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Board of Directors
| NEW BOARD MEMBERS WANTED! For Women in Film and Television - Florida (WIFT-FL). Must be excited about the industry, willing to contribute fresh ideas, at least 21-years-old, and a Full Member (paid-up dues). Send your information and resume to info@womeninfilmfl.org. We look forward to meeting you. |
Women in Film & Television-Florida (WIFT-FL) is is a volunteer organization run by an active Board of Directors, elected by the membership. The women and men who serve on the board come from all disciplines within the film and television industry. Board members hold offices as well as chair committees. The new 2009 WIFT-FL Officers were elected in January 2009. The Board has wasted no time in launching an aggressive slate of programs, special events, workshops and member benefits for the new year. Board members serve two year terms.
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President - Robin Cohen Line Producer, Pink Sneakers Launching her 20-year career in the New York Marketplace, three-time Emmy®-nominated, Robin Cohen presently holds the Line Producer position at Pink Sneakers Productions. While Robin's primary career focus has been behind the scenes in television production, she has also worked as an on camera newscaster producing her own radio and television segments. Since relocating to Florida 15 years ago, Robin has held various roles as Production Coordinator, Production Manager and Line Producer working for shows broadcast on networks such as ABC, Nickelodeon, The Travel Channel, Disney, Animal Planet and Comedy Central. In addition to nine consecutive years producing various elements of the Emmy award winning Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, Robin has also produced television commercials for T-Mobile, Mazda, Kia, Gillette and Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas. She has also been an integral part of the productions of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire? - Live from Disney MGM Studios," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show - Live from DCA," "40th Pillsbury Bake-Off" live telecast and the ESPY awards red carpet show. Her musical production experience has afforded her the opportunity to work multiple years with ABC's Summer Jam concert series as well as Aaron Carter's tours throughout the Florida area. Robin has been a member of Women in Film for the past ten years and is looking forward to her role as President. Her mission is to see all the fantastic talented crew in Florida work together to create a "best in class" freelance production crew that will draw business to the state and give the major markets a run for their money. When she's not busy at work Robin likes to cook, work in her yard, watch television, shop and attend doggie events. She is a great entertainer who has been known to whip up a gourmet meal, while concocting the complimentary beverage as well as providing the comedic entertainment for her guests in her Orlando home shared with her long time partner, Emmy®-nominated Editor Chad Anness, and their dog Ozzie. |
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Past President - Robin "K" Wright President,
Storyteller Entertainment, Inc. Robin started her career in the entertainment industry 15 years ago promoting and traveling with numerous top 40 and mainstream rock bands. During this time she was introduced to the film industry while working on music videos and sound tracks for feature films. Returning to central Florida in 2001, Robin worked as executive vice president for an independent film studio. Traveling both nationally and internationally, she not only promoted the studio but also the State of Florida, as a one-stop shop for all production needs. Becoming a member of Film Florida in 2004 and the organizations Industry Council Chairperson in 2007, she worked with members and other state organizations creating a unified force to lobby in Tallahassee for increased funding of the state’s film incentive to keep Florida a competitive force. A current board member for the Orlando Film Festival, Robin has maintained a strong commitment to the independent film community and has been involved with several film festivals throughout the state. As president of Storyteller Entertainment, Inc., and an active member of the film community, Robin continues to work on the growth and development of the film and television industry in the State of Florida. |
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1st Vice President - Holly Payberg-Torroija Two Door Productions If her career were a film school then her undergraduate program started at Nickelodeon Studios where she learned to work a 15 hour shoot day with a smile and finished with her working alongside Lisa Kudrow who turned out to be the perfect mentor for how to navigate the Hollywood machine with strength, class and integrity. Her Bachelors degree came in the form of Independent Producer, Moshe Diamant, who gave her a crash course in how to take a script from development, to financing, to production to delivery and back again at the major studios. Then graduate school came in the form of an opportunity to take to the reins herself and write and produce an independent feature based on an original story by Executive Producer, Steve Ruff. Currently Holly runs her own Production company, Two Door FX, with her Director/VFX Supervisor husband, Diego Torroija and is focused on development of original content in which she will work both in front of and behind the camera. As a Board member of WIFT she is committed to being available to all the members to offer up any assistance that might be useful in hopes of continuing to do her part to nurture the local independent film and television community. (So don’t be afraid to ask!) Holly is the Chair of the PR committee for WIFT and is also a resource for reaching out to the local teens in positive ways through her non-profit The Central Florida Circle of Change. |
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2nd Vice President - Sheena Carlisle Coordinator, Locations and Permitting As the Coordinator to the Technology & Entertainment team, Sheena Carlisle is tasked with managing EDC programs such as bioOrlando and Military Affairs Advisory Committee (MAAC). In addition, she aids the Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission in procuring permits. Prior to joining the EDC team, Sheena worked in the public relations department of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District where she was responsible for the organization, promotion and implementation of special events. She also previously worked as the Associate Producer for Orlando’s WMFE Public Broadcasting station. As Associate Producer, she helped produce several award-winning local television programs including This Week and The Arts Connection. Sheena also has experience in commercial production with Go Film, Swanson Production Partners and Warner Brothers. |
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Treasurer - Iris Pearson Vice President, Production Finance Iris Pearson is an accomplished Film and Television Production Finance Executive with more than 15 years' experience. Currently, she is the VP of Production Finance for Premise Entertainment (animation) and Lightship Entertainment (live action television). Her credits include animated feature films including Walt Disney Pictures' "The Princess and The Frog" and Universal Studios' "Curious George"; the Emmy® Award-winning HBO mini-series "From The Earth to the Moon" produced by Tom Hanks; and television shows for the Travel Channel, MTV, ABC and Disney, such as the Emmy® Award winning production "The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade". Iris has a proven record of creating and tracking complex budgets and production schedules, ensuring fiscal discipline is maintained without compromising the creative goals of the project. Iris is also an award-winning author. She is co-author of "The Adventures of Lady:The Big Storm", which won The New York Book Festival Best Children's Book Award in 2007. |
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Recording Secretary - Judy Lynn Lazerson Writer/Producer, Lockheed Martin
Communications Judy Lynn Lazerson started her career in television sales in Chicago. A strong desire to learn it all from the bottom up, brought her to Spartanburg, South Carolina where she worked as a camera operator and PSA producer before promotion to Writer/Producer in the marketing department at WSPA-TV. A desire to grow and a great job at WFTV in Orlando, brought her further south. As a Writer/Producer in WFTV's marketing department, Judy had the opportunity to work on daily topicals, series promotion, radio, print ads and events. From WFTV, Judy went to Time Warner Cable, now Bright House, where she used her promotion and production experience to great advantage. From Time Warner, Judy moved to America's Health Network as their Promotion Manager and then moved into the programming department there where she was finally able to fulfill her life-long dream of producing programs and program segments (anything longer than 30 seconds)! A freelance writer/producer since 2000, Judy was a field producer for Animal Planet's "The Pet Psychic". Currently she writes and produces corporate videos, CDs, and other marketing materials for a variety of local clients. Her main goal is to produce more programs for cable and broadcast outlets. |
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Board Members
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Anne Scheetz As a news and traffic anchor, Anne Scheetz served in several markets including Orlando, FL and Los Angeles, CA. Anne took a break from her career in broadcasting in 1999 to have daughter, Emilie. She and husband Jeff relocated from Los Angeles to Orlando and founded The Digital Animation & Visual Effects (DAVE) School in 2000. After 10 years of growing the company, the Scheetz family sold it to pursue other endeavors. They have since co-founded Combat Astronauts, a company designed to produce their independent animated feature, and Monkey Chow Productions, a service bureau for select clients they have done business with over the years. Anne is happy to return to the board of Women in Film after a brief hiatus and excited about the years to come! |
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Art Smith, Jr. Art Smith has over 25 years of film experience. As owner of his own production company, No Budget Movie Company, Art coaches new screenwriters and helps to produce their films at a low budget. He can credit teaching and mentoring over 300 individuals currently working in the television or film industry. Art's resume includes: "The Session," "Misguided," "Three," "Fashion News Live," "Mother's Day," "Ocean City," "Who Goes There?," "Didn’t Say Goodbye," "Super Mario Brothers," "Good Morning Vietnam," "Causalities of War," "Soldier Boy’s," "Angel Heart," "Snake Eyes," "Devil's Own," "Sweet Liberty," "Anger Management," and more. He is a member of American Film Institute, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences TV, Independent Feature Project, Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers, Audio Engineering Society and the National Assoc. of Broadcasters. |
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Connie Swanson Connie's career in broadcasting began as on-Air talent in radio and segued to broadcast engineering in television at the ABC affiliate in Erie, Pennsylvania. Continuing in engineering, she was the first woman hired in the engineering department at WVIT, the NBC affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut. A taste of the freelance world with clients such as ESPN, TBS, and the Kohler Corporation, lead her to the path she continues to follow. Connie has been a freelance Producer and Production Supervisor for the past 20 years. She has worked on feature films, episodic television, music videos, corporate events, and hundreds of commercials. Connie is the President of Swanson Production Partners, a Florida based production services company, and a past President of Women in Film and Television, Florida. |
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Carol Bressi-Cilona Providing Insurance for 30+ years as a Broker and Agent in Philadelphia, New York City and Florida, Carol has worked in theater, dinner theaters, community theater, Broadway and Off-Broadway as a musical theatrical actress and singer. She produced and performed her own one-woman shows and has been active with the theater and entertainment industry for a very long time. Prior to coming to Florida, Carol was Vice President of Entertainment & Leisure divisions of DeWitt Stern Group of New York and Executive Vice President of Dewitt Stern of Florida. She worked in developing and expanding the NY Office in Entertainment making that firm synonymous with being the BROADWAY Brokers. Carol was instrumental in opening the Florida office and helped manage their offices in California, Florida and Tennessee. She has been placing and consulting on all entertainment and commercial insurance programs for the entertainment industry: feature films, TV, events, venues, theater and Broadway and music with all its ancillary businesses for over 30 years. Currently with Tanenbaum Harber of Florida as a specialized insurance agent, Carol consults and places insurance, not only for entertainment clients, but for commercial business (hospitality) and personal clients worldwide as well. Carol is a Board member and Secretary of AICP (Association of Independent Commercial Producers); Executive Board member of Film Florida; and Chairwoman of The Hurricane Task Force Committee of Florida, working with FL Film Commissioners and the film community on up-to-date changes for the state with regard to hurricanes and insurance. She is also a member of the following: Film Florida; Aventura Marketing Council; Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; and proud to be a Board member of Women in Film & TV. |
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Gloryvee Cordero Bio is on the way! |
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Jeanne Corcoran Bio is on the way! |
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Jennifer Pennypacker As Director of Film & Digital Media Development, also known worldwide in the industry as the Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission, Jennifer Pennypacker is charged with marketing the region as a premier production location. She proactively works to attract outside productions to Metro Orlando, as well as support the existing indigenous production infrastructure. Prior to working at the EDC, Jennifer was a freelance production coordinator and production manager in the commercial and music video market. She worked on music videos for country music singer Alan Jackson and various commercials including “Sea-Doo”, “Suzuki” and “Ford”. Jennifer left the Film Commission in 1999 after accepting a position with Showtime Networks in Los Angeles. During her two and a half year tenure as a production executive with Showtime, she oversaw the day-to-day production of original programming, which included feature films and network television series. In 2001, she returned home to Orlando and returned to the EDC as Director of Project Development. Jennifer is currently serving as Past President/Treasurer of Women in Film & Television Florida, an organization where she has been on the board for seven years. In addition, she is actively involved with the Florida Hospital Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Give Kids the World and was a mentor for Howard Middle School. |
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Jordana Meade As Marketing Coordinator for the Florida Film Festival and Enzian, a non-profit, independent theater that showcases first-run independent and foreign films, Jordana manages the marketing, media and global publicity efforts year-round for the cinema and the internationally recognized Festival. Before joining Enzian and FFF in 2008, Jordana worked within the Operations team of the Sundance Film Festival. Currently she holds the Marketing and Public Relations chair for the Orlando Museum of Arts 1st Thursday Associate Executive Committee and actively volunteers for the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. |
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Katrina Diamond As the Marketing/Public Relations Manager for ProductionHUB.com, Katrina is responsible for marketing strategies and tactics, media relations, advertising, brand management, social media efforts and assists in key business development initiatives. She boasts a diverse background in advertising concepts, public relations and results-driven marketing in the agency, corporation and client setting. Industries include: government/transportation, publishing, non-profit, new media, general consumer, and travel/tourism and arts & entertainment. Previously the assistant publisher of Create Magazine, the award-winning magazine for creative professionals – as well as the partner relations manager for Create Communications – Katrina fostered and maintained strategic relationships and promotional campaigns for many initiatives including the Create Awards and the Create Chaos Conference for creative professionals. |
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Katrinka VanDeventer In today’s market, informed producers want to know if we can flood our backlot (we can and did for the musical group CREED), how we control sound within the park (a simple push of a button) and how long it will take to get a production company up and running (about an hour!)”, says Katrinka. Katrinka has become a liaison to the state film community, serves on the board of Women In Film and considers her ongoing passion for classic movies her indulgence. |
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Larry Haber Lawrence Haber has been a practicing attorney for 25 years, with the last 15 years devoted primarily to entertainment law. He has extensive experience in all aspects of legal, business and union matters in the entertainment industry, including the production, distribution and sales of long and short form film and television programming, and the negotiating and drafting of agreements for financing, production, and distribution of such programming. He represents production companies, talent, and producers in all phases of development and production in all types of media worldwide. His legal experience is grounded in intellectual property, corporate, general business and transactional law. He was an in-house attorney at both Universal Studios Florida and Walt Disney World for over seven years, with his last four years at Disney focused exclusively as Director of Business Affairs for original television programming. Among other projects while at Disney, he packaged, negotiated and sold worldwide rights for two episodic television series, including one FCC-friendly children’s series. |
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Liz Morgan Bio is on the way! |
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Lyn Henderson, CMP Since her move to Orlando, she has worked for Disney's WDA-TV casting six pilots; Animal Planet's "Petsburgh, USA" as a Segment Producer and Talent Producer; Talent Producer for a Christmas TV special for ABC/Disney; and Talent Producer and Development Producer on various pilots an projects for Lightship Entertainment. Currently (besides freelance development producing), she also is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) for Crow Segal Management Inc.'s national management accounts based in Orlando. She also works part time for the Orlando Magic Premium Services. A mass communications graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Lyn resides in her multi-colored painted home in Lake Mary. The eclectic house has a band rehearsal room and several music-related furniture pieces Lyn has designed. She has two sons in college: Casey-24 and Cody-20 plus, two adorable Beagles. |
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Nancy McBride Nancy McBride started out in the industry as a parent looking for answers about the film business. What she found was there seemed to be a lot of people trying to take advantage of parents and children who didn't know the ins and outs of the business. Nancy teaches industry basics like how to apply to agents, build a resume and proper talent agency application processes and what to do on set. Her company, Reel Kasting LLC, is a full-service casting company bringing talent and productions together. The website ReelKasting.com host over 1,000 adult actors, models,stunt personnel and local crew. Seeing a need for more current information she created a new website Kidkasting.com which is now the largest parent network of child talent on the East Coast, with and over 1,500 child actors and 600 parents. |
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| Junior Board Member | ||
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Jerrica Long As a student at the University of Central Florida, Jerrica Long is working towards her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree in marketing and cinema studies. Prior to becoming a junior board member with WIFT- FL, Jerrica produced various student films for UCF students. Jerrica is striving to become a producer where she hopes to write, produce and perform in her own feature films. |
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