Oakland is going through plenty a political stir lately. Budget proposals tend to bring out the best and most often the worse in that world. Of course it all affects us as citizens of the city and for this topic working professionals who would like to use Oakland as a backdrop for their productions.

Last night I spent 7 hours at the City Hall Council Meeting where some of these issues where discussed (as well as many other non related ones). It’s a tad complicated, as with many political matters are, and I have been trying to figure out what it all means.

Since Sean House has a great email circulating about all this I have included some of his text below.

There are two major issues at stake:

Oakland Film Office – Oakland Mayor Jean Quan has submitted a list of Proposed Budget cut options, one of which is the ELIMINATION of the Oakland Film Office, (Ami Zins and Janet Austin), on which she is asking City Council to indicate their priorities on by April 8th (Friday). It is critical that you express your thoughts on this matter soon (see below).
Oakland Film Center – Last night, the full Oakland City Council voted on a resolution which has a section that would eliminate the Oakland Film Center as a mandate of the Oakland Army Base redevelopment. As you may know, the OFC is home to approx 30 film industry businesses (including Ranahan Production Services, Arthur Freyer Lighting, Ness Generators and many more) and has operated on the former Army Base since 2004. Because of this there were last minute negotiations with members of the OFC and the developers of the cite and they came to this wording in the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA). “CCG is encouraged to make an accommodation for the Oakland Film Center at market rate rents in the master planning process. Staff further directed to return to the committee with a progress report regarding ENA implementation approximately six (6) months before the ENA Term is set to expire.”

When talking to Tim Ranahan he mentioned that he was happy about the amendment and stated so to the Council. There is more details to come, Tim and Patrick as well as all the companies in the OFC have more to negotiate as new players get involved with the redevelopment of the Oakland Army Base. It’s not over yet.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

Please show your support through letters, emails and phone calls to the Mayor’s office, and each of the City Council Members. Send the same letter/email to all!!!

Keep it positive!

Please try to bcc Tim Ranahan (ranahan@gmail.com), Sean House (outhouseprod@yahoo.com), and Ami Zins (filmoakland@filmoakland.com), so that they can make hard copies of the individual letters.

I recommend writing a personal story that shows how your film business or talent helps the economy and community of Oakland. You are a tax payer, and if you live in this city your money counts.

I myself have put 10 of thousands of dollars into my home office to provide a space where talented filmmakers can create. Much of that money was spent IN Oakland and the business around me. Not to mention the many more dollars I’ve spent on camera equipment that is used for local productions. Throughout the years I’ve shot many films using the helpful resources of the OFO, having shot at the KTOP, City Hall many times as well as using permits to shoot at various locations throughout the city. I employ local talent and rent from companies at the OFC (even if the shoots are out of the city) because they are close by and well equipped.

The creativity of the film business is a positive one in Oakland and we should encourage it as much as we can.

Together, we can make a difference!!!

Keep it Positive!

———-
Jean Quan
Mayor of Oakland
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
3rd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com
phone: (510) 238-3141
fax: (510) 238-4731

Larry Reid
Council President
Councilmember District 7
Office: (510) 238-7007
Fax: (510) 238-6910
lreid@oaklandnet.com

Jane Brunner
Councilmember District 1
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-7001
Fax: (510) 238-6910
Email: jbrunner@oaklandnet.com

Ignacio De La Fuente
Vice-Mayor
Councilmember District 5
Phone: (510) 238-7005
Fax: (510) 238-6129
email: idelafuente@oaklandnet.com

Patricia Kernighan
Councilmember District 2
Ph: (510) 238-7002
Fax: (510) 238-6910
Email Pat Kernighan

Nancy Nadel
Councilmember District 3
Phone: (510) 238-7003
Fax: (510) 238-6129
Email: nnadel@oaklandnet.com

Rebecca Kaplan
Council Member at Large
(510) 238-7008
atlarge@oaklandnet.com

Libby Schaaf
Councilmember District 4
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 238-7004
lschaaf@oaklandnet.com

Desley A. Brooks
Council Member, District 6
City Hall
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 238-7006 (office)
(510) 238-6910 (facsimile)
dbrooks@oaklandnet.com