Film News 2006 spring final rev 5/12/06 3:56 PM Page 1

ANTA LARITA Spring 2006 Big Productions in Santa Clarita S C (Continued from cover)

While filled the Avenue Scott Stages, and benefits from a a family of another kind kept stages at Santa reverse-commute. While Clarita Studios occupied. much of the production was filmed on sets created CBS’ newest action drama, , debuted at Santa Clarita Studios, on March 7 and has been hailed by Rolling The Unit also filmed Stone Magazine as “TVs best new show.” The frequently on location at series follows a covert team of places like Saugus Café, operatives as they risk their lives on Blue Cloud movie ranch, Big Productions Call Santa Clarita Home undercover missions around the globe. All Mann Biomedical Park, the the while, their wives maintain the home front Valero gas station and at HBO’s Big Love and CBS’s The Unit Film First Seasons in the Valley and protect their husband’s secret lives, which several homes throughout creates unique family layers not only between the Santa Clarita Valley. Families come in all shapes and Photo: Courtesy HBO the husbands and wives but also between the sizes...and in Santa Clarita they all So why did the production base in tend to look pretty similar: two Santa Clarita? Executive Producer

men in the unit, and the women on the base. Big Love and The Unit Cliff Lipson/CBS The series has a large ensemble cast which were welcome additions parents, two and a half kids, Mark V. Olsen said it had everything includes actors Dennis Haysbert, Scott Foley, to Santa Clarita’s lineup of Dennis Haysbert, Scott Foley, , Max Martini, Photo: maybe a dog or cat. At least that to do with location. Robert Patrick, Max Martini, Michael Irby, noteworthy productions, Michael Irby and Demore Barnes star in “The Unit.” was the case until BIG LOVE and Demore Barnes, Regina Taylor, Abby which currently include “NCIS” THE UNIT came to town. Over the “Santa Clarita was an ideal base Brammell and Audrey Marie Anderson. Most and HBO’s “Deadwood.” Big Love will return last few months Santa Clarita has as the city's landscape is incredibly of the cast members reside in the to Santa Clarita for a second season in 2006, Big Love airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. on HBO been home to two of this season’s similar to . It’s also centrally area, making Santa Clarita an ideal base for while details are still pending regarding following ®, while The Unit airs most talked about new television located between Fillmore and Agua production since it’s the 30-mile zone filming for the second season of The Unit. on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS. dramas, both of which focus on Dulce, two of our frequent location families that are anything but sites, which meant our cast and crew traditional. didn't have to travel far on any given Tranced - May 19, 2006 Bobby - November 22, 2006 day,” said Olsen. “And in addition to X-Men: The Last Stand - May 26, 2006 Mr. Woodcock - 2006 Big Love deputed on HBO March 12 being an ideal location, Santa Clarita Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest - July 7, 2006 Spider-Man III - May 4, 2007 and immediately sparked a offered us convenience with its Little Miss Sunshine - July 28, 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean III - May 25, 2007 national wave of media attention, complete network of quality film Here are a few of our top film picks for Zodiac - November 10, 2006 Nancy Drew: The Mystery in Hollywood Hills - quickly becoming THE conversation businesses.” Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny - November 17, 2006 August 10, 2007 topic around many water-coolers the year and beyond, all of which filmed “... in addition to being an across the country. The series stars Based at the Avenue Scott Stages on location in Santa Clarita. Release dates are tentative and subject to change. ideal location, Santa Clarita as a modern-day Utah offered us convenience with in the Valencia Industrial polygamist who lives in suburban , Chloe Sevigny, Bill Paxton and its complete network of Center, Big Love frequently with his three wives, Giffifer Goodwin star in HBO’s hit show “Big Love.” quality film businesses." filmed in and around the seven children, and a mounting -- Mark V. Olsen community at locations like Fosters avalanche of debt and demands. The owner of While managing the household Freeze on Soledad Canyon, Santa a growing chain of home improvement stores, finances together and routinely Clarita Lanes, College of the Canyons, City of he struggles to balance the financial and sharing “family home nights,” they try the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station, the Hyatt SANTA CLARITA emotional needs of his wives, played by Jeanne to keep simmering jealousies in check and Valencia, TPC Golf Course and several private www.filmsantaclarita.com Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer their arrangement a secret — as is homes and schools. Goodwin, who live in separate, adjacent houses illegal in Utah and banned by the mainstream media center north and take turns sharing their husband each night. Mormon Church. (Continued on back cover) - 20+ stages and 10+ movie ranches

- Currently home Marketing Santa Clarita as ‘Media Center North’ to five network The Film Office continues to take a multi-faceted make Santa Clarita the ‘Media Center North’ akin included a panel discussion highlighting Filming television shows approach to marketing Santa Clarita, with to major media industry hubs like Burbank, in California and ways to keep filming in the advertisements on the radio, at local movie Hollywood and Studio City. state. Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Pulskamp theaters, in magazines and directories in addition participated in the panel and discussed ways in to a presence at tradeshows, festivals, and other To that end, the City has participated in several which the city has been successful in attracting events. The focus of this marketing is being high-profile events so far in 2006 that are helping and supporting film production. Other panelists broadened to attract not only location filming but raise awareness about the City and its offerings. included: producers Marian Rees and Ron Smith; also to attract diverse film-specific industry, Chris Essel, senior vice president Paramount; capitalizing on the core film businesses that In February, Paramount Studios hosted a dinner Bryan Unger, western executive director of the currently calls the Valley home, all in an effort to reception for the League of California Cities that Directors Guild of America; and Amy Lemisch,

(Continued on page 2) inside: The Gate-King Industrial Park, with 4.5 million square feet of developable industrial-commercial space • Message from the Film Office available, will provide a campus-type atmosphere for entertainment industry businesses. For more information • Marketing Santa Clarita as ‘Media Center North’ about the park, please contact the City of Santa Clarita's Economic Development Office at 661-255-4347. • A Voice for Santa Clarita’s Film Community • Business Spotlight: Branam West Coast

www.filmsantaclarita.com Film News 2006 spring final rev 5/12/06 3:56 PM Page 2

SANTA CLARITA California

message from the film office

permits, working collaboratively with in Santa Monica, which was a great success. We local businesses and assisting location kicked off the weekend with the first-ever “California requests 24/7. This approach has Only” themed breakfast and throughout the Soledad Canyon Mining Property Independent Film “Urban Assault” Feature Film “Serenity” proven successful as shows like CBS’ weekend, connected with familiar faces, met many “The Unit,” “Big Love,” and new people and shared information about Santa “Deadwood,” NBC’s “Windfall” and Clarita with thousands of industry professionals. The city-owned Soledad Canyon Mining Property has been used for a variety of projects over the last year. As evidenced by the production photos above, the property’s 800 acres allow for a variety of uses from night shoots with dramatic lighting to futuristic day scenes. several pilots have chosen to base their operations here. However, as we I believe we are well on our way to positioning continue to grow and expand, the role Santa Clarita as Los Angeles’ ‘Media Center A Voice for Santa Clarita’s Film Community of the Film Office includes not only North.’ Just like the growth of the city, it won’t these established services, but also happen overnight, but, with careful planning Earlier this year, the City of Santa Clarita hosted pricing, a variety of unique locations, the reverse Welshans new goals that are part of a larger and a team of public and private stakeholders, two Film Industry Stakeholder Summits providing commute from Los Angeles, the pro-active film a unique forum in which key entertainment office and a supportive, film-friendly community. vision for the future of filming and the I believe it’s a realistic goal that will be realized industry executives were encouraged to openly film industry in Santa Clarita. in the not-too-distant future. and honestly discuss their specific business needs The group also identified two areas where the Photo by Randy and ways the City could help them become more City could work to create an even more film- John Johnston of TV’s “24” pictured with Santa Clarita Film Office staff Two of our primary goals for 2006 As always, the Film Office maintains an open successful. friendly environment, 1) rules and regulations of COC, Mike DeLorenzo and Mark Deutsch of Santa Jennifer Jzyk, Jessica Freude and Jason Crawford at the 2006 Locations Show include continuing to help support door policy and I hope you’ll stop by and say regarding conversion of warehouses to stages Clarita Studios and Jason Crawford with the Santa Clarita Film The first Summit took place in February and and 2) requirements for Fire Safety during in Santa Monica. existing film businesses and also hello anytime you’re in the area. Office at the City’s First Stakeholder Summit in February 2006. brought together more than a dozen business location filming. City staff began working to attracting new film businesses. To representatives from the valley’s movie ranches, address these areas and presented a status 2006 is a very exciting year for filming in the ensure that we are shepherding the growth of Sincerely, studios, post production houses, theatrical rigging update at a second summit meeting held in April. What resulted was a collaboration of the minds, Santa Clarita Valley. As you know, our city has Santa Clarita’s film community in the right companies, location businesses, independent In an effort to ease the warehouse/soundstage with business owners openly sharing their changed dramatically over the years, direction, the City hosted a series of Film production offices and educational institutions. conversion process, the City is working in thoughts about fire safety requirements and how to streamline the process moving forward, and LA transitioning from a bedroom community to a Industry Stakeholder Summits, which you will City representatives included the City Manager, partnership with Los Angeles County Fire Jason Crawford, Film Administrator Director of Community Development, Economic to create an easy to use checklist that County fire representatives listening to the thriving urban center offering the best of read about in this edition. The Summits have City of Santa Clarita Development Manager and the Film would provide common scenarios and best- feedback, taking notes and discussing ways to Southern California. proven to be an ideal way to bring our city’s Administrator, all who were in attendance to listen steps for stage conversions. The City has also improve the system. film industry together to share ideas that help 1st Quarter Statistics from the Film Office to comments and concerns and provide put together a list of suggested local contractors These changes have helped shape the functions enrich our overall marketing and business (Jan- March) information about the City’s plans for continued who are familiar with the conversion process. The City’s Film Office is planning two additional and future of the City Film Office. Since the office’s outreach programs. 2005 2006 growth and support of the film community. Stakeholder summits for 2006, with the next taking Additionally, Tim Vanderlip and Captain Anthony place at Santa Clarita Studios this summer. For inception in 2002, we’ve worked extremely Number of 67 74 The two hour meeting proved to be extremely Penn from the Los Angeles County Fire office more information about these meetings, please hard to ensure that we offer the best Additionally, maintaining our position as one of Film Permits (10 percent Issued increase) successful, and the group identified several of the attended the April meeting to openly discuss the contact the City’s Film Office at film@santa- location filming within the 30-mile zone. Southern California’s most sought-after film locations ‘top selling points’ for attracting the film industry County’s creation of a new film fee ordinance and clarita.com. Preliminarily that meant establishing the lowest remains high on our list of priorities as well. In April Number of 150 149 to Santa Clarita which include: competitive the fire safety requirements for location filming. fees and quickest turn-around time for film we attended the 21st Annual Locations Trade Show Film Days

Business Spotlight: Branam West Coast

Branam started in the business in 1970 as a head “Santa Clarita was an ideal location for Marketing Santa Clarita as ‘Media Center North’ rigger with Disney on Parade. After five years Branam West Coast, as it offered us the with Disney he branched out to work with top (Continued from cover) opportunity to build a larger warehouse facility in rock n’ roll artists like the Rolling Stones, Elton a film-friendly community, all within minutes of the director of the California Film Commission. Paramount as well as commercial producers such John, Bob Dylan and Fleetwood Mac. With our clients in the Los Angeles area,” said Branam. Additionally, Pulskamp authored an editorial as Anonymous Content and Partizan who met years of experience under his belt and a good understanding of opportunities in the industry, piece for the League’s magazine, Western City, with City staff to discuss the benefits of location Additionally, many of the stunt professionals Branam went solo in 1978 launching Branam discussing Santa Clarita and its pro-filming filming and doing business in Santa Clarita. Branam works with live in the Santa Clarita Valley, West Coast. Today, Branam offers many unique which makes the ’s Demo Station (used efforts. Santa Clarita was chosen because services to clients, including customized rigging, for stunt testing and demonstrations and it’s considered by many to be the premier The Film Office was also recently recognized for n City magazine special effects, fabrication and specialty items available for rent) close and convenient. film office in the state of California. The its excellence in marketing by the AFCI with Wester Joe Branam pictured with Branam West Coast’s COO Lori Pinn. that are available for rent. But most importantly, story will run in the magazine’s May 2006 issue. three key awards. They included: Branam provides total customer service, This summer promises to be just as busy and fast-

ight 2006 Joe Branam’s client roster reads like an A-List customized engineering and a quality product, paced as ever for Branam with several local and In April, the Film Office exhibited at the • 2nd place for a 15 second spot highlighting Copyr “who’s who” in Hollywood. J.J. Abrams, Richard a combination that remains unrivaled in national conferences and trade shows, on tour Association of Film Commission International’s feature films that were filmed in Santa Clarita, Lewis, Gore Verbinski… in fact, name a respected the industry. with Rascal Flats, and working on some of (AFCI) 21st annual Locations Trade Show in Santa which ran prior to every movie shown at the Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Pulskamp (seated far right) spoke about the city’s pro-filming philosophy and film or TV director, unit production manager, stunt television’s most watched dramas, including Monica, which was attended by more than 3,300 Valencia Edwards Theaters in December 2005 attraction efforts at February’s League of California coordinator, or special effects designer and In April 2002, Branam “Commander in Chief,” production and location professionals. In and January 2006 Cities event at Paramount Studios. chances are they have worked with Branam. West Coast relocated its “CSI,” “Alias” and “The conjunction with the trade show, the Film Office • 3rd place for the 2006-2007 Film Guide, which And he hasn’t limited his talents to the movie, headquarters and 30 Biggest Loser.” You can also participated in the first-ever “California highlights Santa Clarita’s diverse locations, television, commercial and theater circuit; he’s employees to Santa see some of Branam’s Only Breakfast Reception” hosted by the film businesses and city resources. The guide The Film Office will continue to seek out events also a big player in the concert and event world. Clarita from the San handiwork for yourself in California Film Commission (CFC) and Film was designed by McGregor Shott of and opportunities that spotlight Santa Clarita as Since he began working in the entertainment Fernando Valley, opening movie blockbusters such as Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) at the Valencia and is available at the Film Office a premier film destination and an ideal place to industry more than three decades ago, Branam’s a spacious 75,000 square “Mission Impossible III,” Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles. The event • 2nd place for ad design for an ad the Film Office do business. Be sure to check out had the pleasure of working with some of the foot warehouse/office “Pirates of the Caribbean II complex to house the areas brought together more than 25 top level ran in the Family Festival program book www.FilmSantaClarita.com for the latest on the globe’s hottest rock, hip hop and pop acts. Dead Man’s Chest,” “Dream largest rental inventory of entertainment executives from companies such honoring the 2005 Film Excellence Award Film Office’s marketing activities. Why? He’s CEO of Branam West Coast, one of Girls,” and “Garfield II,” all motors, truss, tracks, rigging as Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, Fox, and winner, Lou Florimonte of CalArts. only two companies in the world specializing in playing in theaters this year. theatrical rigging, and the original designer of and grip accessories, Arena Rigging, which is used in nearly every platforms, decks, props and Branam West Coast set the stage for Paul major live concert today. stunt rigging. McCartney’s latest concert tour.