Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office

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Sarasota Herald Tribune "Film Industry Stars in Sarasota County's Economic Success Story"

02/05/08

Film industry stars in Sarasota County's economic success story

Imagine earning $100,000 in only 10 days. The Sarasota County community did that when an upscale housewares catalog brought its photo shoot -- and related spending -- to the area in January. The project is just one example of the economic benefits Sarasota County can derive from proactively attracting the film and entertainment industry.

The catalog company had been considering Miami and other Florida locations, but the staff at the Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office provided extensive information, potential locations, photos and resources, leading the company to choose Sarasota.

In its first year operating as a division of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County, the film office has cultivated and served diverse productions, including small independent feature films, music videos, television programs and many other media projects. These have generated in excess of $1 million in direct local spending, while providing employment opportunities for area professionals whose skills are needed by visiting production companies. These companies also rent equipment, utilize lodging accommodations, buy goods, obtain services, and impact countless other facets of our local economy.

The film and entertainment business -- a targeted sector in the EDC's plan to diversify the local economy -- stands to bring several benefits to the community. Among them are:

Direct spending during production.

Expansion and creation of businesses and facilities that support production.

Attracting and retaining higher wage jobs related to the industry.

Expanding awareness of Sarasota County as a tourism destination.

Expanding film and other media production in our area attracts high-paying jobs and key professional individuals who work in this industry. The industry's growing presence will help retain professionals already living here. As the industry grows locally, workers in related fields will be challenged to improve their skills and competitiveness, raising the quality of our work force.

Every time the region is shown in a movie, TV ad or program, print ad or new media spot, we gain recognition across a broad spectrum of viewers. This "unpaid" advertising attracts tourism and additional business investment.

To achieve these benefits, the film office targets appropriate industry professionals with information about our community. We help companies identify and clear locations, hire crew members, recruit volunteers, define jurisdictions and navigate governmental permitting processes.

These efforts, in addition to attracting the high-end catalog shoot, recruited a video stock footage shoot and several independent films, corporate and industrial shoots, television and video projects, and more. This represented approximately $300,000 in local spending in the first quarter of the film office's new fiscal year.

In late 2007, location managers from Hollywood explored Sarasota County at the film office's invitation to scout potential locations for productions planned in the next 24 months. A major feature could represent millions of dollars in direct spending in the area, plus millions' worth of advertising value. The visitors are professionals who determine locations and make recommendations for high-profile features like "Spider-Man," "Transformers," and "The Kite Runner." The event garnered national media exposure, including an article in USA Today.

The film office also is reaching out to TV networks and cable outlets, suggesting topics and story lines that could be shot in Sarasota County. This is an ongoing effort to incubate production and create new opportunities.

What is important to the companies making location decisions? A welcoming attitude, the quality of performance in meeting their needs, and a commitment to responsiveness -- from the Film Office as the first line of contact to the people providing the labor, goods and services. The community not only must want the industry, but we must be 100 percent dedicated to serving it fully with excellence.

To offer services or learn more about the Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office, visit the Web site at www. filmsarasota.com.



We are happy to connect you with Sarasota County's amazing locations, resources and incentives for all of your film, TV, radio and print location needs.

Experience the best Florida has to offer all in one location. From waterfront locations with beaches, islands, bay fronts, bridges and marinas to wilderness locations with forests, ranching communities and tropical jungles and urban locations with art galleries, modern buildings and historical architecture -- we have it all.

Imagine your production's possibilities when combined with our compelling locations and service. As a full-service film commission and a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International, we are dedicated to ensuring your production's success. We offer the film industry's first customized, online Production Directory of crew, vendors, services, equipment and contacts for all of your production needs. In addition, we also provide location scouting assistance, permitting guidance, location photography assistance, intergovernmental support, research and reference materials, problem-solving and information-gathering.

Let us help you bring your production to life.