Hollywood Producer Sets Sights on Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor has had it share of brushes with Hollywood, from movies being shot at Whimzeyland to Jane Seymour appearing at Syd Entel Galleries. 

The Harbor got a touch of Tinseltown again recently when Seminole native Jimmy Fitzpatrick, a veteran actor, producer and director, came to town looking for talent for his new production company.

Fitzpatrick and his wife, Jodi Knotts, visited MPC Models earlier this month looking for a lead as well as extras for a movie he is producing and for commercials they will be shooting for their Seminole-based Coconut Beach Productions.

“Jimmy and Jodi are here looking for talent for movies, television and commercial shoots,” MPC director Dianne Paulson said. “We are very excited to have them here and for them to be using MPC as a means to find new talent.” 

Fitzpatrick, whose IMDb resume includes 55 acting roles, nine producing and five directing credits in a career that spans more than 30 years, said he has known Paulson, a former model and celebrity makeup artist, for a long time.

So he knew he would be able to use her downtown Safety Harbor agency as a way to discover talent for his new commercial-production company.

“I’ve known Dianne for a long time,” he said. “We’ve worked on several movies together, commercials, where she’s supplied talent for me.”

“This area used to be huge for commericals - I shot 100 national commercials here before I moved to L.A.," he added. "We’re just continuing to keep that ball rolling and growing the business here.” 

The Saturday of the auditions, dozens of hopeful performers lined up outside the Third Avenue studio to meet Fitzpatrick and his team and see if they had what it takes to be involved in a real Hollywood production. 

Luckily for them Fitzpatrick, a former Seminole High School football standout, is easygoing and truthful when it comes to dispensing advice.

“The entertainment industry is the easiest job in the world if you embrace it and enjoy yourself,” he told a trio of auditioners. “It’s important to stay loose and focused while on stage.” 

“It’s like sports,” the onetime pro football player added. “Stay loose and hit the ball. I’ve been doing this for 34 years and the more relaxed you are, the better you will be.”

Related:

• Top-Notch Talent Being Discovered in Safety Harbor
• Renowned Photographer Conducts Model Shoot in Safety Harbor
• Jane Seymour Brings a Touch of Hollywood to Safety Harbor

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