Film In Florida: Florida Film & Entertainment Advisory Council Member List

Meeting to Discuss Rollout of Key Findings of Marketing Research to Industry
The Office of Paul Meena,
Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, FL
Meeting Minutes- January 9, 2001 - 10am to 1pm

ATTENDANCE:

Members present: R. Castell, Chair/P. Meena, V.Chair/R. Mattingly
Purpose: To discuss key findings in the focus group and economic research data; select top two priorities and propose how to immediately address them.

Meeting called to order at 10am.
R. Castell called meeting to discuss the data in the focus group material specifically to address how the information could be communicated to industry. He suggested making the info available via the local film offices with a request to cascade the information out to local industry.
R. Mattingly noted that the data had already been given to film offices and a request had been made. R . Mattingly also suggested "town hall" style meetings, and mass emails.
The group then began to review the research materials selected two recurring themes to work on: Lack of consistent service and support at the local level, the union issues.
R. Mattingly stated that since the film offices had the data, it was her hope that they have/will share it w/their leadership. P. Meena suggested a more formal approach whereby the data could be shared "up the ladder." R. Mattingly agreed; however, getting local film offices to respond even informally (especially those on smaller, rural markets) is difficult.
R. Castell suggested a customer service approach - that it would do the state no good to have great "wholesale" service (marketing, etc.) if there is going to be consistent break down at the "retail" level.
The group then fleshed out the following concept:
Problem #1:
Improve film commission customer service.

Strategic Solution:
Implement a day-long work session and presentation of findings to local film commissioners/liaisons/contact AND their direct reports.
Utilize a national leading customer service expert and an industry decision maker to facilitate work session and aid in the creation and implementation of action plans.

Tactics:
Communicate strategic solution to all potential participants Preamble letter from the Governor Follow Up letter from FFAC Chair/Vice Chair Request for full participation
Establish a small ad-hoc committee consisting of FFAC members, local film offices and location managers to review all findings and bubble up top priorities.
Communicate top priorities to potential participants with a request to provide the following feedback
Present top priorities and participant feedback to customer service expert and industry decision maker for work session prep.
Publicize our efforts.

Day Long Work Session - What It Might Look Like (timing: Summer 2001)
Intro/Welcome from the Governor or Lt. Governor
Overview of Work Session Goals
Introduction of customer service expert and industry decision maker for remarks and to facilitate work session.
Break out groups - each one takes a top priority and discusses the following
- How each film office is addressing the priority
- What prevents each film office from addressing the priority?
- Develop solution-based recommendations - at the state level and local level
- Share Best Practices

Customer service expert and industry decision maker to review break-out group reports and facilitate group discussion and development of action plan for improvement.
Communicate top priorities and solution-based action plans to industry statewide via town hall-style meetings in the top five Florida markets. Gain consensus and support.
Publicize our efforts.
R. Castell then moved the meeting on to discuss the union issue. He deferred to both R. Mattingly and P. Meena as they had more hands-on interaction w/unions and this particular problem.
R. Mattingly stated that she has attended at least four (4) Film Florida Labor Council meetings to foster a good working relationship and problem-solve with union leadership. While there seems to be a willingness to "work with us," the fact of the matter is that what was outlined in the focus group data is true: IATSE does aggressively pursue on-site organizing efforts and will continue to do so, especially in commercials; that the Miami Teamsters Local is suffering from severe internal crisis among their own. R. Mattingly stated that she met with the Miami Teamsters Local in January, specifically to address the feedback. She met w/both members and with the current President/Leader. Two sides to the story, but heavy internal crisis. Don't know if there is anything we can do about their internal crisis except for aid and assist customers/clients when they have problems.
R. Mattingly also stated that she had a brief phone conversation with Mr. Scott Harbinson of the IATSE, who is the Southeastern US Director. Mr. Harbinson is basically the person who "calls the shots" for all the Florida IATSE locals. He is based in Baltimore. Mr. Harbinson indicated to R. Mattingly that they would be organizing commercials on a regional basis and that Florida was definitely a place that they were targeting. Further, the latest SAG strike did not help the commercial industry. R. Mattingly stated that industry folks who called or emailed her about the commercial strike are angry and have lost business from clients who may not ever return to Florida to do business again.
R. Castell believed that maybe the best way to deal with this issue is via a meeting with leadership - Mr. Harbinson, all the local leaders/business managers, possibly even more national leaders. R. Mattingly & P. Meena agreed that this approach might work; however, we've got to have our plan of action in order so that we can make the most of everyone's time, as this type of meeting can completely polarize things even further.
The group fleshed out the following idea:
Problem #2:
Improve labor relations and union issues.

Strategic Solution:
Establish a half-day meeting with the FFAC leadership, and leadership of all relevant motion picture & television unions (Florida-based and national) of all to discuss key finings.

Tactics:
Communicate strategic solution to all potential participants
Preamble letter from the Governor
Follow Up letter from FFAC Chair/Vice Chair
Request for full participation

Half-Day Meeting - What It Might Look Like (timing: Summer 2001)
Intro/Welcome from the Governor or Lt. Governor
Overview of Meeting Goals
Address the rate differential for Florida-based crews in the IATSE Southeastern Agreement and other specific issues that negatively affect Florida's competitiveness.
Identify issues of shared interest and benefit.
Identify issues of non-shared interest and benefit.
Gain consensus on how we can all work together to address issues, improve communication and opportunities to increase production in Florida.
Jointly publicize our efforts.
R. Castell requested that R. Mattingly prepare a draft of these two concepts for presentation to the entire FFAC for review and discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 1pm.

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