One of the most important tasks in the production of cinema and television films is finding the right location. Over 300 cities and states from 30 countries employ Film Commissioners whose job is primarily to assist production companies find such locations. Next week, from 21-25 August 2005, many of those Film Commissioners will gather at the Moat House Hotel in Glasgow for their annual conference.
The Association of Film Commissioners (AFCI) was formed in 1975. The services provided by individual member cities cover a wide range of free services, from scouting particular and unusual locations, to liaising with local services to ensure that the actual filming is as smooth and trouble-free as possible and suffers no unnecessary costly delays.
The Glasgow Film Office is a member of the AFCI. Lenny Crooks, the Director of the Film Office, played a major role alongside officials from Scottish Screen and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau in persuading the AFCI to come to Scotland.
Lenny said: "Film Commissioners are some of the more unsung heroes in film production. In an industry that is associated with glamour and prestige, these are people who always work behind the scenes to make it possible for producers, directors and actors to do their jobs.
"Although there is always rivalry in trying to attract productions to various locations, the members of the AFCI do believe in assisting one another with advice and information that helps raise the standard of service universally, and next week’s gathering in Glasgow will certainly do that."
Pat Kaufman, AFCI President says the Association is excited to be gathering in Glasgow on its 30th Anniversary. "Glasgow is a significant hub for European production and a great gathering place for our European and global AFCI members. It is apparent from the strong Cineposium registration numbers that our members are looking forward to the networking and learning opportunities in Glasgow."
Some of the subjects to be covered at the conference include how best to encourage in-coming productions to use local crews and workers, the growth in major documentary productions (e.g. Fahrenheit 9/11 and Buena Vista Social Club) and the trend towards more International Co-Productions.
200 delegates are expected to attend. One of the speakers is Jim Van Wyck, one of the producers behind the 2004 Hollywood movie, ‘Lemony Snickets: A Series of Unfortunate Events’, which starred the Oscar-nominated actor, Jim Carrey, while the conference will also be addressed by Scotland’s own Oscar winning director, Kevin McDonald (‘One Day in September’)