Muscle Shoals, Ala. - April 11, 2005 - The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) is hosting a press conference to announce the start of a major effort to create a strategic plan for the film and television industry for northwest Alabama. Representatives from the nationally recognized consulting firm, Economic Research Associates (ERA) of Los Angeles, entertainment industry professionals and local officials will participate in the April 22 (Friday) press conference. It will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Coby Hall, 459 North Court Street, Florence, Alabama.

David Bergman and Anne Wurts of ERA will visit the Florence-Muscle Shoals area from April 19-23, interviewing representatives of the local film and entertainment industry, tourism and other officials. During their interviews they will assess the region's strengths and weaknesses and later in their final report identify specific actions to be undertaken by state and local stakeholders, including those in the private and public sectors.

Participating in the press conference will be:

• David Bergman, principal consultant for Economic Research Associates, Los Angeles. David has provided consulting services to the film offices in Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, Ontario and Hong Kong.

• Steve Viall, actor, producer, director, who returned home to northwest Alabama to continue his entertainment industry career.
• Rose Bauer, film producer, who recently relocated here from Los Angeles
• Helen Henderson, singer, songwriter and performer. Helen is a New Zealander whose entertainment career has been based in Los Angeles. She recently relocated to Florence.
• Linda Swann, director of the Alabama Film Office

The area has a long-standing tradition in music recording, songwriting and publishing, dating back to the era of the famed Muscle Shoals Sound of the 50s 60s and 70s. Now the motion picture industry is getting a foothold here, with a local filmmaker currently filming "When I Find the Ocean," a full-length movie, in the Shoals area.

For more information about the press conference please contact Keith Jones at 256-389-0555 or Bill Matthews at 256-389-0515.