INSIDE PUBLIC THE CHAMBER POLICY
Entertainment Industry Conference
T
he Hollywood Chamber’s ninth Annual State of the Entertainment Industry Conference presented by Variety took place on December 16th and for the first time was done as a virtual event. The half-day conference included panels, awards, interviews, and virtual exhibit booths. The “Succeeding in Entertainment Production During COVID 19” panel was presented by FilmLA and featured Kevin Fortson (Warner Bros. Television), Dee HarrisLawrence (All Rise), Bruce Helford (The Connors), Angela Kang (The Walking Dead ), Trish Kinane (Fremantle and American Idol), Courtney Lilly (black-ish and mixed-ish). The discussion centered on how shows returning to production have learned to adapt including budgeting, audience participation, on set PPE, and ‘new norm’ for production. The “Excellence in Diversity” awards were presented to Meruelo Enterprises and Southern California Gas Company for creating diverse, equal, and inclusive cultures within each of their organizations. The awards were presented by actor/producer Eugenio Derbez, who also shared personal insights. The “Blazing the Trail in DEI” panel featured Angelica Vale (CALI 93.9/Univision), Bryhana Monegain (Power 106), Brooke Thomas (The Black Report/FOX Soul), and Marci Wiser (KLOS Midday). The panel gave a unique perspective on why prioritizing DEI is beneficial on many levels including employee morale and organizational innovation.
Actress Eva Longoria was honored with the 2020 Commitment to California Award for her efforts in keeping jobs in California and joined an impressive list of past honorees including Vin Di Bona, Ted Sarandos, Steven Levitan, and LL COOL J, to name a few. As an awardwinning actress, producer, entrepreneur and activist, Longoria shared her thoughts on leading the charge of diverse and female representation. She shared how her production company, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, chooses projects that accurately represent the stories of the Latinx and other underrepresented communities. Longoria also discussed upcoming projects in film as well as the Eva Longoria Foundation (ELF). The conference also included the presentation of the 2020 Music Icon Award and an intimate conversation with legendary songwriter Diane Warren. Warren is one of the most prolific contemporary songwriters of our time with her work featured in more than 100 motion pictures and she has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Warren is the sole owner of her publishing company, Realsongs, and is about to release her own album, ‘Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions Vol. 1’ featuring an all-star line-up who will bring her songwriting and storytelling to life. Warren shared accounts on how some of her famous songs came to be and how she has stayed inspired during challenging times. In addition to Variety as the Presenting Sponsor and Platinum Sponsors FilmLA, Meruelo Enterprises and So hollywoodchamber.net
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