Andy Edmunds is a Virginia native and an accomplished musician and songwriter. After studying music at VCU in the mid 80s, Edmunds produced a music video of one of his songs that was broadcast on MTV. This experience introduced him to the film production industry where he ultimately settled in as a location scout until landing a job at the Virginia Film Office in 1997. “I found myself in a non-traditional area of economic development that seemed to be perfectly suited to my experience and interests. Every day I look forward to continuing to give back to the state I know and love through an enthusiastic approach to attracting clients and delivering creative solutions”, says Edmunds. During his time with the Film Office, Andy has worked with the most notable filmmakers of our time including Terrence Malick, Ridley Scott, Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg to name a few.

I have witnessed the evolution of film commissions from a permit granting entity, to a location scouting service and digital database management endeavor, to a financing production partner relationship. My strategy has been to exploit technology and keep our office on the cutting edge, but never at the expense of traditional customer services values.

Trade shows are for Dunder-Mifflin. I believe AFCI should exploit the leverage film commissions now possess by virtue of often being equity investors in projects – with no equity – into real added value for all of the members.

Building relationships.