California Film Commission

The California Film Commission and FLICS Announce Finalists for 8th Annual California "On Location" Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/17/2002

Contact: Karen Constine, Director or Karen Caesar, Information Officer
Contact Phone: 323.860.2960

Awards Honor Filmmakers for Excellence in Working on Location in California

Hollywood -- The California Film Commission and its 57 FLICS (Film Liaisons in California, Statewide) are pleased to announce the finalists for this year's California On Location Awards (COLAs), slated for Sunday, October 13 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey.

These awards pay tribute to location managers and production companies for their professionalism while working on location in communities throughout the state. Their exemplary work while on location helps to keep Californians enthusiastic about filming in the Golden State. The awards also honor public employees for their diligent work in keeping California film-friendly.

"Californians are very proud of what these fine professionals do for our State," said California Governor Gray Davis. "Thanks in part to their commitment, California is the number one destination for filmmakers. Their efforts have kept jobs in California, and have helped to spread the word not only about our great incentive programs, but also about the great diversity of locations California has to offer."

"California is the center of the entertainment industry," added Karen Constine, Director of the California Film Commission. "These awards enable us to formally and publicly recognize the impressive achievements of the industry professionals who help us maintain that title year after year. We are thrilled to be able to sponsor this one-of-a-kind event."

Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be actor Richard Masur, a past president of the Screen Actors Guild and a current California Film Commissioner.

The COLA finalists are selected in the categories of Location Professional of the Year for features, television, commercials and still photography; Production Company of the Year for features, television, commercials and still photography; and Public Employee of the Year at the city, county, state and federal levels. In addition, the Signature Award, to be announced at the event, recognizes individuals, projects or production companies that have steadfastly resisted pressures to film elsewhere, choosing to film in California.

The finalists were determined by a distinguished panel of industry judges, including: Sandra Berke Jordan, President, Motion Picture Costumers Union, Local 705 and California Film Commissioner; Harry Bring, Producer; Steve Caplan, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Association of Independent Commercial Producers; Doug Claybourne, Executive Producer; Steve Dayan, Business Agent, Teamsters Local 399; Jeannine Oppenwall, Production Designer; and Richard H. Prince, Unit Production Manager.

Finalists for the California On Location Awards include the following:

Location Professional of the Year, Features
Molly Allen -- The Antwone Fisher Story
Bob Craft, Greg Alpert -- XXX
Mike Neal, Rob Gibson -- Star Trek Nemesis
Laura Sode-Matteson -- Hulk

Production Company of the Year, Features
Universal/Big Green Productions -- Hulk
Green Lake Productions -- Holes
Revolution Studios -- XXX

Location Professional of the Year, Television
Paul Wilson -- CSI
Rick Schuler -- Mick Jagger music video (produced by Anonymous Content)
Marc Ventimiglia -- Carnival (HBO Pilot)

Production Company of the Year, Television
Touchstone -- Alias
None Of The Above Productions -- Lizzie McGuire
Oregon Public Broadcasting -- Kingdom of David
Lock & Key Productions -- Fear Factor

Location Professional of the Year, Commercials:
Rob Gregory -- Third Strike
Peter Gluck -- Nabisco
Rick Schuler -- Mercedes Benz

Production Company of the Year, Commercials:
House of Usher -- Chevrolet Trailblazer
Straight A Productions -- Honda
Flying Tigers -- Suzuki Quads

Location Professional of the Year, Stills:
Louie Defontaine -- Bentley
Les Milne -- Orvis Catalog
Russell Sasaki -- Suzuki

Production Company of the Year, Stills:
Jana Taylor Photography -- Great and Precious Promises (book)
Ad Pro International -- Chrysler
5th & Sunset -- Wrangler Jeans

City Employee of the Year:
Katie Crump, Nancy Belvieu -- Petaluma
Jesus Serrano -- Los Angeles
Captain Tim Shelby -- Monterey
Lois Ware -- Palm Springs

County Employee of the Year:
Clark Newton -- Placer County
Supervisor Ron Roberts -- San Diego County
Becki Schmidt, Ty Cannon -- Kern County

State Employee of the Year:
Dalia Jaramillo -- CA Department of Transportation
Fred Gee, Ranger -- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Lynette Falk, Ranger -- Malibu Sector, CA State Parks

Federal Employee of the Year:
Commander Robert Anderson -- U. S. Navy
Doug Boyer & Rich Platt -- El Dorado National Forest
Gina Robison -- Bureau of Land Management, Barstow

About California On Location Awards
Created in 1994, the California On Location Awards ceremony honors location professionals and production companies for their excellence in working on location. The California Film Commission and the 57 regional FLICS (Film Liaisons in California, Statewide) co-sponsor the COLA awards annually to salute the Location Professional of the Year and Production Company of the Year in the categories of commercials, feature film, still photography, and television. The awards also honor a Public Employee of the Year on a city, county, state and federal level.

The California Film Commission
The California Film Commission is a Division of California Technology, Trade and Commerce and works to enhance California's position as the premiere location for all motion picture and television production. The CFC works with 57 FLICS (Film Liaisons In California, Statewide) to retain and attract filming in the Golden State. For more information about the California Film Commission, visit their interactive web site at www.film.ca.gov.