Media Services and Tax Credits LLC in association with various Florida entertainment industry groups are presenting the first annual Business of Entertainment Symposium, an informational and networking event where producers can stay informed on the latest trends affecting the business behind entertainment and stay connected with the key people who make the business happen.
The industry conference is being held at the Mayfair Hotel in Miami on May 25 and the Plaza Cinema Cafe in downtown Orlando on May 26.
“Supporting the Business of Entertainment Symposium is an important way to demonstrate our commitment as a valuable resource to Florida’s production community,” says Steve Bizenov, vice president of Media Services, one of the entertainment industry’s leading accounting and payroll management companies.
Kicking off the symposiums in both locations are expert panel discussions about Florida’s new five-year, $242 million transferable tax credit incentive program, what it means to Florida’s production industry, and to the production companies applying for tax credits. The panel discussions include a walkthrough of the new application forms and guidelines, followed by a Q&A session to answer specific questions by the audience.
As part of the professional development program, the one-day conference will also feature breakout sessions on various topics including:
ยท Turning Soft Money Into Gold: A detailed look at film tax credits and how to maximize these incentives in Florida and other states.
ยท Before The Camera Rolls: Preproduction tools for scheduling and budgeting.
ยท Best Practices In Production Payroll Management: Payroll, wage & hour, independent contractors, tracking tax incentives and more.
Miami Symposium
Experts participating in the panel are senior executives from Tax Credits LLC, one of the country’s top tax credit placement specialists, and Media Services, a leading entertainment industry accounting and payroll management company, as well as Jeff Peel, Director, Miami-Dade Office Of Film & Entertainment, Maria K. Chavez, President/Officer of the Florida Film Production Coalition, and Dave Caserta, President, David T. Caserta Government Relations, Inc.
Organizations supporting the inaugural event in Miami include the Miami-Dade Office of Film and Entertainment, Florida Film Production Coalition, AICP Florida (Association of Independent Commercial Producers), Ad Fed-Greater Ft. Lauderdale, and NALIP Miami (National Association of Latino Independent Producers). The Miami symposium is open to entertainment industry professionals at no cost as part of a collaborative initiative to support the local production community.
The symposium will culminate with a VIP cocktail reception at the Cabana One Lounge & Pool Club. Voluntary donations will be encouraged to benefit Variety, the children’s charity, a not-for-profit organization that provides programs and services to special-needs children.
Miami Symposium Details
When: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010, 9:00AM-5:00PM (Program), 5:15PM (VIP Cocktail Reception)
Where: Mayfair Hotel & Spa, 3000 Florida Avenue, Miami, FL 33133-5213
Cost: Free to entertainment industry professionals
For more information and to register online, visit www.miamisymposium.eventbrite.com.
Orlando Symposium
The diverse group of senior executives, industry leaders, producers and production specialists participating on the Orlando panel include:
ยท Joseph Guerriero, Tax Credits LLC
ยท Kenny Blaine, Tax Credits LLC
ยท Joe Maiella, Media Services
ยท Steve Bizenov, Media Services
ยท Suzy Spang, Vice President, Technology & Entertainment, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
ยท Rahul Khanorkar, CFO, Electronic Arts
ยท Pamela Tuscany Wines, VP/GM Universal Studios Florida Production Group
ยท Wayne Morris, Producer (Beethoven’s Big Break, Bring It On: In It to Win It, Sydney White)
ยท Susan Janis-Mashayekhi, Executive in Charge of Production/Producer (Miami Social, Brooke Knows Best, Hogan Knows Best)
Presented by Women in Film & Television-Florida (WIFT-FL) and The Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission (MOFEC) in association with Media Services and Tax Credits LLC, the inaugural event in Orlando is open free of charge to WIFT-FL members, $25 for non-WIFT-FL members, and $10 for students with a valid ID. Registration fees will benefit the WIFT-FL Scholarship Fund and Variety, the children’s charity, a not-for-profit organization that provides programs and services to special-needs children.
Orlando Symposium Details
When: Wednesday, May 26th, 2010, 9:00AM-5:15PM (Program)
Where: Plaza Cinema Cafe, 155 S Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Cost: WIFT-FL members: free, Non members: $25, Students: $10 with valid ID
For more information and to register online, visit www.orlandosymposium.eventbrite.com
About Media Services
Media Services is one of the entertainment industry’s leading accounting, payroll, crew booking, and software companies with offices in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. Established in 1978, the company has been serving feature, television, commercial, corporate and Internet productions worldwide as well as music video and residual clients for more than 30 years.
Media Services is committed to driving the industry through constant innovation by offering best-in-class software solutions through its product division, Showbiz Software. In addition to its proprietary production accounting, payroll, budgeting, scheduling and time management software, the company offers a wide range of other entertainment industry software, books, tapes, and supplies through its Showbiz Store & Cafe in West Los Angeles and New York as well as its online store at www.showbizsoftware.com.
About Tax Credits, LLC
The professionals of Tax Credits, LLC have spent the last 10 years placing various tax credits throughout the US. The company has handled nearly 1,250 transactions placing approximately $450 million in various state tax credits to date. Tax Credits, LLC has strong relationships with large corporations that are annual, multi-state tax credit buyers and are well-equipped to place film tax credits quickly and efficiently. For more information, visit www.taxcreditsllc.com.