The Wisconsin Film Office officially closed its doors on June 30. As of July 1, people phoning the film commission have been getting a recorded message directing them to Jerry Huffman, communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The film office’s Web site has a similar referral. The Department of Tourism’s Communications Office will be available to help people who have questions related to filming,
“We will do whatever we reasonably can to help them … We’re not trying to be the Film Office, but it’s not a stretch for us as the public relations arm to still try to do what we can to assist,” Huffman related.
Meanwhile Film Wisconsin, a private sector endeavor, is looking to help fill the void by soon assuming a similar role as that of the Wisconsin Film Office. Film Wisconsin has completed a series of town hall meetings and is finalizing its business plan. Next, it will move into a fundraising phase. Huffman suggested that at some point the Film Office’s Web site might direct people to Film Wisconsin.
Scott Robbe, producer/director/president of Madison-based Mondo Productions, is a Film Wisconsin endeavor. He observed that the grass-roots film commission initiative carries the major benefit of bringing together filmmakers in the state to address what needs to be done to grow their industry.
“So essentially,” said Robbe, “the filmmakers and videographers and everybody who works in the business have come together to work to realize a newer, more efficient, more productive film office.”
