Very simply we need to start building more infrastructure in Florida & continue to pay it forward to others who desire to help build the industry here as well... regardless of the fact that we can make more money elsewhere. A lot of people complain that productions here dont pay but this isnt a Florida problem it is an independent filmmaking problem due to high risk & lack of liquidity. It is a misunderstanding of where the money comes from & where it goes. Understandably, a union picture will pay more reliably & if you are union you will go where the money is because it is more of a career... but of course this leaves Florida in the same position. Also, indies can be skiddish about working with unions for the same lack of funding strength in Florida. But, of course, since the money isnt here as much as other places people leave... union or not. The unions just offer a different career path for filmmakers to continue growing no matter where you call home.
Injecting temporary funds (like incentives almost always do) represents a temporary injection in the business here. Once the incentives change, stop, or become politicized, the industry will once again revert to a state of inactivity. This is not my objective, nor should it be any of ours who are in Florida & who care about Florida as a state in which we can continue to do business. There is nothing 'bad' about going where the money is- we have to struggle to build our careers- but inevitably it means we're still left with the situation we have here in Florida... not enough reason to consistently stay in Florida.
My solution for Florida includes something for filmmakers & the state to participate in. For film producers... there needs to be a project or a studio (multiple ones really) that builds up Florida as a place to film by actually "making money"... getting good publicity (making Florida look good, not just on screen) and putting the profits back into the infrastructure here. It will need to be well produced & well promoted for this reason... and leaving the project to others outside of Florida afterward should not be done (like many other projects such as the Punisher was done). We should never cut & run if we hope to build something lasting... something that eventually pays to keep here because it pays for us to stay here.
As it comes to the Film Office... I think building a static project in Florida (such as a Studio funded primarily but temporarily by the state, which helps train independent filmmakers) would definitely bring productions to the local economy for an indefinite period of time, even after it changes hands to private industry. A Studio not only represents the greatest potential to maintain profits for the long run, but it represents local growth specifically.
New Mexico and Boston is an example of this. But, New Mexico, I believe, has not just created a studio but has also created strong incentives... so we have a specific case study to build from.
Of course, the competition for which metro area in Florida to break ground it could be INCREDIBLY fierce... it would have to be fairly planned out & would have to represent a long term commitment on the part of a substantial statewide grassroots effort. Possibly multiple studios could spring forth from this great commitment.
I think three locations have maximum potential... Orlando, Tampa Bay, & Miami are growing most consistently... and building studios in that order would be the best I think. I have to say though, Lakeland might help cover both Orlando & Tampa Bay areas if a multi-studio long term commitment cannot be created. Also, if this combination of forces creates a chain reaction of dual efforts... it will help build & spread out more business throughout Central Florida.
Also, the film commissioners need to modify & combine their efforts. They should team up & help put more Florida product out at film markets as opposed to just the fun fests out there... because Markets are really where the money is at. Attending just festivals out of state doesn't necessarily help bring money to Florida... but attending the AFM or Toronto's Market or Cannes' Market or Hong Kong's Market might. We as citizens are just paying them to be over-glorified travel agents it appears. It has nothing to do with the Film Industry. Just redirect money into Travel & Tourism instead of paying them to attend fun festivals to learn about event production... which also has nothing to do with the industry!
I think the citizens need to do more than the state though. The economy is lagging & I want our state to stay "in the black"! Keep building & growing you Florida filmmakers! Every bit of business growth by actually making great movies helps the entire economy!
Jon
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