Green Room Orlando

GREEN ROOM ORLANDO

Paul Sirmons Appointed Film Commissioner (released Thursday, August 11, 2005) By greenroomwire 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.

Paul Sirmons Appointed Film Commissioner
(released Thursday, August 11, 2005)
By greenroomwire

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.