The second quarter meeting for the Florida Film & Entertainment Advisory Council was called to order on June 17, 2005 at 1:10 PM, Livorno Merbella Room, at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza in Tampa, FL.

CALL TO ORDER

I. Roll Call and Introductions

II. Election of Officers and Passing the Torch
After introductions by each member, as well as the public in attendance, Lew opened the floor for nominations for the new officers. Lew nominated Paul Meena for Chairman and motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Second item was to elect a Vice-Chair and the floor was opened for nominations. Loraine Wood nominated Katie Waters, Hollis seconded the nomination. Motion passed.

IV. Future Meetings The September meeting previously planned for the 12th at Full Sail in Winter Park, FL has been moved to Amelia Island, Friday September 30th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The December meeting will be in Orlando with the exact date, location and time TBD.

OLD BUSINESS

V. Review and Approval of Minutes from 1st Quarter Meeting Paul Meena resides for the rest of meeting. Additions are made to the agenda. Rebecca O’Dell Townsend adds Professional Development Series under item X, and Katie Waters adds Hair and Make-up Artist Legislation under VI, d. Information about the new State Film Commissioner position was provided. OTTED has received quite a few qualified applications and that a selection committee will be formed to help narrow the list of applicants. The Governor will make the final decision. The issue of whether or not the new film commissioner should reside in Tallahassee is discussed. Todd Roobin, Hollis Batchelor, and Lew Klechak all think that the film commissioner should reside in Tallahassee. Hollis brought up the issue of getting more staff for the Office of Film & Entertainment (OFE). Paul stated that he feels the film commissioner should not be required to reside in Tallahassee Motion for approval of minutes for 1st Quarter 2005 meeting was made by Hollis, and Seconded by Lew. Motion passed.

VI. Legislative Wrap - Up

a. Glitch Bill

Discussion arose regarding the passing of the Glitch Bill. Paul requested that a clean version of Glitch Bill be posted on website for public viewing.

b. Talent Agency Deregulation

Discussion ensued regarding the bills death in both the House and Senate Committees.

c. Trust Fund Bill

Discussion followed regarding the Governor’s decision to veto the bill on June 1, 2005. Trust funds are a way of protecting money given to the OFE by the legislature, which is not a good idea if money remains unused and goes to waste. Discuss coming up with a different way to solve the problem.

Katie Waters brought up some concerns regarding make-up artists and hair stylists using chemicals that could potentially cause side effects. She had previously asked Susan Albershardt if more action should be taken. Susan replied that the board of Cosmetology needed to be consulted. It was also mentioned that there are no licensing requirements for make-up artists anywhere else, but that producers need to be careful when hiring people for those positions.

NEW BUSINESS

VII. Incentive Update

Discussion follows regarding the 17 or so applications received thus far by the OFE and that most of the information is confidential, so giving specific information is not possible at this point. Additional discussion followed regarding the 2 incentive queues and that because the initial two week window for the first queue had not closed, no lineup for funds can be completed. This is because applicants in the first queue are lined up based on their principal photography date.

It is noted that funds will not be available until July 1st, and that applicants should note that any expenditures done before July 1st will not be considered for reimbursement. Also people should keep applying regardless of the situation. Also, as of February 1st if there is additional funding available in the two queues, then they combine, and that the worst thing we can do is still have money available on the table June 30th, 2006. By combining queues and prioritizing shoot dates this will give incentives and money to those individuals who can roll camera sooner than others.

Discussion follows regarding when the funds have to be handed out to applicants. Currently the Governor’s Office has until December 31st 2005 to spend the money. Next year rules will change, at which point we will have until September 30th. This is imperative for production companies that want funding to get their paper work (submissions) in.

VIII. Priorities for 2006 Legislative Session

Priority is to protect our money and prevent having to go back and ask for it every year. Committees will be formulated to discuss this issue. Decide to make additional changes to the glitch bill and address specific concerns. Need to guarantee fiscal impact.

It is suggested that a legislative committee be formed that will actively work with the Film Florida Legislative Committee. Then have them advise the council what should be done. At which point the council can judge where we are, and what we can strategize.

Decide that the council must establish needs, and then find a legislator to support us. Invite legislators to visit incentive recipients in their regions to thank them for their support. Need to continue thanking them in order to receive additional funding.

The need to nurture indigenous production is discussed as well as incentives for Florida film school graduates to stay here.

Further discussion regarding the need for committees ensues. There is agreement about the need for a legislative committee. Paul decides to add committees when necessary, but that it is necessary to prioritize what committees are important. A decision is made by Paul to strike the education committee and talent agent committee for now. May possibly reform them later, but only if it becomes important. Legislative and Executive Committees remain. Paul will send an email to everyone with committee designations.

IX. Film Florida Update

Description of the Film Florida quarterly meeting is given by Todd Roobin. They held an election of officers. They elected Ed Stamm as the new chair. Other elected members are first Vice President Graham Winick, Second Vice President Massimo Martinotti, Secretary George Cornelius, and Bonnie King as Treasurer. Group unanimously voted to support the addition of staff to the Office of Film and Entertainment. Established Legislative, Membership and Long Range Strategic Planning Committees. Appropriated 15 thousand dollars to hire a public relations consultant to help with marketing, etc. Before the next Locations trade show want to combine an industry reception to target the commercial industry. Want to have a stronger presence in New York by expanding IFP. Went to the London production show and explored that market. Also established a Scholarship and Grants committee and established a Sara Fuller scholarship. The money will come from Film Florida funds.

OFE UPDATE

X. State Production Guide
Discussion followed regarding the printing of the State’s online guide being put on hold. Richard Seres gave the OFE production guides. Are still accepting entries, but have not printed copies.

XI. Economic Assessment
Discuss the process so far and what kind of conclusions the assessment comes to. The OFE has received quotes, and the administration office is tallying up the qualifications of the companies that have applied. A decision will be made eventually.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Discussion arose regarding individuals who are not on the council being members of a committee. According to the by-laws of the council, industry representatives other than board members are allowed to serve on committees. Letters of gratitude to the Governor and the Legislators for supporting our industry are discussed. A decision was made for Paul to draft the letters, and then send them out with the Film Florida “thank you” bags.

Meeting adjourned at 3:24 pm

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