BERKSHIRE EAGLE: Beacon rolls out red carpet for all

By Derek Gentile, Berkshire Eagle Staff

Monday March 8, 2010

PITTSFIELD – Last night, the city's version of Oscar Night in Hollywood at the Beacon Theater featured a red carpet, toothsome treats, fine wine and, of course, a state-of-the-art broadcast of the show itself, live from Tinseltown.

About 150 people attended the event, according to organizers.

The event is sponsored by the Beacon Theater, the Berkshire International Film Festival, now in its fifth year, and Berkshire Bank.

This is the first time the BIFF has hosted an event in the theater, which has been open for only several months.

"It was a natural, particularly with the Beacon's state-of-the-art screen," said BIFF President Kelly Vickery.
Vickery said she was talking to theater owner Richard Stanley, who explained that the theater was now showing televised events such as the Super Bowl, "And I said ‘Great. We'll do the Oscars.'

"This enables us to introduce ourselves to Pittsfield, and let people know what we're about," said Vickery.
In addition, she said, three of the films that were nominated for Oscars this year came out of the BIFF: Two documentaries, "Food, Inc." and "Burma VJ" and a short film, "In The Loop."

"It just makes sense," said John Valente, general manager of the theater. "We're a primary sponsor of the BIFF, and we're the ones who have the facilities to host it. We really couldn't do this at the Triplex [Theater in Great Barrington]."

This year, according to Fedelina Madrid, vice president of marketing at Berkshire Bank, the bank, in addition to sponsoring the BIFF, is also sponsoring a competition for Best Short Film. The winning entry will get a $5,000 prize, she said.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to inspire the next great local filmmaker," she said.

The overall impression from those in attendance was favorable.

"I think it's a terrific event for Pittsfield," said Ben Kaplan. "I live about a mile from here, and it's great to be able to come down, and watch the Oscars on a state-of-the-art screen and have some hors d'oevres. What more can you want?"

"It's fun," said Megan Clarke of Lenox. "Growing up, we always talked about how there was nothing to do in Pittsfield. And we used to watch the Oscars all the time on television, so it's nice to be a small part of that."

"I think it's a great way to celebrate the downtown revival," said her sister Katie, also of Lenox. "And we got to dress up and go down to North Street on a Sunday night. That's pretty cool."

Reach Derek Gentile at: dgentileberkshireeagle [dot] com or (413) 528-3660.
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