Lights, camera, action! Governor Newsom announces 28 new films coming to California, set to boost local economies. The latest collection of productions filming in California includes a highly anticipated project from Academy Award winning director Ang Lee, and a Snoop...
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Permit Manager
After a 35-year career as a location manager, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and problem-solving skills as the Manager for the Permit Department. He served as 2016/17 President of the Location Managers Guild International. He’s a true industry veteran, having worked on many large-scale film and TV productions such as Black Rain, Indecent Proposal, Ghost, Anywhere but Here, ER, and Hart of Dixie.
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Before joining the California Film Commission Joseph has also worked for the State of Caifornia Department of Corporations and Department of Social Services. Joseph is a native New Yorker and an alumni of Antioch College and U.S. Navy veteran. Joseph enjoys music, dancing, tennis and volleyball. A favorite quote is: “Anyone who keeps the ability to see life’s beauty never grows old in heart or spirit”
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Jennifer is a valued member of the CFC team having first joined in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant ensuring operations around human resources, purchasing, and travel ran smoothly. She was promoted to Location Resource Coordinator in July of 2022 where she currently assists productions throughout California and maintains CFC assets such as the location library and FLIC contacts across the Golden State.
Jennifer previously worked for the State with the Lanterman Developmental Center, and State Compensation Insurance Fund, in addition to 10 years in advertising sales with the Los Angeles Times, La Canada Valley Sun, and the Glendale News Press.
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General Assistant
Laura’s friendly voice will likely be the one you hear when calling the CFC’s office as she’s stationed at our front desk to handle reception and general office work. She joins us from the California Highway Patrol. She studied Cinema at San Francisco State University and also worked as a TV production assistant. In her spare time, Laura enjoys swimming, DIYing and studying to one day compete on Jeopardy.
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Lisa joined the California Film Commission in 1987 after years as a librarian with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and participated in a job exchange program with the British Film Institute. As the manager of the CFC’s Location Resource Center, Lisa supervises the organization of location photographs and contact information to permit offices statewide, while providing location and production assistance. She expanded the CFC’s hardcopy photo library and online location resource – CinemaScout - bringing all resources into the digital age. Recently, Lisa also completed four decades as a part-time librarian with the Beverly Hills Public Library. She holds a USC Master of Science in Library Science and a UCLA Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Film. Working at the CFC alongside expert colleagues, creative film commissioners, and brilliant location professionals is a true calling and the joy of her life.
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After spending four decades in the trenches as an Assistant Director and Production Manager, with over 100 credits that include E.T. – The Extraterrestrial, The Blues Brothers, and The Walking Dead, and filming locations throughout the US and Europe, Jerram left the glamor of 16-hour workdays for the comparative sanity of the life of an analyst at the film commission, which he says is “one of the smartest moves I ever made.” Occasional lecturer, also Producer/Director/Lyricist for six seasons of The Pasadena Follies.
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David is the Permit Coordinator for the Caltrans desk at the CFC. He studied Film and Television Production at San Diego State University, and produced the award-winning shorts, Good Morning, Dave, Four for a Quarter, and the well-received Wordmeister series of educational videos. In his spare time David enjoys refurbishing old spoons and taking correspondence courses in breakdancing.
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Location Resource Advisor
Brandy joined the CFC team in 2018 as the Permit Coordinator for State Beaches, Parks, Buildings and Facilities before being promoted to Location Resource Advisor in March of 2022. She previously worked for State Parks’ Angeles District, where she worked for nearly three years. Before working for the State, she produced several non-fiction programs – from clip shows and talk shows to docu-reality series. Brandy also served as casting director for an independent film and a short film that was part of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Brandy graduated from Cal State Northridge with a degree in Cinema & TV Arts.
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As the California Highway Patrol’s film liaison, Ian Ramer facilitates permitting for film production on roads, highways, freeways and related state property throughout California. He works with CALTRANS, various road authorities, and production companies, to address safety and operational issues involving production activity. Officer Ramer began his current post last December 2017 after transferring to CHP’s Southern Division office earlier that year. He joined CHP in 2007 and has also served as a public safety dispatcher and commercial vehicle inspection specialist.
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Richard brings to the Film Commission over thirty years of experience as a Producer, Executive Producer, Line Producer, Screenwriter and Director. A specialist in international co-production, he has made movies and TV series in 20 countries around the world, as well as many states and provinces in the US and Canada. Seven of his screenplays have been produced. Richard speaks French fluently and has a degree in Film & Literature from Brown University.
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Permit Coordinator Caltrans Highways & Freeways
Alfonso is a native of Southern California with twelve years of experience working at one of the largest medical device manufacturers in the world. He graduated with a mathematics degree from Cal Poly Pomona. He enjoys crunching numbers, solving puzzles, basketball, and playing guitar.
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Jennifer is a native Angeleno, born and raised in Angelino Heights. She has worked in State service for about 8 years which started at the State Compensation Insurance Fund back in 2014. Prior to joining the Film Commission, she recently worked at the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Jennifer enjoys photography, cooking, camping/outdoor activities, and caring for her pet Dachshund, “Churro.” Jennifer enjoys watching classic films, including favorites such as “Casablanca,” “Man on Fire,” “The Outsiders,” and “Reservoir Dogs.”
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Administrative Assistant
Shadina joined the CFC team in September of 2022, as an Administrative Assistant. She previously worked in the film industry for Amazon Studios, as an Executive Administrative Assistant. She previously worked for the State of California Employment Development Department, as an Employment Specialist claim filer for several years. Shadina is a great addition to the administrative team. She brings her huge personality, her great customer service skills, along with her team player attitude, and all her wonderful talents, with a great deal of experience in office administration to our team. Shadina studied at Cal State LA, for a degree in Business Administration.
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Tiana Reynolds
Permit Coordinator Southern California State Parks
Tiana is the Southern California State Parks Coordinator at the CFC. She previously worked as the Film Billing Coordinator for CA State Parks. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a BA in Business Administration concentrating in Entertainment & Hospitality Management. In her free time, she likes to spend her time at Disneyland and trivia nights with friends.
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Permit Coordinator Southern California State Parks
Lori joined the CFC team in 2022 as the Permit Coordinator for State Beaches, Parks, Buildings and Facilities. Before joining the team, she worked at Walt Disney Imagineering helping budget various media projects for the Disney parks as a Bidding Producer. She has worked for several production companies at TBS, TNT, E!, CBS, HBO, Lifetime, BET, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Animal Planet in production finance. Some shows include Silicon Valley, Angel From Hell, Roadies, The Arsenio Hall Show, BET Awards, Hip Hop Awards, Dirty little secret: Jodi Arias, Wild Recon, I’m Alive, Venom in Vegas, and more. She started in the entertainment industry working for Robert Evans and his production company at Paramount Pictures reading manuscripts and scripts doing development and providing coverage. Lori is a double major in Accounting and Marketing from California State University Long Beach.
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Program Coordinator
Omar Yousif is the Program Coordinator for the Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Omar brings experience in public relations and various government / non-profit work. He previously worked at Marino, BerlinRosen, and Vote 4 Me. Omar graduated from the University of Southern California, where he studied Public Relations and Political Science.
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Permit Coordinator Southern California State Parks
Lorna comes to the CFC after a long career as a Camera Assistant on Film, TV and Commercials projects. She has been living in Agua Dulce for almost 20 years. She has four chickens, two pygmy goats, and a dog named Chappie. She enjoys participating in community activities, volunteering, and spending time in the great outdoors. Also, she is a mixed media artist and sells some of her artwork in local shops.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiative Manager
Fanshen is the former SVP Development & Impact at Pearl Street Films. She holds an MFA from CalState LA and an honorary MFA from New York Film Academy. She’s an award-winning playwright, and is the producer and host of the Sista Brunch podcast - sharing the stories of Black women and gender expansive people thriving in entertainment and media. Fanshen is also a co-author of the Inclusion Rider, and founder of TruJuLo Productions which uplifts stories that speak truth in pursuit of justice, in service of love.
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Program Assistant
Megan worked in film & television development at companies such as The Safran Company for seven years before coming aboard as the Program Assistant at the California Film Commission Tax Credit Program. She is originally from Lawrence, Kansas and graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Film and New Media.
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Permit Manager
Leo Fialho joined the California Film Commission in September 2024. As the Permit Manager, he leads a team of Permit Coordinators responsible for issuing permits for filming on state-owned and operated beaches, parks, buildings, roads, and open acreage. He works closely with location professionals, production companies, and government departments to analyze permit requests, guide productions through the permitting process, and support productions with on-location production issues.
A Brazilian-American, Leo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Film & TV Production from NYU. Since 2004, he has been a Location Manager in Los Angeles, working on a wide range of productions, from large-scale feature films and streaming television shows to commercials and photo shoots.
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DEIA Program Associate
A native of Los Angeles, Heather Jennings’ career began at the Gersh Agency and Koch Company before moving into visual effects as a bidding producer, and ultimately VP of Film, at Rhythm & Hues. She later held Executive Producer roles at VFX houses Digital Domain and Method Studios. After serving as a Line Producer at Netflix Animation, Heather earned her Certificate in Sustainability at UCLA and obtained a LEED Green Associate credential. A member of the PGA and USGBC, Heather is passionate about advancing sustainable and equitable practices and inspiring climate action through storytelling.
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Administrative Assistant
Shadina originally joined the CFC team in September of 2022 to October of 2024, as a Management Services Technician. She recently returned to the CFC after previously working for the state of California Employment Development Department again. She has re-joined the CFC team again. With her experience in the film industry by previously working for Amazon Studios corporate offices, as an Executive Administrative Assistant for several years, Shadina is a great addition to the administrative team here at the CFC.
She brings her huge personality, her great customer service skills along with her knowledge and wonderful talents in displaying her team player attitude. With a great deal of experience not only in office administration, but a great deal of experience in GO-Biz Business affairs. Shadina studied at Cal State L.A. University and completed her studies with a B.A. degree in Business Administration.
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DEIA Program Associate
Shawn Wu worked as an Animation Development Executive at Nickelodeon for 6 years, where he developed character driven comedies with writers and artists. Shawn served as the Lieutenant of the Content Pillar of Paramount’s Kids & Family Inclusivity Council, where he oversaw the creation and launch of Nickelodeon’s Content Accelerator Program. Prior to Nickelodeon, Shawn worked as an NBC Page, where he had stints at Late Night with Seth Meyers, Universal Kids, and Broadway Video. Shawn began his career in entertainment as an intern for Sonja Morgan, Real Housewife of NYC. Shawn serves on the Board of Hollywood Radio Television Society’s Associates Branch and is a Volunteer Outreach Lead at SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition.
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