Massachusetts film commissioner Lisa Strout received the Arthur M. Loew Jr. Crystal Vision Award earlier this month during the 2014 Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Cineposium confab in NYC. The honor is bestowed upon an active or former AFCI film commissioner or staff member for envisioning, developing or helping to implement programs that have significantly furthered the goals of the AFCI.

Among Strout’s accomplishments earning the AFCI recognition were her service on the AFCI board of directors, chairing of committees, teaching AFCI University courses, updating the professional development program and developing a new course for non-commissioners. Strout’s career achievements include a decade in film location management followed by leading first the film office of New Mexico and now the office in her home state of Massachusetts.

Other Cineposium highlights include a keynote address by Michael Uslan, executive producer of all the Batman films, and several panel discussions. Asked how he felt about Ben Affleck as the new Batman, Uslan expressed confidence, sharing a story about when he was initially against director Tim Burton’s choice of Michael Keaton for the role until Burton explained: “You don’t cast for Batman, you cast for Bruce Wayne.”

Several of the panel discussions focused on how recent issues have affected the industry. The Midnight Rider tragedy where camera assistant Sarah Jones died and several more were injured inspired a session on set safety; a panel on film tourism included a look at Norway’s recent experience with Disney’s Frozen; and a panel on drones included James Williams, the manager of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office.

Twenty-two members also completed the AFCI’s professional development program, which includes master classes on marketing, film production, economic development, and management. They received certificates at the close of the event, confirming their status as Certified Film Commissioners.

Tesla Deal Impacts Nevada Filming Incentives
Funding for Nevada’s film incentives program has been slashed from $80 million to $10 million covering a four-year period which began back in January. Catalyst for the cutback was legislation signed last month by Gov. Brian Sandoval which provides Tesla Motors with well over $1 billion worth of financial incentives in exchange for the company bringing its battery factory to Nevada. To help offset the cost of the Tesla package, state legislators made other cuts, including $70 million in film subsidies.

The reduction impacts a filming program under which companies that spend a minimum of $500,000 and shoot at least 60 percent of their project in Nevada are eligible for a transferable tax credit of 15 to 19 percent of qualified production expenditures. The film incentives package applies to projects ranging from theatrical features to TV, commercials, digital content and branded entertainment. The minimum threshold of $500,000 can be reached cumulatively, meaning that multiple commercials or pieces of branded content, for example, shot in Nevada during the course of the year can collectively qualify for the tax credit.

Eric Preiss, director of the Nevada Film Office, confirmed the decreased funding for the film incentives program. He noted that “all projects that have applied will still be honored and there will be no changes to any existing projects; the only effect is that there will be less total incentives available for future productions. The scope of the incentives remains the same; all previously qualified productions will still qualify, including commercials.”

Preiss added, “There are still funds left in our incentive program to be awarded and our approach will remain exactly the same.”

FilmL.A. Lauds FAA Ruling On Drones
Last month the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a limited number of regulatory exemptions allowing the restricted use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)–or “drones”–for film and television production by a select group of six aerial photo and video production companies.

FilmL.A. officials applauded the FAA’s decision as a first step toward the full legalization of UAS for commercial filming.  Although FilmL.A. coordinates film permits in full compliance with current local, state and federal law, the not-for-profit has been vocal in its support for the safe and responsible use of UAS for commercial filming.  The FAA’s list of exempted UAS operators includes four L.A. based companies.

Earlier this year, FilmL.A. President Paul Audley submitted a letter of support for a MPAA-led push for the UAS filming exemption. Audley’s letter argued, among other things, that the national ban on commercial UAS use stifles innovation and job creation and puts the U.S. and California at a competitive disadvantage against less restrictive foreign competitors, where drone-assisted filming is fully legal.  Drones also offer an alternative to helicopter-assisted aerial filming, which can be impactful from a community relations standpoint.

“Our local government partners have looked to the FAA for leadership regarding drone use on the film set,” Audley noted. “With these exemptions, UAS operators have a chance to prove the value and safety of this activity on its merits.”

The decision exempts approved firms from regulations that address general flight rules, manuals, maintenance and equipment mandates. Exempted firms had to demonstrate to the FAA that their UAS operations would not adversely affect safety, or would provide at least an equal level of safety to the rules they sought exemptions from.

Among other requirements outlined on the FAA web site, exempted operators must hold private pilot certificates and keep the UAS within line of sight at all times. UAS must be flown at speeds below 50 knots and below 400 feet above ground level. UAS are also required, generally, to maintain a distance of 500 feet from all film production personnel.

FilmL.A. is now in discussion with permit approvers regarding the implementation of the FAA’s ruling.

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