Laurie Richards
2020 Nebraska’s Friend Award Recipient
Laurie Richards of Lincoln, the Nebraska State Film Officer since 1995 to present, for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development was selected the recipient of the annual “Nebraskan’s Friend Award” and will be honored as the Grand Marshall in the annual July 4 parade. The Seward Fourth of July Celebration theme for 2020 is “The Magic of Movies” and salutes the 100th Anniversary of the local, historic Seward Rivoli Movie Theater. Her – responsibilities include managing and marketing all aspects of Nebraska to promote, attract and host media-related projects that provide jobs for local industry professionals.
“We are very excited to honor Laurie Richards for her service to Nebraska! Indeed, she is a most appropriate choice, with our movie theme.” Stated Clark Kolterman of the Seward Fourth of July Committee. “She has worked hard promoting Nebraska for decades and we want to say “Thank you!!”
She will be honored at the annual Governor’s Reception, serve as the Parade Grand Marshall and receive her award from the Community at the Bandshell following the parade.
Her duties as the Director of the State Film Office include….
- Organize and manage award-winning direct marketing campaign promoting Nebraska to media industry.
- Manage and over-see content of Film Office web site.
- Collect, organize and maintain film location data base including professional crew and service resources.
- Review screenplays, treatments, executive summaries, budgets for feature movies.
- Scout, photograph and organize potential locations for media industry.
- Organize and coordinate the Nebraska exhibit at annual Association of Film Commissioners International Locations Trade Show.
- Liaison to local industry professional organizations: The Friends of the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, UNL and Nebraska Independent Film Projects, Nebraska Film Association.
- Work with Nebraska communities in establishing local activities to promote film and media production.
- Prepare information for Department’s annual report and news release announcements for public information office.
- Collaborate with Nebraska Department of Economic Development staff to coordinate response to industry inquiries; prepare custom packages including film production guides, photos and supporting materials.
- Promote Nebraska at film festival venues such as Telluride Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, Omaha Film Festival, Wild Cat Film Festival and Los Angeles International Film Festival.
- Set up Facebook page for NFO Instagram and Twitter and provide timely information to crew and service providers.
She has worked with the resulting commercial and film-related projects: feature films, 1997 Election; 1998, Nebraska Super Sonic; 1999, The Truth About Tully; 1999, Carpula; 1999, 7-teen Sips; 2000, Private Public; 2000, Easter; 2001, Skins; 2001, Full Ride; 2001, About Schmidt; 2003, Rocket Science;; 2003, Assassination of Richard Nixon; 2004, Elizabeth Town; 2005, Gary The Tennis Coach; 2003, documentary, Farmland Security; 2006, Windstream media advertising campaign; television series: 2002, Amazing Race; 2004, Farmer Takes A Wife; 2005, Wife Swap; 2006, Extreme Make-Over; Lovely Still, 2007; Yes Man, 2007; Up In The Air, 2000; Vipers In The Grass, (UNL) 2009; Geocachers, 2010; Trunk’d, 2010; Aviation Cocktail, 2012; Larry the Cable Guy, Prilosec Commercial, 2011; Vino Veritas, 2011; Nebraska, 2012; Explosion, 2013; Air, 2013; It Snows All The Time, 2014; Andrea Arnold, American Honey, 2015; Alexander Payne, Downsizing, 2016; Ryan Olsen, Say Goodbye, Grace, 2016; 12 Days of Giving, 2017; The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, 2017; The Healing of Harmon, 2018; Love After Lockup, 2018; La Flamme Rouge, 2019; Wings 3-D, 2019; Coyotes, 2019; Not Ramierez, 2019; Man v. Food, 2019; Estimated economic impact approximately $50 million dollars.
Her professional experiences and results include…
- Producer, Videographer: Nebraska Artists Project, Museum of Nebraska Art, Sheldon Museum on Art, Joslyn Art Museum and the Nebraska Department of Education – coproduction with Ganzel Group Communications.
- Producer, Writer and Videographer: Cultural Pioneers: The History for the Sheldon Art Association, completed 2013 for the 125 Anniversary of the Art Association – coproduction with Ganzel Group Communications.
- Writer, Producer Director: Dedication Day, short film about Philip Johnson and the building of the Sheldon Museum of Art, completed 2013 the Sheldon Art Association for the 50 Anniversary of the building
- Writer, Producer, Director, 2003-2006, My Friend Norman: The Man From Aberdeen, feature documentary film; premiered at University of Nebraska, Ross Media Arts Center, Chadron State College and Museum of Nebraska Art, University of Nebraska at Kearney and 2007 Fort Omaha Film Conference First Place-Documentary Format
- Host, 2000-2003, Next Exit, a television magazine series, Nebraska Educational Television
- Location Manager, 1993-1995, Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (Stephen Spielberg) and Citizen Ruth (Alexander Payne)
- Commercial Media Talent, 1988-1993, St. Mary’s College; PC Magazine; Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater; Wells Fargo; Heartland Homes
- Sales Representative, 1988-1993, Anderson O’Brien Art Gallery
Laurie Richard’s memberships include Nebraska Independent Film Projects; Member, Nebraska Film Association; Member, Sheldon Art Association; Board Member, Friends of the Mary Riepa Ross Media Arts Center and UNL; Member, Filmstreams.
Her educational experiences include a BA in 1983 from University of Nebraska –Lincoln, in Art History and Spanish, Preparator,1977-1983, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, UNL: Marking and Public Relations classes, 1987 Creighton University Continuing Education, Member association Film Commissioners, International, 1995 to present, Board Member, 2001-2003, Public Lectures, Videographer for the GESKE Talks on Art, 1995-2006, 1995 to present.
