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SOUTHERN OREGON FILM & MEDIA That's a wrap for film group founder Gary Kout steps aside, Ginny Auer takes over promoting Southern Oregon locations Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Nov. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Nov 10, 2015 at 12:09 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Nov. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Nov 10, 2015 at 12:09 PM » Social News Southern Oregon Film & Media, the networking group that put Ashland and the Rogue Valley on the moviemakers map over the last eight years, as well as connecting people working in that profession, making film production much easier, has said goodbye to its founder Gary Kout and taken on a new executive director, Ashlander Ginny Auer. Kout, an Ashland resident, was a much-credentialed producer-director with roots in Hollywood, while Auer has a long bio in nonprofits and fundraising in the Valley as development director for Community Works, Dunn House (also shelter supervisor), and Community Health Center. She was interim executive director for ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. (This paragraph has been changed to correct the name of the position Auer held at ScienceWorks). Auer joined SOFAM three years ago, soon becoming a board member, then, with the help of Ashland filmmakers Gary and Annie Lundgren, learned to work in films, including the recent feature release “Black Road.” (This paragraph has been changed to correct Gary Lundgren's first name.) “I have a personal story behind why I became involved in film,” says Auer, 50, pointing to the passing of her husband, Troy Hemmerling, a filmmaker, in 2011. “He left me a letter signed 'live huge' and that became the mantra for me to do things, the sort of things we sometimes put off. One was to try my hand with film. So I got involved with SOFAM and was embraced by all the filmmakers and encouraged and mentored and helped them with fundraisers.” Auer says she plans to continue with Kout’s mission, noting “We had a fabulous growth period, based on what he provided. He created something strong, with great vision and my goal is to continue it and bring in more film, TV and opportunity for our film industry.” Auer says a big SOFAM coup was last year’s choice by MovieMaker Magazine of Ashland as the number-one town for filmmakers to live and work. A new twist in SOFAM’s future is a “locations tour” for movie locations managers, “to get them tuned into why this is such a great place to shoot movies,” she said. It starts next spring. Kout says he left the director slot because he’d become involved in many projects out of the area, and because “I feel I took the organization as far as my skill set could take it. For it to go beyond that, it needed a nonprofit manager and fundraiser and Ginny has that.” Kout pointed to her skills in event planning, major gifts programs, capital campaigns, developing and implementing public relations and marketing campaigns, choosing and implementing fundraising software and programs and board development. “Her true passion lies in sharing stories that matter — her own, and those of worthy individuals and organizations,” said Kout. “During her creative career she has worked as an actor, model, singer, speech teacher and voice talent. She is owner of Live Huge Productions where she shares her talents as an audio book narrator and documentary filmmaker. It is her desire to share skills she developed over the past 20 years to help move SOFAM to the next level as a nonprofit association.” Board President Ray Robison notes, “Ginny has been on the board a couple years and has relationships with lots of members. Her background in fundraising and grant writing is a wonderful addition to the organization. She knows marketing of films.” A native of South Carolina, Auer graduated from Clemson University with a graduate degree from University of Louisville. She came to Oregon 22 years ago. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Nov. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Nov 10, 2015 at 12:09 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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