About Us!
Elisa Cota-Francis' family roots stretch back to a time when Tucson was still in Mexico. She was raised with a deep respect, love and knowledge of the Southern Arizona desert. A graduate of the University of Arizona, considered one of the top 50 film schools in the US, with a degree in Film & Television Production, Elisa began her film career while still in college. An Arizona Wildcat to her core she discovered a natural skillfulness and love of sound and decided to become a specialist. Brought up in a family of entrepreneurs and driven professionals, Elisa knew that to succeed in such a competitive industry she could not specialize in one just one field. She made a point to study and learn all aspects of film & television pre-production, production, and post production while still attending the University, making made sure to seek out practical knowledge and experience not just in the classroom but also in the real world of production. While in college Elisa was recruited to work for the local PBS affiliate, Arizona Public Media, where she was blessed enough to study under Emmy Award Winners who recognized her potential and taught her how to shoot, edit, light, produce, write and craft a story that would engage her audience in all genres. Elisa's drive, upbringing, and dedication to her clients has lead her to carve out a very successful career in both the film and television world as well as the television advertising industry. Her strong work ethic and ability to spot others who share her positive attitude, talent, and workplace philosophy has proved successful with numerous awards for projects that she has helmed or been a part of creating. Elisa now brings her 25 years of knowledge, experience, and expertise to her very own production company ArcLight Pictures.
Elisa's Skills: Video shooting, lighting, producing, editing, writing. Film & Video field & studio audio mixing, editing, sound design & restoration.
Elisa's Skills: Video shooting, lighting, producing, editing, writing. Film & Video field & studio audio mixing, editing, sound design & restoration.
Bobby Francis was born in Tucson while his father was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Growing up in a military family he had already been a world traveler by the age of 12. Gifted with an artistic heart and love of learning he quickly discovered computers and animation. Staying true to his sense of duty he joined the United States Navy right out of high school and served for over 7 years before returning to Tucson to join his now retired Air Force Captain Father Robert Francis & Mother Christine Francis.
He began studying computer animation at what is now the Southwest University of Visual Arts. Before graduating with a degree in computer animation, Bobby was offered his first position within the video production community at a local production house "Video Workshop" now known as "Firehouse Pictures." From there Bobby began to carve out a extremely successful career in the animation and editing fields but also as a cinematographer. He went on to work with an small, elite video production team at Raytheon Missile Systems who specialized in high end computer 3D animation, compositing and location filming, winning multiple awards in the process. Ready to step into his own company Bobby launched ArcLight Pictures with his wife and production partner Elisa Cota-Francis. He has gone on to win more awards including those for his amazing cinematography skills. Bobby's positive, kind, and hard working nature make him a crucial asset in the industry and a true success.
Bobby's Skills Set: Video shooting, lighting, location scouting, producing, editing, computer graphics & high end computer animation, special effect editor & post production sound engineering & restoration.
He began studying computer animation at what is now the Southwest University of Visual Arts. Before graduating with a degree in computer animation, Bobby was offered his first position within the video production community at a local production house "Video Workshop" now known as "Firehouse Pictures." From there Bobby began to carve out a extremely successful career in the animation and editing fields but also as a cinematographer. He went on to work with an small, elite video production team at Raytheon Missile Systems who specialized in high end computer 3D animation, compositing and location filming, winning multiple awards in the process. Ready to step into his own company Bobby launched ArcLight Pictures with his wife and production partner Elisa Cota-Francis. He has gone on to win more awards including those for his amazing cinematography skills. Bobby's positive, kind, and hard working nature make him a crucial asset in the industry and a true success.
Bobby's Skills Set: Video shooting, lighting, location scouting, producing, editing, computer graphics & high end computer animation, special effect editor & post production sound engineering & restoration.
In the News!
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Film business in Arizona busy despite lack of incentives The money saved is still being poured back into southern Arizona’s pockets. Sound mixer Elisa Cota-Francis of ArcLight Pictures said when one person in the local industry gets hired—it becomes a domino effect. "Then I think of who else can I hire and bring on? And then they say who do you know who does x.y. and z,” said Cota Francis. "It rolls one into the other and imagine that you’ve got taxes, you’ve got everything being paid into it and it’s all staying here. I mean we’re talking a huge chunk of the budget staying here in southern Arizona.”
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"It really works together to communicate to production companies that ‘hey come on out here we can save you money’ and this is how. Even though our state does not have a tax incentive we can still save you money in these ways,” said Jensen.
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Committee hopes to bring film industry back to Southern AZ The Town of Marana Film Office, headed by Laura Cortelyou, and the Marana Chamber Vice President Rebecca Kososkie, have also played significant roles in wanting to re-build the film industry. Cota Francis says it’s because they can see the revenue stream it would bring to Southern Arizona. Now, Cota Francis is hoping to show local businesses how they can benefit from bringing film back to the desert.
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"You own a company that provides water to construction sites, why can’t you do that with film locations for two weeks?"
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Marana launches initiative to attract the film industry Elisa Cota-Francis has worked in the film industry for over two decades, and she’s lived in the Tucson area for even longer. When she graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in film and television production, she had a vision of bringing film back to Southern Arizona. She figured one of the biggest steps she could take to see this goal through was to start her own production company. Thus, Arclight Pictures was born.
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