KIM DAVIS Running for the Dallas Chapter VP position, was a very personal decision for me. My viewpoint may reflect yours. As a Location Manager and member for the last 15 years, I want to take a positive, pro-active role in an organization that affects my bottom-line.
I want this Association to become the strong and effective trade organization I know it can be. If it is strong, then we can more readily fight the battles facing our industry on a regional as well as statewide level. We need to offer much more than a book to our members and I'm ready to put my spurs on to do it. The following is a list of issues I would like to address regarding the future of our Association:
I feel all of these thoughts and suggestions are worth exploring. I want this association to reflect the work ethic and urgency we bring to each project we work on. I believe that in order to be taken seriously in and outside our state, we must treat this association seriously. I believe we can create a strong and viable trade organization to assist us in better marketing our collective talents and bring to bare some political muscle to further put the State of Texas back on the industry radar. IMAGES FROM THE JULY 15th MEETING AT MPS
Kim Davis - Bio & Background For the last 17 years, I have worked full time within the film/video industry and I was the founder of the “Grip Olympics” here in Dallas. I started as a craft service person and worked my way through almost every department including wardrobe, art, script, teleprompter, PA, AD, grip, etc. to finally find a place where I truly enjoy working. I love being a Location Manager and Scout. I have been doing this steadily for over ten years now. I feel blessed to be able to do something I like and actually get paid for it. Three years ago, I realized that 21st Century technology was going to be key in surviving this ever-changing industry climate. So, with the assistance of another location scout, Francis McIntyre and webmaster, Alex Mehl, we developed a comprehensive website to address the urgency shared by Producers, Production Managers, Production Designers and Directors to view up to the moment images and provide 24 hour access to key production information. A tremendous amount of work, time and money went into its development. We built our own servers for reliability. It has paid off. Through this site, we were able to actually bring work to our region as well as other parts of the state. These projects were shopping many other areas and could have gone elsewhere. Many of these clients returned with other jobs after discovering the wealth of production talent to be found here. Location Managers and Scouts are Ambassadors. We are often the first people to meet and greet incoming clients and production companies. We have a challenging position that often requires a sensitive balancing act between Producers, location owners and City, County as well as State run bureaus. The fantasy of the “script” and “vision” of the Director must smoothly cohabitate with the reality of the locale. I plan to approach my position in TAF/TP with this same sense of balance and address concerns with this same sense of urgency. Through my many years of location management I have developed strong ties to local and regional City agencies as well as our State government. Negotiating and securing “sensitive” filming permits and successfully executing them have allowed me access to important “ears” of influence. I have worked hard to earn their respect and if you do not know me, I’ll work hard to earn yours. I have already built an important political infrastructure which I believe will be of benefit to this organization. I plan on working diligently this year to preserve what I have invested heavily in. I know many of you have also invested heavily whether it be your homes or your businesses. I see TAF/TP as an organization worthy of investment. I strongly feel that if we do not take powerful steps and make a sincere and concerted effort to collectively market ourselves this coming year, we may not find there will be enough to save next year. I have already started working on the “big picture”. I am a founding member of the North Texas Film Alliance, which you will be hearing more about in the next few months as well as a founding member of the North Texas Location Alliance. These organizations are both working hard right NOW to change the climate and landscape of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. I see a future where all organizations concerned with the advancement of the film/video industry willing to work in concert with each other to create a strong, viable and respected voice heard beyond the walls of our homes. There are many exciting things happening and more reasons you will discover to stay a member of TAF/TP and urge others to join. I want your vote. I want to help TAF/TP become a part of the “big picture”. We can improve. Over the past two years, we have had the fewest meetings, our membership declined, our advertising was down, and no newsletters were issued. We are supposed to be a “state” organization; therefore, we should put our largest event somewhere else other than Dallas. The Gala was well attended and beautifully executed; however we got very little media attention and it went over budget. We should consider SXSW to create a bigger marketing opportunity and take advantage of the national and international exposure already in place. This will help us tremendously in upping the membership statewide. We must also bring back the Directory Chair position, which was dropped a year ago. It represents our largest investment and therefore should have direct membership input. We should also bring back the Grip Olympics and make it a Texas event. Please go to www.taftp.com under “News & Tips” and see the latest, more comprehensive breakdown of our income vs. expense and actual vs. budget sheet. I am endorsing the following candidates and ask that you give them consideration. A successful year, starts with a successful platform. A successful platform begins with a group of individuals who agree in general on a direction. In the past, TAF/TP candidates came into the organization with many good intentions but with varied agendas. This year, we do not have the luxury to waste time in navigating through a fragmented myriad of paths. The hope is, that if all agree in general on a direction, then if one person is missing due to a job or personal emergency, the platform goes forward and the membership as a whole benefits. I have found the following individuals of like-mind. This is a business decision and there is no time for hurt feelings. I know several of the other candidates personally and like them and I know that their contributions will be important. However, I believe that these individuals will serve us best this coming year. I would like to see all candidates become active volunteers for the category they’re running in regardless of whether they win. If I’m not elected, I will be doing the same. President: Secretary: Public Relations: Membership: Treasurer: Activities: Website: I have not mentioned unopposed seats or other regions outside of Dallas. I believe those regions can better decide their leadership. Thank you for your time. I’m excited about the possibility of being a part of an invigorated, politically muscled association and a forward thinking, pro-active Board.
Transparently yours, Candidate: 214-367-8787 |
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