2016 Film In California Conference

Photo credit, Photographer Beth Dubbed (left to right): Amy Lemisch, California Film Commission; Ryan Murphy; Jamie Lee Curtis; Mayor Garcetti, City of Los Angeles; Kevin James, City of Los Angeles; and Cassandra Hesseltine, Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission.

 

Film Commissioner Promotes the Region

The Film in California Conference is the largest event focused on the vast resources that the state has to offer all media productions. This year’s conference featured a full-day of expert panels and presentations, including an opening session led by Writer/Director/Actor Dax Shepard on the making of the upcoming CHiPs movie (based on the iconic 1970s TV series).  Film Commission offices from up and down the state, sponsors, and industry exhibitors had booths for attendees to visit at the conference as well.  The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission had a booth at the conference that highlighted film friendly locations the redwood region.  Over 600 industry related professionals attended the conference.

Cassandra Hesseltine, Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner, welcomed the audience in her new role as President of FLICS (Film Liaisons in California Statewide-a network of 40-plus film commissions throughout California).  FLICS co-host the conference with the California Film Commission.  “It was such an honor to share the stage with my hard working co-host as well as some major Hollywood legends while promoting filming in California,” stated Hesseltine.

Once such legend, was none other than Gary Marshall, best known for his long stellar career in television including the shows Happy Days and Lavern and Shirley.  Marshall was the keynote speaker and delivered his speech with the same humor and delight that is often found in his work.  

Later in the day, Jamie Lee Curtis presented the first California Golden Slate Award, to Director/Producer/Writer Ryan Murphy.   Murphy was honored with the inaugural Golden Slate Award for his commitment to filming in California and the large body of California-based productions he’s produced, which in turn have created thousands of production and production-related jobs that have contributed to the state’s economy.  His many in-state projects include “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson”, “Nip/Tuck”, “Glee,” “American Horror Story” and “Scream Queens” (the latter two recently relocated production to California from Louisiana).