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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD - The City of Homes wants the world to know that it's "the" Springfield the Springfield of one of the most successful television series in history, "The Simpsons." City officials were scheduled to learn May 1 the rules for a contest that will bring the world premiere of "The Simpsons" movie to one of the nation's communities with the name of "Springfield." And they are looking to the city's residents for the ideas and talent to make the winning video production to convince Simpson's creator Matt Groening to pick this Springfield. Hosted at the Hippodrome nightclub, about 40 people gathered on Thursday to share ideas for the video. Azell Murphy Cavaan, the city's community relations director, explained the city has no budget for the three to five minute video production and that it would be truly a community effort. Details of the contest were sketchy at the meeting. Cavaan said all the city knew is the video must begin production on May 23 and be submitted June 23. She said that Mayor Charles Ryan would have final say over the content of the video. Anthony Cignoli, of A.L. Cignoli, Company, said that since the news of the contest was first announced, he has heard from a number of businesses that want to support the project. David Horgan, a local filmmaker with two directorial feature film credits, will be the executive producer of the video. Horgan conducted the meeting and asked for various ideas for the format of the short film. Concepts ranged from a town meeting a regular event on "The Simpsons" to big musical number to an expose of the "real" Springfield. A second community meeting was conducted on Monday night after this newspaper's deadline. The public is urged to contribute its ideas by logging onto www.springfieldcityhall.com and clicking on the pink doughnut graphic. |