Wally Schlotter

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Wally Schlotter
Schlotter in 2008
Born
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1978–present
Known for
Notable work
Chairman of the San Diego Film Commission
In office
1978 – March 29, 1996
Preceded byNancy Ferebee
Succeeded byCathy Anderson
Websitehttps://wallyandassociates.com/

Wally Schlotter is an American film producer, former chairman of the San Diego Film Commission and UltraStar Cinemas' vice president of special projects. He is known for bringing Hollywood budgets for film and television to San Diego County throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Early life[edit]

Schlotter was born and raised in San Diego, California. His interest in film began in high school.[1] Schlotter graduated from Grossmont College with an accounting degree before majoring in film and television at San Diego State University.[1][2]

Schlotter is a former production assistant at Warner Bros.[3] At 28, he was named director of the San Diego Motion Picture and Television Bureau in 1978, succeeding Nancy Ferebee.[3][4][5]

Career[edit]

1983-1986[edit]

In 1983, Schlotter described how often he would receive calls for production. Companies like Paramount Pictures would reach out but would not always follow up.[6] Schlotter mentioned that costs to shooting in San Diego were diminished at locations such as the Sports Arena, compared to similar places in Los Angeles. He advised that public facilities were available at no fee, giving incentive to out-of-town film crews and productions.[7]

In 1985, Schlotter was approached about making a series in San Diego based on the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre. He and City Manager Ray Blair both agreed that such a production would not be a good idea and they did not assist filmmaker Larry Spivey with further options.[8] To dazzle producers, Schlotter would location scout with them by way of limousine.[9] To help promote San Diego's shooting locations, he issued San Diego on Call, a photographic notebook of places such as the San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarter and Borrego Springs.[10] When location scouting for Top Gun, Schlotter described working with Officer Alan Clark to fix parking meter violations so they would not disrupt a deal that brought in $2 million of revenue to the county.[11]

1988-1996[edit]

Councilman Ron Roberts criticized Schlotter for lack of efficient spending, saying he didn't have rules in place for non-essential costs.[12] Following the passing of Dr. Seuss, Schlotter organized a hometown tribute event for the late author.[13] In 1991, Rancho Santa Fe was the location of several film and television shoots. Companies failed to contact Schlotter prior to filming, which Schlotter said resulted in complaints of property damage and noise from neighbors who were not notified of the productions.[14]

Schlotter left his job at the as commissioner of the San Diego Film Commission and vice president of the great San Diego Chamber of Commerce on March 29, 1996. He was succeeded by Cathy Anderson.[15] When he started, the county would see about $500,000 come in from Hollywood each year.[16] During his time in office, Schlotter brought in work that attracted $50 million to the county.[15]

2003-2010[edit]

Schlotter was a consultant for the Hollywood Film Festival, Outfest, and the San Diego Black Film Festival. In 2003, he was named chairman for the San Diego Film Foundation.[17] By 2010, he co-founded the Anaheim International Film Festival and was UltraStar Cinemas' vice president of special projects.[18] As a producer for commercials, film and television, he is the recipient of multiple Emmy Awards, Telly Awards and Aurora Awards.[19]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Producer
2001 The $5 Movie Executive
2007 The Coffe Thief Executive
2008 Residue Executive
2015 When I Wake Up Executive
2016 Cocoa Butter Executive
2017 Hero, Tonight Executive
Lucy's Raw Eyes Executive
2018 Deviant Executive
2019 Reqiuem Executive
2021 Libertyville Executive
The Obedience Project Executive

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Straczynski, J. Michael (1979-09-03). "Starring Role for San Diego Seen by City's Film Adviser". Los Angeles Times. p. 13. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Swil, Warren (1980-01-24). "Welcome to Borderline and other movies made in San Diego | San Diego Reader". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  3. ^ a b Righter, Carroll (1979-02-02). "Bureau Director Named". Los Angeles Times. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Pendleton, Jennifer (1993-02-25). "Golden State still center of the reel world". Variety. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  5. ^ Kowsky, Kim (1990-02-01). "San Diego a Hit With Film Makers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  6. ^ "Spotlight on filming in SD County". Times-Advocate. 1983-12-01. pp. 52, 56–57. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Filming: Expenses Lower in S.D." Los Angeles Times. 1983-10-16. p. 64. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "San Diego Acts to Bar Filming of Massacre Series". Los Angeles Times. 1985-03-06. pp. 4, 40. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Wiser, Nanette (1985-09-20). "Love for mobile luxury speeds up". The Roseville Press Tribune. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Filming: Commercial Makers Pick San Diego". Los Angeles Times. 1986-03-30. p. 51. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Bunting, Glenn F. (1986-11-09). "Tickets: Widespread Fixing in San Diego Revealed". Los Angeles Times. pp. 3, 26. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Bernstein, Leonard (1988-08-04). "Film-TV Bureau Faces More Scrutiny by City". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  13. ^ "Seuss: Tribute to Children's Author". Los Angeles Times. 1991-11-15. p. 454. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Bradley Jr., Tom (1991-11-08). "RSF seeks filmmaking guidelines". North County Blade-Citizen. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b "Schlotter leaves chamber film bureau". North County Times. 1996-03-24. p. 38. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Movies: FRC - Come on down!". North County Times. 1993-12-10. p. 75. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Mitchell, Wendy; Hernandez, Eugene (2003-05-02). "Sevigny's Next Movie, Biz Deals, Partying in Brooklyn, and Our New Friend Nikki". IndieWire. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  18. ^ Coker, Matt (2010-09-09). "Anaheim International Film Festival Theater Site is a No-Brainer | OC Weekly". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on 2019-12-06. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  19. ^ "Short film 'Residue' nets Emmys for local producers". La Jolla Light. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2022-11-15.

External links[edit]