James Fitzpatrick, who resides in North Hollywood, represents the public-at-large on the council. Mr. Fitzpatrick is the deputy director for the California Film Commission and director of government & production affairs for the Motion Picture Association of America. He is also a freelance assistant film director and production manager. He has over 25 years experience filming in the desert and mountains and was instrumental in advocating passage of Public law 106-206 which sets commercial filming fee structure for commercial filming activities on Department of Interior managed public lands. He also advised and consulted on a BLM and Forest Service self-study course on processing film permits.
Mr. Fitzpatrick has a bachelor's degree in English and philosophy from Fordham University, a master's degree in film & television production and screenwriting from Loyola Marymount University, and a master's of divinity in theology and communication arts from the Jesuit School of Theology.