A Meeting With Liz Gilman, Executive Director with Produce Iowa

Today I met with Executive Producer of Produce Iowa (our renamed Iowa film office), Liz Gilman. Joining us was Jay Villwock and Dave Thrasher, both dear friends of mine. Although Liz is still waiting for her own decent desk and ample space at Cultural Affairs, her determination and enthusiasm to get Iowa actors and crew back to work is obvious. She said she hopes more Iowans will visit the Produce Iowa website and sign-up on the Media Production Directory. Liz said the software, Reel Scout, is what the new directory utilizes, and which is widely regarded as the best in the industry. Only 150 have signed-up for the directory thus far. To list yourself, go to the Produce Iowa website and click on "Crew", then go to the Media Production Directory. We learned that the present budget for the film office (I will use that term instead of Produce Iowa) is $300,000. When I asked if she has a staff, Liz said she is able to tap into staff within Cultural Affairs when needed. Liz has two trips to Los Angeles planned to meet with other film office leaders and producers. She has plans to attract successful Iowans within the entertainment industry to give talks to members of Iowa's film industry. We talked about funding for Iowa filmmakers and she suggested contacting the Iowa Arts Council and Iowa Humanities offices to explore grants, especially for documentaries. Considering what Liz inherited, and how she faces super close scrutiny for anything she does, I think she's doing a great job.

— with Liz Gilman.