PARKER: Denver's new moviemaker

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 7, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

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Sarah Siegel-Magness, a Denver entrepreneur and socialite with two famous last names, recently added executive film producer to her already crowded resume.

Siegel-Magness, daughter of Celestial Seasonings founder Mo Siegel and wife of cattleman and cable heir Gary Magness, still oversees So Low, a successful line of casual clothing that she started as an underwear line.

Now she and her husband are moviemakers, with their first feature film, Tennessee, starring Mariah Carey, debuting recently at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Your On The Town columnist conducted an e-mail Q&A session with Siegel-Magness. There was some editing for length.

On the Town: How did a woman who was already building a successful clothing line get into moviemaking?

Siegel-Magness: You know a true entrepreneur is always seeking challenges and opportunities. I continue to be excited about my clothing line. It has proven to be a very interesting and financially successful business for me. But being in the movie business is something that I have always wanted to be involved in, and this was the perfect project to test the waters for me. Gary continues to be an incredible part of my team. I couldn't do any of it without him!

OTT: Was Tennessee your first project? If so, how did you get on board?

S-M: Tennessee is the first of many film projects. Gary and I have teamed up with Oscar-winning producer Lee Daniels to do a series of films. Lee and I share some similar friends, and when they were looking for financing he approached Gary and me. He is a visionary and an incredible storyteller, so this project seemed a natural fit for us to get involved in.

OTT: Did you have a say in picking the cast?

S-M: Actually, the cast was already set in place when we got on board. The cast is incredible and we believed in Mariah's very strong dedication to making this film. She is a very talented woman, and having been an artist and in front of the camera for many years as a singer, we believed strongly that given the right direction she could prove to be an important player in this film.

OTT: Did you meet (Tribeca founder) Robert DeNiro? If so, what was he like?

S-M: Yes, I did meet Robert DeNiro. He is very kind and extremely supportive of our film. His wife actually has a part in the next film we will be premiering, Push, sometime in the fall.

OTT: You had your picture taken with Mariah Carey on the red carpet. What was she like?

S-M: I can't say enough about Mariah. She is such an incredibly talented person. She was a joy to have on set; always working hard to do her very best. She is intelligent, generous and kind.

OTT: What does your moviemaking future hold? Will you continue to produce feature films while maintaining your So Low clothing line?

S-M: I absolutely am committed to So Low. It continues to be a tremendous success for me. Fashion will always be part of my life. I have another film that I am a producer on that I mentioned, Push, and it is a very exciting project. Gary and I worked with Daniels (Monster's Ball) and I spent two months on set in New York. I also have a kids' film in the works that I am really excited about.

OTT: Will you still maintain a home in Denver?

S-M: Denver is our home. In fact, I am trying very hard to find a project that I might be able to produce here in Denver.

OTT: Will Tennessee go into wide release now that it was shown at Tribeca - or what is the movie's future?

S-M: Tennessee will be into the theaters very soon. Tribeca was where we showcased the film, and soon we'll be selling it to a distributor who will release it at their will. It seems to be getting very good reviews and I am blessed and thankful for that!

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

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