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Everyone loves a party. Throw in a few motion picture producers and top name executives from the film and television industry and you have yourself a shindig worthy of an L&A write-up. Here in Miami, film production is beginning to run beyond the minor leagues and onto the big-time territory of major production spots like New York City and Los Angeles. There is obviously a long road ahead in order to make Miami a production metropolis, but the existence of organizations like the Broward Alliance helps this goal seem attainable and in a lively state of progress.

There is a film commissioner in every major county in America, and Broward’s leading woman is nothing short of a professional. Elizabeth Wentworth continues to aid Florida’s economy by working with notable producers and actors and bringing many film productions into our own area. One way this happens is through quarterly “meet and greet” parties where industry folk gather to network and mingle. The Broward Alliance, the home of the commission, works in effort to expand the growth of South Florida’s film and television production.

Organizing these shindigs for artists and execs becomes a necessity in aiding businesses and entrepreneurs, with business talks made casual via some free food and tasty cocktails. Maybe you are thinking, “Why should I care, I’m not in the industry?” but who wouldn’t want to meet the president of an international talent agency that represents over 20,000 clients? (Mr. Damian O’Connor of International Talent) Or, if you don’t find power players intriguing, there are beautiful actresses like “Sky,” who tell of their recent experiences in the “acting process.”

Chatting about their thoughts on film production in South Florida, two producers, Noel of Valensia Films, and Brian, who is currently working on a music video for Def Jam, expressed their preference to shoot projects under Florida’s “right to work” policy. According to them, independent producers have more leeway in Florida then they have in other major cities, where unions and politics compromise creativity and scheduling. Again, why should you care? As Broward’s film commissioner might put it, film productions create great revenue for the economy and generate many jobs for the locals. In the process, Florida receives free marketing for tourism as a direct benefit from these films. These receptions, as Ms. Wentworth puts it, “build cohesiveness between industry members.” Just think – this is where your favorite film two years from now originates with a flurry of business cards and the classic words “let’s do lunch.” Look into it.

Josh Caraballo can be reached at email4josh@aol.com.