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Last Updated: Dec 29, 2011 - 2:39:49 AM |
Awardees for 2009 from left to right: Michael McGowan Jr., Michelle Marx, William Grefe and Erroll
Falcon
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The Bahamas Film Commissioner, Craig Woods attended the Film Florida Legends Awards held on Miami Beach, Tuesday, June 23rd at the Colony Theatre.
The Bahamas Film and Television Commission has been a member of Film Florida since 1996, voted in by that member group, and again unanimously voted into membership in 2006. The Bahamas enjoys associate membership in Film Florida which allows for joint participation in approved promotions and marketing programmes, and access to statewide intelligence about the film, television, entertainment and commercial production industries. About 10 members of Film Florida were visiting The Bahamas including the president, Mr. Graham Winick.
Film Florida is a non-profit corporation that provides a leadership role in Florida's film, television and entertainment industries by representing a coalition of interests, including private industry, local film commissions, industry associations and labor organizations. Its purpose is to offer businesses and individuals the benefits of a statewide trade association to promote the creation of jobs in the film and entertainment production industries, and to promote economic development and tourism. There is also strong regional cooperation with The Bahamas Film and Television Commission to collaborate on joint marketing projects which satisfy the special needs of The Bahamas and the 14 film jurisdictions within the State of Florida.
This year the awardees were:
Errol Falcon, producer - DGA, director, Falcon Productions. Errol has established himself as one of the most trusted directors of music videos, with more than 50 videos to his credit. Artists such as Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine, Kenny Rodgers, Simon and Garfunkel, The Chambers Brothers, Mitch Ryer and The Detroit Wheel all have been produced by Errol. His rich background also includes more than 500 commercials for: Pepsi, Ford, Pizza Hut, JC Penny, Target, HBO, Kraft Wesson and Burger King. His work included many celebrities, such as William Shatner, Larry King, Ricky Martin, Maria Conchita Alonzo, Mahalia Jackson, Geraldo Rivera and B.B.
King.
William "Bill" Grefe, producer - DGA, director, Film Artist Corporation - William Grefe is a prolific and pioneering film producer-director, best known for building low-budget action/thriller exploitation genre in Florida. A rare combination of businessman and artist William's career began as a television writer and then went on to writing feature films. His first big break in directing came with The Checkered Flag, when the director got sick and he had to step in to direct the film. This success led to more films such as Stanley, Mako and Cease Fire with Don Johnson. William was also responsible for bring James Bond to Florida with is second unit direction of the impressive speedboat chase and other action scenes in "Live and Let Die" starring Roger Moore. His feature films and television shows are being shown theatrically, on television, cable videotape and DVD worldwide. He has achieved a cult following which includes director Quentin
Tarantino.
Bahamas Film Commissioner, Craig Woods and Michelle Marx. Her film credits include: Caddyshack, Miami Vice, FFolkes, Jaws-The Revenge, Bad Boys and more...
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Michelle Marx, DGA Productions Manager - Born in Amsterdam, Michelle Marx has worked in Florida's film and entertainment industry since the 1950's when she began her career as a pin-up model. She soon graduated to work her way up the ranks to eventually becoming a pioneer as one of the first women DGA members. Michelle has worked on hundreds of feature films television shows and commercials as a production manager, UPM 1st AD. Her film credits include: Caddyshack, Miami Vice, FFolkes, Jaws-The Revenge, Bad Boys, Switching Channels, The Dogs of War, True Lies, BL Styker, Flight of the Navigator, Three Blind Mice, Harry and Son, Wiseguys, Happy Gilmore and countless more. Michelle's fluency in Dutch, English, German an French has led to her development of a vast international clientele.
Michael McGowan, Sr. (Posthumous) 1946-2008 - Michael McGowan, Sr. passed
away in November 2008, leaving behind a legacy of film work as a cinematographer. At a very early age, Mike began to follow in his dad's footsteps working part-time as his camera assistant. He also learned to fly by age 13,and earned his solo pilot's license by age 16. He officially joined the Camera Union, Chicago Local 666, in 1966. One of his first jobs was as the film loader on the TV series flipper. His many credits include
such films and television shows as The Sopranos, Rosewood, Executive Decision, The Last of The Mohicans, The Mean Season, The River, Harry & Son, Body Heat, Caddyshack,Stuck on You, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Specialist Days of Thunder, Pretty Baby and Night Moves. Mike is remembered for approaching his work with humor and with great talent and professionalism. He had an ability to simplify a difficult shooting situation, and had the eye and talent to capture on film what many might otherwise miss.
