 2005: GOVERNOR
BUSH APPOINTS PAUL SIRMONS FLORIDA’S FILM
COMMISSIONER
TALLAHASSEE
– Governor Jeb Bush today appointed Paul
Sirmons, of Orlando, to serve as Florida’s
Film Commissioner, effective August 15.
"I
am thrilled that Paul has agreed to join the team
and serve as Florida’s film commissioner,"
said Governor Bush. "His 25 years of experience
and outstanding reputation in the film and entertainment
industry make him an excellent choice for this
position. Paul is committed to attracting new
businesses and expanding existing ones, with a
focus on increasing production related opportunities
in the motion picture industry. Florida has much
to offer the highly competitive film and entertainment
industry."
As
film commissioner, Sirmons is responsible for
directing the strategy and activities of the Office
of Film & Entertainment in the areas of business
development, marketing and promotion, operations
in field offices, and facilitation of relationships
between state and local governments, local film
commissioners and members of the entertainment
industry.
"We
have a tremendous opportunity to strengthen Florida’s
standing in the world marketplace of film, video
and digital entertainment," said Sirmons.
"Florida has unique and rapidly growing markets
in gaming, digital media and Spanish language
production. We have the best crews, casts, service
companies, equipment providers, stages, labs,
post houses and local film commissions in the
country. I look forwarding to serving Governor
Bush and all Floridians by working to attract
film and video production to the state."
Sirmons
is a Florida-born independent filmmaker with 25
years of production experience working on television
series, feature films, made-for-TV movies, pilots
and independent films. Sirmons directed the award
winning, Florida-made feature The First of
May, a 35mm film that has been shown on HBO
and Cinemax. He has also produced three independent
35mm feature films, each shot in Central Florida.
Sirmon’s latest work, The Way Back Home,
is a spiritual drama starring Michael Houston
King, Julie Harris and Ruby Dee.
Before
becoming an independent filmmaker, Sirmons worked
as an assistant director in California, Florida
and locations around the world. His projects include
critically acclaimed dramatic television series
as Quantum Leap, SeaQuest, Falcon
Crest, The Waltons and Our House
as well as numerous Florida-based dramatic series,
including The Cape, Key West
and the Miami-based Sins of the City.
He also worked behind the scenes for the first
television show at both major production studios
in Orlando: Disney MGM (Superboy) and
Universal Studios Florida (The New Leave It
To Beaver).
Sirmons
has been a working member in the Directors Guild
of America for 25 years and serves on the advisory
board for the University of Florida’s College
of Telecommunications and Valencia Community College’s
Film Production Technology Program.
"I
couldn't be more excited to have Paul Sirmons
as our next State of Florida Film Commissioner,"
said Paul Meena, vice president and general manager
of the Universal Studio's Florida Production Group,
and current Chairman of the Governor's Florida
Film and Entertainment Advisory Council. "Paul's
extensive background as a producer in both feature
films and television, as well as his experience
as an ingenious filmmaker makes him an
ideal choice for this position. His relentless
passion for the Florida production industry is
clear and our Governor could not have made a better
choice."
The
Office of Film & Entertainment develops, markets,
promotes, and provides services to the state’s
entertainment industry. To learn more about film
production in Florida, please go to www.filminflorida.com
or call toll-free (877) 352-3456.
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