California Film Commission

The California Film Commission and FLICS Announce Recipients of the 7th Annual California on Location Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/22/2001

Contact: Karen Constine, Director or Karen Caesar, Information Officer
Contact Phone: 323.860.2960

Awards Presented to Filmmakers for Excellence in Working on Location in the Golden State

Hollywood, CA, October 22, 2001 -- The California Film Commission and its 57 FLICS (Film Liaisons in California, Statewide) proudly announce the winners of this year's California On Location Awards. Various industry leaders, including California State Senator Sheila Kuehl, presented the awards to location professionals and filmmakers at a ceremony held at the Castaways in Burbank on Sunday, October 21.

The California On Location Awards (COLA) salute production companies and location managers for their professionalism while working on location in communities throughout the state of California. Their exemplary work while on location furthers Californians' enthusiasm about filming in the Golden State. The awards also honor California public employees for their diligent work in assisting production companies.

"California is the leading force in television and film production worldwide. We take great pleasure in honoring those who film throughout the Golden State," said Karen Constine, Director of the California Film Commission, at the 7th Annual COLAs.

COLA's were presented to industry professionals in the categories of Location Professional of the Year for features, television, commercials and still photography, Production Company of the Year for features, television, commercials and still photography, and Public Employee of the Year at the city, county, state and federal levels.

Additionally, the prestigious Pioneer Award was presented to Thomas R. Bond (who played Butch in The Little Rascals) of American Mutoscope and Biograph Company for their excellence in historic filmmaking within the Golden State. The Biograph Company produced the first film ever shot in California, An Old California. The Signature Award was given to the Scorpion King, for excellence and professionalism while shooting in California. Unlike its prequel The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns, the Scorpion King was shot entirely in California. The Mummy series previously had filmed outside of the U.S. Scorpion King's producer, Richard Rothchild, director Chuck Russell, and location manager, Michael Neale were all saluted for their outstanding on location work and for shooting the entire film in California.

The Humanitarian Award was presented to location manager Peter Novak for his ingenuity recycling the sets built for The Matrix II and III. Mr. Novak successfully arranged to donate and deliver all the materials from the Matrix sets located in the Bay Area to Mexico for the creation of 100 single family homes.

In the category of Location Professional of the Year for Features, the award was presented to John Panzarella and Leslie Thorson, location managers for Bandits.

The award recipient of Production Company of the Year for Features is The Zanuck Company/20th Century Fox for Planet of the Apes and their location managers, Robin Citrin, Marie Healy, and Raine Hall.

Additional California On Locations Awards recipients include the following:

Production Company of the Year for Television
David E. Kelley Productions - Ally McBeal and Boston Public

Location Professional of the Year for Television
Kenny Brant

Location Professional of the Year for Commercials:
Albert Epps

Production Company of the Year for Stills:
David LeBon Studios

Location Professional of the Year for Stills:
Tom Holaday

City Employee of the Year:
Tara Finnigan, City of Orange

County Employee of the Year:
Karina Zapata, Los Angeles County Fire Department

State Employee of the Year:
Al Adams, Deputy State Fire Marshal

Federal Employee of the Year:
Peter Graves, Bureau of Land Management

Robin Eickman Memorial Mentorship Award:
Jim Baldwin

California On Location Humanitarian Award:
Peter Novak

Best Scouting Outing:
Richard Klotz
Robert Mendel
Mary Redente

The California Film Commission
The California Film Commission (CFC) enhances California's position as the premiere location for all motion picture and television production. A one-stop shop, the CFC issues permits for filming on state-owned property and administers several incentive programs including Film California First (www.filmcafirst.com), which helps to reduce below-the-line production costs while filming in the Golden State. For more information about the CFC, visit their website at www.film.ca.gov or call 323.860.2960/800.858.4PIX(4749).

The CFC is a division of Technology Trade and Commerce Agency.