Welcome to the Director's Chair! Arizona Film & Digital Media Director Matthew Earl Jones shares thoughts, industry news, and highlights from productions to media reports focused on Arizona's film and digital media industries.
Scottsdale Community College to offer production assistant certification programAZ Family
By Dani Birzer Published: Sep. 19, 2022
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Scottsdale Community College announced it will be offering a Production Assistant Certification program in October.
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Production Assistant Training Helps Create A Workforce For Arizona's Next Major Film and TV Projects PRESS RELEASE
Arizona Commerce Authority and Scottsdale Community College prepare for a new wave
of projects to be filmed in Arizona
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (September 7, 2022) – As Arizona continues to attract major film production opportunities to the state, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) has partnered with the Scottsdale School of Film+Theatre at Scottsdale Community College (SCC) to train local talent to fill openings as production assistants. The inaugural Production Assistant Certification program will run Oct. 3-7, 2022.
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How tech is fueling Arizona’s film comebackAZInno - The Business Journals
AZInno - Business Journals (July 21, 2022)
Arizona Commerce Authority
"How tech is fueling Arizona’s film comeback"
Arizona's Film Industry Is BoomingArizona Horizon
Arizona PBS, Arizona Horizon - June 20, 2022
ACA Director of Film & Digital Media Matthew Earl Jones joined Ted Simons on Arizona Horizon on Arizona PBS to discuss exciting new film projects and Arizona and future opportunities.
Read Online
Navajo Nation and the Arizona Commerce Authority Sign MOU to Expand Film and Media Industry in ArizonaPRESS RELEASE
The partnership will focus on developing marketing strategies and providing workforce opportunities
WINDOW ROCK, AZ, NAVAJO NATION (AUGUST 30, 2021) — Navajo Nation and the Arizona Commerce Authority announced today a new partnership to promote Navajo Nation as a major international film and media destination. The partnership, which was outlined in a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to build a foundation of generational opportunities in the film and media industry.
Arizona, Sonora Ink Nonbinding Deal To Draw More Filmmakers Fronteras
In late June 2019, Arizona & Sonora sign an MOU to support regional film production efforts.
Read Fronteras Article by Andrew Casey
(June 27, 2019)
Marriott Hotels Offers Discounts for Film Industry in ArizonaPress Release
Thank you, Arizona Marriott Hotels & Resorts for your sponsorship and support of the Arizona film and digital media industry with your participation in our Reel Savings rebate/discount program!
How to Save Thousands Making Films in AZWavyFolio
(9.4.18) WavyFolio & Elation Radio / JCAZ Industry Mixer Interview
Thank you, Jay Curtis, for inviting us to the JCAZ Industry Mixer! We had a great time. Appreciate Wavy Folio.com and Christina Eve from Elation Magazine for taking the time to share what Arizona Film & Digital Media is doing to grow film in Arizona. WATCH Direct YouTubeLink here.
Phoenix Town Hall at Sun StudiosThe Future of Film in Arizona
Thank you to the Arizona Production Association (APA), Sun Studios and the Arizona Film and Media Coalition (AFMC) for putting together another great Future of Film in Arizona presentation. We were happy to attend and talk about what the Arizona Film Commission is doing to help. Did you miss the event? No worries. WATCH the LIVE FEED Replay right here.
C-Span Focus On FlagstaffAZ Daily Sun
Congratulations Flagstaff! Flagstaff to be featured in C-Span series.
READ the Arizona Daily Sun story by Adrian Skabelund (Updated 10.1.18)
Tombstone Actors Help Community Celebrate Anniversary of Popular MovieCongratulations Tombstone!
Congratulations to everyone who helped to organize the 25th Tombstone Reunion event in Tombstone, Arizona! It was wonderful to hear about the turnout and talent who came to celebrate this historic town. Please enjoy the Herald/Review Media article, Tombstone Actors Help Community Celebrate the Anniversary of Popular Movie.
Arizona-based Shared Card Films wraps feature production of The UnHealer That's a Wrap!
(Photo Courtesy: Ken Sklute/Serendipity Visuals)
Congratulations to the cast and crew of The UnHealer which wrapped filming in Apache Junction this month. The independent Sci-fi feature is slated for release in 2019!
Here are some of the media highlights from its production:
Apache Junction News - June 25, 2018
AZTV 7- June 20, 2018
Casa Grande Dispatch - June 19, 2018
Sahuarita Dance Team to be featured on America's Got Talent
READ this Arizona Daily Star (Tucson.com) story about Sahuarita dance team to be featured on America's Got Talent. Thank you to our Sahuarita-based Film Resource Coordinator Michael Jansen who helped make sure AGT was all set to film these talented dancers when they came to town! If you need film permitting or location help in Sahuarita, contact Michael at 520-822-8819 or via email - mjansen@sahuaritaaz.gov. Visit Pima County's Sahuarita Website: Visit Sahuarita.
Image courtesy - Arizona Daily Star (Tucson.com)
Future of FilmNews4 Tucson
KVOA 4, Tucson - WATCH
Coverage of the Future of Film in Arizona event at the Loft Cinema, May 21, 2018. (5.21.18)
Student Seeks to Change View of AZ Film Industry12 News NBC
12 News NBC - (2.14.18)
"14-year-old girl is on a journey to change the view on aspiring filmmakers in Arizona"
Arizona Film Office Working to Lure Production Companies For KeepsKTAR News
KTAR News Online (9.20.17) - "Arizona Film Office Working to Lure Production Companies For Keeps"
New AZ Film Program Director Talks About The IndustryKGUN9 News
(1.5.17) KGUN9 News - Matthew Earl Jones Talks About the Film Industry in Arizona