Staff Reports
A year ago, Film Florida introduced a podcast series highlighting the state’s entertainment industry.
While the venture is continuing — and better than ever — the upcoming season offers some exciting new changes.
The second season of the Film Florida podcast series will feature a miniseries-style format, each with a cast covering a range of topics.
Season Two guests will include award-winning artists with credits including M*A*S*H; Hill Street Blues; Moonlighting, Judging Amy, Fortune Hunter, Birdman, Titanic, Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest, Star Wars Episode 3, Mission Impossible 3, Apollo 13, multiple films for ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series, and more.
But the statewide entertainment production trade association is also previewing 2020 Legislative Session — meaning lawmakers will also be joining them in studio.
So far, they recorded an episode with Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters, who sponsored a film production grant bill last year that was supported by Film Florida.
In the podcast, Gruters told Film Florida his support for the industry has a lot to do with its presence in his Sarasota-based district.
It also helps that he experienced entertainment tourism firsthand — Gruters and his wife planned a trip to Key West as a direct result of watching the Netflix series Bloodline, filmed in Florida before it moved out of state.
“Nothing makes me more upset when I see these shows that were supposed to be filmed in Florida, and then all of a sudden, you see the Georgia peach or some other state symbol where these things are being filmed,” he said in the episode, which will go live very soon.
In addition to Gruters, the new wave of podcast episodes will feature talks with Key Largo Republican Rep. Holly Raschein — whose House District 120 saw a huge economic impact from Bloodline — and Lake Clarke Shores Democratic Rep. David Silvers, both having sponsored or co-sponsored pro-film industry bills in previous Legislative Sessions.
The Film Florida podcast is available through Apple iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and the Film Florida website.
2 comments
Rosie Bernhard
October 17, 2019 at 12:22 am
Bloodline didn’t move out of state. That option had been discussed but with the Key’s themselves being a main character of the show, the idea was shelved. Ultimately, a shortened 3rd season was granted chopping up story lines and leaving viewers confused and disappointed. This due to a lack of any kind of film tax incentive.
Stephen Kessler
October 23, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Not to fret. What a pleasure it was to see production trailers lined up in downtown Tampa this past season as production commenced on the Appian Way-presented (alongside the National Geographic Channel)series THE RIGHT STUFF. This is due to the strong film commission work led by a determined Tyler Martinolich and his extraordinary team. I truly feel that filmmaking in Tampa Bay (to say nothing of the work that Tony Armer and his team put forth from across the Bay) is on an upswing. This goes for all of Florida, if what goes on here locally is any indication. I join in thanking all Film Commissions across this great State for all that they do!
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