1st Quarter Meeting Minutes
March 22, 2005
21st Floor Conference Room, TheCapitol
The first quarter meeting for the Florida Film & Entertainment Advisory Council was called to order on March 22, 2005 at 1:15 PM, 21st Floor Conference Room, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida.
| Members Present | Members Not Present |
|---|---|
| Klechak – Chairman | Excused: |
| Paul Meena – Vice Chairman | Jasper Balance |
| Leslie Bartlett | Raul Mateu |
| Daphne Boyd | Arlene Herson |
| Patrick Keating | Kathryn Waters |
| Todd Roobin | Charleene Closshey |
| Rebecca O’Dell Townsend | Sterling Van Wagenen |
| John Welch | Lorraine Wood |
| Hollis Batchelor | Marty Wilson |
| Frank “Bud” Nocera | |
| Unexcused: | |
| Jorge Hane |
Ex-Officio
Susan Albershardt, State Film Commissioner
Lucia Fishburne
Office Of Film & Entertainment
Susan Simms,Los Angeles Liaison
Niki Welge, Production Coordinator
Heather Brown, Administrative Assistant
After introductions by each member, as well as the public in attendance, a
discussion of future meetings took place. For the September meeting in Orlando,
Susan suggested meeting at Full Sail in Winter Park instead of at the Airport
Hyatt. The December meeting was discussed and no decision was made as to where
to have it.
Paul Meena mentions corrections to minutes from previous meeting, on page 6 paragraph 2. Susan Albershardt says she would check tapes.
Susan Albershardt goes over the incentives given out to date: Transporter 2, 2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Probed, and Lonely Hearts. She notes that the Transporter 2 audit is official; they ended up spending 1.5 million instead of the originally planned 1.7 million. Another $44,000 was given to the Latin Billboard Awards. With the funds leftover from Transporter 2 the funds will then filter down to Lonely Hearts.
Paul Meena adds that with the new changes to the queue shooting will be based on chronological order.
Susan notes that it will also encourage people to shoot close to July 1, a slow time for Florida
Lew introduces Hollis Batchelor to discuss the Deregulation Bill.
Hollis discusses how the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is not equipped to regulate talent agents and how it is not a large enough profession to really warrant DBPR’s attention at the time. DBPR was powerless to do anything or they chose not to do anything. There is a huge difference between Talent Agents and Advance Fee Talent Services. Talent Agents make their money from commission of getting artists jobs. They don’t get their money until after the person has worked and been paid. Advance Fee Talent Services get their monies up front with the possibility of promoting a person’s career, but there is no obligation whatsoever to do this.
This will require criminal background checks, as well as to post a bond. Susan questions the different levels of screening. Hollis states will probably change from a level II to a level I because of how stringent it is. Representatives also want to see screening not only in Florida but also throughout the U.S.
Rebecca O’Dell Townsend states that the bill also includes a civil action remedy not just criminal.
Susan Albershardt asks if this bill passes, what can the Advisory Council or the Office of Film & Entertainment do to make sure that the talent throughout the state of Florida knows what the new guidelines are?
Hollis suggests town meeting in various cities throughout the state. As well as to have someone from the DBPR there as well.
Paul asks, is this necessary? He thinks the expense associated with this will be too costly.More discussion follows about how to get the word out as effectively as possible.Susan will utilize the OFE website and email blasts, along with film associations in Florida.
Paul states that since the last meeting there has been only one legislative meeting called for fine-tuning and any additional input. Changes were done and summarized and then voted on through legislation. Everything went and it went back to Senator Saunders and Representative Davis who then both sent it to bill drafting. It came out of bill drafting with no problems.
Susan Albershardt adds it has only been in one committee meeting in the House. Representative Davis made eight amendments based on changes that Susan requested. Senate added all amendments filed on 03/22/05.
This concludes discussion of Glitch Bill.
Film Florida Update
Todd Roobin gave a brief synopsis of the events that have taken place on the past few days while at the Capitol. He says that the council meetings, legislative workshop, Film Florida breakfast, as well as walking the halls were very productive.
Paul states that the Trust Fund will be administered by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (OTTED) and that Senator Saunders thought this would still protect our money.
Susan Simms states that it was a huge first quarter.It is TV pilot season as well as commercial season which will lead into a slower season as summer approaches.
Niki Welge reports that about 1,300 persons have applied. The new online sales tax exemption has made paper work obsolete, with no human error, and overall is generally easier to use.
The difference is there is no math necessary, handles the reporting, and is a huge time saver.
Florida is the only state that offers this type of on-line ability. It also has data that has been collected since 2001, and with the statistics that are now generated we can finally stand behind them.
Paul asks if there be a link or a tab? Yes, a link will be provided. Second, what is the turnaround time? 24 to 48 hrs. And Lastly, will it be sent electronically? No, a hard copy will be sent.
Steve Lasky reports that the Professional Development Series was designed to increase the understanding of new software and technology, introduce skills to raise the value, as well as to elevate the level of professionalism within the entertainment industry.
A three-day workshop was developed based on a professional level that involved real tools and real work.It was divided into three tracks Business, Creative, and Technical.
The instructors came from all over the U.S. and the students came from all over Florida for three days of hands on training at Miami Dade Community College. Each day also included a catered luncheon that included guest speakers with different backgrounds and topics related to the entertainment industry of these speakers was Susan Alberhsardt, Michael King, and Ted Hope.
Steve Lasky concluded that this money was well spent and that everyone who participated enjoyed it and wished that they had more time with instructors and materials.
Economic Assessment: Susan Albershardt states that bids are currently being accepted for the next economic assessment. This assessment will be divided into three parts:Film and Entertainment industry, Digital Media, and Tourism impacts brought on by film festivals.
Filminflorida.com:Website
design changes are also taking place and will become more usually friendly. It
will also include a 3-5 minute video on
Ad-Campaign:The new campaign has won a gold Addy award.We are also to place the Ad’s in has many places as possible. We also want to include them in the Production Guide as tabs.
Chair Lew Klechek opened the floor to public comment.
Jay West is part of the oldest and longest established studio located in Saint Petersburg FL. He is concerned about the need for certain equipment and not having the funds for this.
Judson French, Executive Director of Digital Media Alliance, offered to work with the Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment on the definition of digital media.
Richard
Seres
spoke about his concerns about the OFE producing the next Production Guide and
not using his guide.Susan Albershardt
stated that she felt it was important for the OFE to maintain creative control
over the layout and content and the branding for film in
Meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM