Interview with Niki Welge

Production Coordinator with

The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment in Florida

Q: Can you briefly describe your job to me?

A: I am the state production coordinator. I work at The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment. We are an executive branch under economic development. We are charged with bringing economics to the state of Florida. There are 59 local film commissions that work through our office. We work in conjunction to attract the industry to the state of Florida. I deal with production related inquiries like location, incentives, assistance…pretty much anything production related. I also deal with sales and the financial incentive program. I’m the only one that touches that program. I am the liaison with all the local film offices, and deal with stuff like shutting down bridges, national parks, etc. I do a lot with the permitting process and everything state related. I also assist with the tax credit program in the front end communication with people. I handle a lot of stuff here!

Q: How did you get started in this business?

A: I actually don’t have any film background! I come from a government background. I had a job working in D.C. working for the Department of Health. I began working in the Senate right out of college, and had almost no professional experience. I’ve been working in this office for seven years and I’m only 30. I started off as a film commissioners assistant, and since have been promoted four times and had pretty much every job in the office. I know this place backwards and forwards! I really know a lot about the government office and this office, but I don’t have a lot of film experience. But, working here I’ve gained the experience and knowledge needed to do my job.

Q: How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned talk?

A: Well, we have a very small office. There’s only 7 of us in this office. I have a great relationship with the State Film Commissioner, and there are not many tasks I haven’t been able to accomplish. We have a great line of communication, and if I felt something was too big to accomplish then I feel very comfortable asking for help. There are always people willing to assist us, and we have an amazing support staff. They support me and our Incentives Administrator. They do nothing but support us! With the addition of the support staff, it’s been an amazing transition. It’s really all about asking for help up front and not saving it until the very end. You’ve got to know your limits and your strengths.

Q: Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?

A: Intern!!! It all depends on your interests. If you are interested in working in a film office you need to know two things. Number one, it is NOT a glamorous job. Number two, you need to get into an office and do the dirty work. It’s not all helping clients, visiting sets, meeting celebrities. It’s solving problems, working with unions, and cutting red tape. You must start from the beginning! Its not just knowing the film industry, it’s knowing how to get things accomplished, who does what, and you need to live it. You MUST get your foot in the door some way. You have to learn how to solve real-life problems once you leave college. You have to start from somewhere. In college I had a business focus, and once I got out of school I couldn’t find a job. I got into government work, and then became somebody’s assistant at this office. Without the assistant this office couldn’t run, and because I had that experience I know everything I need to know.