Actress Dawn Wells Produces SpudFest Film and Music Festival to Help Aspiring Actors

    DRIGGS, Idaho, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress Dawn Wells, founder of the
 Dawn Wells' Film Actor's Boot Camp (FABC), and The Spud Film Institute, where
 she has dedicated herself to helping new and seasoned professionals, is
 co-sponsoring with the Idaho Potato Commission to produce SpudFest Spud
 Drive-In Family Film and Music Festival.  The festival, created to celebrate
 and honor talented artists, will run August 3rd through August 7th at the
 historic landmark Spud Drive-In, located in the Grand Targhee National Forest.
     (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040325/NYFNSW07 )
     The Dawn Wells Film Actor's Boot Camp, a not-for-profit educational
 organization formed in 1998, has grown into the Spud Film Institute, a
 creative oasis for the already trained actor in transitioning from amateur to
 professional in film and television.  Since 2002, classes for filmmakers and
 crewmembers have been added to the program schedule, and the Institute also
 provides a rigorous regimen for performing songwriters.  Community
 scholarships are being offered at the Institute to insure the education of
 future leaders in the arts.
     According to Wells, Support for the Spud Institute will be generated
 through federal, local, and private funding, such as SpudFest.  "Our mission
 for Spud Film Institute includes finding, developing, training and nurturing
 new and established artists in film, television, music and theatre, while
 bringing them together to celebrate their differences and encourage their
 artistic freedom of thought" she said.
     Dawn Wells, actress, author, journalist, motivational speaker, educator,
 adventurer, businesswoman, entrepreneur, chef and volunteer has been a part of
 the Teton Valley community since her childhood.  As "Mary Ann" on the longest
 running show in the history of television syndication, "Gilligan's Island" she
 won the hearts of television viewers around the world, and became a part of
 television history.  In 2002, Wells joined Jay Leno on the Tonight Show, where
 she was selected as 'Hollywood's Ultimate Survivor!'  Dawn's entertainment
 credits, community and educational honors are respected, coveted and well
 earned.
     The first SpudFest Family Film and Music Festival in August 2004 will be a
 four-day celebration and showcase of family films and musical talent,
 including shorts, animations and a commercial competition.  There will be
 multiple simultaneous events (including film screenings, seminars, and live
 music).  The daytime events will be held at The Grand Targhee Resort, in
 Wyoming.  The evening events will be held at The Spud Drive-In, 12 miles away
 in Driggs, Idaho, and will feature bands, food, art, craft booths, and
 Hollywood premiers.
     "We not only harvest the best potatoes in Idaho, but we are also growing
 the future entertainment stars of tomorrow at Spud Institute, and their talent
 will be showcased and recognized at SpudFest each summer," said Wells.
     Governor Dirk Kempthorne, on his motorcycle, followed by a parade of
 motorcycles, is scheduled to lead the opening night parade into the Drive-in.
 The four days of activities will include daily auto shows designed to attract
 the classic and antique car collectors, and motor cycle enthusiasts, to the
 historic landmark site.  50s' car night, decorate your pickup truck, share
 your classic corvette, and more will be a significant addition to the theme
 night schedule.
     The Spud Drive-In Main Stage, will showcase live bands by day, and screen
 short films and feature-length films after dark, and the famous Idaho "Spud
 Burger" will be on the menu for hungry attendees.  The SpudFest Finale will
 include the presentation of the "Competition for Excellence Awards" at a
 ceremony to be held on the final night, August 7th, and will salute those
 participating at the festival.  A surprise celebrity guest will be on hand to
 congratulate the winners.  For information see www.spudfest.org.
 
 

SOURCE  The Spud Film Institute