January 2020
Zoo Tampa featured on Nat Geo Wild’s SECRETS OF THE ZOO
The third season of the Nat Geo Wild show Secrets of the Zoo features ZooTampa at Lowry Park. The first of the six episodes aired Jan. 5, and the season was filmed entirely at the zoo to share behind-the-scenes stories of the animals and the team entrusted with their care. From a koala joey to a rescued manatee, “the series features an array of compelling stories that highlight the zoo’s mission to protect and preserve animals and build a legion of wildlife champions," ZooTampa said in a news release.
Click HERE to read the full story.
Hi, I am film producer for exciting company I saw your profile posted on film directory, I want inform you about upcoming film project. Kindly reply with resume. Total pay week $2700 for [Production Assistant]. Please respond, bless day.
The above is an actual email a local production assistant received. The broken syntax, unrealistic pay, and blatant attempt to collect personal information are clear warnings that this is not a legitimate job offer. Emails like this are not uncommon, and while many may think the warning signs are apparent, a frightening number of crew fall for similar scams.
Unfortunately, this is the third time in the past 12 months that we have had a string of mass emails inundate filmmakers with promises of upfront pay, at astronomical rates, for productions that seem too good to be true. Scammers will pose as a real company or production person and will direct you to a legitimate website.
The vast majority of business associated emails will have the same address as their business URL. For example, we work for Visit Tampa Bay; all of our employees' addresses end with @visittampabay.com. Scammers' contact info will either be a close variant of the company they claim to be working for or they will have no relation at all. If you are suspicious of a particular email, take a few minutes to google the email address. If nothing legitimate comes up, it's likely a scam.
They often ask for copies of your resume, though seemingly innocent, many resumes contain sensitive personal information they can use to steal your identity. Resumes are a gold mine of information, be careful what you put out there. Finally, it's not uncommon for a deposit to be provided upfront for gear or material services, but payroll is never prepaid. If someone offers you a check upfront, be very suspicious. It's sad, but be suspicious of any job offer from someone you have not personally worked for.
Below is an example of a real-life scam email.
Local Production Spotlight Continued…
BOBBY MARINELLI
Bobby Marinelli is a Florida-born filmmaker. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s in Telecommunication Production. Soon after, he began working in television, with production credits on Discovery Channel’s Miami Ink and Dual Survival and TLC’s What Not to Wear.
Bobby has a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts. His thesis film Waking Eloise won, among other honors, a College Television Award for comedy short, the Grand Jury Prize for a short at Dances With Films and inclusion in the 2011 American Pavilion’s Emerging Filmmakers Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival.
Bobby’s feature film work includes production designing feature films Roswell FM, Blue Jay, and Inoperable and art directing the Sundance Film Festival Selection, The Rambler.
Stay tuned for more about Bobby Marinelli.
DON'T MISS GASPARILLA INT'L FILM FESTIVAL
MAR 17-22, 2020
Mark your calendars for the 14th Annual Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival. Tickets and passes are available NOW.
Coming Soon
Second Screen Cult Cinema
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
Wed, Feb 12 | 6pm
Epicurean Hotel
1207 S Howard Ave
Tampa, FL 33606
Film Bar Mondays
Mondays 6pm - 9pm
Tampa Bay Locations Vary
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Recent Productions
10 productions filmed within
Hillsborough County - January 2020
TV/Webseries
Black Veil
Photoshoots
Dick’s Sporting Goods Spring 2020 Catalog
Commercials
Advent Health (Diamond View Studios)
Honda (77 Films, Inc)
Misc.
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival