In tiny Mono, Ontario, Canada, there is a nondescript motel called The Hockley. It might not sound like much, but her role on the hit TV show Schitt’s Creek put the city of 8,600 on the map. Leagues of visitors descend on the region every year to soak up a bit of televised magic.
Nancy Clark-Mather hopes to bring the same notoriety and magic to Beloit through her new venture, Beloit FilmWorks. The company is a “movie-friendly†location-finding service that strives to bring directors, documentary makers and producers to the region to use Beloit’s diverse landscape for their projects.
After his retirement, Clark-Mather became interested in writing screenplays and learning how to distribute his work and put it in good hands.
“I am an avant-garde filmmaker. These are my years of passion, â€she said.
This enthusiasm for the world of cinema led Clark-Mather to get involved in the Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF), joining the board of directors in 2019.
Her involvement in BIFF has put her in front of producers and directors, some of whom have encouraged her to consider the idea of ​​bringing Beloit to the world stage.
Taking to heart the encouragement of its film peers, Beloit FilmWorks was born. The company was named with a nod to Beloit Ironworks, in connection with the historic and blue collar spirit of the region. Clark-Mather hopes to infuse a bit of beatnik / mid-century branding, an old Hollywood philosophy meets new ideas and creative endeavors.
“I take all of my love for the arts, film and filmmakers, and for this uniquely beautiful community of Beloit and put it into a service that will support any film or commercial that seeks to film in a convenient, affordable, and affordable format. multifaceted. zone, â€explains Clark-Mather.
The booming business has already made strides thanks to Clark-Mather’s Beloit advocacy. She believes that Beloit’s myriad of options, from urban downtowns, historic neighborhoods and rural farmlands, provide filmmakers with a plethora of opportunities away from the traffic and dense populations of big cities.
In the midst of the pandemic halt, Clark-Mather focused on creating a location database, a collection of Beloit, Janesville and Rockford area locations ready for film crews. She began running with physical scout trips spanning a thirty mile radius, creating the database photo directory. The directory covers the whole range of offices, restaurants, natural spaces and industrial buildings and is growing rapidly. Collaborate with organizations such as
Visit Beloit and the owners of downtown Beloit commercial buildings, Clark-Mather hopes the idea of ​​Beloit as a filming destination will gain traction and create many production-ready spots.
Making Beloit the next Mono, Ontario could be financially beneficial not only during filming, but also in post-production. Bringing filmmakers to the area could create jobs and increase spending for local businesses as production proceeds.
The Beloit Film Works website will feature a supplier directory, bringing together food, accommodation, clothing and crew options for filmmakers. But just like Schitt’s Creek Motel, movies shot at recognizable Beloit sites will boost tourism.
In addition to building his professional website, Clark-Mather has immersed himself in film-centric projects, including his involvement in the production of a documentary on mental health and resilience aboard a Navy fleet. .
With passion fueling his grassroots efforts to build his business, Clark-Mather has countless dreams for Beloit FilmWorks.
“I want Beloit to be in a national auto commercial,†she says.
She has visions of a Mazda Miata backlit by the twinkling spine of lights on Irontek Drive.
Miata’s vision isn’t the only clear picture Clark-Mather has for the future of Beloit’s film location.
His enthusiasm for the Beloit FilmWorks business is palpable and Beloit will be well served by this enthusiasm that permeates the creative vision of filmmakers across the country.
His rallying cry around Beloit FilmWorks with today’s producers and directors is simple but perfectly illustrates the company’s mission: “If it exists, we will find it and if it does not exist, we will create it” .
Beloit FilmWorks is available in Location Managers Guild International magazine’s quarterly COMPASS listings and online at www.BeloitFilmWorks.com
:format(webp)/https://www.therecord.com/content/dam/therecord/news/waterloo-region/2022/10/25/local-film-doc-embraces-nostalgia-for-vintage-toys/geidlinger_sara.jpg)
