Filming in California
Governor Davis Appoints Deputy Director to the California Film Commission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/29/2002
Contact: Karen R. Constine, Director or Karen Caesar, Information Officer
Contact Phone: 323.860.2960
SACRAMENTO -- Governor Gray Davis today announced the appointment of Melinda A. Farrell as Deputy Director of the California Film Commission (CFC).
Ms. Farrell, of Studio City, has an extensive creative and production background in film, television and new media. She is responsible for writing creative campaigns for ABC, HBO, Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures, and as a film producer is involved with projects at Disney, Universal and at Miramax with Lawrence Bender Productions. Formerly, Ms. Farrell was Executive Vice-President of Honkworm International, a creative services studio which produces digital entertainment experiences for consumer brands such as The Michelin Company. Prior to Honkworm, she served as Co-President, Production of Hyperfilms at Universal Studios, and President of Grand Central Pictures. Ms. Farrell has also held senior executive positions with the Walt Disney Company, where she participated in the development of "The Goofy Movie," and "Tarzan" and at Paramount Pictures, where she worked on film projects including "Scrooged," "The Butcher's Wife," "He Said, She Said," and "Black Rain."
The Deputy Director of the CFC has the responsibility of assisting in the development and implementation of programs, legislation and projects aimed at stimulating motion picture development in California. The CFC works to enhance the economic climate in California by keeping film industry jobs and projects in the state. The CFC issues permits for filming on state-owned property and administers several incentive programs for filming in California. Ms. Farrell will receive a salary of $80,628. This position does not require Senate confirmation.