Meeting #1 - Summary
Joint Board of Directors Meeting of Florida's Film Industry Trade Associations
Universal Studios, Orlando, FL
March 30, 2001

5:15 pm
- Meeting called to order by Rebecca Dirden Mattingly, Film Commissioner and Paul Meena, Vice Chair, Florida Film Advisory Council.

Attendance:
Name Organization Phone
Larry Gianneschi Cinematographer Guild / Labor Council/Film Florida 407-295-5577
Tammy Stone Women in Film & TV- Central FL 407-850-5770
Alice Wymer Women in Film & TV- Central FL 407-656-0307
Melva Aikens Women in Film & TV-FL & Int'l. 407/622-1188
Todd Roobin Film Florida, Inc. 904/630-2522
Bonnie King Film Florida, Inc. 1-800-93-Ocean
Richard Seres Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) none given
Mara Gurevitz AICP 407/345-8100
Peggi McKinley AICP 305/603-0664
Keith Rouse AICP 305/588-0825
Paul Meena Florida Film Advisory Council 407/363-8568
Rebecca Mattingly Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment 877/352-3456
Joanne Butcher Independent Feature Project - South 305/538-8242
Eleanor Hoh Women of Motion Picture Industry (WOMPI) 305/865-9297
Marcella Pacheco WOMPI 305/412-3937
Ginny Wolnowicz National Association of Latin Independent Producers - FL (NALIP) 786/853-7733
Craig Soldinger Florida Motion Picture & Television Association (FMPTA) 407/774-0558
Trish Kane FMPTA / WIFT-FL 407/566-0181
Larry Haber FMPTA / WIFT-FL 407/566-0181
John Dussling FMPTA 407/297-0091

Meeting Overview:
  • AICP
  • Women in Film
  • WOMPI
  • Film Florida
  • NALIP
  • IFP
  • FMPTA
    • Guest Concerns expressed:
    1. Continue and improve industry communication statewide - e-mail / fax / Kool Kids. Industry values current email systems created by OFC.
    2. Continue development of industry incentives - for location production, investments in content development/post/distribution.
    3. Right to work Statute in Florida - request to have representative from the Atty. General's office fully explain the statute to industry. Discussion also included the idea of amending the Right to Work statute to be clearer and industry friendly. OFC has worked with the Atty. General's Office, as well as the National Labor Relations Board to provide a layman's explanation of Florida's Right to Work Laws and how they affect the film industry. This information is available on the website - www.filminflorida.com, Getting Started section.
    4. High School children are an untapped resource for local/state film offices to shoot location photos; however, there are many industry pros serving as Location Managers who shoot photos as part of their livelihood. A balance must be achieved among professionals and students in this arena.
    5. Concern about financial cuts the legislature wants to make to media & technology classes in high schools.
    6. Increase opportunities for internship programs for students to work & learn with industry, especially paid internships, and the exploration/creation of utilizing grants to fund them. With the passage of HB 379, the OFC will have the authority to raise/solicit funds from state, federal, private entities to fund industry programs such as this.
    7. Get more involved with the Entertainment & Sports Law Section (EASL) of the Florida Bar to become more educated about state/local/federal laws as they relate to the film industry. Also explore this group as a partner to get grants/funds for various programs. The OFC has worked with the Entertainment & Sports Law Section of the Florida Bar for the past two years to better engage this important group with industry. Members of EASL are currently putting together a film financing framework that will be presented to the OFC this year. Next steps are to work with EASL and the Florida banks and investment community to socialize the framework and hopefully, attract investors to participate.
    8. Tap SBA loans as a financial incentive for low budget films. This has been done in California. OFC is working with OTTED and the Florida SBA to make this opportunity available in Florida.
    9. Bring in more venture Capital (form private sector fund) to fund independent films.
    10. Expand Florida's larger film festivals to include distribution & financing seminars and "deal making" sessions in which producers and financiers meet and make deals. Publicize the successes. The OFC is addressing this issue by working directly with the larger film festivals and their growth plans. Funding may be necessary (a possible grant or incentive) to ensure proper expansion of a festival to a market.
    11. Form an Industry Association Presidents Council, among president's of trade associations, to discuss relevant industry topics/concerns/ideas - John Dussling to initiate & formulate this group.
    12. Explore the design and sale of an entertainment industry license plate to generate funds for incentives and the programs/ideas discussed during this meeting. OFC is currently exploring this as an FY 02 legislative initiative.
    Staff: Meeting Adjourned at 7:30pm.
    back to top | close this window | back to list