A letter from HPA Executive Director Barbara Lange
February, 2016
Dear HPA Friends,
Last week’s HPA Tech Retreat in Palm Springs provided wonderful thought provoking conversations and sessions, much-needed time with friends, and the chance to enjoy the Retreat’s unmistakable character. Along the way, a few important developments were announced and I’d like to take this opportunity to touch upon them.
Leon Silverman announced that he is stepping down as President of the HPA, an organization he helped found and which he has steered for the last fourteen years. During the Tech Retreat, Leon handed the baton – literally and figuratively – to Seth Hallen. All of us who are involved in HPA are indebted to Leon for his vision and passion in launching an incredible group that serves as a beacon and gathering spot for a changing industry. Fortunately, Leon will continue to serve on the Board of Directors in the newly created role of Past President. Seth will bring his deep experience in the industry to his presidency, as well as a profound dedication to, and love of, the HPA. Seth has served as a Board member since 2007, working closely with Leon on management and direction for HPA. He has a slate of ideas to share and the enthusiasm and talent to execute them. With a grateful nod to the first 14 years of HPA, we are all very excited to move forward into the next phase of the HPA with Seth at the helm.
Since the launch of the Hollywood Post Alliance in 2004, post production has seen constant change. Technologies, workflows, companies, and talents have shifted, not away from post but expanding upon it. As a way of acknowledging the widening tapestry of companies and individuals who bring brilliance and innovation to the business of making media content, we have officially completed the transition as we change our name to the Hollywood Professional Association. “Professional” is a more accurate and inclusive description of the work in which we are all engaged. We unveiled the name as well as a brand new identity, both of which you’ll see in all communications and events from now on.
In other important news, HPA is going global! The HPA Tech Retreat UK will be held in Oxfordshire, the 13th and 14th of July. Building on the solid aspects of the HPA Tech Retreat – SuperSession, Breakfast Roundtables, fantastic networking and fun, Innovation Zone, which run alongside carefully curated sessions – the HPA Tech Retreat UK will definitely have a British flare and flavor. Richard Welsh and Jerry Pierce are co-chairs of the program committee, which is putting together a fantastic slate of presentations that properly reflect the Tech Retreat style. Registration is already open at hpatechretreatuk.org, and earlybird discounts are available through 2 April. Expect more news, exciting panels and events to be announced over the coming weeks.
As we head into the next phase of the HPA, it’s an honor to serve as your Executive Director, and build on the work that has come before. I hope to make this letter a regular communication to you, keeping you apprised of new association developments. And I am quite open to hearing your feedback, so do feel free to send your thoughts and ideas to me at blange@hpaonline.com. I look forward to working with you in the year to come as we take new and exciting steps together. As our newly past president is fond of saying, our best work is ahead of us!