Happy New Year! I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all; to men and women so dedicated to our film and television industry but facing an uncertain future that only voices of hope and reason will reach them and comfort them.

Later today I will send out the 2014 Accomplishments List. This tradition started in 2005. I think it helps the organization see in one document all that has been accomplished over the year. Each month little achievements are made. Added together, they equal amazing progress.

This year was a bit different. In 2014, ERMP had our best year ever. Previously, 2010 was the best year on record, in terms of accomplishments. We blew 2010 out of the water. 2014 was spectacular for ERMP especially for an organization staffed by volunteers! We did marvelous deeds together. I fully expect 2015 to be as grand, if not better. Please share with me this moment of self-reflection on the year and enjoy your success!

The year 2015 is upon us. Edith Lovejoy Pierce, noted author, stated: “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called “Opportunity” and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” What better words to usher in the New Year!

Simone du Sablon created ERMP’s catch phrase – ENO – Everyone Needs Opportunity. We really believe that! As an organization, we work toward growing the movie and television industry in North Carolina because it creates jobs and helps our state prosper. It’s a fun industry and a green industry. It is an industry fit and right for this geographically diverse state we are blessed with. Everyone needs opportunity – including our industry. We will work toward a more prosperous grant program for the film industry. Our efforts aim at growing the business of our state based industry professionals. There is light shining on our progress, we just need to recognize the new hue and appreciate then fresh horizon it presents.

There is a wonderful quote I would like to end with. It sums up my hopes and aspirations for the upcoming twelve months. “I said to the man, who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.'”

Enjoy the year and be prosperous!

 

Anthony Dowling

Executive Director

ERMP