April 13th / 15th, 2007
"Film Commission a Solid Investment"
Last week a little boy in Tobaccoville invested a few cents in a lemonade
stand, then promptly sold one glass of his beverage to actor George Clooney
who was in town to shoot a new movie. Clooney gave the boy a $20 tip. The
transaction was a microcosm of how film production impacts our economy. That'
s because film crews spend about 20 million dollars per year in our area.
But Clooney and others like him don't just appear here out of thin air.
They are recruited, wined, dined, and cajoled by one tireless woman who is
competing for their business against other cities, states, and countries.
Rebecca Clark is the Director of the Piedmont Triad Film Commission, and her
efforts on our behalf have netted us hundreds of millions of dollars and
international recognition.
Two years ago, for example, Clark was recognized at the Academy Awards, when
"Two Soldiers" took home an OSCAR . The short film was shot here in the
Triad, as were "Junebug", "Cabin Fever", and many others.
Film production is on the rise all over North Carolina, thanks in part to a
new incentives package that was passed by the legislature in August of last
year. The law provides for a full 15% tax credit on productions of $250,000 or
more. It is a move we had to make in order to stay competitive with
Virginia and Canada. But incentives aren't the main reason Hollywood production
companies keep coming to our area. The reason is the Film Commission and
Clark who provide an array of services, such as a vast photographic library of
over 1500 potential locations. Rebecca also provides on-site scouting of
filming locations, and she offers her valuable assistance to filmmakers both before
and during production.
Funding for the PTFC comes primarily from the 12 member localities it
serves, and, thanks to Clark, those members have seen a return on investment that
would make a Wall Street trader green with envy. That's because she brings in
anywhere from $200 to $500 in production money for every dollar contributed
to the Commission's meager budget. And that brings me to funding. It's
that time of year again when Clark must ask her member localities to sustain or
increase their annual contribution, and every year, she must wait patiently
and nervously to see if local officials will come through.
Over the years, Greensboro has been pretty consistent with its
contributions, giving $30,000 annually to PTFC. Guilford County also usually
donates $30,000 to the cause, although the County used to give $50,000 throughout much
of the last decade. And, High Point , a much smaller city than Greensboro, is
always supportive, giving $14,000 per year. The problem children are
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Mayor Allen Joines is a big cheerleader for
the Film Commission, but only manages to contribute $17,000 per year. Clark
will ask the Twin City for $50,000 this year, and Council should pay it
willingly. And then there's Forsyth County. Year after year, the Forysth County
Board of Commissioners have refused to give any money to support movie making in
the Triad. This is particularly embarrassing considering that Board
members like to brag that we are an arts mecca, and that two of Clark's last
recruits ("Fall Down Dead", and "The Key Man") brought in nearly 3 million
dollars to Forsyth County's economy.
The Film Commission only works if its member localities see the big picture,
that is, not every movie is going to be shot in all twelve localities at
once. One film may locate here and shoot in Guilford, while the next film may
spend money in Stokes and High Point. In the end it all evens out, and the
economic impact is a plus for everyone. Still, over time, Winston-Salem and
Forsyth County do get a large share of productions, so they should contribute
the largest percentage to Clark's budget. Instead, one coughs up a little
money, and the other gives nothing.
Film production is economic development no matter what critics say. Film
companies hire laborers, technicians, and actors , many of whom live in this
area. They purchase lumber and supplies form local stores. They rent
facilities, and the California-based crew members stay in our hotels, and eat in our
restaurants. They don't pollute the air, foul our streams, or demand 300
million dollars in free perks just for locating here. We need film companies
working in our area, especially given the increasing number of plant closings
and lay-offs. So I urge the Winston-Salem City Council and the Forsyth
County Commissioners to pony up their fair share of funding for the Piedmont
Triad Film Commission.
The little boy in Tobaccoville understood the importance of investing in
movies.
It's a lesson that shouldn't be lost on our local elected officials. |
