Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2015

COASTNOTES
LIGHTS
CAMERA
ACTION
story by Lynn Lofton photo by Katherine Sowers
Two enterprising filmmakers have relocated their production companies to South Mississippi with the goal of making films and growing the industry here. Brian Murphy has WYCF Entertainment and Monica Mingo has 13700 Films. They worked together on the film “Isolation,” and both have family ties to Mississippi. Mingo moved
her company to Ocean Springs and
Murphy relocated to Pass Christian.
other writers and taking their scripts to the next level. Also, being able to assemble a creative team and crew and watch them work together in a cohesive and memorable way is extremely gratifying.”
To increase filmmaking here, Mingo says local entities need to continue to be welcoming. “I’ve yet to approach a local business and be turned away,”
“We respected each other’s
work ethic and wanted to work together again,” Mingo said. “The Mississippi Gulf Coast has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. I see an entire industry just waiting to be tapped into by local filmmakers and those who have always dreamed of working in the industry.”
Murphy’s interest in films began as a teenager at Saint Mary’s College
in California where he was playing soccer and lacrosse and also writing film scripts. That interest in the entertainment industry grew and
Brian Murphy, WYCF Entertainment, and Monica Mingo, 13700 Films
she said. “Everyone is exactly as we know Southerners to be. State entities need to be focused on the big picture and how being open to the industry will trickle down into real financial benefits for residents.”
Murphy feels the state needs to build facilities such as sound stages and post production houses. “Also, we need to create schools, camps and workshops for our students to learn the industry from an early age. Most importantly, we need Mississippi investors to help finance projects,” he said. “There are endless opportunities here.”
Mingo had two short films premier at the Cannes International Film Festival
he was fortunate to be hired by Dick Clark Productions. “At first it was the writing. I loved sitting in a room by myself creating a new world for people and I was fine with any kind of response,” he said. “Now I’m engaged with finding
and a feature film, “The Coalition,” is currently enjoying multiple runs on Showtime and Netflix. Murphy is proud of all his projects. “It’s such a peaks-and-valleys adventure to get a project done,” he said.
WYCF Entertainment 13700 Films
www.wycf-ent.com www.wycf-ent.com
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