Deputy Director - California Film Commission

Join the California Film Commission Team!

Your Opportunity:

The California Film Commission (CFC) is a state program within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) – a staff of 24 tasked with retaining and increasing motion picture production, creating industry jobs, and boosting business throughout the state. The CFC issues film permits for all state properties, administers the California Film and TV Tax Credit Program, maintains an extensive location library, offers production assistance on a wide variety of issues, and works closely with cities and counties to create film-friendly policies statewide. The CFC’s staff includes dedicated civil service employees and senior staff with extensive film production experience.

The Deputy Director works under the general guidance of the Director of the California Film Commission (CFC). The Deputy Director manages the daily activities of the CFC supervising the staff, participating in budget planning meetings, communications, permitting, production assistance, government affairs, marketing, overseeing the Regional Film Partnership Program, and participating in the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) program.

This position involves a high level of supervisory and administrative duties. The Incumbent must have excellent writing, problem-solving, and public speaking skills. Must have prior experience managing staff in a respectful and collaborative manner. Experience in production of motion pictures, TV shows, and/or commercials, is a plus. Experience in Government Affairs is a plus. Familiarity with industry unions, guilds, and associations and basic industry terminology and protocols recommended.

The Deputy Director is responsible for briefing and/or providing reports to the Director on relevant information that relates to permitting activities, policies, and processes of State Agencies, tracking legislation that affects entertainment production in the State, tracking competitive jurisdictions nationally and internationally on changes to their tax credit programs and infrastructure investments. In the course of the job, the following, specific duties are required to perform the job:

PRODUCTION / FILMING

Facilitate solutions to problems encountered by production companies filming in California and act as a mediator between production companies and government. Maintain positive working relationships with CHP, Caltrans, Dept. of Parks & Recreation, and other state agencies involved in film permitting and help to create appropriate guidelines for each. Assist localities in the development of filming guidelines and film ordinances. Provide written documentation on unique production problems that have been resolved. Assist the Director with outreach to the Film Community and all levels of government. Act as an intergovernmental affairs representative to the motion picture industry and assists local, state, and federal government in the development of film-friendly policies and procedures. Working in conjunction with the FAA, act as state point person for filming with drones. Follow-up on long-standing production issues that affect filming in the state.

Work closely with representatives from studios, unions, trade associations (AICP, AFCI, MPA, LMGI, etc.), regional film offices, and other stakeholders on matters affecting filming in California.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Supervise CFC Permit Department, Location Library, IT, and Admin staff.

Run day-to-day operations of the CFC. Handle or oversee all aspects of hiring new staff. Assist the Director in leading regularly scheduled staff meetings. Work closely with the office manager on CFC budget, approve invoices and purchases, approve timesheets, create and approve staff schedules, approve absences, and keep staff attendance calendar. Hold one-on-one meetings with staff, complete probationary reports and annual performance reviews. Handle employee complaints and conduct conflict resolution sessions. Facilitate progressive disciplinary measures as necessary. Hire and monitor student interns and write intern evaluations for respective schools. Oversee the updating of CFC contacts in the ReelScout database.

Write professional, properly formatted business letters, memos, reports, presentations, guidelines, speeches, newsletters, letters of recommendation, film ordinance reviews, production alerts, the updating of documents on CFC website, disciplinary memos, board reports, employee performance reviews, marketing materials, memorandums of understanding (MOUs).

Supervisor training will be required.

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

Answer questions from the public, industry stakeholders, production personnel, and regional film offices. Create PowerPoint presentations. Attend and give presentations and/or reports (as necessary) at CFC board meetings, Fire Safety Officer Training programs, FLICS meetings, Los Angeles Citywide Film Taskforce meetings, Los Angeles County Film Liaison Meetings, and Safety Advisory for Fire & Effects in Entertainment (SAFFE) meetings. Guest speak and both assemble and moderate panels.

Work with CFC’s Communications rep on CFC press releases, social media, newsletters, and strategic communications campaigns.

Work with the publisher of Location California Magazine on articles, photographs, directory, and distribution.

Produce CFC events and press conferences. Along with the Director, represent the CFC at trade shows and industry events. Co-produce events with FLICS to promote filming throughout the state. Work with community partners to promote local industry events.

Help to create ads and marketing brochures. Create and monitor CFC social media posts.

Secure recipient of the California Golden Slate Award, presented at the annual California On Location Awards (COLAs), which is produced by FLICS. Handle all logistics pertaining to the award and recipient’s presence at the COLAs.

Stay informed on the activities of the California Film & Tax Credit Program to intelligently report on the latest program developments and answer related questions when representing the CFC.

REGIONAL FILM OFFICES

Manage the FLICS and Regional Film Office Partnership programs that encompass 58 film commissions throughout the state. Responsibilities include support in: outreach, marketing, government affairs, communications, events, education, press, and training. Attend all FLICS meetings.

OUTREACH

Address groups that are interested in attracting and/or regulating film production within their region. Review local film ordinances when submitted. Publicly comment, when necessary, at City Council and County Board of Supervisors meetings. Interact with high-level representatives of the film industry, state, local, and federal governments, and with the public at large. Revise MOU with Forest Service, FLICS, State Partners, and Regional Film Partners as needed.

TRACK LEGISLATION & INDUSTRY-RELATED ISSUES

Track all state, federal, and local laws and legislative proposals and monitor their impact on the film community or state government. Duties shall include writing reports that analyze legislative bills. Write reports on certain entertainment-related issues that might affect the state.

ASSIST DIRECTOR with special projects.

Working Conditions:

• This position will be in-office beginning July 1st, 2025.
• This position may require some limited travel.

Qualifications We're Looking For:

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Education: a college degree, work experience in motion picture production, and/or work experience in public policy

Knowledge of:

• The motion picture production process, including pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. Having worked as a line producer, UPM, production executive or production supervisor would be a plus.
• The job of location manager and location scout
• Expertise in MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Expertise in managing an office and supervising staff

Ability to:

• Write exceptionally well (letters, memos, reports, presentations, speeches, etc.) Must have excellent spelling and punctuation skills, know how to write a professional business letter, and how to properly address elected officials
• Do public/guest speaking
• Reason logically and creatively to resolve complex problems; develop and evaluate alternatives
• Coordinate and evaluate the work of others
• Treat staff, state partners, regional film partners, and other stakeholders with professionalism, respect, and consideration
• Calmly, fairly,y and professionally handle employee conflicts
• Act courteously toward the public with excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Employee Benefits:

GO-Biz provides incredible benefits for our employees, including healthcare, retirement and savings, work-life services, and leave benefits. To learn more, visit https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/exempt-benefits.aspx

Application Deadline: This position will remain open until filled

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Cover Letter and Transcripts

Note:

To apply for this position, please email your resume to Elissa Ouchida at: Elissa.ouchida@gov.ca.gov