Written by Rowena Carr-Allison on Mar 30, 2011. Posted in On Location

TLG talks to Miami Beach Film Office's Graham Winick

I’m strolling in the knock-out heat from my hotel on legendary Collins Avenue to Miami Beach City Hall. I'm one of the only people walking on this fine morning - clearly locals don’t brave the sizzling winter heat on foot.Arriving at City Hall is a bit scary. After dodging the foreboding ‘fines’ office, I whizz up to the offices of Graham Winick, the city’s Film and Event Production Manager, to a far friendlier waiting room complete with a kitsch figurine of Queen Elizabeth, great city views and welcome air conditioning.

Graham is responsible for greenlighting the city’s filming permits, of which there are many. He’s obviously a busy man and although the offices are empty today - the team's out preparing a trade show - Graham is abuzz.

The AFCI Locations Trade Show merger means the event's a strange hybrid now. To be honest, I think it’s a mistake for both of them. I think they made too big a sacrifice.

With trade shows on my mind following Bill Bowling’s interview in LA, I ask Graham's opinion on the controversial AFCI Locations Trade Show merger. He smiles:

“It’s a strange hybrid now. To be honest, I think it’s a mistake for both of them. I think they made too big a sacrifice."

In his own backyard, Graham is concentrating on the NATPE , which just relocated from Vegas to Miami.

“It has the entire TV industry descending upon us! Everything is booked solid, from sales suites to boats and hotels. It’s great for Europe and Latin America and making us a real hub.”

A well-established advertising centre already, the city is home to several renowned agencies, from J Walter Thompson to McCann-Erickson, many focussing on the Latin American market.

It seems TV is Miami’s hottest prospect now. Although CSI: Miami and Dexter film in California, they have really helped with ‘brand Miami’.

We know Miami’s bread and butter is commercials but things are changing with those glitzy, glamorous TV series pouring new life into the city too.
 Graham grins:

“We’re on the cusp of a new golden age. Florida is great on camera and guarantees a ratings success!”

It seems TV is Miami’s hottest prospect now. Although CSI: Miami and Dexter film in California, they have really helped with ‘brand Miami’.

He gives me the spiel on Miami’s assets:

“The weather of course, good looks, plenty of studio space, access to talent, a long standing history of experience, a great cultural melting pot for extras, and also the fact that Miami is home to athletes, actors and hip hop stars who are big players.”

Although the days of feature films like Bad Boys and Fast and the Furious are long gone (the last to come to town was Marley & Me), Graham says they are very happy to focus on TV with four to six major new series in the works.

We’re working hard as a state and it’s all coming to fruition. Although ours are not ‘blow the doors off’ incentives, they are still very competitive, especially for TV.

Showtime’s signature show Burn Notice and reality genre shows like Kim & Kourtney have also been real boosters. 
Anything else in the pipeline?

“A series of Real Housewives, a new series called Magic City - Mad Men meets The Sopranos - and a pilot for a new Charlie’s Angels remake like the new Hawaii 5-0 revamp.”

He admits that incentives have pulled back, but adds:

“We’re working hard as a state and it’s all coming to fruition. Although ours are not ‘blow the doors off’ incentives, they are still very competitive, especially for TV.

“We’re very happy. We’re not 'Hollywood East'.  We’d like to become a TV centre, focusing on reality and digital media. We’re looking for consistent work! We were once rated number three as a location and I believe we’re back at the top of the playing field now.”