Bonnie King, film commissioner for the Space Coast Film and Television Office, a Committee of the Brevard County Tourist Development Council (TDC), has been named president of Film Florida. It was announced at the Film Florida Annual Meeting in Destin, FL, along with the entire Film Florida Board of Directors for 2017-2018.
“It is a privilege to serve as president of Film Florida,” commented King. “I look forward to working side by side with industry professionals as we seek opportunities to strengthen the film, TV and digital media industry. Florida is open for business and competing for high wage jobs in the film, television and digital media industry and we plan on continuing to spread that message.”
King works closely with local associations for independent filmmakers in the Space Coast area. Her responsibilities include developing film, television and print opportunities for the space coast. This includes feature films, television shows, commercials, music videos and fashion photography. She serves on high school advisory boards for hospitality and entertainment in Merritt Island and Rockledge; sponsors the Melbourne Independent Film Festival; and serves on the Meetings and Conventions Committee for Visit Florida.
King started her career as a radio broadcaster where she “broke the sound barrier” by being the first woman in Brevard County to host a Rock-N-Roll radio show during the day. She then worked as marketing director for a regional shopping mall before joining the Space Coast Office of Tourism/Film where she assists the director in public relations activities; marketing and advertising; and special projects for the Tourist Development Council. She has been involved with Film Florida for 15+ years, most recently serving as 2nd VP.
Immediate past president Kelly Paige added, “It has been an honor to serve Film Florida and our entire Florida production community over the last year. I enthusiastically support Bonnie King and believe that her courage, tenacity and vision will continue to show the far reaching benefits our industry has on the state of Florida including creating jobs, spurring economic development and generating tourism.”
2017 – 2018 Executive Board Officers:
- President – Bonnie King, Space Coast Film and Television Office (Film Commission Council)
- 1st Vice President – Gail Morgan, Emerald Coast Film Commission (Film Commission Council)
- 2nd Vice President – Tony Stopperan, Ringling College of Art & Design (Education Council)
- Secretary – Herta Suarez, SAG-AFTRA (Labor Council)
- Treasurer – Lauren O’Quinn, ClassAct Studios (Industry Council)
- Immediate Past President – Kelly Paige, Level Talent Group (Industry Council)
Additional Board Members Include:
–Film Commission Council: Chair- Christy Andreoni, Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission; Vice Chair- Jeanne Corcoran, Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office; Secretary- Sandy Lighterman, Miami-Dade Office of Film and Entertainment; Alternates: Marty Lewis, St. Augustine Film Office and Graham Winick, City of Miami Beach.
–Industry Council: Co-Chair- Alexa Sheehan, HarborDashery Productions, LLC; Co-Chair- Nancy McBride, Women in Film & Television – Florida; Secretary- Herb Miller, Univision Networks and Studios, Inc.
–Education Council: Chair- David Jaffe, Lynn University; Vice Chair- Matthew Wohl, Miami-Dade College; Secretary- Stephen McDowell, Florida State University College of Communication & Information.
–Labor Council: Herta Suarez- SAG-AFTRA; and Leah Sokolowsky- Teamsters Local 769 will continue to represent Labor Council.
Film Florida is a state-wide not-for-profit entertainment production trade association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production and digital media/tech industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major entertainment production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator.
Sean “Diddy” Combs seeks bail, citing changed circumstances and new evidence
Sean "Diddy" Combs filed a new request for bail on Friday, saying changed circumstances, along with new evidence, mean the hip-hop mogul should be allowed to prepare for a May trial from outside jail.
Lawyers for Combs filed the request in Manhattan federal court, where his previous requests for bail have been rejected by two judges since his September arrest on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees, while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
He has been awaiting a May 5 trial at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn.
In their new court filing, lawyers for Combs say they are proposing a "far more robust" bail package that would subject the entertainer to strict around-the-clock security monitoring and near-total restrictions on his ability to contact anyone but his lawyers. But the amount of money they attach to the package remains $50 million, as they proposed before.
They also cite new evidence that they say "makes clear that the government's case is thin." That evidence, the lawyers said, refutes the government's claim that a March 2016 video showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend occurred during a coerced "freak off," a sexually driven event described in the indictment against Combs.
They wrote that the encounter was instead "a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship" between Combs and his then-girlfriend.
The lawyers argued that the jail conditions Combs is experiencing at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn violate his constitutional... Read More