The Greater Philadelphia Film Office's "problem-solver" shared her experience with students interested in the entertainment business on Friday.
The Fox Leadership program hosted Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Film Office, at Leadership Hall. She spoke about her career in the film industry, which so far has spanned the terms of three Philadelphia mayors.
Pinkenson began her business career 23 years ago by opening a trend-setting boutique in Center City called Plage Tahiti. Although the venture was successful, she said she wanted a career with more opportunities for creativity, and she ended up in the film industry quite accidentally.
After hearing about the flourishing film industry in Pittsburgh in 1992, Pinkenson handed Gov. Ed Rendell, then mayor of Philadelphia, a plan to revive the City's film commission. Rendell later offfered her the position of executive director of the project, which was to become the Greater Philadelphia Film Office.
Pinkenson's credits to date include The Sixth Sense, The Real World: Philadelphia, National Treasure and Rocky Balboa. Her current projects include M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender and Transformers 2, directed by Michael Bay.
On a daily basis, Pinkenson must coordinate every aspect of film production to support local businesses and communities - whether it be diverting traffic on a busy city street in a non-disruptive manner or busing in the cast to shoot a particular scene.
Today, the Office is integral to the growth of the City's film community. It provides incentives for filmmakers to film in Philadelphia and enhances the region's reputation.
"We're excited to bring [Pinkenson] to campus," said Joe Tierney, executive director of the Fox Leadership Program.
Chuck Brutsche, assistant director of the Program, described Pinkenson "as a leader in Philadelphia film development."
Indeed, since she began, the nonprofit corporation has generated more than $2 billion for Philadelphia's economy.
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