Awardees locate solutions
COLAs given by California Film Commission, FLICS
- Residents refuse filming permission because they think your movie is a porn flick ("XXX").
- City officials question the rationale of locking an individual in a room with attack dogs ("Fear Factor").
- The Navy discontinues cooperation due to increased security measures after 9/11 and production stops ("The Antwone Fisher Story").
Such thorny problems are resolved by location professionals, who were honored at the eighth annual awards of the California Film Commission and FLICS (Film Liaisons in California Statewide) Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey.
Ridgecrest Regional Film Commissioner Ray Arthur oversaw the area's second consecutive win, with Green Lake Prods., which filmed the majority of the Disney family feature "Holes" at Ridgecrest's Cuddeback Dry Lakebed, taking home the award as feature film production company of the year.
Last year's winner, Twentieth Century Fox for "Planet of the Apes," lensed its climactic battle scene at the Ridgecrest-promoted Trona Pinnacles. Winners for this year's COLAs were:
Location professional (Features): Laura Sode-Matteson, "Hulk"; (TV): Marc Bentimiglia, "Carnivale" (HBO pilot); (Commercials): Rick Schuler, Mercedes-Benz; (Stills): Russell Sasaki, Suzuki.
Production Company (Features): Green Lake Prods., "Holes"; (TV): Touchstone, "Alias"; (Commercials): Flying Tigers, Suzuki Quads; (Stills): 5th & Sunset, Wrangler Jeans.
Employee of the Year (City): Jesus Serrano, City of Los Angeles; (County): Clark Newton, Placer County; (State): Fred Jee, Ranger, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; (Federal): Cmdr. Robert Anderson, U.S. Navy.
The COLAs concluded with the Signature Award, given to Touchstone Television for filming 22 of its 25 pilots in California, and providing more than 1,400 jobs in the state. The award recognizes individuals, projects or production companies that have supported filming in California.
Thesp Richard Masur, past president of SAG and current California Film Commissioner, served as master of ceremonies for the event.
