We’ve heard that Sharon Pinkenson doesn’t like when people make a big, silly fuss about her hair, so we’re not even going to talk about those signature curly, golden locks of hers – even though they are fabulous. With March here once again, we’re ready to celebrate some amazing females of notoriety in the Philadelphia area and beyond in honor of Women’s History Month.
Sharon Pinkenson is woman who needs very little introduction. She’s been a powerful force in our city for more than 20 years! Not only is our city’s film commissioner, rubbing elbows with A-list celebrities on the regular, but more importantly, Pinkenson has brought about much needed economic change to the region.
Before being named as the Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO), Pinkenson was just a regular Philly girl. A Temple alumn, Pinkenson was the first in her family to graduate from college, and she started off her career as a dental hygienist before opening a clothing boutique in Center City. Years later, she had her first brush with the big screen when she applied her fashion background as a wardrobe stylist. It was then that Pinkenson began to wonder why Philadelphia wasn’t a central location for filming movies, so she started making moves of her own to turn her hometown into a hub for feature films.
In 1992, Pinkenson really began making waves in the industry; she pushed former Mayor Ed Rendell to place a full-time Director who would focus on expanding the Film Office and Philadelphia’s visibility as an attractive location for film production. She felt confident that a proper Director would not only rejuvenate the organization, but also revitalize the city’s economy as well. Rendell agreed, knowing that Philly could use some type of economic stimulus, and understanding the potential for growth. Without hesitation, he named Pinkenson to fill the spot! The only issue was that the city didn’t have any money to pay her. She took the position anyway.
Pinkenson has played an undeniably vital role in Philadelphia’s evolution into one of the most well-respected film commissions in the industry. It’s been 23 years since she oversaw the production of award-winning flicks like The Age of Innocence and Philadelphia. Younger movie-goers might recognize our city as a backdrop in Invincible, National Treasure, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, In Her Shoes, Baby Mama and World War Z, in addition to innumerable documentaries, independent films and reality television shows.
Thanks to the Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit program, a program that Pinkenson was instrumental in passing, movie creators are incentivized to shoot in our city, attracting big names while creating local jobs.
While he may be biased, local director M. Night Shyamalan is one of the people who sees the immense value in shooting in Philadelphia; and alongside Pinkenson, he’s helping to make a serious impact in Philadelphia’s movie scene with films like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, and The Village. Back in 2012, Shyamalan and his wife hosted a swanky fundraiser gala in their Main Line home with plenty of high profile celebrities in attendance, all in honor of Pinkenson and her 20 years of service to the GPFO, our beautiful city and the surrounding region.
While the self-proclaimed “flower child” isn’t a stranger to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, she has stayed focused on using her position and power to benefit our local economy. Pinkenson’s efforts have had a $4 billion impact on the southeastern region of the state, and she has single-handedly put Philadelphia on the map as a movie metropolis. She’s the type of businesswoman who says, “I always knew that there was nothing that I couldn’t do.” She has us convinced!
Get in touch with this Philly movie maven on Twitter and follow the GPFO on Facebook for future updates and film happenings.
Which Philadelphia-based movie is your favorite? Let us know!
good choice. She’s the GREATEST!