About Us
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Andy Edmunds
Director
Email BioAndy Edmunds
Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, is a Virginia native and an accomplished musician and songwriter. After studying music at VCU in the mid 80s, Edmunds produced a music video of one of his songs that was broadcast on MTV. This experience introduced him to the film production industry where he ultimately settled in as a location scout until landing a job at the Virginia Film Office in 1997. “I found myself in a non-traditional area of economic development that seemed to be perfectly suited to my experience and interests. Every day I look forward to continuing to give back to the state I know and love through an enthusiastic approach to attracting clients and delivering creative solutions”, says Edmunds. During his time with the Film Office, Andy has worked with the most notable filmmakers of our time including Terrence Malick, Ridley Scott, Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg to name a few.
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Dawn Blacksten Schick
Project Manager, Locations Expert
Email BioDawn Blacksten Schick
Dawn Blacksten Schick is an experienced Location Manager who comes to the Virginia Film Office with a long list of film credits from major film and television projects including Hearts in Atlantis, Gods and Generals, Big Fish, Walk the Line, John Adams, Lincoln and Killing Lincoln. Dawn is a Maryland native who grew up in New Windsor Maryland and attended Towson University. As the Projects Manager for the Film Office, Dawn assists productions working in the Commonwealth and maintains the Virginia Film Office’s location library. She is the proud mom of two lively young boys and enjoys traveling with her family, testing creative recipes and tending her garden. She is the office’s resident coffee and restaurant connoisseur.
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Lori Russell
Locations Manager
Email BioLori Russell
As the Film Office Locations Manager, Lori supports filmmakers with a broad range of location needs throughout Virginia, maintains the office’s location library and coordinates the internship program. She joined the team after ten years as a Key Assistant Location Manager and Scout for the film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. She has worked on many projects including Rush Hour 3, Taken 3, Interstellar, Westworld and Loving. As a Virginia native and George Mason University graduate, she was excited to return home and start a new chapter here in the Commonwealth. During free time you can find her mountain biking local trails, camping, enjoying time with friends at new restaurants, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and adventuring around the world with camera in hand.
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Margaret Finucane
Communications Manager
Email BioMargaret Finucane
Margaret Finucane is the Communications Manager. She manages the film office’s communications, media and promotional initiatives. She is a transplant from snowy upstate NY, and originally came to Virginia as an undergrad at the University of Richmond. The lure of not having to wear snow-pants outside was too wonderful, and she has stayed in Richmond since. Margaret comes from a background in project management, writing, and editing. Off the clock, Margaret splits her time between going on (short) hikes with her exercise-phobic dog, stressing out about getting good seats at the movies, taking road trips to explore Virginia, yelling at her sewing machine, and writing things she finds funny, at least.