About this project
Before the Curtain Rises is a PBS-bound documentary examining the colorful history of the golden age of movie palaces--and their uncertain future in today's media-soaked environment. Will movie theaters become the "Last Picture Shows" of our generation?
This film traces the rise and fall of theaters through the story of Texas's Interstate Theatre chain. We interview many entertainment notables such as Rita Moreno, Jack Valenti, Horton Foote, and Viacom's Sheri Redstone to debate what the future holds for theatrical exhibition. The film also follows the rescue of Interstate's last atmospheric theatre from the wrecking ball, and documents the four-year renovation of this movie house back to its 1930 glory.
We are very near to completion of principal photography, and wish to raise $10,000.00 to cover one of Interstate's best restorations: the Paramount Theatre in Abilene, Texas (http://www.paramount-abilene.org/) and to record interviews with two renown movie theatre preservation artisans: Killis Almond (http://www.almond-architects.com/) in San Antonio, Texas and T.M. Battersby (http://www.battersbyornamental.com/) also in San Antonio.
Because this is a production for PBS, all funds contributed are treated as a tax-deductible donation, and the production sponsor, Documentary Alliance, is a 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information, go to: http://www.interstatetheatres.com and learn more about Documentary Alliance at http://www.documentaryalliance.org
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This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 30, 2009.
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Project By
Jeffrey Mills
- Bellaire, TX
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Jeffrey graduated in 1977 from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Radio/Television/Film. He began working as a filmmaker at National Photographic Laboratories in Houston as a director/cinematographer. From 1979-1980 he freelanced as a cinematographer and editor in Dallas, and from 1981-1983 he returned to Houston to work at VHM Films as a cinematographer, editor, and writer.
In 1983 Jeffrey founded Io Communications, a corporate communications and documentary production company where he continues to serve as president and lead producer. His work in corporate and educational programming for Io has won many broadcast and interactive awards for clients such as Compaq Computers, Chevron, Duke Energy, Cooper Industries, Raytheon, and Universal Weather and Aviation. Io has also received a Houston 100 Award in 1995 as one of Houston’s fasting growing companies.
Jeffrey comes by his love for Interstate Theatres and production of Before the Curtain Rises by his father, Julian Mills, who worked at the Interstate Palace Theatre in El Paso, Texas.
