by Christine Bunish

Not every character in a movie or TV show is an actor. In this issue, Markee 2.0 reports how locations from coast to coast play the role of characters in broadcast and cable series from the critically-acclaimed Treme to the hot, new Hawaii Five-0. VFX in two top-rated series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (congratulations to Zoic Studios for its recent Emmy win for CSI) and Warehouse 13, also act as characters supporting strong storylines.

Markee showcases seven independent features, short films and documentaries in this issue, with filmmakers putting the focus on people and storytelling. The Northeast Spotlight details how production tax incentives have stacked up feature and TV credits for the region.

Don't forget to archive the handy Music & Sound Guide, see how STEELE studios spent its summer in Inside View, and check out Making TV and Making Commercials where a baseball legend and a tongue-in-cheek heist are central characters in an episode of a long-running show and a clever state lottery spot.

[Correction]
On page 18 of the May/June issue's Stock Footage feature the caption for the smallest photo at top should have been identified as Global ImageWorks' HD aerial of Antwerp for the FOX series, Human Target. Our apologies to Global ImageWorks and Framepool.

Remembering Wes Skiles
The preeminent underwater photographer, explorer and filmmaker Wes Skiles died July 21 on a routine dive off the eastern coast of Florida after finishing an assignment for National Geographic. Wes was CEO of Karst Productions, Inc. in High Springs, Florida and appeared in the pages of Markee a number of times.

At the time of his death, Wes was excited about the August issue of National Geographic Magazine that features his photos of Bahamas Blue Holes in a story on the islands' cave diving and on the cover. A memorial service and celebration of Wes's life was held at Ginnie Springs, an apt venue for a man who had been a tireless advocate for springs, springsheds and the conservation and protection of Florida's water resources.