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February 201
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EDA Office of Foreign Trade • Riverside County, California • USA
“
Talent does rule the film business,”
said McNall, speaking from the
finance perspective. “But sometimes
the money side has to step in and
establish some ground rules. The job
of the producer should be to try and
support that creative endeavor.”
Cassavetes noted that portions
of “Alpha Dog”were filmed in
and around Palm Springs.
“
We had a great time shooting
here,” he said. “We had great talent,
and people here really helped us
out with what we needed. And the
desert is stunningly beautiful.”
McNall, who once owned the Los Angeles
Kings of the National Hockey League,
brought hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky
to California to play for the Kings, and
Gretzky insisted McNall bring McSorley
to the team as well. McSorley was
known for his physical play, especially
involving opposing players who might
try to physically intimidate Gretzky.
“
Getting Wayne was all about
winning and, for Los Angeles,
getting attention for the sport,”
McNall said. “We were determined
to make this a national sport.”
“
There was always a method to your
madness, Bruce,”McSorley cracked.
The business luncheon also gave
attendees a chance to network
and discuss possibilities for
doing business together.
“
The synergy in this room will result in
economic prosperity for both countries,”
said Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, a member
of the Canada California Business
Council’s Executive Committee. “What’s
so promising here is that there is so
much potential. This is just the tip of the
iceberg. In 10 years, I’ll be able to say
I was there nearly at the beginning.”
The event also featured seminars on
topics of mutual interest for business
people on each side of the border. For
example, one was devoted to how to
raise capital for projects through the EB-5
program, which provides visas to the U.S.
for foreign investors who meet specified
targets for investment and job growth.
Glen Brayshaw, co-owner of the Desert
Dunes Golf Course near Desert Hot
Springs, is using EB-5 funds to finance
the infrastructure and preliminary
construction of a new residential
project that is expected to create
1,500
jobs. He said the EB-5 program
will allow him to get the financing in
Mindi Hertzog Trade Representative for British Columbia addresses the summit attendees.
