Filmmakers and Actors with Avon Ties

As Hollywood is getting ready for the 84th annual Oscars on Sunday, hosted by Billy Crystal, there are some people from Avon involved in the film scene working on projects of their own.

Mindscapes

Avon's Brian Smith, also known as , is directing and acting in a science fiction feature film he wrote called Mindscapes. It's the story of a CIA agent reactivated from a secret Cold War Program to wake a senator's daughter up from a coma, as previously reported on Canton Patch.

Much of the film is shot in the region, including Avon and downtown Collinsville.

As for his Oscars predictions, Spectre wrote in an e-mail to Patch, "I think George Clooney is going to win big and The Help is looking good to sweep many of the awards. However, weird things have been known to happen with the little gold man present."

Kyle Patrick Brennan

Raised an Avon and currently living in New York, actor has a small role in The Dark Knight Rises, director Christopher Nolan's next installment of the Batman series.

He and his friends, David Bly, Andrew Ruth and Daniel Shepard run a small production company called Over Shots and are developing a television show called Undiscovered. It is inspired by IFC’s Dinner for Five, in which Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man, Elf and Cowboys and Aliens, talks shop around the dinner table with four celebrities per episode.

“Our show focuses on the up-and-coming artists of New York,” Brennan previously told Patch. “It revolves around a conversation between four guests and our host, who is also the creator, David Bly. It kind of depicts the highs and lows and struggles, but also the industry and the craft."

The show is unscripted and Brennan's team is pitching it to cable networks.

Farmington Valley Film Commission

Many locals involved in the film world are part of the Farmington Valley Film Commission, a non-profit coalition supporting film, television and commercial productions in the Farmington Valley.

Spectre is a member of the commission.

Farmington Valley filmmakers are celebrating the Academy Awards at Farmington Gardens (999 Farmington Ave., Farmington) on Sunday, hosting . Actress and Fox 61 Connecticut Lottery on-air personality Maggie Slysz is emceeing the event.

The Farmington Valley Red Carpet rolls out at 7:30 p.m. Dress is "black-tie optional," according to a press release, but one will be crowned as having the "most glamorous costume."

Oscar Nominees with Connecticut Ties

• Glenn Close was raised in Greenwich, according to imdb.com, and is nominated for Best Actress in her leading role in the film, Albert Nobbs about a woman who pretends to be a man.

• Salisbury resident Meryl Streep was also nominated in that category for her part as former United Kingdom prime minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

• Melissa McCarthy is not from Connecticut, but she did play Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls, set in the fictional Stars Hollow, CT, which is rumored to be partially based on Collinsville. She is nominated for her supporting role in Bridesmaids.

Are you doing anything special for the Oscars? How do you celebrate locally?

Editor's Note: If there's something in this article that you think should be corrected or if you have questions or a news tip give Avon Patch Editor Jessie Sawyer a ring at 860-356-6339 or shoot her an e-mail at Jessie.Sawyer@patch.com. Join in on the Avon Patch conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AvonPatch) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/AvonPatch). You can also add your own announcements and events or apply to blog on Patch.