Maureen Sager

ACE “Rogue Film School” Kicks Off at WMHT

June 5, 2017 By Maureen Sager

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WMHT, Youth FX, Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy and Film Upstate kicked off a new event series called “Rogue Film School” on Thursday, June 1. Our first installment featured veteran casting director / producer Heidi Levitt, who has cast over 100 features, and worked with directors Oliver Stone, Wayne Wang, Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, Sally Potter, Mark Ruffalo and many more.

Heidi shared stories of how she started in the business (her personal interest in theater and a college internship with casting directors Risa Bramon and Billy Hopkins got her on her way), and the innovative ways she has approached her job, from trolling New Orleans in search of jazz musicians for director Alan Parker to opening directors’ minds to actors of color. She told the audience of 30 filmmakers and enthusiasts to “get right back up when you get knocked down.” She shared her disappointment when a project she was developing with Werner Herzog fell apart five years ago, still feeling a pinch when she sees Herzog, who has made 3 or 4 films since their project fell apart. “Oh, it’s no problem, Heidi,” he tells her cheerily every time she sees him. Her decades-long collaboration with Wim Wenders has been similar. Wenders has made many classic films – Wings of Desire, Paris, Texas – but none of the projects that Heidi has worked on with Wenders have hit that mark. “He just keeps going,” she said. “He isn’t worried about it.”

Heidi also shared a trailer from a project she’s been developing for 20 years – a television series titled “Exiles on Main Street,” featuring stories of immigrants in cities across the United States. She learned last week that the series, which was picked up for development and distribution by a major cable network, had suddenly been dropped. While admitting that it’s tough news, she is not going to let it stop her. “Who knows, maybe we’ll find an even better deal,” she said. She discussed how the industry has changed drastically in 30 years, and that the budgets and margins are so much tighter. She remains hopeful, and completely committed to her work.

Heidi was interviewed by Bhawin Suchak of Youth FX, an amazing not-for-profit organization that teaches filmmaking skills to city youth ages 14-19. We’re really looking forward to developing more of these “Rogue Film School” events. Stay tuned!!

Washington County in Bloom!

May 22, 2017 By Maureen Sager

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I’ve lived Upstate for 12 years, and am just now discovering our gorgeous rural towns, roads, businesses and arts organizations. I drive upwards of 1,000 miles a month with my job as ACE Project Director, and while much of that time is spent in our cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Hudson, Glens Falls and Saratoga, I’m occasionally — and very happily! — heading out to more rural towns during a wonderful time of the year. Here’s some scenery from Washington County, where the farm stands like Hand Melon Farm are bursting with flowers, and Ice Cream Man — where they make all of our own ice cream onsite, using an old-fashioned batch method of production and cream from a local dairy — is beckoning!

Congratulations, 40 Under 40 Honorees!

March 16, 2017 By Maureen Sager

*Dan Cullen, Workforce Development Institute. Photo credit: Victoria Kereszi*

Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE) congratulates the 2017 honorees of the Albany Business Review’s “40 Under 40” list. This year, 10 of the 40 honorees are involved with ACE, or are leaders in the industry segments that compose the region’s Creative Economy. Among them:

Dan Cullen, regional director of the Workforce Development Institute (ACE Leadership)
Alejandro del Peral, founder and owner of Nine Pin Cider Works (Culinary Arts sector)
William Gamble, CEO and owner of Pinhole Press (Visual Arts and Handcrafts sector)
Dave Gardell, owner of the The Ruck/Rolling Stock Co. (Culinary Arts sector)
James Hardesty, medical strategy, Fingerpaint (Media sector)
Kristen Holler, executive director of the Albany Barn (Performing Arts, Media, and Visual Arts sectors)
Tony Iadiccio, executive director of the Albany Center Gallery (Visual Arts sector)
Kristen Holler, Albany Barn. Photo credit: Donna Abbott Vlahos, Albany Business Review
Cory Nelson, owner of Troy Kitchen (Culinary Arts sector)
Banni Singh, principal, D2D Green Design (Design sector)
Ali Skinner, director of strategic communications for CDPHP (Media sector)

“We’re really glad to see that so many of the ‘40 Under 40’ honorees are working in the Creative Economy,” said Maureen Sager, ACE’s project director. “Their businesses and organizations add so much vibrancy, excitement, and real competitive edge to the Capital and upstate region.”

ACE has recently begun working with the Culinary Arts and Agriculture industry. This group, estimated to employ 5,000 people in the region, is an integral part of the local Creative Economy, and ACE will have much more to announce about this sector in the coming months. Until then, toast these ’40 Under 40′ winners at Nine Pin Cider Works, Troy Kitchen, or the Ruck!

*Cory Nelson, Troy Kitchen. Photo credit: Donna Abbott Vlahos, Albany Business Review*

Schuylerville’s Creative Economy: Revibe

January 24, 2017 By Maureen Sager

by Thomas Dimopolous

Kristi Carrara opened Revibe in a 350-square foot space on Broad Street in October 2015, but always had her eye on a larger venue. Today, she has expanded into a two-floor, 3,000-square foot building where she provides a combination of traditional retail and consignment sales, and a space for others in the community to sell their own goods and services.

“I’m an accountant. That’s how I started. I’m best at putting businesses together – that’s where my creativity flourishes,” Carrara said.

Among the offerings at Revibe are singing bowls and dream catchers, handpainted buddhas and chakra candles, murals, and stones and minerals for healing purposes and natural beauty. “Everything I have focuses on nature,” she said.

Approximately a quarter of what she sells is on consignment. Carrara also rents out a large room upstairs to others in the community for events such as workshops, painting classes and meditation-themed events.

“It’s for people starting their own business, but who don’t have to worry about things like rent, bills and overhead. A big part of it is they come in and do their classes and I take care of the rest,” she said.

Carrara’s personal love are air plant holders, which are handmade. She allows customers the opportunity to build their own terrariums and fairy gardens, from base to fill, container and theme.

Contact:

Revibe, 94 Broad Street, Schuylerville

(518) 507-6473 // Revibe Website

Schuylerville’s Creative Economy: GypsYoga

January 24, 2017 By Maureen Sager

by Thomas Dimopolous

For much of the 20^th century, the second floor space inside the brick building at the corner of Broad and Front streets housed the Ackshand Knitting Company, manufacturers of unique gloves. In October 2016, Carol Dimopoulos re-opened the space as the GypsYoga Center to promote health and wellness through movement, meditation and the arts.

“The goal is to provide a loving and welcoming environment and community for students of all levels, and to train teachers in the hatha yoga lineage with yoga masters who come from the yoga capital of the world,” said Dimopoulos, a certified yoga teacher and president of Perillo’s Learning Journeys, an educational travel company.

A handful of master teachers at GypsYoga provide regular classes in hatha, kundalini, and bhakti disciplines for kids, adults and families. Specialized workshops provide opportunities for a variety of freelancers – from master teachers providing gong meditations, to photographers, poets and musicians—who stage collaborative events focused on movement and the arts.

“Giving back is also at the core of what we do,” said Dimopoulos, referring to community yoga events centered on class donations which raise funds to support local and global NGO communities.

GypsYoga is the international teaching center of Yoga Vedenta in India – one of the most prestigious schools of yoga, and located in the ancient spiritual city of Rishikesh. The center promotes journeys and retreats to global destinations, and as an international teaching center offers Yoga Alliance Certified RYT 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings with yoga masters brought to the center from Rishikesh.

“The mission is to bring people inside of themselves and explore their inner world through the holistic teachings of yoga and meditation, pranayama, lifestyle and the creative arts,” Dimopoulos said.

Contact:

GypsYoga Center, 120 Broad Street, Schuylerville

(518) 260-9305 // GypsYogaWebsite