California Sunrise & Sunset Times

As the Acting Deputy Director for the Film and TV Tax Credit Program, Leah blends her production office experience with her 20-year experience in government relations. With production and media experience, Leah previously worked at Fox Television Stations, MTV Networks, Fox Sports Net / PrimeTicket, TMZ, and the local Los Angeles news group for CBS2 and KCAL9. Leah joined the California Film Commission when the Tax Credit Program was first enacted in 2009. Leah received her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Communication Studies from Long Beach State University.

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.

Erik is a media strategist with more than 20 years of experience in PR and social media marketing. He has managed award-winning campaigns for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. He is a past-president of the Public Relations Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter (PRSA-LA) and a longtime instructor for UCLA Extension’s PR Certificate Program. Erik earned a BA in economics from UCLA and an MA in communication management from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication.

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”

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.

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.

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.

As the Program Associate, Isaiah’s essential functions include technical aspects within the tax credit program. He oversees the creation and facilitation of the Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Application Portal, supports the funding tracker portal, and gathers data in preparation for the annual Progress Report. Isaiah previously worked for the California Department of Public Health and served in the United State Marine Corps. He’s a California native and graduate of California State University, Los Angeles.

Francisco has worked for the State of California for six years and joins us from the Department of Motor Vehicles. While attending college, Francisco held an internship at the Office of U.S. House Member Karen Bass, representing the 34th District, where he assisted with scheduling meetings and community outreach program events. On his time off, Francisco is teaching himself how to play the electric guitar, while hanging out with his nieces and nephew.

Catherine Adamic is the State parks permit coordinator for southern California. Catherine has been at the California Film Commission since the creation of the ‘talkies’ many decades ago. At one time or another, she has worked every position at the CFC. She started answering the phones, promoted and was the assistant for three directors and managed the FLICS (Film Liaisons in California, Statewide) program prior to coordinating permits. Born in Hollywood, she has a degree in film and a minor in photography. She is an avid traveler, writer, photographer and equestrian.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hedvig moved to California in 2018 and has since worked for the State of California as a policy analyst and manager, and most recently in the SAG-AFTRA Residuals Claims Department. Prior to moving to the U.S., Hedvig worked for many years in the live entertainment and cultural heritage sector in Sweden as a project manager and coordinator. Hedvig has an MSSc in Gender Studies, Intersectionality and Change, as well as degrees in English and Cinema History & Theory.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.