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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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GOVERNOR
BUSH CONGRATULATES FLORIDA DIRECTOR
FOR DEBUT OF FLORIDA-BASED FILM ON HBO
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today congratulated producer
and director, Paul Sirmons, on the HBO debut of The
First of May, a feature film produced entirely in Central
Florida. With a nationwide debut set for July 1st, the film
is based on the teen novel "Golden Days" by Stetson
University professor Gail Radley and was produced and adapted
for the screen by writer Gary Rogers of Deland. The film
features locations in Lake Helen, DeLand, Volusia and Orange
counties, and was housed at Pyramax Studios in Deland.
"The
First of May underscores the extraordinary level of
filmmaking talent and expertise found in Florida,"
said Governor Bush. "I congratulate Paul and his team
for a job well done and encourage Floridians to tune in
to HBO next week to see this wonderful family film."
The
movie was likewise mentioned in the official Florida
Governor's Newsletter on Friday, June 28, 2002
(Vol. 4, Issue 23). (Free Acrobat
Reader or Acrobat plug-in required to read this PDF
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