Sarasota, Fla. (June 15, 2010) -- Less than a week after Florida’s $242-million incentive program for the film industry became official, Sarasota County’s Film & Entertainment Office was already in Los Angeles spreading the word in person to key producers, movie studio reps and other industry notables.

Jeanne Corcoran,  director of the office, which is a division of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, represented the local film industry at the Produced By Conference June 4-6 where Corcoran met privately with studios and executives. She also participated in an after-conference reception hosted by Film Florida for producers with a specific Florida connection, such as Kevin Biegel of Sarasota, creator of the television show “Cougar Town.” Film Florida is a statewide industry marketing organization.

“Florida’s $242-million incentive program gave us exciting news to deliver personally to key producers, movie studio executives and other notables in this industry at the Produced By Conference on the lot at 20th Century Fox,” Corcoran said. “In addition to personal meetings, the group environments gave our film commission the opportunity to promote Sarasota County to hundreds of people at a time. We spoke about Sarasota County’s growing television production and indie film activity levels; its dynamic community of film aficionados and investors; our 12-year-old film festival; and our unique locations, assets and opportunities for productions.”

The Produced By Conference co-chairs, Gale Anne Hurd and Rachel Klein, noted that this conference was created for attendees to not only learn about the “incredible, overwhelming business of producing,” but also to “make important connections.”  Conference producers estimated that more than 2,000 people attended the event.

“Produced By was probably one of the most – if not the most -- productive, value-added events our film commission has participated in,” said Corcoran. “It was jam-packed with real industry players, major producers in both movies and television, and incredible achievers we might otherwise never have had the opportunity to hear speak and meet in person.”

The Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office (SCFEO) is a division of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.  It seeks to attract film, television, commercial, documentary and other media production to create content, produce and shoot on location in Sarasota County, as well as  to serve the region’s resident production community, improve and expand its resources, provide intergovernmental liaison and proactively market and promote Sarasota County’s assets to the entertainment industry as a whole.  The SCFEO is a member in good standing of the Association of Film Commissioners International, Film Florida and other industry organizations. www.filmsarasota.com.

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