Hundreds flocked to CBS’s Radford campus in May to attend the 2016 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.
Veteran actor/producer/director, Garry Marshall opened the event by delivering the keynote address discussing the importance of keeping film and television projects in California. Marshall created, wrote and produced some of television’s most popular shows in the 70’s and 80’s including Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy.
The opening panel featured crew members who worked on the feature film CHiPs including the film’s director, Dax Shephard. CHiPs, which filmed all over Southern California, enlisted heavy assistance from California Highway Patrol’s Sgt. Manuel “Manny” Gill, technical advisor for the organization and co-panelist. Shephard and his co-panelists shared behind-the-scenes stories about the making of this film. The moderator of this panel was Alex Cohen, co-host of KPCC’s Take Two. Other panelists included producer, Andrew Panay, Warner Bros. producer, Ravi Mehta and location manager, Rick Schuler.
FilmL.A.’s outreach & education team was also featured on a panel during the Film In California Conference. Arturo Pina and Guy Langman shared their community relations expertise during a panel entitled “Creating Smoother Running Locations with Smarter Community Relations Panel.” The panel, moderated by career location manager, David Doumeng also featured location managers Caleb Duffy and Veronique Vowell and Santa Barbara film commissioner, Geoff Alexander.
FilmL.A.’s Arturo Piña and Guy Langman at the Smarter Community Relations Panel.
FilmL.A. staff discussed how embracing a GIS mapping system for community conflict anticipation and avoidance has been instrumental in assisting with proactive community relations and outreach work. During the discussion the group touched on innovative solutions for avoiding problems and keeping the peace when filming on-location.
Late afternoon, attendees gathered on Stage 9 for the presentation of the first California Golden Slate Award. The Golden Slate Award honor is given to production professionals who are exhibit a commitment to filming their projects in California. As part of the ceremony, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti delivered special remarks followed by the award presentation by acclaimed actor Jamie Lee Curtis.
The inaugural award was presented to writer/director/producer, Ryan Murphy. Murphy is well known for his body of work which includes credits for Nip/Tuck, Glee and The New Normal. Mr. Murphy’s most recent work includes The People v. O.J. Simpson, Scream Queens and AHS Hotel. Ryan Murphy was instrumental in bringing the American Horror Story series back to California.
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.