An Evening with Michael Hausman

On November 7, 2009, Academy Award-winning Producer Michael Hausman was honored with a lifetime achievement award at WJCT Studios in downtown Jacksonville. The accommodations provided by WJCT set a sophisticated tone for the evening, and the crowd came dressed to please. The atmosphere is one that could only have been maintained by a mature cast of experienced movie enthusiasts.

The delicious food was prepared by the Art Institute’s Culinary School (including pasta stations, butternut squash, and pork and turkey sandwiches) and refreshments were provided by the Liquor Group. Afterward, the presentation took place in a humongous sound studio in front of a hulking cyc wall lit up in dramatic blues ranging from melancholy royals to mirthful, vibrant ceruleans. Todd Roobin, Jacksonville Film Commissioner, and Lawrence Najem, Chairman of the Mayor’s Film Advisory Board, assumed the podium in front of the vacuous, blue space. After an endearing introduction, Michael Hausman rose to make his own presentation featuring a reel of segments from his extensive filmography, including: Gangs of New York, Brokeback Mountain, Silkwood, The Firm, Amadeus, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and many more.

Mr. Hausman’s Q and A was lively and full of entertaining and exciting stories, punctuated with videos from some of his students at Columbia, and even a savory deleted scene from the movie Recount featuring none other than the guest of honor in a cameo appearance! The presentation of this award was more than the recognition of Mr. Hausman for his achievements in filmmaking. There was a palpable sense of pride on the face of every Jacksonville native in attendance. The movie Recount set a new precedent for local film production in quality concept and execution, and one we are excited to add to our city’s repertoire. This event was presented by the JEDC Film and Television Office, the Art Institute of Jacksonville, and WJCT. Proceeds went to benefit the Jacksonville Film Festival.

More photos from this event can be seen at our photobucket site, here:  An Evening with Michael Hausman