Ashley Productions, LLC: Additional News Stories

True Independent Film

ADDITIONAL NEWS STORIES

December 10, 2001

Jacqueline and William Ashley II attended a special pre-release screening of The Royal Tenenbaums at the Norris Theater presented by USC's School of Cinema-Television. Writer-director Wes Anderson was scheduled to attend, but was unable to due to illness. However, alumnus and director of photography Robert Yeoman was present and introduced the film. The film stars Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Houston, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson. The film will be in theaters December 14.

December 10, 2001

Jacqueline and William Ashley II attended the Los Angeles premiere of Gosford Park on December 7. The event was presented by USA Films at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills. The premiere served as a benefit for Women In Film who honored director Robert Altman with a 2001 Women In Film Mentor Award. The film stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Julian Fellowes, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Gambon and Richard E. Grant. It will be in theaters December 26.

Photo: Jacqueline Ashley with director Robert Altman. (William Ashley II)

November 5, 2001

Jacqueline Ashley appeared as an awards presenter on the closing night of the Coachella Valley's Festival of Festivals on November 4. She presented the award for Best Film in the Latino Collection. The event, which ran from October 25-November 4 included the Children's Discovery Film Festival, a sidebar to the larger festival. The Children's Discovery Film Festival ran from November 1-4. This sidebar festival screened children's films and videos, and also included workshops, a field trip to Casablanca Studios, and featured a celebrated panel of children jurors. Mrs. Ashley's nine year old daughter, Ariana, was one of the jurors. The Festival of Festivals is an international competitive event that hosts approximately 75 films from 25 different countries and screened in all the desert cities (Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert). Screenings for the Children's Discovery Film Festival were held at the Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City. For information on next year's festival, contact Craig Prater at 760-327-2432.

November 2, 2001

An article featuring the women of Ashley Productions is currently in JADE Magazine's November-December issue. Read the article below. A PDF version of this issue may also be purchased online. JADE Magazine is an online publication targeted to Asian and Asian American women.

October 1, 2001

Ashley Productions was present at the 2nd Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival from September 27-30. Our production staff had a booth set up to promote Jacqueline Ashley and the company. We handed out promotional pens and raffled off our popular sports bags to those in attendance. Other booths set up alongside us were Abacus Insurance Brokers, YOLK Magazine, Radio station Magic 92.5, and State Farm Insurance. Students from the University of San Diego conducted an on camera interview with Mrs. Ashley for the festival's documentary, where she answered questions about the company and expressed her thoughts on how the showcasing of Asian and Asian American talent in festivals is bringing about positive exposure of the Asian experience. This year's festival was held at the Hazard Mann Theater and Double Tree Hotel in Mission Valley, San Diego, California. Festivities included exhibits and screenings of various short films, features, documentaries, and animations. Some of the Asian American celebrities in attendance included John Cho of American Pie 1 & 2 and Rick Yune of The Fast and the Furious. Patrick Swayze was also a celebrity in attendance as the star of one of the festival's featured films, Green Dragon.

September 17, 2001

Wife and husband team, Jacqueline and William Ashley II represented Ashley Productions as the guest speakers for Women In Film's Malibu Networking Breakfast on September 14th at the Chart House restaurant. Lighting for the event was set up by our production staff as well as the equipment that was on display in the adjacent room. Mrs. Ashley provided some background about the company and emphasized how Ashley Productions is structured to help independent filmmakers. Due to recent events, a theme of "people helping people" became evident as the morning progressed. Many attendees expressed their thoughts and prayers concerning the recent tragedies that occurred on September 11th.

Photo: Jacqueline Ashley. (William Ashley II)

July 16, 2001

Ashley Productions was a strong presence at the 4th Annual Women In Film Malibu Celebrity Golf Classic that took place on July 14, 2001 at the Malibu Country Club. The event was organized by Women In Film, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the professional growth of women in the entertainment industry. The event was a charity benefit for Women In Film's outreach programs. Ashley Productions was a sponsor for the event and played a pivotal role in the event's success by assisting the Women In Film staff and by donating several items for their fundraising auction and raffle. Jacqueline Ashley, President and CEO of Ashley Productions and her husband, William Ashley II, Vice President and CFO, were present at the event. Martin Sheen, this year's Honorary Chair was among the celebrity golfers that played in the tournament. Other celebrity golfers included Edward James Olmos, Elizabeth Peña, Vincent Van Patten, Betty Thomas, and Peter Cetera. Ashley Productions is an independent film production company. Founded in 1997 by Jacqueline and William Ashley II, they are a wife and husband team who are strong advocates of culturally diverse filmmaking and believe in helping those whose voices and visions have been and continue to be under represented.

Read Women In Film's article on the event.

Photo: Jacqueline Ashley with actor Martin Sheen. (William Ashley II)

March 2, 2001

Jacqueline and William Ashley II were in attendance at the March 1st opening of the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts at the University of Southern California. The exclusive event was by invitation only by the School of Cinema-Television from which Mrs. Ashley had graduated in 1994. Mrs. Ashley's invitation was in appreciation of her donation made to the center where her name appears on the inaugural plaque. Other guests in attendance at the event included alumni Robert Zemeckis and George Lucas, as well as Steven Spielberg and Governor Gray Davis.

Photo: Jacqueline Ashley with Forrest Gump at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. held inside the Zemeckis Center.

November 9, 2000

Ashley Productions has filed suit in Riverside County against Milton Kahn Associates, a public relations firm. The lawsuit arises from fraud, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing for failure to perform services as a public relations firm.

ARTICLES

*The following is a reproduction of a published excerpt that appears in the Spring 2003 issue of the AFI Associates Outtakes.

New Members Take A Bow
by Carmen Elena Greene

Associate Jacqueline Ashley, President and CEO of her own independent film production company, was the first Thai-American graduate of the USC Film School. Bucking family and cultural traditions, this talented self-starter eschewed a career in the medical or scientific disciplines in favor of one in the arts. Through Ashley Productions, Jackie provides production support running the gamut from lights, cameras, sound, and editing, to casting, crew, and talent management. Drawn to the magic of film and the arts, Jackie delights in educating and mentoring to under represented populations, particularly women and minorities, and encouraging their pursuit of careers in the film industry. However, Jackie tells me that in terms of production values, she and husband, William, are most proud of their two children, 10-year-old Ariana and 7-year-old William "Liam" III.

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*The following is a reproduction of a published article that was featured in the Arts Section of the Asian American Press for the week of February 22, 2002.

ASIAN AMERICAN PRESS (Week of February 22, 2002, Volume XXI: No. 8)

Asian Filmmakers Making Their Own Opportunities
by Tom LaVenture

Jacqueline Ashley, President and CEO of Ashley Productions, LLC, believes firmly in people making their own opportunities rather than waiting for someone else to provide them. The California movie maker says this is especially true in the competitive field of film entertainment.

Ashley is a graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television where she specialized in film and video production. She is the first Thai-American to come out of USC's film school. She and her spouse, William, have established a stable and esteemed production company.

Ashley supports the work of independent filmmakers whose production capability is lacking, or nonexistent. They provide equipment, personnel, even cast and crew. Above all, they are experienced filmmakers who can help new directors from making costly errors in judgment. This is not always easy, according to Ashley, for new young directors are full of uncompromising visions and sometimes prefer to learn the hard way.

"The company, in its five short yeras, is making its niche as a company that helps others, particularly students and independent filmmakers," said Jacqueline Ashley. "It has become known as a reputable and nurturing place for training individuals going into the industry."

Ashley said that many young filmmakers who seek to learn about the business are generally provided with misinformation and are misguided. For this reason, year-round, non-paying internships are available through Ashley, designed to provide a 'hands on' enchancement to film education.

As an Asian American woman, Ashley actively promotes culturally diverse filmmaking and they strive to help diversify film and other media, with an accurate representation of women and traditionlly un-represented groups onscreen and behind the scenes.

Ashley is a rescource for other film companies, who sometimes seek actors and crew through the network. She keeps photo-audition files and resumes for her interns, actors, and crew.

"However difficult it may be, if going into film is a true passion, any person, young or old, should do it," she said. "It is due to this discouragement common to many Asian and Asian American families that contributes to the low number of Asians/Asian Americans in the American entertainment industry, therefore reflecting the lack of appropriate representation of Asian/Asian Americans in front of and behind the camera. Also, because fewer Asians/Asian Americans are entering the film industry, less opportunities are available to them because too few inroads had been made before them," she added.

With relatively few films that feature Asian Americans in leading roles, much less portraying their experience, Asian film stars are only just emerging with permanence in this country. Asians have historically been limited to roles written specifically for oriental characters.

"We like to choose projects that are diverse and favor stores that represent voices and visions that have been and continure to be under represented," she said. "In addition to being a producer and director, I am also a writer. When I write, my characters are usually not ethnic specific. I still describe the characters, but I normally omit an ethic specification in order to allow for the casting of any ethnicity for my characters."

Ashley noted that Asian actors in American films fare much better after making a name for themselves overseas. In contrast, Ashley is not surprised to see a distubring trend where many Asian Americans educated in American film schools are seeking experience and opportunity with Asian film companies. It upsets her to think that many Asian Americans think they have a better chance making it in Asia than in America.

"I believe that much of the state of Asian American film today is due to cultural and generational factors," she said. "The typical Asian family tends to encourage their children to enter traditional fields such as medicine or business. As a consequence, many Asians/Asian Americans do not feel free to pursue more nontraditional fields like entertainment and are oftentimes discouraged from doing so. As a result, there are less Asians/Asian Americans entering the entertainment industry than there are of other minority groups. How the generational factor influences the cultural factor is that it seems that as there are more and more generations of Asian Americans in a family, the cultural attitudes of tradition seem to become more flexible and relaxed."

The Ashley Internship Program offers opportunities to creative and highly motivated people interested in gaining experience working in entertainment. Interns normally work in the production office, but have the opportunity to work on set when a project goes into production. Ashley provides what they consider the most important part of filmmaking, the hands-on training and guidance from experienced professionals. Interns may also explore their creative interests, passions, and find their niche with making short films and learning all the aspects of filmmaking.

"I believe young people who want to pursue film or related fields by going to school can only determing where to go based on their own desires, means, needs," she said. "NYU or USC may be considered the top film schools, but may not be right for everyone. My best advice, really, is nothing beats hands-on, on-the-job training and real world experience when it comes to the entertainment industry."

Aspiring filmmakers should send a resume and include a brief paragraph on how they first became interested in film and what it is they like about it. Please send all materials by mail to Ashley Productions, LLC, Attn: Internship, 5225 Canyon Crest Drive, #71-340, Riverside, CA 92507-6628 or by fax, Attn: Internship at 909-779-8303. For inquiries, please contact or speak to Howard or Bill by phone at 909-781-6597 or online at www.ashleyproductions.com.

The Ashley internship is also available for credit through the University of California, Riverside, and it may be possible through local universities, check with your department staff.

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*The following is a reproduction of a published article that was featured in the Arts and Entertainment section of the November-December 2001 issue of JADE Magazine.

The Women Behind ASHLEY PRODUCTIONS

There are hundreds of independent film production companies out there. Ashley Productions, LLC, however, stands apart. This is not just because of the caliber of its productions but also because of its advocacy of culturally diverse filmmaking and in helping student and independent filmmakers navigate the film world.

Founded in 1997 by Jacqueline Ashley and William Ashley II, Ashley Productions believes in helping others. As evidenced by its involvement in a variety of nonprofit organizations, as well as its hands-on internship program, Ashley Productions "are committed to helping those whose voices and visions have been and continue to be underrepresented."

We were able to speak with Jacqueline Ashley, President and CEO, and Gail Butingan, Publicity Coordinator, about their thoughts and experiences as Asians in the film industry.

What is your typical day like?

Jacqueline: I don't really ever have a typical day. Every single work day is different from the other. As President and CEO of Ashley Productions, LLC, I generally oversee everything going on and look over projects being handled by our department heads. As to what I do on a day to day basis, the only thing "typical" for me is that I always have to address or be able to troubleshoot anything that may arise on any short term or long term projects the company is involved in.

Gail: A typical day at Ashley Productions begins with a company meeting. We bring up company business, our daily agendas, and our intentions for a successful workday as a team. One of the things I do daily is to think of how I can dispel the myths of Asians and women not being a dominant presence in the film industry. I begin to strategize and develop various outlets I must reach. I contact various publications and companies through telephone interviews and/or email, in order to establish ties and relationships. I am constantly looking to seek out others that we can help, as well as those who can help us. Hopefully, it is mutually beneficial.

As the publicity coordinator, my goal is to reach out to the public, especially to my fellow Asian Americans. As a minority myself, I am aware of the obstacles and the hardships that develop within this competitive industry. My interaction with the public has shown me the old cliche in Hollywood, "don't be a female, especially an Asian female", is very hard to overcome because of racial bias and innate fear of a competitive Asian female. I feel it may not be racism against Asian females, but that it is more "place-ism". I interact with the public to promote Ashley Productions and Jacqueline's accomplishments as a filmmaker in a male dominated industry. i establish various ideas to help promote, such as creating brochures and distributing press releases, in order to fulfill my daily mission of making Ashley Productions and Jacqueline Ashley a household name.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Jacqueline: The biggest misconception about the entertainment industry is that it's glamorous and easy. Anyone actually in the industry knows nothing could be further from the truth. It's a tough business - if we're doing our jobs well, we make it look easy and glamorous, but it really takes a lot of perseverance, tenacity, hard work and passion. In this business, nothing comes easy, and to succeed determination and dedication are a must.

Gail: The biggest misconception about the entertainment industry is that what is portrayed by the media is inevitably who you are. Your whole persona is created by what others perceive you to be, instead of who you really are outside of the industry.

As this is a field where Asian Americans don't have much of a presence, what sort of difficulties, if any, have you run into?

Gail: The biggest difficulties I have encountered as an Asian American hoping to succeed in this industry is that others do not take me as seriously as compared to my counterparts (white Americans), as well as Asians who typically believe in a more staunch career, such as doctors, business men, lawyers, etc. They think that the entertainment industry is nothing more than a hobby rather than a career.

Jacqueline: Being that I use my married name, people don't often know that I am Asian American unless I tel them or until I meet them. When I am doing business over the phone or by email, it doesn't usually matter much, unless who I'm doing business with is also Asian American. However, I believe that a person's ethnicity should never really be an issue in business (or in life), but when I am doing business with someone Asian American, I like to let them know that I am also an Asian American working in this industry, working against the stereotypes, and that I support and appreciate the efforts of other Asian Americans who are trying to do the same.

Often times, I have found, that when I finally do meet people that I've dealt with over the phone or by email, who do not know I am Asian American, they are often surprised. And sometimes I have gotten the feeling that they were disappointed. Unfortunately, it does initially change how people do business with me because their perception of me has changed.

As for those whom I meet in order to establish busines relationships, I believe, as an Asian American that it is even more difficult. Being that I am working to establish a business relationship, I have to fight prejudice and preconception about Asian Americans. My experience in the entertainment industry has shown me that gender bias tends to be a little stronger than racial or ethnic bias, but as an Asian American woman, I have to deal with both biases. Additionally, at age 30, with a husband and two young children, I also have had to deal with the preconceptions of being a woman with a family.

In the last two-three years, the representation of Asians and Asian Americans onscreen and off has improved. However, I find it distressing that it is generally only because these Asians had to prove themselves to Hollywood by becoming overseas commodities before they were given opportunities in the U.S. Addirionally, most of the big names onscreen and off (domestically and internationally) right now are Asian and not Asian American because of the fact that Asian Americans are generally not afforded the same opportunities as other Americans in this business. It is true that all minorities in the entertainment industry face limited opportunites, but with the exception of Native Americans, who tend to be more stereotyped than any other group, Asian Americans, are faced with a steeper hill to climb. There are many reasons for this.

Besides all the reasons that minorities have traditionally been under represented in the entertainment industry, in particular, for Asians and Asian Americans living in the U.S., anther reason is the fact that the typical Asian family has always strongly encouraged their children to enter traditional professional fields such as medicine or business. Consequently, there really aren't as many Asians or Asian Americans entering the entertainment industry as there are of other minority groups. Additionally, when Asians or Asian Americans decide to take a different path than what they have been encouraged to follow, they are often left misunderstood and with a lack of support from their families as well as their ethnic communities. As a result, the struggle for an Asian or Asian American in America trying to make it in show business, either as an actor or as a filmmaker is formidable because not only do they have to fight preconceptions and prejudices as all minorities do, but unlike most other minority groups, they have to do it with little or no support from their families and communities.

Filmmakers looking to establish themselves often start by finding the support of their family and their community. First films by filmmakers are usually financed by investors found within their own communities and with the help of their families. However, being that Asian families tend to discourage careers in nontraditional fields such as entertainment, trying to find that support is extremely difficult, if nonexistent. The Asian/Asian American community as a whole, also tends not to be supportive for this very reason, as entering a nontraditional field is generally viewed as an act of disobedience that should not be encouraged. However, though once an Asian or Asian American has made a reputable name for themselves in show business, the Asian/ Asian American communities jump on the bandwagon and finally choose to embrace them.

What has been the most rewarding experience of your career so far?

Gail: The most rewarding experience I have had is being given the opportunity to become a publicist for Ashley Productions, in which I can express my creative ideas, as well as being mentored by Jacqueline Ashley because she provides me with the tools to succeed. Mrs. Ashley allows me to pursue my ideas as well as guide me into the right direction with her knowledge and through hands on training, which helps me be well prepared as a promoter. Mrs. Ashley's willingness to help fellow Asians, creates more channels for me to thrive as a minority as well.

Jacqueline: I don't have any one single most rewarding experience of my career, at least not yet. Every time we shoot a film and it comes together well, I find it to be a rewarding experience. Creative collabrations that are fruitful are always rewarding. However, believe it or not, more than anything, what I have found to be the most rewarding experience for me thus far has been working to help others find their way in this business.

Ashley Productions, LLC has become known as a fertile planting ground for independent filmmakers and has also built a solid reputaion for its internship program. It is through the internship program that I feel I have received the most rewarding experience doing what I do. Our internship program has attracted applicants from all over the world and from diverse backgrounds. I created the internship program mainly to provide a means for others to be able to explore all the possibilities that exist in the entertainment industry. Even though we see and hear a lot about show business, most people don't really know the real nuts and bolts of the industry. Most people are unaware of how many different occupations exist within the industry and how things really come together. I have also found that those who seek information about the business are generally provided wth misinformation, perhaps intentionally or unintentionally by others seeking to discourage entry into an already extremely competitive field. Also, as an Asian American woman married to a man who is tri-racial (African, European, and Native American), I am a strong advocate of culturally diverse filmmaking and aggressively promote racial diversity and a multicultural perspective at Ashley Productions, LLC.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter the arena of film production?

Jacqueline: Learn as much as you can about everything and be open minded. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to handle any pitfalls that come your way. (And they will.) Creating a film, whether you're the writer, producer, director, or editor is about creating an artificial world or the reflection of it. Knowing as much as possible will make you versatile and valuable, but don't just "know" everything, be able to do well whatever it is you know.

Gail: My advice for those interested in fulfilling a career in promotions for the entertainment industry is to constantly look for opportunities no matter how many times you are turned away. If you have the driive and determination, someone out there will definitely notice that, more than your gender and/or ethnicity. It is also important to build relationships and always be honest because it is easier to remember the truth than it is to remember a lie.

While there have been some in-roads in terms of how minorities are portrayed in the media, what do you think still needs to be done?

Gail: I think that minorities in the media need to be acknowledged for the participation in the building of our society. We need to override the misconceptions and stereotypes of minorities, and acknowledge our creativity and talents that we can positively contribute and share with others.

Jacqueline: There certainly have been some in-roads onscreen, however, what I think still needs to be done is to more greatly diversify the perceptions of how minorities should be portrayed to more accurately reflect all the varieties that exist of each group, especially in the United States. Women and African Americans have been able to make the most progress in this area, but it is still a far cry from an accurate reflection and an accurate representation of their true numbers in the U.S. Often times, stereotypes are still being perpetuated, when they should be abandoned. In addition to diversifying the perception of minorities onscreen, there should be a diversification of the perception of minorities working in entertainment offscreen. If the industry broadens and diversifies its perceptions of what minorities can do offscreen, then as a result, the perceptions of how minorities can be portrayed onscreen will also broaden.

There was a mention of the Multicultural Film Foundation in your biography. What do you hope to accomplish with the foundation and how will it work?

Jacqueline: I hope to accomplish a unification of all minority groups and women in the entertainment industry in order to promote culturally diverse filmmaking and the same multicultural perspective that is fostered at Ashley Productions, LLC. All minority groups in the industry are working toward the same thing - diversity and greater representation in the media. Why do it separately when we can work together towards the same goal? I believe that a united front will make the voices of minorities and women stronger and more powerful. Not only will the foundation work to help minorities and women, but those who support and promote culturally diverse filmmaking and the realities of our multicultural world.

My plans on how the foundation will work will be to establish a grant program to help filmmakers who practice and support themes of diversity and multiculturalism and to provide public screenings of films, possibly in the form of a film festival, that would promote the goals of the foundation for increased exposure. I will also be establishing a mentor program between those aspiring/struggling to be in the business with those who are already well established. Additionally, through the foundation, I plan on setting up an educational film school training program targeted for disadvantaged urban youth between the ages of 14-18 where they could get a solid, hands-on free education in the business and creative processes of film production. We would try to make each filmmaking group as racially diverse as possible and show them how to collaborate and create ith each other. I believe teaching creativity, self-expression, diversity, and multiculturalism to children will help pave the way for a more ideal reality for women and minorities that will hopefully be instilled in generations to come.

Gail: I have been able to live out my dream as a promoter because of the encouragement and guidance of Jacqueline Ashley. My first assignment was participating in the 2nd Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival. Mrs. Ashley allowed me to incorporate my own ideas about how to promote her and the company. Mrs. Ashley gave me the creative outlet to create brochures, design and hand out pens, as well as raffle off complimentary sports bags to help publicize Ashley Productions to those in attendance. Attending my first film festival helped me learn about effective promoting first hand, as I was given the opportunity to provde my own insights. With Mrs. Ashley as a mentor, I am aware that Asian women do not have to be under represented, but instead can and should help each other to succeed. She continues to lead me towards a promising path, being a prime example of an Asian woman succeeding and persevering in the competitive industry of entertainment.

For more information on Ashley Productions, LLC, visit www.ashleyproductions.com.

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*The following is a reproduction of a published article that appeared in the September/October 2001 issue of Women In Film's bi-monthly print newsletter, Reel News.

REEL NEWS (September/October 2001 Volume 11 Number 5)

A Classic Act

WIF's 4th Annual Malibu Golf Classic by Axel Griswold

A record crowd of celebrants gathered July 14th at the Malibu Country Club for the 4th Annual Women In Film Malibu Celebrity Golf Classic orchestrated by Event Chair and WIF Vice President, Candace Bowen.

Prior to the 1:15 shotgun start, participants were treated to a Malibu "green carpet" welcome, where they received their goody bags stuffed with golf treasures and dined on In 'n Out burgers. The annual putting contest was hotly contested, but Lisa Sutton stoked her stroke and strutted off the green a winner!

Before the first thwack (!) of the day, celebrated artist Al Harper presented Honorary Chair, Martin Sheen, with a personal portrait. After delivering his state of the tournament address to he appreciative gathering, Sheen teed off the event with a straight, long drive of presidential proportions.

Joining Sheen on the links were: Betty Thomas, Liz Torres, Eileen Davidson, Lisa Vidal, Elizabeth Pena, Edward James Olmos, Bruce Greenwood, Max Gail, Dick and Vince Van Patten, Peter Cetera, Don Felder, Ray Parker, Jr., Paul Satenstein, Berry Gordy, and many other WIF supporters.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the countless sponsors who are crucial in providing financial support for our annual golf classic, and making it the winning, summertime, social fund raiser it has become, in the span of only four years.

Starz! Encore Group and Charter Communications hooked up Women In Film with tremendous support, and Kodak continued its generous involvement with our organization. Barron Golf Shoes gave one fortunate player a $600.00 customized pair of golf shoes, and Jackson Limousine of Los Angeles timely delivered our prez in style and comfort, courtesy of the fine folks at Pat Tobin and Associates. Many thanks also to Whoopi Goldberg for her benevolent sponsorship.

Potential hole-in-one winners were lured by a Mercedes Benz and Jaguar from Penske Motorcars and a sporty BMW from Beverly Hills BMW. There were a few close calls, but everyone ultimately drove home in what brought 'em. Maybe next year!

Hole number one proved to be a tasty, canopied oasis with culinary delights from Cooke's Family Market, all washed down with various wines including Francis Ford Coppola's delightful white wine, Sophia. There was plenty of action at hole number ten, where Jacqueline and Bill of Ashley Productions and Daniela Evangelista of Fox's "Edgemont" helped refresh thirsty golfers. Sweet swingers and duffers alike were treated to soothing massages, courtesy of Candace Combs and Corey Katz of in-Symmetry - even Arnie never had it this good!

The fun times certainly didn't end after eighteen holes of golf, not by a long shot. At the end of the day, guests and golfers cooled down with vodka martinis provided by the imports of Rodnick Genuine Vodka, now based in Malibu. Kathy Bee set the musical mood for the evening with her enchanting mix of standards and toe-tapping favorites. After the marvelous meal, it was time to dish out the awards. Hurrah to Betty Thomas for "directing" her foursome to the number one spot. Her winning teammates were Lisa Sutton, Amy Lafayette, and Stephanie Faracy. Congratulations to the winning men's team: Dr. Allen Pfeiffer, Stephen Kakyian, Gene Block, and Harold McQuinn.

The second place men's team included: Michael Hogan, Jonathan Elias, Doug Campbell, and Mike Rego. The third place winners were; David Allen, Mike Senn, Tom Winnegar, and Bruce Kalish, son of WIF Foundation member and past president, Irma Kalish.

After the awards presentation, the raffle and auctions began. Alan Klevit served as the maestro of the mic and the wielder of the gavel. Chances are, if you bought a string of raffle tickets, you left with some goods - nobody leaves this event empty handed!

Throughout the day, bids were being accepted for the silent auction. Gallery of Dreams provided an astounding array of stars and sports memorabilia, including Shaq and Iverson jerseys, a basketball signed by the world champion Lakers, an autographed guitar from U2, and an Eagles' When Hell Freezes Over Tour leather jacket, courtesy of guitar man extraordinaire, Don Felder. Participants could also bid on their dream destinations, such as a four-day trip to Scotland, some big time in the Big Apple, or a trip to a Maui Lani resort in Hawaii.

The live auction was the final event of the day, and the bidding got fast and furious. A beautiful custom designed WIF Walden surfboard fetched $500, and a pair of Emmy Awards tickets were sold for $1, 200. Dick Van Patten got in the act and auctioned off a tennis racket and a private tennis lesson with his son Vincent.

The whole day was captured on film by Paul Lester and Faye Sadou who immortalized the many memorable moments.

Candace Bowen would like to personally thank her event committee staff: Marji McGinty, Jeanette Scovill, and Faye Sadou for their tireless efforts. And a special thanks to the volunteers who donated their time and effort. Many thanks for a job well done to Howard Ferguson, Peter Scovill, Lynne Weaver, Jennifer Beeman, Donna Schubert, and Holly Hankinson.

This was indeed a very special Saturday, and will forever be etched into the memories of all the people lucky enough to be part of it all. It is all about the golf. It is all about Women In Film. It is all about Malibu. For one day each year, they all come together to celebrate the finer aspects of the arts. Hope to see you next year!

Contact Candace Bowen at (310) 457-8664 to get a jump on your registration or sponsorship for next year!

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*The following is a an edited version of a published article that appeared in the Riverside Business Journal on Thusday, April 20, 2000. The article as it appears here was edited for this web site by Christina Mar.

RIVERSIDE BUSINESS JOURNAL (April 20, 2000, Vol. 10, No. 32)

Filmmaker Refuses to Accept the Odds

Some Tough Lessons Learned In Film School Have Helped a Riverside Filmmaker in Running Her Small Business by Tessa Jarrett

RIVERSIDE --- When Jacqueline Ashley was a student at USC film school, a professor told her she would never make it in the film industry.

Remembering his crushing words, spoken over the phone after she had called for his advice on a project, the 29-year-old budding filmmaker is now more intent than ever on succeeding.

"I like to keep trying. There's so much rejection in this industry that you have to have the right attitude and keep trying. Things usually don't work out the way you want them to the first time," Ashley said.

She and her husband William Ashley II, 38, operate the only film production company located in the Inland Empire. The company produces films including documentaries, music videos, commercials and feature films, specializing in helping independent and student filmmakers.

They started Ashley Productions in February, 1997, but the plan to start their own production company was hatched long before that.

When the couple got married in 1990, William asked his young bride - who had just graduated from high school - what she wanted to be. She said she wanted to be in the film industry. Jacqueline, who was born in America, was being pushed into a career in medicine by her Thai parents, both doctors.

"In Asian families with foreign parents, they often try to encourage their children to go into medicine or business," Jacqueline said. She didn't want to go into medicine.

She began attending courses at Orange Coast College with the goal of transferring to the University of Southern California and applying to its film school. She had acted in enough high school plays to realize she preferred to be behind the scenes.

"It was just a dream," Ashley said. "I really didn't think I was going to get into USC. I didn't even apply to more than one school. Just USC."

Although she was accepted into USC immediately, she was turned down twice for the film school before finally being accepted.

The couple moved to the Los Angeles area and William commuted to work in the Inland Empire to put his wife through school with help from her parents.

Then Jacqueline got pregnant. She delivered the baby on a Thursday night and was back to school after one week - which happened to be spring break - without ever missing a single class.

She would sometimes bring their baby daughter to class with her and William would sometimes bring her to his job as a construction foreman. Although she was the same age as most of her classmates, Jacqueline said she was the only one with a husband and a child.

Jacqueline graduated from USC's School of Cinema-Television in 1994. She then entered law school to be an entertainment lawer, but dropped out to pursue her film career. Her parents pushed her toward law school because they wanted her to do something practical.

"Film school was really hard, too, but the difference was that I had a passion for it," she said.

Ashley Productions' first project has proved to be a lesson in patience. They have spent the last few years trying to generate enough funds to produce "Between Friends," a screenplay about two life-long friends who choose divergent paths. Jacqueline spent one month writing the script in 1997.

They are seeking local investors to fund the $10 million project, which they would like to shoot locally and distribute throughout the country. William said investors could make up to a 300 percent return on investment over the course of five years.

Although the film is far from complete, representatives from Miramax studios in Hollywood have expressed interest in the project's progress, Jacqueline said. The unsolicited phone call from Miramax was quite a boost for her.

"Things don't always go the way you want them to," Jacqueline said. "Especially small independent films can take an average of 6 to 7 years to make."

The film is taking a long time to make because the Ashleys have been trying to find local investors and shoot it in Riverside.

"We're trying to bring film industry here to the Inland Empire," William said. "Look at what it did to Hollywood. We have everything we need right here in our own backyard - empty military bases, mountains and lakes. We've got untapped resources. It's more cost effective to do business out here and it's only an hour away from everything."

Other cities like Houston, Orlando and Vancouver, Canada are home to developing film industries competing with Hollyood for production dollars. There are only a few other production companies in the Inland Empire, while Burbank is home to about 700 film and post-production companies.

They both grew up in Riverside County and would like the money to stay here, Jacqueline said.

"We want to keep finances in Riverside. It needs a boost. We want to do something for Riverside," Jacqueline said. "It's my hometown. Our kids go to school here. I live here."

They had offers for "Between Friends," but potential investors did not want to film it in the Inland Empire, so they turned them down.

"Most people don't understand what the industry can do for Riverside," she said. "It would really boost the economy. Film production money really boosts everyone's business - including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, rental services, airports, shuttle services, facilities that could be rented out as sound stages, extras and crew persons, even increased tourism." A typical feature film will employ approximately 300 to 500 people, Jacqueline said.

They will keep seeking investors for the film and say they would possibly consider shooting it somewhere else if they are unsuccessful in finding investors willing to shoot it here.

While they continue to seek funding for "Between Friends," the Ashleys plan to shoot an as-yet-untitled feature film that they are writing within the next few months.

In addition to making films, Ashley Productions makes money by renting out its film production equipment. The corporation also has two sister companies in Vancouver, Canada that help filmmakers produce films there. Tax incentives offered by the Canadian government make the city an attractve filming location, William said.

They had started purchasing and acquiring equipment while Jacqueline was still in film school and have gathered nearly $2 million in equipment, William said.

Not including equipment, the Ashleys invested approximately $50,000 to start the company. William, the company's vice president, handles the financial aspects of the business and Jacqueline, the president, handles the creative end, she said.

Although the Ashleys seem to get excited when they discuss details of their projects, both dislike "business," they said.

"I hate it," William said. "'I'm helping because this is what she wants."

"I dislike the business, too," Jacqueline said. "I like the art, the expression, but not the paperwork and politics."

They say it is typical in the film industry for people to purposely provide false information and steer people the wrong way because the competition is so fierce.

"They tell you a lot of things to discourage you," Jacqueline said. "We have been given advice that unless you're rich you won't succeed, unless you know somebody you won't succeed, and if you're Asian and a woman - forget it."

One mentor who they believe has steered them in the right direction is Alan Marks, who was Bob Hope's personal film editor.

He convinced the Ashleys, who had planned to shoot "Between Friends" with a very low budget of $300,000, to increase the budget to avoid getting a reputation and being stuck in that budget category.

They hope they are building a reputation for being good to work with and for treating actors and crew right. At this stage, many of the people who work with them do it without receiving payment up front, instead deferring payment until after a film begins to make money.

"A grip today could be running a studio tomorrow," William said.

In addition to finding investors for their projects, the Ashleys' biggest challenge so far has been juggling the business with raising a family, said Jacqueline, who now has two young children, a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old. She and William work all day, and at all times one of them has to keep an eye on 4-year-old William III, who is not yet in school. When she's writing, it takes such concentration that she waits until the kids go to bed and writes from 9 p.m.. to 2 a.m.

"What they teach you in film school is that the only thing that matters is what's on the screen when all is said and done," Jacqueline said.

The Ashleys may be reached at (909) 781-6597.

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*The following is a paper that was published for the University of Southern California dated March 11, 1999.

Ashley Productions, LLC - Interview
by Ed Parra

The Film Industry

The film industry is the largest growing industry in the world and an enormous segment of the entertainment industry. From its onset in 1895, when Frenchman Louis Lumière invented the motion picture camera, to today it has grown into a billion dollar worldwide industry. Numerous universities now offer degrees in film making; the top schools are universally regarded as USC, NYU, AFI, and UCLA. The interest in film, through such institutions as well as through both the studio and independent film world, has manifested itself in hundreds of international film festivals each year. The film festivals' popularity has become such an integral part of the industry that several publications are released throughout the year to promote various festivals, to inform of the growing number each year, as well as to help distribute newly published books on every facet of the industry. Consequently, film is now an expression of and a direct influence on culture and society.

Film has developed with the industries' wealth, being divided among only a select few. Recently, however, the independent film world has made a marketable difference in the field. The wide variety of filmic styles has proven that film can be considered as an artform, albeit a very marketable one. With close ties to drama, writing, music and photography film has received much recognition from the artworld; therefore, its recognition by critics as art cannot be denied. Being an industry rich in creative and entertaining aesthetics there are many people eager to dive in. Regardless, the domination of a few select companies has resulted in an extremely difficult entry into the industry. Resourcefulness and perseverance are therefore vital ingredients.

The Team

Jacqueline Ashley and William Ashley II grew up in Riverside County, California. They created their company, Ashley Productions, LLC, in 1997. With an intent to specialize in short and feature films they have expanded their business to include documentaries, commercials, and music videos, as well as offering production and consultancy services. More importantly, they are dedicated to change the film industry's negative ideology in order help more people have an opportunity to pursue their dreams. In an effort to contribute to the opportunities of underpriviledged filmmakers, Ashley Productions' main clients are independent filmmakers. Throughout the industry, it is common for people who have scripts, but who lack experience, to have an extremely difficult time trying to get started. In an industry where the odds of getting a script made into a film are slim, Ashley Productions works under a policy where they will help out a project that seems worthwhile.

Jacqueline is a graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television where she specialized in film and video production. The degree hangs with pride, on the wall of their company headquarters, just above the copy machine on the first floor. Of the pair, she is the creative force behind Ashley Productions. She has many disciplines, such as writing, producing, directing, cinematography, sound, and editing. Presently, she is working in the pre-production stages of her first feature length script. She seems on the shy side, but after she describes her experiences at film school, and throughout the industry, it becomes apparent that she's quite knowledgeable of her pursuit, and that her shy demeanor is used as a defense mechanism. After all, it is the Entertainment business.

As stated in their company profile, William is the "force driving the business side of Ashley Productions." He is very energetic and opinionated, to say the least. He paced back and forth across the room eager with anticipation and excitement of the next question and the future that awaits their production company. He owes the education he received to his superior while in the Marines. "For some reason the captain liked me. He said that I had a lot of potential and he gave me a direct order to go to school. He said that I wasn't going to be ignorant when I left there." William readily admitted that he didn't take school seriously but absorbed enough to know what business was about. More street savvy than academic, he's smart enough to carefully adapt to any ambiguous situation. Something that carries over to both of them, and more importantly, a quality that will help them succeed and avoid any pitfalls. William also brings a variety of skills to the company. Supplementing his business savvy he also has important carpentry, grip and electric skills he picked up as a construction worker. They have all the equipment needed for welding, carpentry, electrical, and automotive work, in addition and used with all of their film equipment.

Starting Up

Little preparation was made prior to the creation of Ashley Productions. William was fortunate to have a sister who worked at the firm of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and provided him with information about the big film companies. He noticed most of the big companies owned the suppliers of their equipment as well as the means to distribute their films. Following the example of most of the production companies renting their own equipment, the Ashleys decided to buy their own. "Why rent equipment from somebody else? You're just paying their bills for them." So while Jacqueline was working to get her degree in film at USC, William worked endless hours and saved up money to start the business. To minimize the costs, everything they did was "in-house". They made their own company T-shirts (which William was proudly wearing), business cards, calendars, and stickers, to go along with the equipment they made. No power struggles, beyond the ones of conventional marriage, were encountered being that Jacqueline was the President and William the Vice President.

Risky Business

Risks were kept minimal by keeping their debts down. Before they try anything they make sure that they can afford it and everything they make they put back into the business. "We treat our business as an entity that has to hold itself. It has to be self-contained and make enough to keep itself going."

Their location in Riverside can be viewed as a problem as well as a blessing. Being a good hour plus from Hollywood, long commutes are needed to purchase equipment and to meet with clients. This scares many potential customers away. The remote location also means that fewer of their neighbors know about film. Consequently there are fewer locals for them to count on for investments; on the other hand, their remoteness allows them the opportunity to work in a relative quiet and peaceful setting: one that helps them to avoid any unfortunate business encounters. In a city where both Jacqueline and William have lived for more than twenty years, they know a lot of people and have plenty of resources. Besides, the long trip also serves as a type of buffer. The location therefore fits just fine.

With the difficulties surrounding entrance into the film industry, the Ashleys found a mentor named Alan Marks who was in the film business as an editor for many years. "He told us what we needed to do. He gives us insight," explains William. "Wait until the right person gets (the script) and you'll get the budget you need," said Marks. "Don't sell yourself short." A quote that has woven itself into Ashley Productions' philosophy, in both the world of independent opportunities as well as in the business world of the industry.

Growth Plans

In the near future Ashley Productions, LLC will continue to help out anyone that shares the same passion as they do about film: from directors to grips. They even plan to leap into the ever changing world of television production.

Words of Advice

Although they pride themselves on not making a business plan, William advises that, "If you're going to start a business, start acquiring what you need: the skills, equipment, and don't borrow money. Keep it small and build on it." Having the capital to buy only some equipment, Ashley Productions cut costs by learning skills rather than outsourcing. "Film school doesn't teach you anything about the business and financial aspects of the industry at all. It's basically just the creative aspect," recalls Jacqueline. "I've learned a lot regarding financing by just starting my own business. I felt that if I went to work for another production company, after I graduated, then I wouldn't have learned as much as I have now." William is a firm believer in asking questions. Lots of questions. Exhausting all avenues in search of the most efficient solution. His theory: "For every one hundred 'Nos' there's going to be one 'Yes'." And that one 'Yes' is the one that's going to put you at the top of everything."

Conclusion

For Ashley Productions, it was all a matter of perspective. A person can learn a lot by just looking at something from another point of view. The Ashleys used this philosophy to turn ambiguity into a chance to learn. When they encounter a problem they waste no time and learn everything there is to know about it. They turn the obstacle of a barrier into the prospect of a useful wall; illustrated by their location in Riverside. Most importantly, they altered their vision of the film industry into an arena that they could be proud of. Jacqueline intends to use their experiences to give something positive back to the community. The lesson to be learned from them is clear: living with principles of persistence that exemplify passion, a good heart, clean character and hard work are ideal elements that contribute to success.