April 2021 Newsletter
'The Walking Dead' Star Katelyn Nacon Joins Movie 'Breathing Happy' with John D'Aquino and NHL HoF'er Phil Esposito
Written and directed by Shane Brady (HBO: Ballers), the film follows Dylan, a recovering drug addict on the eve of his one year sober-anniversary, which happens to be Christmas Eve. He spends the holiday alone having lost friends and family to his addictions and his inability to take responsibility for his actions. But just as he’s about to reach his goal of one full year being sober, his past demons show up, tempting him to fail.
Click HERE for the full story.
John Lux: Investing in Florida's Future
A booming film, television and digital media industry would bring more high-wage jobs to the state.
Florida has invested in the film and television industry for 100+ years and the return has been overwhelmingly positive.
When an average feature film or television series films in a location, they spend $20 million in the local community while hiring 1,500 Floridians.
Click here for the full story.
As many may have heard, earlier this month Jay Palomino passed away. When I originally came to Tampa in 2008 to production manage a feature, Jay was one of the first filmmakers in town that I not only had the pleasure of meeting but working with. That shoot was miserable for countless reasons, but Jay not only made the shoot tolerable, it simply would not have happened without his help.
I remember sitting on the steps of the production trailer, it must have been around three in the morning. Just a few days shy of Christmas, it was bitterly cold, and like an idiot, I hadn't dressed appropriately. I was freezing and trying to warm up with a coffee, when out of nowhere I hear "Hey T!" Turning I see Jay by the front of the trailer all bundled up like he was going skiing. He asked if I was cold and started laughing. Without skipping a beat, he pulled off the ski cap he was wearing and tossed it to me. That was the kind of person Jay was.
I still have that hat Jay gave me. It has come with me on every shoot I've been on since that cold night in December.
I worked with him many times after, both on sets and in my capacity at the Film Commission. Tampa Bay, Florida, the entire film industry lost an incredible Teamster captain. More important, those that knew Jay have lost a friend. Rest in Peace Jay Palomino.
Students get experience in virtual production at
cutting-edge Tampa studio
Students from the University of Tampa are getting an up-close look at the future of virtual production.
"Being able to work so closely with something like this is something that you wouldn't expect to find in a city like Tampa. You would think your hub cities, your Los Angeles, your New York," said Joe Cannatelli, a University of Tampa junior.
Click here to read the full story.
George Romero, son of ‘Living Dead’ creator,
wants to build a Tampa film studio
The production facility would be via a public-private partnership with Hillsborough County.
Click here to read the full story.
This Month's Spotlight:
Son of a Chef Catering is one of the Tampa Bay Area's top catering companies for film and television production sets. We'll sit down with their team to discuss what it's like cooking for a film crew.
Stay tuned for more about Son of a Chef Catering.
Film Florida Podcast captures conversations
with Florida filmmakers and crew every month
Three Seasons, more than 60 episodes, there's so much to learn on the Film Florida Podcast. Interviews with film commissions, actors, crew, producers, and more.
