Posted on 08/08/2003 10:59:37 PM PDT by BenLurkin
LANCASTER - A panel of movie professionals praised the Antelope Valley's enthusiastic attitude toward visiting film productions in a workshop for business owners Thursday at the Desert Inn.
"This community has recognized the worth of (the film industry)," location manager John Grant said.
"It's so refreshing to have someone walk across the street and you brace yourself to be yelled at, and they say, 'It's great to have you in the community,' " agreed Conrad Ricketts, a location manager for the television reality series "Fear Factor."
Approximately 55 business owners attended the workshop sponsored by the joint film committee of the Antelope Valley and Palmdale chambers of commerce.
The committee organizes the annual seminar to educate entrepreneurs interested in marketing their products or services to the many film production companies that pass through the high desert.
According to the panelists, business owners don't necessarily have to specialize in movie equipment or Hollywood-related products to reap profits when Hollywood sweeps through town.
"No matter what business you have, there's a use for it in the entertainment industry," Ricketts said.
Whether it's an ice cream truck in the heat of midsummer, a coffee cart for windy winter nights, a condor crane, a chiropractor, a florist or a mechanic, "Anything you can think of, at some point we'll probably need it," location manager Kenny Bryant agreed.
"These people are coming to town and they're spending money," AV film liaison Pauline East said. "They can't spend money if they're not connecting with businesses."
East urged business owners to sign up to be included on the Antelope Valley Film Office's "hot sheet," a list of services, film locations and businesses she refers to when production companies call with needs or requests.
Panelists also advised business owners to support the Valley's film guide. The Desert Sierra Film Guide is a biannual production resource published by Pat Smith of West Coast Film Locations. Like the hot sheet, it contains listings of goods and services available to filmmakers in the Antelope Valley.
The 2003-04 book is due to print in the next few months, East said. The guide will be distributed to thousands of location scouts, managers and producers in the Los Angeles area.
The film guide "is the key," Grant said. "This is our Bible. This is what we look for when we arrive in town. This is how we're going to find you."
Panelists suggested other strategies for grabbing the attention of film companies, including dropping off a business card or brochure at a film site, advertising in Los Angeles directories such as the "LA411," mailing out promotional postcards to location managers or putting a sign on a property with the phrase "film friendly" and a phone number.
Once a business has been hired, it is important to pull out all the stops to make a good impression, East said. The film office is available to assist with any questions or situations that may arise.
"We really do need your best piece of equipment and your best employees," Grant agreed. "That first job is when you really gotta perform, 'cause that's when you set your reputation. Deliver on time … deliver quality goods at a fair price."
Doing business with the film industry requires being available at any time, said Lynn Roth, whose graphics company recently created 80 location signs for a DreamWorks crew constructing a set in Palmdale.
"You need to give them what they want when they want it."
Typical industry attitude. That's why they are less and less welcome down below.
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