Hundreds flocked to CBS’s Radford campus in May to attend the 2017 Film In California Conference, co-hosted by the California Film Commission (CFC), CBS Studio Center and the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS). Now in its eighth year, the Film In California Conference is unique in that it is the only event held exclusively to promote filming resources in California. FilmL.A. was proud to partner with the CFC and the FLICS in supporting this event.
Welcome remarks were delivered by Executive Director of the California Film Commission, Amy Lemisch followed by a special pre-recorded message from Producer Director Ava DuVernay. DuVernay has worked on award-winning film projects including the documentary/biography of Roger Ebert titled Life Itself, the Netflix documentary 13th, the civil rights feature Selma, and A Wrinkle In Time, set for a 2018 release.
The opening panel featured cast and crew members who worked on the popular television drama This Is Us including Executive Producer Isaac Aptaker, Executive Producer, Elizabeth Berger, Co-Executive Producer Steve Beers, Production Designer Grary Frutkoff, Location Manager Duffy Taylor and actor Chris Sullivan who plays the role of “Toby” on the show. The panel was moderated by Alex Cohen of host of KPCC’s Morning Edition. Panelists shared behind-the-scenes stories about the making of this project. This Is Us was also the recipient of the California Film and TV Tax Credit.
The next panel was geared toward independent filmmakers. The ‘Film Financing for Independents’ panel was staffed with experts who reviewed how to find and access the full range of funding options available for indie filmmakers. The panel gave actionable advice for everything from business plans and gap financing to international sales, tax credits and crowdfunding.
The ‘Content Production & Distribution in the Rapidly-Changing Digital Age” discussed how today’s multi-platform media companies are reinventing the film & television industry and in the process creating new opportunities for indie producers to develop and distribute content. The panel was staffed by representatives of some of the most groundbreaking companies including Demian Lichtenstein, Owner/Senior Content Creator of Starbreeze Studios & CEO, Futurism Entertainment, Sherry Liu, VP Business Development & Strategies, Media Arts Lab, Ashley Kaplan, Head of Content/SVP, Production Full Screen Media and Solly Mirell, Staff Production Supervisor, Here Be Dragons.
Late afternoon, attendees gathered for the presentation of the California Golden Slate Award. The CA Golden Slate Award was presented by actor Jason George (Grey’s Anatomy, Mistresses, Playing the Field, With This Ring). The 2017 California Golden Slate Award was presented to Shondaland’s Betsy Beers (Executive Producer of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, The Catch, Still Star Crossed, For The People). The award, which was first given to Ryan Murphy, honors an individual who champions filming in California and whose body of work has generated thousands of in-state jobs. Ms. Beers was also recognized for her commitment to diversity.
Congratulations to the California Film Commission and to the Film Liaisons in California Statewide for another successful Film in California Conference. FilmL.A. looks forward to future partnerships.
For more information visit: http://conference.filmcalifornia.com/
Photo: Film in California Conference