Rachel Caplan

Rachel Caplan

Independent Film & Media Professional

San Francisco Bay Area

Current
  • Festival Director at San Francisco Green Film Festival
  • Associate Producer at Who Is Paco Gomes
  • Treasurer/Board Director at Bay Area Women in Film & Media
  • Independent Film & Media Professional at Self Employed
Past
  • Festival Director at San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
  • Event Producer at Reboot & the Contemporary Jewish Museum
  • Event Coordinator at Winslow & Associates, Inc.
Education
  • British Film Institute (BFI) & Birkbeck College, University of London
  • The University of Manchester
Connections
243 connections
Industry
Motion Pictures and Film

Rachel Caplan’s Summary

I have twelve years experience as a film exhibition and distribution executive, with a background in film marketing and publicity.

Most recently, I was the 2008 & 2009 Festival Director of the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, now the largest and most influential showcase for ocean related films in North America and the largest environmental film festival in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For the past three years I have also been providing services to Bay Area non-profit organizations in all aspects of special event planning and production, including project development, budgeting, fundraising, marketing, and operations.

I am passionate about supporting independent filmmakers and increasing exhibition opportunities for their work, as well as building audiences for documentary film - particularly around environmental and sustainability issues.

Rachel Caplan’s Specialties:

Development and project management for film festivals and non-profit organizations. Includes: funding & sponsorship, marketing & PR, programming, acquisition & distribution, digital technology solutions, long term planning, executive management, and event operations and management.


Rachel Caplan’s Experience

  • Festival Director

    San Francisco Green Film Festival

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    September 2009Present (3 months)

    scheduled for Fall 2010

  • Associate Producer

    Who Is Paco Gomes

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    August 2009Present (4 months)

    WHO IS PACO GOMES is a 25-minute documentary about the renowned Bay Area-based dancer/choreographer. Paco Gomes fuses western modern dance with his deeply entrenched Brazilian roots to create multi-cultural, multi-faceted dance. Filmed over three years, the documentary follows Paco’s dance company in San Francisco, as well as his educational outreach programs in Brazil. The film is a non-profit project and has fiscal sponsorship through the San Francisco Film Society.

    http://whoispacogomes.com

  • Treasurer/Board Director

    Bay Area Women in Film & Media

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    May 2008Present (1 year 7 months)

    Did you know that in 2008 women comprised only 16% of all directors, executive producers, producers, writers, cinematographers, and editors working on the top 250 domestic grossing films?

    As the Bay Area Chapter of Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI), our members are connected to a global network comprised of some 37 Women in Film Chapters worldwide with over 10,000 members, dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media. Visit us online today to learn the many benefits of membership.

    http://bawifm.org

  • Independent Film & Media Professional

    Self Employed

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    2007Present (2 years )

    Development and project management for film festivals and non-profit organizations. Includes: funding & sponsorship, marketing & PR, programming, acquisition & distribution, digital technology solutions, long term planning, executive management, and event operations and management.

  • Festival Director

    San Francisco Ocean Film Festival

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    20072009 (2 years )

    Executive management of a volunteer-driven 501(c)3 arts organization. Increased earned revenue by 53% in 2008. Increased audience by 40% over two years and the Education Program to over 1,000 student participants in 2009. The Festival is now the largest and most influential showcase for ocean media in North America and the largest environmentally-focused film festival in the San Francisco Bay Area.

    http://www.oceanfilmfest.org

  • Event Producer

    Reboot & the Contemporary Jewish Museum

    (Museums and Institutions industry)

    February 2008June 2008 (5 months)

    Production and management of DAWN 2008 - an all-night cultural arts festival at the Grand Opening of San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum, June 7, 2008. Includes management of budgets and timelines, graphic design, marketing materials, partner outreach, ticketing, entertainment, food & beverage, décor, show flows, and event staffing. 3,000+ attendees.

    http://www.dawn2008.org

  • Event Coordinator

    Winslow & Associates, Inc.

    (Events Services industry)

    20062008 (2 years )

    Project lead and staff team member for highly respected, high-touch events firm providing a wide range of event planning and production services. Partial list of clients includes: San Francisco International Film Festival, Academy of Friends, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Macy’s Passport, Wender Weis Foundation for Children, Glide, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, Chinese American Voter Education Committee, California International Antiquarian Book Fair and New America Media.

  • Executive Assistant

    San Francisco Film Society

    (Non-Profit; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    20042006 (2 years )

    Full administrative and project support to the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Planning and execution of high-end cultivation events ranging from small receptions to celebrity appearances at the annual Film Society Awards Night Gala. Key staff liaison for community partners, consulates, cultural organizations and event host committees. Management of the Guest Services/Protocol Dept. for the 47th, 48th & 49th San Francisco International Film Festivals including $170k dept. budget and 6 staff.

  • International Publicity Officer

    United International Pictures (UIP)

    (Public Company; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    20022003 (1 year )

    Coordination of international publicity campaigns for Paramount, DreamWorks and across 63 territory offices in Europe, Latin America and South East Asia. Developed and implemented theatrical feature campaigns for over 20 titles during the company's most successful year-to-date ($1.2bn gross), with high impact campaigns for 8 Mile, The Ring, Lara Croft Tomb Raider 2, About a Boy, Changing Lanes, The Italian Job, Love Actually, American Wedding… This includes the production and management of publicity materials for international use (EPKs/ AV/ photographic/ print), and the coordination of talent/stars and international press on publicity tours, press junkets, set-visits, premieres, and film festivals.

  • Marketing Coordinator

    Intermedia Film

    (Public Company; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    20012002 (1 year )

    Development and coordination of international film marketing campaigns for this renowned independent sales agency. Includes the production and coordination of collateral materials, publicity, promotions and advertising. Implemented awards campaign for Iris which won 10 awards, including an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe; Coordinated the marketing campaign for Resident Evil which opened #1 in key territories and took $102m internationally; Managed film and DJ tour for Scratch, coordinating screenings at over 50 festivals worldwide.

  • Script Reader

    Freelance (Self-employed)

    (Self-Employed; Internet industry)

    19992002 (3 years )

    Includes work for BFI Production 'New Directors', FilmFour Lab, and Script Factory. Accredited ‘Industry Script Reader Training Program’ completed in 2000.

  • Publications Manager

    New Producers Alliance

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    20002001 (1 year )

    Management of publications and website for UK film industry trade organization (800+ members).

  • Hospitality Coordinator

    London Film Festival

    (Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    September 1999December 1999 (4 months)

  • Office Operations Intern // Submissions Coordinator // Industry Desk Manager

    Edinburgh International Film Festival

    (Non-Profit; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    19971998 (1 year )


Rachel Caplan’s Education

  • British Film Institute (BFI) & Birkbeck College, University of London

    MA , Cinema & Television Studies , 19981999

  • The University of Manchester

    BA Hons , History of Modern Art & Architecture , 19941997


Additional Information

Rachel Caplan’s Groups:

British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA)
Member, 2000-present

Bay Area Women in Film & Media (BAWIFM)
Board Director & Treasurer, 2008-present

  •    Scottish American Network
  •    Bay Area Video Coalition
  •    Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators
  •    Film Financing Forum (3,000+)
  •    Media Professionals Worldwide
  •    Non Profit Professionals
  •    Public Relations and Communications Professionals
  •    Bay Area Women in Film & Media
  •    The University of Manchester Alumni Association
  •    Birkbeck Alumni
  •    Paramount Pictures Alumni
  •    San Francisco Women's Film Festival and Media Access Project
  •    Official Film Festival Group
  •    BizTechDay - October 22-23, 2009
  •    GreenBiz.com -- Green Business Professionals
  •    San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
  •    Web 2.0 for Nonprofit Organizations
  •    IFN Film
  •    Media Professionals San Francisco Bay Area
  •    United International Pictures UIP
  •    Professional BusinessWomen of California (PBWC)
  •    International Film Festival Exchange
  •    Linked San Francisco Bay Area
  •    Birkbeck College North America Alumni Group

Rachel Caplan’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

  • consulting offers
  • new ventures
  • job inquiries
  • expertise requests
  • business deals
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

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