'Actor Vincent D’Onofrio visits Pleasant Grove for film screening'

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Police » The film and TV star are on a national tour promoting police charity.

By DJ Summers

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published 3 hours ago • Updated 2 hours ago

Often, police are as feared by the public as the criminals they pursue every day.

Silver screen star Vincent D’Onofrio is working to change that perception.

He made an April 19 guest appearance at the Pleasant Grove High School screening of "Heroes Behind the Badge," a 2012 documentary about the line-of-duty deaths of three police officers intended to raise support for police as individuals rather than faceless authority figures.

The message of the film is simple and powerful.

Every 54 hours, a cop dies a violent death somewhere in the United States, and civilians may not remember police are also fathers, Sunday school teachers and Little League coaches.

"It’s unfortunate that it takes the events in Boston and west Texas to remind people who first responders are and which way they’re running when everyone’s running out," D’Onofrio told the sold-out auditorium. "It’s not something civilians think of every day until something like this happens."

D’Onofrio has been doing volunteer promotion work with police departments around the nation since his days as a police officer on television’s "Law and Order: Criminal Intent." During filming of "Heroes Behind the Badge," D’Onofrio approached the film’s producer and director and asked if he could do the narration, for which he refused any kind of payment.

The film sprung from director Wayne Derrick’s mind after he spent four months riding along with the Los Angeles Police Department. Derrick, a BAFTA-winning British director, had a son born only recently, and the fear he felt made him reconsider the nature of police work.

"I remember climbing up rooftops with these guys and thinking, ‘What am I doing? What’s going to happen to my son if I don’t survive here?’" Derrick said. "Then I thought, these guys do this every day of their lives, and they have kids, too. I don’t think a lot of people are aware of that, so I wanted to make a film to show it."

Pleasant Grove’s police department came in full force; nearly every officer not responding to a call was in the high school’s auditorium. Officer Dane Cannavo of the Pleasant Grove Police Department said the police love the good relations from what is an occasionally hostile public.

"I think the public has a misrepresentation of officers," Cannavo said. "A lot of people give a lot of thanks to the troops, and my heart goes out to the troops, but I don’t think a lot of people realize that we as officers are the domestic soldiers. They just see the bad guy giving the ticket."

The national tour promoting the documentary asks for civilians to at least thank a police officer and at most donate to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, which produced the film. John Shanks, director of law enforcement relations for the fund, said the documentary and tour have increased community involvement and donations.

"It has a definite impact," Shanks said. "People just aren’t aware of ways they can donate some money, so there’s been a lot more money coming in. We see a lot of people volunteering more and expressing appreciation for law enforcement."

During the public questions session with D’Onofrio, a teenage girl stood up and thanked him for "showing [her] that cops aren’t the bad guys and I shouldn’t hate them like young people do."

The screening was coordinated by Pleasant Grove’s Honorary Colonels, a volunteer group who support the police department and had a lucky connection to D’Onofrio — one of the members is his sister.

"She was our in," said Sherri Atwood, a communications tech for the Pleasant Grove Police Department. "The date worked well for him, and directly after the Boston bombing, it’s pretty apropos."

Lights, Cameras ... Belmont: 'The Judge' Coming to the Center

"The Judge" with Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duval propose to use the former Municipal Light Building for two days in July.

By Franklin Tucker

It may be the long-closed Municipal Light Department building to Belmont residents – although each month someone attempts to pay their electric bill there – but to a Hollywood movie team, the town-owned structure will be a prime location to shot a big-time film come this July.

Those are the proposed plans from the production company filming "The Judge," a 2014 release starring Robert Downey Jr. (who is also producing) and Robert Duval after the town received a "letter of intent" to film for two days in July, according to Kevin Looney, the town's Building Services manager.

Part of the agreement is for daytime filming as well as finding space for 30 trailers and trucks required by the crew and cast. 

It will now be up to the Belmont Board of Selectmen whether to approve the letter and the rental agreement with the producers, said Looney.

According to Looney, the producers will be doing extensive interior work in preparation to filming which will require a building permit from the town's Office of Community Development. 

"They said they would put the building's interior back to its original condition but I told them not to bother," said Looney of the bare-boned inside.

Once any agreement is approved, the Town Administrator's office will inform and coordinate with other town departments, such as police and public works, to assist in the filming. 

Belmont's former Municipal Light Building, adjacent to the Police Station and across from Belmont's Town Hall, will become a court house in the film. 

If there is a fly in the ointment for the town, it's the MBTA commuter rail line that runs next to the building.

"They told me that it's usually a death sentence when production managers see tracks," said Looney. "But they appeared ready to deal with that."  

"The Judge" is a co-production of Team Downey – the first film for the company created by Downey and his wife Susan, a well-known film producer ("Gothika" and the "Sherlock Holmes" series) – and the film's director David Dobkin’s Big Kid Pictures.

According to imdb.com, the film's story line concerns a successful lawyer (Downey) who returning to his hometown for his mother's funeral discovers that his estranged father, the town's judge (Duval), is suspected of murder.

The "comedy-drama" also stars Vera Farmiga (Clooney's love interest in "Up in the Air" as well as Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon’s lover in "The Departed"), as well as Vincent D'Onofrio (of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" fame who'll play Downey's brother) and "Sling Blade"'s Billy Bob Thornton.

Rumors had Jack Nicholson in the judge's role but he back out. 

In a feature article in the April issue of GQ magazine, Chris Heath wrote that Downey

... hopes to start shooting the first Team Downey film in June, a movie called The Judge in which he will play the lawyer son of a superior-court judge. Its "beautiful story" was thought up by David Dobkin, director of Wedding Crashers, inspired by something in his own life.

"It's funny as hell, but speaking of emo, it's just openly weeping reading the script. I don't know how I'm going to get through it. It's me and Robert Duvall, a father and son."

About a month ago, Looney was asked by a production assistant to look inside the town's Police Station but it was deemed too small but the abutting Light Department passed the initial test for having enough space for the production.

A day later, the location manager came by and though it was OK, said Looney. Then the next day the location manager's boss entered the building and said they would be back. 

And they did come back, this time with director Dobkin who is best know for helming "Wedding Crashers" in 2005 and "Fred Claus" in 2007. 

Then a week later, a bus come to town and Looney let about 30 technical and lighting people into the building. 

"They were looking around saying, 'This is where the lights can go,' as others were taking measurements," said Looney.

Also on that day came cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, Steven Spielberg's favorite who won Academy Awards for "Savings Private Ryan" and "Schindler's List." 

"He was a very interesting guy," said Looney; the cinematographer for "Lincoln" brought two-dozen donuts for everyone.

"I told him the police station was next door," said Looney, who added that Kaminski had "a really great sense of humor."

The last big movie to film in Belmont was the Dane Cook vehicle, "My Best Friend's Girl," in which hoards of Belmont High students trudged out in the early morning hours to get a glimpse of the production and have photos taken with a very-good natured Arlington-native Cook.

Despite the popularity of Massachusetts as being a backdrop to many movies – Sandra Bullock's "The Proposal" was filmed in Gloucester and Rockport even though the action was taking place in Alaska – Belmont has missed out on this trend.

Only "The Thomas Crown Affair" (at Belmont Country Club), "The Cardinal" (a trolley car scene) and PBS's American Playhouse's "Fourth of July and other Disasters" (with an 18-year-old Matt Dillon) were filmed in town. 

'Law Enforcement Ambassador & Guardian Spotlight: Vincent D'Onofrio'

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund enjoys the support of a special group of volunteers: Law Enforcement Ambassadors and Guardians. Law Enforcement Ambassadors are active and retired law enforcement officers from city, state, federal and military law enforcement agencies, while Law Enforcement Guardians are volunteers who support and honor law enforcement but are not sworn officers, allowing citizens, family members and corporate supporters to work closely with the Memorial Fund in achieving our goals.

On Friday, April 19, Actor Vincent D’Onofrio traveled from New York City to Pleasant Grove, Utah to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Vince joined John Shanks from the Memorial Fund and did several radio and television interviews promoting the Memorial Fund’s mission and work. That evening, Vince joined over 650 law enforcement supporters, who filled the auditorium at Pleasant Grove High School for a screening of Heroes Behind the Badge, a documentary film—narrated by Vince—that tells the stories behind the badge of the men and women who serve our communities every day. 

NLEOMF BLOG

During the pre-screening reception, Vince met with the family of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie (End of Watch: 10/2/12). Agent Ivie was shot and killed in Arizona after responding to an activated sensor along the border. Vince talked extensively with Agent Ivie’s wife, parents, and brother, about their lost loved one.

Vincent D’Onofrio is a lot of things to a lot of people. To the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund he is more than an actor who portrayed Detective Bobby Goran on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Vince is a kind and genuine individual who honors the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement professionals and respects their families. 

His support doesn’t end there! Vince is currently our top fundraising participant for the Ride and Run to Remember.

On behalf of everyone at the Memorial Fund, please join us in thanking Vincent D’Onofrio for his service and dedication as a volunteer leader with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

VDO visits MBI

MOLDING BOX, INC FACEBOOK PAGE

Heroes Behind the Badge was an event that Molding Box sponsored dedicated to the service people who have dedicated and even given their lives protecting our communities. Vincent D’Onofrio from the Law and Order TV series made a guest appearance. Molding Box was able to print several items for this event. — with Vincent D'Onofrio and Michael Vandivere.

'A Fall From Grace' hits snags

'Regional filmmakers prosper from tax breaks'

April 26, 2013 12:30 pm  •  By Joe Williams joewilliams@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8344

Few filmmakers are born in Hollywood and most movies are set elsewhere, so shooting on location can be an artistic necessity. And with the advent of low-cost video cameras and tax incentives from film-friendly locales, it has become an economic possibility.

Although Missouri hosted best picture Oscar nominees in two consecutive years — “Up in the Air” in 2009 and “Winter’s Bone” in 2010 — the Show-Me state’s film office is a now a bare-bones operation. As the producers of the planned St. Louis-set thriller “A Fall from Grace” are learning, the Missouri Department of Economic Development doesn’t have as much tax-break money to offer visiting filmmakers as states such as neighboring Illinois and down-river Louisiana.

After being offered about $640,00 in incentives to offset $7 million in planned expenditures here, director Jennifer Lynch is now hedging her bets, negotiating with Metro East officials and traveling to the Cannes Film Festival next month to see if international filming and finance options are available.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Photos: Vincent D'Onofrio poses for pictures after 'HBTB' screening in Utah

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Video: Vincent D'Onofrio fan photos from Rib City Grill Utah charity fundraiser

My favorite...

VIDEO: Vincent D'Onofrio joins NLEOMF's 'Ride & Remember' event for October

Vincent D'Onofrio and wife attend Bpeace 10th Anniversary gala celebration

MISS  A

BY Danielle Kimiatek
 April 23rd, 2013  Leave a comment

Law and Order: Criminal Intent’s Vincent D’Onofrio and his wife Carin van der Donk with Sandy DiPasqua and Pat Bates
(Photo Credit: New York City Photography)

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Business Council For Peace’s (Bpeace)‘s tenth anniversary gala celebration atThe Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. The evening was filled with delectable hors d’oeuvres, free-flowing drinks and a live and silent auction that included everything from a luxury, all-inclusive Cancun vacation to a Stuart Weitzman Shoe Wardrobe.

The anniversary gala marks ten years of Bpeace creating employment in conflicted countries including Afghanistan, El Salvador and Rwanda. The honorees of the evening included the U.S. Department of State, UN Women and founder of dressbarn Roslyn Jaffe.

The Late Show with David Letterman’s Alan Kalter and his wife Peggy arrive at the Bpeace (Business Council for Peace) 10th anniversary Gala at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park (Photo Credit: Jim Powell)

The evening was a success with over 300 people in attendance. Celebrity auctioneer Alan Kalter raised more than $105,000 in fifteen minutes from the organization’s loyal supporters.

Since 2002, Bpeace’s coalition of business volunteers, host companies, and donors have aligned behind the belief that creating jobs creates peace. The organization works with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to scale their businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women.

VIDEO: 'Leti's Encounter With Vincent D'Onofrio in Utah'

'American Falls' screening soon!

Via thereelblog, 'American Falls' is set for screenings in LA and New York. Updates are expected next week. Stay tuned and thanx to Chris!
American Falls Movie Trailer from Bé Garrett on Vimeo.

Photo: Vincent D'Onofrio Attends Tribeca Film Festival's After Party 'Before Midnight'

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Actor Vincent D'Onofrio attends the Tribeca Film Festival 2013 After Party "Before Midnight" sponsored by Heineken on April 22, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for 2013 Tribeca Film Festival)

'Before Midnight' is a new film starring Ethan Hawke and already receiving  Oscar buzz...

As April has completely come out of nowhere and become fully present, I’ve updated the new Oscar Tracker to keep in mind everything that has already been released this year so far or have screened at major festivals like Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca.

There’s no super-duper “out there” contender that looks like it can go all the way as of today with the exception of Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight.  While the film is an absolute marvel, it won’t be determined until the autumn if it can sustain throughout the summer and become a leading contender like last year withMoonrise Kingdom and Beasts of the Southern Wild.  Obviously, the latter was the only film to crack the Best Picture lineup but if we’re in store for a change like AMPAS going back to five Best Picture nominees, as some have speculated, a small indie film like Linklater’s could get lost throughout the summer and fall months.  As of now, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy could show up with Linklater in Adapted Screenplay but on their performances alone, they will warrant some consideration. Both are superb in their roles and will have their champions throughout the year

Photo: Vincent D'Onofrio and producers of 'Heroes Behind The Badge'

RECENT TWEET:

Christian Ramirez ‏@xtian_ramirez3h

My producing partners with our narrator Vincent D'Onofrio at our screening this past weekend in Utah.… http://instagram.com/p/YcZ8-NpXmB/ 

Hint:  I believe there are plans for another follow up DVD

Videos: Vincent D'Onofrio at Rib City Grill for charity event

THANX TO KELLY WINTERS AND JULIE BATESON WITH HELP FROM CAROL DOCHERTY

Videos: 'Heroes Behind The Badge' presentation and recognition w/Vincent D'Onofrio

ALL VIDEOS COURTESY OF JULIE BATESON

'Fallen officers honored in Pleasant Grove'

DAILY HERALD
Photos by Leti Pena

  Laura Giles - Correspondent

While feelings are still raw after this week's terrorist attack in Boston and the subsequent killing of MIT police officer Sean Collier, hundreds of people came together to honor fallen officers Friday night in Pleasant Grove.

A screening of the documentary "Heroes Behind the Badge" was shown at Pleasant Grove High School. The documentary follows the stories of police officers who were killed or injured in the line of duty and is narrated by actor Vincent D'Onofrio.

Pleasant Grove police chief Michael Smith said that the department decided to organize the screening to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and to increase awareness of the sacrifices made by police officers. The NLEOMF produced the documentary.

D'Onofrio, who attended the screening, said he asked to be involved in the documentary because supporting law enforcement is important to him. "It's unfortunate that it takes an event like Boston to remind people who the first responders are," he said. "This film reminds people."

D'Onofrio told the auditorium full of people that as they were sitting there, law enforcers around the country were putting their lives at risk.

Ironically, as he was speaking about this risk, he announced that officers had just taken Boston bombing suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, into custody. This announcement was met with applause and cheers from the audience.

"Most citizens have no idea that every 54 hours a police officer in this country loses his or her life defending our society from the predators that wish to bring evil upon us," said Smith.

Police officers are more than just the person in uniform who writes speeding tickets, he said. "We are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who want to go home to our families after each shift, but are willing to put the safety of the citizens we serve before that of our own."

One local officer, Sergeant Nathan Hutchinson of the Weber County Sheriff's Department, was honored at the event by the NLEOMF as Officer of the Month. In Jan. 2012, Hutchinson was injured while pulling two other officers out of a home with a shooter.

The documentary is currently being screened across the country, according to producer Bill Erfurth, a former police officer. Many police academies now use it as part of training. "If the general public watched this film, they would understand," he said, speaking of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers.

After the screening, audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions of Erfurth and D'Onofrio. Proceeds from the event will go to the NLEOMF and the Pleasant Grove Honorary Colonels, which is an organization that supports local law enforcement efforts.

Photos: Vincent D'Onofrio visits 'Good Things Utah'

As he often does, Vincent on 'Good Things Utah' to promote and raise awareness. Photos courtesy of Leti who was in the audience with the rest of the girls who traveled to Utah. GTU usually has video so I'll get it posted once it's available. Photos still trickling in...stay tuned!

I believe this is Ruby presenting Vincent with all the birthday cards folks sent.

Photos: Vincent D'Onofrio on set of 'Good Things Utah'

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KELLY WINTERS

Photos from screening of HBTB

THANX TO LETI FOR SHARING!