Comment / By Joe Schmo / Feb. 11, 9:03 a.m.

The number one business in Arcata is laundering drug money.

Comment / By anon / Feb. 11, 9:09 a.m.

It’s a major statement about Humboldt when the $170K gets blown on out-of-town help. This is how things are run today. All of our local talent is always ignored when it comes to good gigs or steady jobs. We end up with either a good-ol-boy who has no clue how to do his job or someone from out of the area that doesn’t understand Humboldt. How sad that many local artists are desperately trying to make a go without selling dope and the local economic development funds are being sent away from Humboldt. I have seen it even recently in many cases where a local with excellent qualifications does not get a job because A) They aren’t part of the local Good Ol’ Boy Network, or B) A non-local had shiny business cards and a flashy website. As one person I spoke to recently said, “Humboldt is weird, it’s like a swirling fishbowl. On the outside is all this stuff spinning around in some kind of fantasy, and it’s all spinning around a tiny vortex of truth in the center.”

Comment / By Janna Shaw / Feb. 11, 1:07 p.m.

Mr. Burns: Who is the filmmaker and where is he or she from?

Comment / By Ryan Burns / Feb. 11, 1:58 p.m.

The director of Love, Humboldt is Maria Matteoli, a Humboldt native/current resident. Kenneth Thomas, a Eureka high grad, filmed the Humboldt Made business profiles. I don’t know where he currently lives. The director of photography is Andy Rydzewski, originally from Massachusetts though he got his masters from the HSU film department. He now lives in SoCal, except during Oyster Fest weekend when he becomes a human shellfish repository.

Comment / By Jen / Feb. 12, 1:32 a.m.

does it matter where these filmmakers came from when these people are trying to export local goods anyway. how can it be justified to tell someone they shouldn’t be buying cheese from wisconsin, but be willing to ship humboldt cheese across the country?

Comment / By Maria Matteoli / Feb. 12, 5:52 a.m.

I just wanted to respond to “anon,” that as the director, producer and editor of Love, Humboldt and Humboldt Made, I am as local as they come. Born and raised here, and a graduate of St. Bernard’s Schools in Eureka, with a BA from H.S.U., I am a seventh-generation Humboldt County native. Coincidentally, I am not a part of the Good Ole Boys, being neither a boy, nor old (well, at least not technically at 33). There were additionally 40 other locals who all reside in Humboldt who make up the cast and crew of these films. Unfortunately, Mr. Burns, while he did interview me, and tell me “the videos are beautiful,” forgot to mention myself or the dozens of locals who worked on this project. Also to clarify, the film project had a budget of $25,500 which got divided up many, many ways, and no one got rich on this project. People worked on it because they are passionate about the beauty of Humboldt, its stunning grandeur, its magnificent people, oh, and yeah, its world class products. I am proud to be from here, and I feel very fortunate I was able to work on this project.

Comment / By Pablol / Feb. 12, 10:54 a.m.

Both Maria Matteoli and Mary Cruse should be commended and thanked for their various valiant attempts to engage and embellish the local artistic community of filmmakers/videographers. They are true to the vision of celebrating everything great and wonderful about Humboldt county, including the involvement of local talent, organizations and businesses. Anyone who would think otherwise is either jealous or simply mis-informed. I am happy that both of these genereous women were involved in this project, and wish them both much success.

Comment / By Chuck Edwards / Feb. 14, 8:57 a.m.

I was among the throng of well-wishers and free-foodies last evening at the ‘world premier’ of the FilmHumboldt (aka, the Humboldt Film Commission) Love Humboldt film campaign.

The room was abuzz with anticipation; and I was hopeful that, after all the hubbub created by the process with which Ms. Debets, Ms. Schwab, and Ms. Cruse pursued this project, that at end of the day, it would have all been worth it.

I would like to let the public know that I do not begrudge the process by which our company, Stroop Effect Studios, was eliminated from consideration for the project, and that my comments are couched within the framework of the Ms. Cruse’s stated purpose, to bring new business to Humboldt County.

To that end, I believe the small vignettes espousing the virtues and commercial viability of our Grass Fed Beef brand, Cypress Grove Chevre, Humboldt County Wines, and Breweries, certainly on the right track. Telling a compelling story within a short period of time is not easy, so I give hearty ‘well done’ to the filmmakers.

The success of the other part of Ms. Cruse’s campaign will be according to the public’s embrace of her concept; which I, as a male of the species, admittedly didn’t get. This multi-segmented ‘…to be continued” storyline, which enjoyed success in the 1980’s for a certain national coffee brand, is not aimed at my specific demographic, so I’m not supposed to get it. Female consumers will drive this marketing bus, and I eagerly await the results, and hope the best for all concerned as we help other small businesses succeed by all means possible.

Comment / By Kelly / Feb. 14, 2:16 p.m.

Around five thirty last night I walked up to the rolled out red carpet for their Love, Humboldt Event and was quickly told it was for VIP’s. Oh, I said. Where do the commoners go? Over there and he pointed to the other door. Door with No Carpet.
.I moved to the place of No Carpet. The line behind me, the pedestrian line, continued to grow.
A stretch limo pulled up. Folks getting out of the limo were greeted with paparazzi style volley of camera flashes. The limo left and still we waited in line. No longer was the nicely dressed in black man with a clip board saying the line was for VIPS it was for people who had RSVPed.
The second batch of limo folks appears and again the cameras flashes exploded. Once inside I find a wall to lean on and a friend of mine comes to say hello. She had RSVPed and was told there were only a few spaces left on the RSVP list. Based on rumor which is what I am calling the information I gathered from RSVPers and VIPers and commoners and a girl with a camera, this is what I think they did. 200 to 300 RSVP spaces. 100 or 200 commoners were allowed in after those whose names were on the clip boards.
Inside a young woman with the camera told me she was told to take a lot of pictures so that when the limo drove up it would be like Hollywood. My suspicion is the lack of information about RSVPing was intentional to draw a crowd, an opening night sort of crowd. The organizers wanted a Hollywood effect. Excitement! Glamor! Glitz! A cheering crowd! All manufactured by leaving off the RSVP request in their many media invitations.
I have a question, if you are branding Humboldt a place perfect within itself with fresh air, lovely rivers and mystic enriching fog, why try to induce the flavor of its exact opposite, Hollywood? Hollywood known for its paved movie lots, pricy stores, bad air, crowed freeways?

Comment / By disgusted rancher / Feb. 14, 9:07 p.m.

You might check on the “happy” status of Victorine’s cattle located on the Fish and Game ranch across 101 from Arcata Redwood. Many have huge patches of lice, larger than a dinner plate, on their bodies. Dead cows on the property,too. I know cows die, but too many die on the Fay Slough property. I hunt the area that looks right into his hidden little herd. He should be ashamed of his product and Fish and Game has received many calls about the animals. You should call, too. I think I will keep producing convential beef, and eating it, too. I would rather the animals live healthy prior to slaughter.

Comment / By anonymous / Feb. 16, 4:27 p.m.

Dilettantes stole &170,000.00 from Humboldt County!

I find this whole branding of Humboldt concept to be lacking in focus. It was unclear what the whole evening was really trying to achieve. All previous info about the whole thing was vague. There was a contest - the only part that really allowed totally locally produced films. There were a few more videos that looked like the editor mistook the “color saturation” knob for a “more cool” knob. There was a lot of self congratulation from the recipients of all that money. They brought in a guy (who went to HSU, but is really an LA guy) to shoot ‘Love, Humboldt’ and their other well budgeted yet totally boring videos, and they look like student films lacking any compelling elements other than a bunch of people drinking on the beach & dressed in old fashioned clothes. What did that 170,000.00 really go to? The “Made In Humboldt” logo? I think the whole thing was a grant writer’s scam. A few business’ got some badly colored HD video, and the dilettantes that threw the party got to feel like they are artists - through proximity.

What does the average resident of Humboldt get out of this? I hoped at least for entertainment, but instead got cold meatballs and no place to sit while viewing amateur videos about drinking wine and eating cheese.

The HSU film festival does more to promote local talent with much less budget, and an all inclusive spirit.

Comment / By FilmLover101 / Feb. 16, 5:09 p.m.

I’ve attended many locally made films and festivals, and I’ve never heard of any of the names involved in shooting/directing these branding films. Granted I’m an enthusiast not a film maker myself, so maybe they are well known to those who produce local video.

I was excited to see what local film (well video) makers came up with in the 30 sec “I Love Humboldt” video contest. I noticed that Montel VanderHorck and Andy Rydzewski, who were the insiders that got the gig for this branding thing, also entered the 30 second “I Love Humboldt” short film contest on KHUM’s web site. By popular vote neither made it to the finals (top 5). Neither should have even entered because it was for “the people” but it’s funny that these guys receiving the grant money meant for much better local film makers, did the worst in a public contest - receiving 3% and 1% of the votes respectively. Did the film commission just go with the cheapest bid or what?

The results: http://poll.pollcode.com/GZ5_result?v

Comment / By OldGuardComission / Feb. 17, 6:11 p.m.

The Humboldt Film Commission has gone bye-bye, and has been replaced by self serving vultures. Mary Cruse used the non-profit status of the Film Commission to underbid all the truly credible, and actually “local” video producers around the area to get this project. Yes some are really living here - but not good enough to support themselves in the open market. She hired only family and close friends to produce, rather amateurishly I might add, these videos. “Director” Maria Matteoli is Mary Cruse’ half sister, and Maria’s brother Mario got to do the music, good friends from LA Andy Rydzewski and Kennith Thomas ran cameras (Directors of Photography) and another close friend, but locally failed videographer, Montel Vanderhorck got to “produce” and “write” on the project - all getting paid well. For what?

http://www.youtube.com/user/mariamatteoli

Maria’s youtube page has some of these sad works, but cleverly disabled rating and comments because she knows in the real world what she has made is weak.

To anyone wanting to spend money to market your business - do not trust amateurs with good looking credentials. Use the truly local professionals even if it means spending a little more. None of the videos produced with this large budget will accomplish anything as far as marketing goes. Just search “Love, Humboldt” on youtube and watch with your own eyes. Judge for yourself.

We got trouble! Right here in Humboldt County.

Comment / By local woman / Feb. 18, 12:02 p.m.

I thought the movie was a waste of time and money. Perhaps they should have just donated the money to a good cause. I dont care if youre 7th generation or not, maybe you should try the glamour of Hollywood.

Comment / By local guy / Feb. 18, 5:14 p.m.

Judging from the comments posted here, Humboldt’s biggest export is bitterness and bitchy comments. It’s easy to judge and spread unfounded and untrue rumors. But I guess we all have our own talents…

Comment / By Sad / Feb. 18, 9:54 p.m.

Bitter, no, Frightened. Here is a quote their web page: “It’s a fact: There just aren’t enough Humboldt products in most stores. Many of our family famers and small businesses simply can’t make enough to ship out of the area.” Typo belongs to them as well.
http://www.humboldtmade.com/when-in-humboldt Show me the competence. Please.

Comment / By Cracker Love? / Feb. 20, 10 a.m.

I saw the videos, though nicely done in some respects, I found most surprising and upsetting the absence of non-white performers. Where were the African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, and Hispanics? If they were there, I obviously missed them. “Humboldt Love” could easy serve double duty as an Aryan nation recruitment ad.

Comment / By LOCAL VIDEO DUDE / Feb. 22, 11:15 p.m.

I agree, there is a reason film and video production industry is dominated by men, women should never be allowed behind the camera. She calls herself a director. HA!

Comment / By anonymous awesome truly local filmmaker / Feb. 28, 2:31 p.m.

I am a totally awesome local film maker who got shafted and didn’t get hired to film this project. My definition of local is someone who is stuck in humboldt because they are car-less and don’t have money for bus fair. Also locals must be bitter and hyper-critical of anyone who ever achieves success, escpesialy successful people who say they are local; by my above definition, successful people can not be locals.
These movies suck because they are racist and sexist; I mean, a female “local” directed them, but why couldn’t they have hired more non-whites. well the lead male looked ethnic, but the waiters and servants were all white! how unrealistic is that? White people in humboldt? WTF??? why couldn’t non-white actors have received the hundreds of thousands of dollars the other hollywood actors received. These hollywood actors, who call themselves locals, have been spreading rumors that they were unpaid and that they donated hours and hours of their life energy in exchange for experience and their names in the credits; all LIES!!! the millions spent on this film would have been better spent on local charities, like my grow room operation and my homeboy’s trip to burning man this year. also, the business owners who call themselves locals are evil liars who dare to make profits and who try to sell things! they even try to market to people and business outside of our county! this will bring in revenues and create more local people with jobs and assets, thus by my above definition, people who are no longer locals! in conclusion, these good ole boys hollywood millionaire insiders should stop working so hard and producing quality products, cause they suck and I am rad! also, i am very brave and i am using a fake name here on the internet.

p.s. i didn’t enjoy the free food either; it was room temperature!!!