A year after a leadership change, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office is achieving new success building on the foundation laid by longtime former executive director Sharon Pinkenson, writes Earl Hopkins for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
During her three decades in charge, Pinkenson turned Philadelphia into a hub for Hollywood productions, including 12 Monkeys and Silver Linings Playbook, opening the door for future films, shows, documentaries, music videos, and commercials.
After Pinkenson stepped down in November last year, longtime employees Erin Wagner and Nicole Shiner, became co-executive directors. A year later, they noted that working with Pinkenson have proved invaluable.
“Having someone who’s been in the position for so long, and who had such a grand reputation and did so much for the community, it’s been hard coming in after her,” said Shiner. “But the good news is, [Wagner] and I have been here for 20 years. We have a lot of institutional knowledge about how to move forward.”
HBO’s crime drama Task was the office’s standout project in the last year, hiring 777 Pennsylvanians for 177 days and creating a $230 million boost to the regional economy. The co-directors hope this will be one of many future successes.
Read more about the Greater Philadelphia Film Office’s recent successes in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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