Self-PreservationBy ROBERT GOLDRICH
June 08, 2001 -- Film preservation is a worthy cause that has gained high-profile attention—but largely as it pertains to theatrical features and television programs. Major universities, museums and industry organizations, like the American Film Institute, are engaged in significant efforts to preserve film and TV fare, especially in light of the artistic treasures that have been lost over the years, such as silent movies and kinescopes from the early days of television.

Commercial Production Is Not For SissiesBy David Shapiro
June 08, 2001 -- The 10 do's and don'ts of building and running a small business:

FLASHBACK: 5 YEARS/10 YEARSJune 08, 2001 -- JUNE 7, 1996/Colossal Pictures, a 20-year-old multimedia design, television and film development house in San Francisco, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, for the purpose of reorganization. The firm has laid off nearly half of its staff since March….Director Jim Manera, formerly of bicoastal production house Bedford Falls, has joined Sony Pictures' commercial production division in Culver City, Calif. Another Bedford alum—Rupert Wainwright—became Sony's first spot director in February….Computer animation director/designer Henry Anderson, formerly of Rhythm & Hues, Los Angeles, has been named creative director, 3-D animation, at Digital Domain, Venice, Calif….

Proof PositiveBy ROBERT GOLDRICH
June 01, 2001 -- Recession-proof qualities, as well as concern about the potential effects of high-proof beverages, are two aspects of the Hispanic ad scene explored in this week's issue.

Are U.S. Hispanic Markets Recession-Proof?By Hector Orci
June 01, 2001 -- Data from the last recession in the 1990s indicates that Latinos are not usually as affected by recessionary trends as is the general market. The same will prove to be true for this decade as we currently face a stagnating economy. Referring to my specific experience with product categories such as automotive, banking, insurance, telecom and money transfer, I can testify to the fact that Hispanics' income continued to increase, as did their spending, during economic downturns in the past.

FLASHBACK: 5 YEARS/10 YEARSJune 01, 2001 -- MAY 31, 1996/New York-based Lovinger/Cohn & Associates has teamed with Tobin Film Company co-founder/executive producer Charles Salice to form commercial production house Scream, Los Angeles….In Chicago, The Filmworkers Club, an effects-oriented post-production house, has signed colorist Michael Mazur, who comes over from Digital Magic, Santa Monica….New York production house Curious Pictures has signed veteran Swedish comedy/dialogue director Pelle Seth for U.S. representation....

These Are The Good Old DaysBy Doug Robbins
May 25, 2001 -- I think that my opinion may not be a popular one. But it seems not a day goes by that I don't hear someone complaining about how hard business has become. It's as though we are living out the line from the film The Endless Summer: "You should have been here yesterday." In that film a group of surfers travels around the world, searching for the perfect wave. At each beach visited, the locals tell them it was really great yesterday. For many of us, it seems today should have been yesterday. Yesterday there were fewer directors. Yesterday there was a higher markup. And yesterday there was just less competition.

Mixing It UpBy ROBERT GOLDRICH
May 25, 2001 -- Tis the awards season—as evidenced by the front-page stories this week on the Clio and Belding competitions.

FLASHBACK: 5 YEARS/10 YEARSMay 25, 2001 -- MAY 24, 1996/Director Osbert Parker has signed with international house Partizan Midi Minuit for worldwide spot representation. Partizan just launched a U.S. operation in New York—a co-venture with bicoastal/international Propaganda Films.…Director Steve Ramser has joined production house Morton Jankel Zander, Hollywood, following his departure from bicoastal The A+R Group, his roost of nearly two years….The industry mourns the passing of veteran tabletop director Elbert Budin, head of bicoastal Elbert Budin Inc., who died May 11, at 68; and Norris Nelson, a former executive producer at Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, who died May 8, at 56….

Recycled MessageBy Robert Goldrich
May 18, 2001 -- A couple of months ago (SHOOT, 3/16, p. 4), this column reported on the "Environmental Production Guide" (EPG) that had just been launched by the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation (EIDC), the private/public sector partnership that oversees the Los Angeles City/County Film Office. The EPG is designed to help production companies on the ecological front. By logging onto eidc.com and clicking on EPG, you can access such info as names of vendors that sell recyclable materials; the best ways to dispose of surplus lumber and paints; and how to set up a "green" production office.