

LA2021 FUTURE OF CREATIVE TALENT SUMMIT
November 108:30 AM – 12:00 PM
The Film, Television, and Digital Media industries are historic and crucial components of Los Angeles County’s identity and economy. Battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative industries and their workers are integral to the region’s economic recovery and long-term growth.
The LA2021 Future of Creative Talent Summit was comprised of two virtual events that convened some of today’s most innovative and high-profile voices from across the entertainment ecosystem to tackle pressing questions facing LA’s creative industry and its workforce as we emerge from the unprecedented COVID crisis. The well-attended events delivered insights that will inform the creative industry’s future strategies in addressing everything from changing technologies to shifting consumer demands to career pipelines that drive greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Please view the post event materials at the bottom of this page.
SPEAKERS

SHEILA KUEHL
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District

HILDA SOLIS
Los Angeles County Supervisor, First District (Chair)

KATHRYN BARGER
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fifth District

HOLLY MITCHELL
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Second District

JANICE HAHN
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fourth District

FESIA DAVENPORT
Chief Executive Officer, County of Los Angeles

RI-KARLO HANDY
CEO & Founder, The Handy Foundation and Sunrise Media

COLLEEN BELL
Executive Director, California Film Commission

GINA REYES
Agent, Verve Talent & Literary Agency

BRENDA VICTORIA CASTILLO
President & CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition

KIBI ANDERSON
CEO & Co-Founder, Wordsmyth

DAMIEN NAVARRO
Executive Director, Outfest

LIZ PECOS
Committee Co-Chair, IATSE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

J-T LADT
Head of Digital Strategy, Illumination

MARGARET DEAN
President, Women in Animation & Head of Studio, Skybound

LYNN WARSHAFSKY
Executive Director, Venice Arts

FREDERICO SAUCEDO
Dean of Career Education & Workforce Development, Glendale Community College

PAMELA BUZICK KIM
Executive Director, Free the Work

SYD STEWART
Founder, Executive Director and Screenwriter, Better Youth Inc.

STACY MILNER
President & CEO, Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program

Adam J. Fowler
Director of Research, Beacon Economics
PANELS
STORY ACROSS MEDIUM AND PLATFORM: THE FUTURE OF SKILLS
STORY ACROSS MEDIUM AND PLATFORM: THE FUTURE OF SKILLS
Changing technologies, shifting consumer demand, an increased focus on diversifying talent, and transformations in storytelling all require rethinking how the Los Angeles region equips its workforce with the skills needed for an altered future. As technology continues to impact existing practices across the creative economy, will future work be driven by crossover skills? This panel brings together diverse screen industry sectors and workforce partners to imagine what an ambitious and cohesive skills strategy for the region might look like. As screen industries continue to evolve, and in some cases converge, these discussions lay groundwork that ensures Los Angeles will continue to be a (if not the) preeminent supplier of world-class talent.


PATHWAYS WITH PURPOSE
PATHWAYS WITH PURPOSE
Communities of color comprise only 25% of creative economy workers compared to 37% of the overall workforce. The panel will dive into the weeds and discuss which career pipeline models are working in the region and how pathways are being tailored to address the specific and unique needs of those who are currently underrepresented in the screen industries.
DISRUPTORS AND TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE
DISRUPTORS AND TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE
This discussion combines the bold perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion that are steering today’s film and digital media ecosystem in important new directions. Panelists will share the unique and non-traditional approaches that are driving change and transforming the screen industries’ environment. The conversation will highlight the tremendous programs that are combatting underrepresentation in the screen industries and underscore the vital work and challenges that remain – from accessibility, to retention, to career advancement.

Event Materials From November 10 Summit
Event Video
Event Materials from April 21 Summit
Event Video
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS













For more information
Beacon Economic is a leading provider of economic research and forecasting. Our custom analysis helps inform the financial and economic decisions of private and public sector clients ranging from the State of California to Wall Street hedge funds.
To learn more about Beacon’s work, please view our practice areas or contact:
Managing Director Sherif Hanna at 424.646.4656 or [email protected]