LOCAL FILM COMMISSIONS HOST LOCATION PROS (10/25/01)

    (Ridgecrest) - - In what has become an annual event, the Ridgecrest Regional Film Commission (RRFC), in cooperation with the Kern County Film Commission (KCFC), recently hosted a group of location professionals from Hollywood for a weekend "FAM" tour.    FAM's or familiarization tours, are an opportunity for film commissions to capture and hold the undivided attention of location managers, location scouts, and other production professionals for two or three days, while spotlighting the unique film location opportunities and facilities in their area.  Kern County Film Commissioner, Barry Zoeller, plans two tours each year, one in West Kern County and on in East Kern.  Ridgecrest Regional Film Commissioner, Ray Arthur, works with Zoeller and his office's marketing associates, helping to plan, facilitate and execute the East Kern weekend events.  "When Barry brings a FAM tour into our area, it's mutually beneficial.  We work together to arrange complimentary lodging and meals along with creating a very positive 'one, two punch' in promoting our side of the county," Arthur commented. 

    October 23rd through the 25th were busy days filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of the Indian Wells Valley, and beyond.  Five location professionals arrived at the Carriage Inn throughout Friday afternoon and evening to prepare for their packed weekend of events that started with a personally catered dinner by Gregg Gracey and Hitter's Catering at the Desert Empire Fairground's Sage Hall.  Saturday morning everyone jumped onboard a Kern County van with KCFC Marketing Associate Dave Hook and Arthur, and cameras starting snapping as stops were made on Garlock Road, Golar Road, and Red Rock-Randsburg Road (three times).  Then, it was on to tour the construction progress of the California City Studios followed by lunch at the Cal City Airport.  The afternoon included Neuralia Road, Jawbone Canyon OHV area and Red Rock Canyon State Park; followed by a tour and taste test at the Indian Wells Brewery with master brewer Rick Lovett.  Poor Dave Hook was the designated driver.  After a time out at the hotel, everyone gathered at the Texas Cattle Company for dinner.

    Sunday was just as busy with a tour of Searles Dry Lake Bed, the Trona Pinnacles, Trona-Red Mountain Road, Charlie's Place, Spangler Hills, and a walking tour of the "living" ghost town of Randsburg.  Lunch was compliments of the Randsburg General Store and the afternoon was filled with Red Mountain, Atolia, Cuddeback Dry Lake Bed, and the grand finale, a tour of Inyokern Airport, including it's World War II hanger and bunkers, and a sunset photo opportunity of the region's #1 filming location, Runway 28.

    Of the five location professionals, three work primarily with feature films and two with commercials.  Also with the group was the California Film Commission's official photographer who was shooting and cataloging locations to augment the State Film Commission's new digital Cinema Scout® Location Library.

    According to Arthur, FAM tours are an investment in the future, "Of the six people we hosted, four were first time visitors to our area.  These guys have an entire new category of film locations to offer producers and directors now.  And, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, these FAM tours are very inexpensive marketing tools," Arthur noted.