Washington, DC – The District of Columbia Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) is pleased to recognize CAROL FLAISHER as the September 2022 Filmmaker of the Month.
Carol Flaisher, a celebrated local location manager and producer, is a proud District of Columbia native. Born in Washington, DC and grew up on Peabody Street, NW in Ward 4, Carol has turned her lifelong love and fascination with film and theater into a long and successful career in the entertainment business.
“For me, movies aren’t just work. It’s a part of who I am,” says Flaisher. “After having devoted 40 years of my professional life to supporting and advancing the DMV as a thriving and respected film production community, to be recognized by the District of Columbia as a ‘Filmmaker of the Month’ is a great honor.”
Growing up, Carol always wanted to be a “movie star.” So fascinated by movies as a child Carol was a regular movie screening patron at the former Sheridan Theatre on Georgia Avenue. Once Carol entered high school and college, she participated in activities with her schools’ drama departments, but never took the leap. Though she loved theater and film, at that time she never considered it as a possible career. After graduating from college, getting married, and having two children, Carol had the lifechanging opportunity to volunteer at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978. Carol was hooked after that experience and exposure to the excitement, glitz, and glamour of the theatrical production world. Carol realized then this would be her life’s passion and professional calling.
Carol pursued film and television production work with enthusiasm and a determination to succeed. She learned the business from the ground up, the personification of “on the job training.” Starting as an assistant location manager, and soon realized she had an interest in and talent for location management. Though Carol has worked in other production capacities over the years, like producing and production coordinating, location management has been the industry specialty she focused on most during her career.
After immersing herself in the theatrical production world through volunteer opportunities at the Kennedy Center and Fords Theatre, Carol formed a production services company. After working for a time supporting theatrical and stage productions through her company, by the mid-1980’s Carol began transitioning into film and television production work.
Carol has worked on over 100 film, television, and commercial projects during her over 40 years in the industry. The variety of productions range from big budget studio projects like: True Lies (1994), National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), Wedding Crashers (2005), House of Cards (2013 - 2017), and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) to the smaller, independent films like: Talk to Me (2007), Philomena (2013), Jackie (2016), and Miss Sloane (2016).
“What I remember most about each and every one of the films I have worked on, are the people I worked with. Always the people,” says Flaisher. “What I treasure most about the gift my career has given me is the fun and the friendships that grow out of working on these movies, and the opportunity to work with a team. And after all that hard work, at the end of it all, there is a movie, a story that has been created from all that teamwork.”
In 2005 Carol received the Women of Vision Award from Women in Film and Video DC, and just this year in 2022 Carol was honored for her exceptional career and body of work with an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a member of the Production Designers Branch. This extremely prestigious honor is a well-deserved recognition of Carol’s unmatched professional accomplishments and an acknowledgement of her contributions to the film industry in the DMV and nationally.
After a long and illustrious career in the industry, Carol is still going strong, continuing to work as a location manager, producer, and serving as a mentor to the next generation of regional DMV location managers and producers. In addition to her recent invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Carol is also a proud member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI).
Carol's Film Credits:
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CAROL FLAISHER DC RADIO INTERVIEW
Want to learn more about Carol Flaisher and her work? Click HERE to listen to her DC Radio interview.
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About FILMMAKER OF THE MONTH
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) launched the “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative as a vehicle for highlighting the talents and creative contributions of filmmakers that make the District of Columbia their home. The “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative is part of OCTFME’s mission to elevate the national and international profile of the District’s talented filmmakers.
***If you know of a filmmaker that would make a great future “Filmmaker of the Month,” you can send OCTFME your recommendations using this nomination form.
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About OCTFME
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) produces and broadcasts programming for the District of Columbia's public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television channels and digital radio station; regulates the District of Columbia's cable television service providers; provides customer service for cable subscribers; and supports a sustainable film, music, and entertainment creative economy and labor market in the District of Columbia.
OCTFME award-winning content provides resourceful information on government activity, education, current events, history, music, arts, and entertainment. OCTFME operates and manages the District’s government television access channels: the District Council Channel (DCC), the District of Columbia Network (DCN), and the District Knowledge Network (DKN).
OCTFME owns, manages, operates, and programs the District of Columbia Entertainment Network (DCE). This 24-hour on-demand streaming network delivers diverse and inclusive – FREE – lifestyle, music, live events, sports, arts, variety shows, talk shows, educational and entertainment programming from the nation’s capital into homes via ROKU, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV as well as iPhone and Android mobile devices by downloading the DCE Network App or at DCENetwork.com.
OCTFME also owns, operates, manages, and programs DC Radio 96.3 HD4 digital radio station, the District of Columbia’s first government radio station, in partnership with Howard University’s WHUR. It is one of only two full-power, city-managed and programmed radio stations in the country.
OCTFME provides production support services that advance film, television, video, entertainment, interactive, multimedia, and digital media content creators. These services include permitting, location scouting, production support; job placement assistance; workforce development; and the DC Film, Television, and Entertainment Rebate Fund.
OCTFME provides additional support to the Creative community through the Creative Affairs Office (CAO), and Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: 202Creates initiative. CAO showcases and preserves the District of Columbia’s rich creative communities throughout all 8 Wards. CAO builds sustainability in the creative community through policy, programming, and education, further expanding the middle-class pathway for the creative workforce. CAO coordinates public, private, and community partners to accomplish all goals and create equitable and inclusive opportunities for the District’s creatives. Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: 202Creates initiative, administers programs that support the growth and sustainability of the creative industries throughout the District.
For more information, contact the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment at (202) 671-0066, visit us online at: entertainment.dc.gov, and follow us on Facebook.com/entertaindc, Instagram.com/entertain_dc, and Twitter.com/entertain_dc.
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