Recent Filming Projects Take Many Unusual Forms (Inyo Register May 7, 2009)

BS Ranch Perspective:

It looks as if the government has found another way to bolster the economy for the film industry in the Owens Vally, I mean, since the car industry has taken a fall, and cannot produce as many commercials in the valley as they usually do! Now the DoD is taking up the Slack in the Free time of the Back Drop of the Valley to make Training Films for the Men and Woman that are going to Iraq for the War on Terror! The training will be a valuable tool for the American Solder, so I feel that the trade off is a wonderful one, but I still feel awful about the economic slow down in the Auto Industry, so bad, that I did purchase a Truck from one of the failing markets just to see if my purchase makes a difference, after all the Chrysler Family of Automobiles and Trucks are the BEST on the ROAD! Now I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the Ford or Chevrolet vehicles. It is just my belief that when it comes to Trucks, the Dodge Truck is the best on the market, after all they get the same Torque out of a 6.9 liter, that Ford or Chevy gets out of their big 7.2 Liter. Now the biggest difference is that Dodge's Cummings Engine has two less Cylinders and therefor gets better fuel economy with the same amount of torque, hence the better vehicle! Again this is just my opinion, just remember that an opinion is like your but, everyone has one!

I am glad that these training films are being made now, but I am wondering why? Why, they have not been made a whole lot earlier then now? I guess because we have a kinder gentler President in Office now that is the difference, to make training films to show how people should ride in a Hummer when it is in motion in Iraq!

BS Ranch

Recent filming projects take many unusual forms

Humvees at the ready at Whitney Portal and Movie Flat roads as part of a Department of Defense training film for troops in Afghanistan. Photos courtesy Inyo County Film Commission

By Chris Langley
Inyo County Film Commission
5-7-2009

The economic slowdown has had a significant, measurable effect on filming projects locally. By this time each year, the county usually has had 20-30 automobile commercials. This year they can be counted on fingers of both hands. Different kinds of filming projects have been scouting and filming, however, and demonstrate that many new forms, markets and formats are being generated by innovative artists and Internet gurus.
The writers' strike last year ended the hopes of many budding television series, and furloughed feature film production. That was followed by the threatened actors' strike. Although a tentative agreement has been reached, the strike's shadow is still present. Many companies stored their money for films in hedge funds, which quickly evaporated with the enormous drop in the Stock Market.

As the economy contracted calamitously, the three major automobile companies' sales did too, bringing them to the edge of collapse. Now Chrysler has filed for bankruptcy, GM is trying to reorganize and even Ford struggles. With the government involved, the companies have how they do business, and in one sense have changed how they do commercials for marketing their products. GM requires a production company to use its own money creating the commercial, only receiving half the money upon completion and acceptance of the ad. The second half of the money is paid only after the commercial has aired or been published. In fact, the automobile companies are using the production company's money to fund the creating of the commercial. Obviously, production companies are unwilling to front money for a company that may disappear, obviating their need to repay the company.
Nevertheless,Spider Motorcycle, a three-wheel version introduced a few years ago in a commercial made here, Kia, and Subaru all have worked locally in the last months. While they have worked in the Alabama Hills, many of the shoots have taken place on the scenic roads of the county, north and south.
When "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen" opens at the end of June, it will be interesting to see if the show begins with the work done here as originally planned. When "G.I. Joe" opens in August, we'll be looking for Tuttle Creek and Whitney Portal second unit work.
Two very interesting projects have shot here in the last few months. They are very different from each other in style, purpose and intended audience. Neither will be seen in your local multiplex, that is for certain. The Metabolic Studio from L.A. is filming one project and the other is being done under the auspices of the Department of Defense and will be used in training Humvee drivers in Afghanistan to avoid IEDs and terrorist threats.
"Silver and Water" is an artist's film under the direction of visionary artist Lauren Bon who works with FarmLab, and the Metabolic Studio, a collective of artists practicing social sculpture. Rochelle Fabb, project manager, began working in the Owens Valley nearly a year-and-a-half ago, consulting with the Film Commission on locations, history of the area and local resources to create an installation/performance piece being created by Ms. Bon. The group intended to investigate the history of the area that links Lone Pine and Southern Inyo so closely with the city of Los Angeles. The work had many aspects including performance and installation at the PPG Plant south of Lone Pine, Swansea and Cerro Gordo.
Then it would all be filmed on a schema of the "Wizard of Oz" and titled "Silver and Water." The silver is the bullion from Cerro Gordo that kick-started the backwater town that became Los Angeles. The water was the water the city took from the area to allow for development of the megalopolis that exists to our south today. To further their reach into the community for support, they taught a group of local citizens to play the glass harp (wine glasses tuned to specific notes). Called the Metabolic Orchestra and dressed in costumes inspired by the Bauhaus style of design in Europe, the group played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in one of the silos at the PPG. All this was filmed to be incorporated in the film in a public performance.
Additional filming was done over at Swansea where projects involving growing algae for oil extraction as a fuel were attempted. There was even a skywriter who spelled out "Surrender Dorothy." The work of the group continues with the themes of "Film, Fuel and Food," and they have leased property on Main Street in Lone Pine near the Espresso Parlor to develop the "food" component. Work on the filming will also continue. It is planned now that the film will be shown at a new theater up at Cerro Gordo during the Film Festival this year. The group has created a beautiful greenhouse to develop sustainable agriculture and replication of an algae/brine shrimp art installation from 1972.
The other project of note is a training film for a simulator for military personnel driving in Afghanistan. Scouting and staging plans took several months because the film was made in 300-degree-plus panorama with a state-of-the-art digital camera. Actually, the camera was eight cameras all in-synch, and the final film would be projected in the round so the trainees experienced encountering terrorist threats in Afghanistan. Again, the Alabama Hills stood in for Afghanistan as they did in "Iron Man" and a Motorola commercial before. Inyo County, in film terms, is more the "New Afghanistan" than the "Old West."
The shoot was challenging because of the panorama nature of the staged encounters. The director had to ride in the camera car and anyone in the Alabamas camping or climbing would appear as being in war-torn Afghanistan. This required the Inyo County Board of Supervisors to close Movie Road for five days. The supervisors and the county really practice being film friendly when needed. The wind blew some of the days very hard, and as one crewman steadfastly said, "I guess the wind blows like this in Afghanistan as well."
This shoot was good for our economy and of even more value because it would make our men and women in the Armed Forces better prepared for the challenges of the Middle East.
Langley can be reached by phone at (760) 937-1189 or by e-mail at lonepinemovies@aol.com.

Council: Sucession 'Off The Table' (The Daily Independent Aug. 3, 2007) The Sucession Debate in Ridgecrest is over, at least officially!

Council: Secession 'off the table'

BY NATHANIEL LIEDL
Published: Friday, August 3, 2007 12:21 PM CDT
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Staff Reporter

ncliedl@gmail.com

The secession debate in Ridgecrest is over, at least officially.

The Ridgecrest City Council unanimously passed a motion to remove any talk of secession from Kern County and annexation into Inyo County at their meeting on Wednesday night.

In early June, Vice Mayor Tom Wiknich proposed that the Council do a "thorough analysis" on what the City expends and receives from the County. Wiknich also said that "...the City should look into the prospect of Ridgecrest seceding from Kern County and annexing into Inyo County."

That prompted First District Supervisor Jon McQuiston to appear before the Council in June and again in July. On July 18, McQuiston, along with Kern County staff, presented the financial numbers on what the City expends and receives from the County.

At that meeting, McQuiston said the City receives $2.73 for every dollar they give to the County.

Within the last two weeks, Wiknich, with other Council members, met with McQuiston and State Assemblywoman Jean Fuller. Wiknich said last week's meeting with McQuiston, City Manager Harvey Rose, and Mayor Pro Tem Steve Morgan was "very cordial, polite, friendly, and open and candid." The meeting lasted almost three hours with discussion focused on the renegotiation of the Redevelopment Agreement of 1987 and the annexation of County lands.

"Supervisor McQuiston requested us to put our positions and recommendations into writing and he agreed to submit them to County officials for further discussions," said Wiknich. "As a result of these preliminary discussions we decided that we would have more of these meetings in the future on a regular basis."

That meeting, as well as the meeting with Fuller, encouraged Wiknich to permanently pull secession "off the table."

"In conclusion, I believe the numbers we got from the County were very complete and favorable," said Wiknich. "I also believe the meeting to begin the renegotiations was very positive and open and having Assemblywoman Fuller offer to help us on the state level is really exciting. As a result of these positive steps I would like to make a motion that while we have an analysis ongoing as far as trying to get this roads initiative passed I would like to make a motion to take annexing into Inyo County off the table officially."

The Council carried the motion 5-0.

"We can symbolically vote because we never voted on it to begin with," said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Morgan. "But to appease some people let's just get it over with."

Because the City is now aware of its financial situation in relation to the County, it is up to the City to pass a road initiative on their own, said Wiknich.

"Since December 2006 we have been discussing putting to the people of Ridgecrest another roads initiative asking people for the third time to approve a sales tax increase for the purpose of fixing the roads in Ridgecrest," said Wiknich.

"The people were telling us that they want us to fight the higher levels of government to find funding first. Some have even suggested we should sue higher levels of government. They told us that before we asked them to approve a roads initiative they wanted to be sure that we had done everything we can to raise money — as much money as we can — before asking them to approve a tax. And then after, if we can convince them that we've done everything we can then, they may be willing to pass such a final initiative. The last one was very close to passing we just need a few more votes to get one through."

The Kern Council of Governments is scheduling a presentation for the "state transportation fund cycle for the [California Transportation Commission]" on October 3, said Morgan. He said it is "imperative that the community understand what's going on there."

"I think it will drive home the point as we are moving forward on a possible measure exactly what we're not going to get for the next several years," said Morgan. "Again, what [Wiknich] was talking about, trying to get the information to prove to the public we're doing absolutely everything we can to give you all the informaiton necessary to make a well rounded decision on any measure that may make it to ballot."

A bond measure would be "specific" for road improvements which would require a two thirds vote, Rose said last month.

"The Council has talked about presenting another financial issue to the public sometime in 2008," said Rose.

In other matters, the Council passed a resolution to authorize City Manager Rose to enter into an agreement with Hall and Foreman, Inc. for the preparation of plans and specifications for the traffic signal at the intersection of South China Lake Boulevard and Church Avenue.

Funding for construction of the signal had been partially received through Hazard Elimination Safety funds. Hall and Foreman, Inc. will complete the project for $16,000.

The Council also held a public hearing on the sale of a commercial building in the Ridgecrest Business Park. Mary Boster will open a print facility/business center on the lot. There was no public comment.

Lastly, the Council designated Mayor Chip Holloway as the City's Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference, taking place from Sept. 5-8 in Sacramento. Holloway asked fellow council members to e-mail him with input on issues to be discussed at the conference.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

BS Ranch Perspective

I am one that is of the sound and full belief that the City of Ridgecrest that is located in the County of Kern, would have received better service had they voted to move the County line to take in their City and surrounding area into the County of INYO. For the simple reason that Inyo county Seat is so much closer to Ridgecrest then Kern County's Is, I mean really, Kern Counties looks towards Ridegecrest as part of a Step Child that doesn't do their choirs to keep their room clean, so they are looked down upon and they don't get any of the Counties funding to keep themselves as part of the budgeting such as the dogs, and the Dog Pound.

In some ways it is better that the things stay the same in other ways it would have been a good thing to have Ridgecrest and a Second City, Especially one as big as Ridgecrest in the County of INYO, to top off the County coffers..But as the saying goes, the more things change the more that they stay the same.
they are never more true then with the City of Ridgecrest and the County of Inyo!!

BS Ranch

Ridgecrest Proposes to Secede From Kern County (KGET.com June 20, 2007)

BS Ranch Perspective

It is my believe that since the southern end of Ridgecrest is along the Inyo County Border, that it would more then likely get better services from the Sheriff of Inyo County, and the Sheriff Department. However Inyo County's Budget is much Smaller then that of Kern County's, having said that, I would say that most of Kern County's Budget is not spent on Ridgecrest and I would lay dollars to doughnuts that the people that represents Kern County didn't know much about Ridgecrest until this Secession was brought up!!

I believe that since most of the Surrounding area around Ridgecrest is Inyo it should be Inyo too

BS Ranch

Ridgecrest proposes to secede from Kern County

Last Update: Jun 20, 2007 7:44 PM

Posted By: brynn galindo

Posted 6/20/07
BAKERSFIELD - There are rumblings of a revolt in Ridgecrest.

The city council Wednesday night will discuss a Ridgecrest proposal to secede from Kern County and become part of Inyo County.

The high desert city is located in the far northeastern corner of Kern, and some folks there believe they would receive better public services from Inyo County than they currently get from Kern County.

A spokesman for First District Supervisor Jon McQuiston said backers of the secession proposal are under the misperception they're not getting their fair share of services.

Nevertheless, county accountants are currently crunching numbers to determine the financial impact to the county's general fund should Ridgecrest voters decide to secede from Kern County.

Burning Permits Suspended (CAL Fire News Release 0615) CDF Suspends burn permits for INYO San Berdo & MONO Counties

Burning permits suspended

Saturday, June 16, 2007 10:05 AM PDT

Cal Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, is suspending burning permits on all state responsibility lands within San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono counties, according to a press release issued June 15.

The precaution is being done because of extreme potential for wildland fire. The burn suspension is being instituted beginning Monday, June 18, at 6 a.m. according to Section 4423.1 of the California Public Resources Code. The indefinite suspension is effective throughout the counties, except in the incorporated cities. Additionally, the use of campfires is restricted to campfire facilities located within established campgrounds open to the public.

"We hope that people were able to use the extra time to complete their property clearance and finish burning any cut vegetation that might have remained," said Doug Lannon, Fire Prevention Battalion Chief for the Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit.

Because of record low rainfall this year, moisture levels in the vegetation is dangerously low. Wildland fires have already occurred in Summit Valley, Catalina Island, Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills similar to what is seen in late summer or early autumn.

Homeowner responsibility is the key to fire safety. Following the law and have 100 feet of defensible space is a major first step in making homes and property fire resistant.

BS Ranch Perspective

I have heard of Property Rights and the Rights of Ownership, however I thought that they would have done away with this burning of Brush on your own property a long time ago, being that it is so easy for the fire to get away from the people that run the fire. The property Owner is liable for the cost of the Fire if a Fire Agency responds to put out a Control Burn that gets out of Control and that can bankrupt a Land owner!!

I have seen this happen, and the Fire agency is out many thousands of dollars for the mishap, of the money that they had to put out the water, the overtime alone is very expensive for the county or city where the agency is from, if they had to call in Mutual Aid that is even worse they rely on that mutual aid check to help pay for the over time that they are paying their Fire Fighters for this fire. which in some case are the cost of a new fire engine that they are using to sleep on and has shelter while they are there to put out the fire that was a 'control' burn to begin with.

Might be something to think about when it it time to have people clear their land the old fashion way like I have to by hand and truck! haul what they can away to a land fill and burn it all in a huge hole where it cannot creep out and start burning towards homes and businesses of a city or town.

BS Ranch

GUEST COMMENTARY:Mayor: What Would we lose going to Inyo County? (The Daily Independent June 9, 2007)

GUEST COMMENTARY: Mayor: What would we lose going to Inyo County?

Published: Saturday, June 9, 2007 1:45 PM CDT
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BY MAYOR CHIP HOLLOWAY

During the past three decades, California cities have become increasingly dependent upon the funds and services provided by county, state, and federal governments. Small and moderate sized cities, in particular, have often found themselves at the mercy of the political whims of larger municipalities as well other governmental agencies.

Always on the search for ways to fund quality services demanded and deserved by Ridgecrest residents, it has been suggested that secession from Kern County and annexation to Inyo County should be considered and might be beneficial.

There has been an overwhelming number of questions and comments generated since this was first discussed.

Secession and annexation may be accomplished through the agreement of the two county boards of supervisors - with the consideration of the two Local Agency Formation Commissions - or by action of the state legislature.

If the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is "triggered," hundreds of thousands of dollars would be required for the necessary studies. But there is much more that must be considered before any action is taken.

As examples:

Ridgecrest land owners pay property tax to Kern County. What county services are received in return? Would there be a greater or lesser return from Inyo County?

Fire services are presently provided by Kern County. Would Inyo County be able to provide these services, or would Ridgecrest have to contract with the California Department of Forestry or create its own fire department at a much higher cost? And, what impact would this have on fire insurance costs to Ridgecrest residents?

Kern County Sheriff's Department currently provides technical investigation, helicopter support, and prisoner housing. Inyo County would be unable to provide helicopter support, and Ridgecrest would have to contract with the California Department of Justice for technical investigation at a much higher cost. It is uncertain whether Inyo County would be able to meet prisoner housing requirements.

Kern County District Attorney currently provides crime laboratory services, that would otherwise have to be contracted with the California Department of Justice.

The Superior Court is an agency of the State. However, only Inyo County cases could be heard in Ridgecrest, the balance of Indian Wells Valley and East Kern County cases would be heard elsewhere. What other court services would remain or be moved to the Inyo County Seat?

Distribution of federal and state funds for roads and transit would be made through the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (Inyo and Mono Counties and Mammoth and Bishop) rather than the Kern County Council of Governments. There would be a far smaller "pot" of money to distribute.

The availability of funds from the Community Development Block Grant program would be significantly reduced.

Distribution of funds to certain non-profit organizations would likely be reduced.

Ridgecrest currently contracts with Kern County for Plan Check and Building Inspection. Who would provide these services?

Kern County Council On Aging currently provides the Senior Nutrition Program. Who would provide this service?

Transit funds are managed by councils of governments. Would funding to Ridgecrest be reduced?

What impact would these actions have on the Sierra Sands Unified School District and Cerro Coso Community College?

Inyo County does not have a library system to replace the Kern County Library.

Some, but probably not all Kern County jobs in Ridgecrest would be replaced.

Kern County has provided three quarters of a million dollars in support of Base Retention.

Where will needed funds come from in the future?

In addition, studies must be made with regard to county landfills, county-regulated ambulance services, flight for life, county emergency services, Kern County park and properties in Ridgecrest, county regional transit services, and impacts on utilities systems.

All ideas for funding municipal services should be studied with an eye to providing more and better service to our constituents.

In no event, however, should this be rushed; but studied thoroughly and dispassionately.

There are many areas of concern - some not listed above - that must be evaluated.

The question remains: What is the best option for the citizens of Ridgecrest? Through this process we will ultimately reveal a definitive answer.

Marshall "Chip" Holloway
Ridgecrest City Mayor

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BS Ranch Perspective

The Rumors are true, that Ridgecrest is seriously thinking about moving out of Kern county and moving into the Second Largest County of the United States, Second only to San Bernardino County. Inyo County is a fine County, However there are some short comings on Any Government, There just Is, I guess it goes to the old saying that you can only please some of the people some of the time but you cannot please all the people all the time!! Something like that. I am sure that Inyo County would move some amenities into Ridgecrest right away, if they were to take over as the outside County, I know that they only have one side of the City Now and most of that is taken by the Base and Restricted area.

It will be interesting to see what develops for Ridgecrest. If Ridgecrest is annexed into Inyo County then Inyo will have two Incorporated Cities instead of their one Small City of Bishop, Ridgecrest's Lil Rival!

Should Ridgecrest Leave Kern County? (The Daily Independant June 7, 2007)

Should Ridgecrest leave Kern County?

BY NATHANIEL LIEDL - Staff Reporter - The Daily Independent
Published: Thursday, June 7, 2007 10:46 AM CDT
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Frustrated by the feeling the City of Ridgecrest is not receiving their due share of Kern County or state funding, the Ridgecrest City Council agreed to look into seceding from the County and becoming part of Inyo County Wednesday night.

Vice Mayor Tom Wiknich raised the idea of secession and said that "thorough analysis on what Kern County receives attributed to the City of Ridgecrest" is needed, "then get the figures as to what the County spends in support of Ridgecrest."

Wiknich emphasized the need of further research.

"My fellow council members, I know that I'm dropping on you a pretty radical idea. I know you'll need time to think this through. What I am asking of the council tonight, is to let me bring this idea to the City Organization committee for further research. I'm not asking for funds to go out and hire some consultant to study this for us.

"What I do propose at the committee level is that I, along with someone on the staff already, set to work on gathering the Kern County financial data, and then research the pros and cons, and financial impacts in annexing to Inyo County. We should also consider the possible political implications that this idea may bring."

Wiknich's proposal followed a resolution proposed by City Manager Harvey Rose. Rose requested that the state accelerate monies from Proposition 1B for local transportation projects by including the full funding the $1 billion for California's cities in the 2007-08 State budget. The City of Ridgecrest should receive approximately $875,000 in funding from Prop 1B.

"Early allocation of these funds will allow projects to get underway immediately and will prevent unnecessary delays," said Rose. "Whereas some Prop 1B projects will take years or even decades to complete, many city transportation improvement projects are ready to get off the drawing board and into construction right away."

Rose said the state has instead opted to "allocate some of the Prop 1B money to the large metropolitan areas, leaving us small cities in the lurch."

"So this is a concerted effort to attempt to persuade the state to release those monies sooner rather than later."

Council members agreed with Wiknich that thinking "out of the box" is necessary and at least obtaining more data is a good idea.

"I concur with Vice Mayor Wiknich, let's do the exploration, it can't hurt. It can only help us in terms of what our future may be in terms of Inyo County or Kern County. I see no problem with researching this and bringing it back to the Council," said Council Member Dan Clark.

As of the 2000 census, Inyo County had approximately 18,000 residents. It lies entirely on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, stretching from Pearsonville in the south to just north of Bishop.

Wiknich said he has traveled to the Inyo County seat, Independence, and met with the County Chairman of their Board of Supervisors.

"He has concurred with me that we have much in common, and the idea of them taking in the City of Ridgecrest is something they would consider. They would gain things by us joining them as well as we would have certain things to gain as well," said Wiknich.

The Council stressed that no "ill will" exists toward Kern County employees or Supervisor Jon McQuiston.

"The problem is much higher than the County," said Mayor Chip Holloway. "And the County's struggling a great deal also."

"It's always a one-way street," said Council Member Ron Carter of funding negotiations with Bakersfield. "It's not looking at what's fair to both sides. And it seems that Bakersfield continually wants to have us come up on the short end where we're having to pay for County services."

Holloway said some his initial enthusiasm of secession has "tempered down." He also emphasized the need for more research and estimated that only 25 percent of the necessary fact finding had been conducted.

"The bottom line is there's never been a better time or a better Supervisor in place for us to negotiate with and to get the City of Ridgecrest the best deal," said Holloway.

As for the budget, Rose presented the 2007-08 draft to the Council. Public workshops will be a full-day on Monday, June 18, and a half-day on Tuesday, June 19.

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BS Ranch Perspective

The Answer to this is this simple news question is this: NO; Ridgecrest, should remain in Kern County, after all it has been in the County for so long and since it has been in the county for this long it might as well stay in the county this much longer, unless the services that they are getting is not that great, they are right on the line, they can change the lines changed for the Counties that they are on the cusp of and have Kern County changed, so that either San Bernardinino County or Inyo County covers that of Ridge Crest. Now it is up to the counties that surround the city and see which one will cover the crime raged area.

BS Ranch