by the professional New York based production company, Red Line Studios. The look and feel of each DVD will emulate the individuality, intimacy, uniqueness, and earthy style of this long-running musical program with a devoted following. Our goal will be to capture the beauty, elegance, and distinctive nature of each chosen night of music and simply transmit it via a different medium for existing fans to appreciate, and new audience members to discover. Now fans of the program can take home a copy of this special night of music to watch and share with others as well as introduce the show to fans of live music that are presently unaware of the series. Red Line Studios will work with the Mountain Stage organization to bring their award- winning program to at-home viewers, whereas in the past the only opportunity and outlet was audibly through the radio or internet, or in person at the actual event. This collection of DVDs will help capture and preserve 6 distinct nights of great music and broaden the viewership and outlets by which Mountain Stage reaches its fans. 2. About Mountain Stage About Mountain Stage Where Musicians Come to Play Mountain Stage® is an Host internationally distributed Larry Groce has been host, artistic director, and weekly, two-hour live co-producer of Mountain Stage® since its performance music program, featuring some of creation. He has recorded 22 albums including 6 the world’s greatest artists in a relaxed platinum albums for Walt Disney Records. He’s atmosphere with a live-broadcast edge. been nominated for a Grammy® Award and wrote and performed the top 10 hit song “Junk One of the longest running contemporary music Food Junkie”. programs on radio, Mountain Stage® has also produced limited series for public television. Underwriting Over 39 one-hour TV shows have been produced A national underwriter ($55,000) receives four and nine high definition shows distributed. credits per show. The underwriter is Since 1983, Mountain Stage® has showcased acknowledged at the open and close and has 2 musical legends, well-known artists, and up-and- twelve-second credits in the program. coming new performers from a wide range of genres and traditions. Included are Lyle Lovett, Norah Jones, R.E.M, Martina McBride, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ralph Stanley, Drive By Truckers, Joan Baez, and Alison Krauss. Mountain Stage® champions the principle that Audience music can’t really be separated into categories. Carriage…The show is carried on over 110 NPR affiliates including the Boston, NYC, Mountain Stage® attracts listeners—especially Philadelphia, D.C., and Charlotte markets. the sought-after 25 to 54 age group—by Education, Income and Ethnicity … consistently presenting performers who are 65% of the audience has a college education. entertaining and intelligent. 48% of those earn $75,000 or more annually. Format Men are 54% of the audience while women Each two-hour radio program features four or comprise 46%. five guests and is recorded with a live audience. Of the 65% college+ educated 33% are men and Each guest performs a three- to six-song 32% are women. segment. Each show weaves the program Afro-Americans comprise 10% of our audience regulars and local station ID opportunities into while Hispanics are 9%. Source: Arbitron Nationwide / Act 1 Systems, transitions around the guests. Mountain Stage® blends studio quality with live performance DMA (ESTIMATE TYPE) Persons 12+, Mon- before a theater audience. Sun 24 Hours. Distribution Check it out www.mountainstage.org Produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and is distributed by NPR (National Public Radio), and Voice of America’s Satellite Service. The radio show is also streamed on the home website and artist’s segments are available on the NPR Music website 3. About the Production Company About the Production Company Red Line Studios is a Manhattan based full service Production Company and post- production suite, providing a one-stop shop for high quality, high concept film and television production. We are an independent studio with a reputation for excellence, as well as for paying an acute attention to detail and making the impossible possible. Our staff consists of a close-knit network of like-minded and talented industry professionals who share the same attitudes, expectations, and level of commitment towards everything we pursue. We are down-to-earth, devoted professionals with experience at the highest levels of film, television, and print media. We believe in working with small, intimate crews of hardworking people, with the notion of quality over quantity. On account of our existing relationships with other studios and companies we have partnered with over the years, we offer every essential production service needed to take a project from page to screen. Our extensive network allows us to save executive producers, investors, and companies who work with us, an impressive percentage of costs within their existing budget. Given that all of the services we offer fall under the same studio, every project we are involved with achieves a production value worth 5 to 10 times a budget’s actual cost. This attribute becomes essential in productions both small and large, because it can free up production money to be invested in opportunities previously thought to be unavailable, such as affording known talent or specialty services. We believe in having total control of our productions and understand that each element of bringing a film to life is equally important.