City Looks To Create Sacramento Film Office To Boost Area Film And Media Production

Source: Sacramento Business Journal, Scott Rodd
Photo: Sacramento is looking to establish a city department dedicated to expanding commercial film and media production in the area. Last year, Sacramento garnered national attention as the backdrop for Greta Gerwig’s film “Lady Bird.” (MERIE WALLACE)

Sacramento is looking to establish a city department dedicated to expanding commercial film and media production in the area.

In late January, Sacramento began accepting proposals from consulting firms to “conduct a film industry assessment of the City of Sacramento and oversee the development of a Film Office within the City,” according to a request for a proposals. Last year, Sacramento garnered national attention as the backdrop for the film “Lady Bird,” which earned five Academy Award nominations.

Currently, the city’s film commission is overseen by Visit Sacramento, the organization tasked with bolstering tourism. Jody Ulich, the director of Sacramento’s convention and cultural services department, said the city plans to work with Visit Sacramento to convert the existing film commission into a city department. Ulich said the city has been reviewing opportunities to expand film production in Sacramento for over a year as it developed its Creative Edge Plan to promote arts, culture and the creative economy.

The recent request for proposals seeks a consulting firm to assess the existing and future film production market in Sacramento, and recommend ways to enhance the market. The request also seeks assistance with the development of the city film office.

Lucy Steffens, film commissioner with Visit Sacramento, believes the effort to attract film crews to Sacramento should include a local incentive.

“We certainly have the locations,” Steffens told the Business Journal. “These days, there has to be a financial incentive. We have a state incentive, but not a local incentive.”

Steffens suggested the city should consider a cash incentive to lure film crews to Sacramento.

Beverly Lewis, film commissioner for Placer County, said local incentives can be effective for attracting film crews that have already selected California and are scouting for filming locations.

“If a production is getting a state incentive and they’re shopping around, (local incentives) are just another reason to come to an area,” Lewis told the Business Journal.

California offers $330 million in tax credits to support film production statewide.

Placer County, according to Lewis, offers incentives like waiving permit fees and offering short-term office space for production crews.

Last year, Placer County saw just under $2 million in direct local economic impact as a result of film and media productions, according to Lewis. Much of that direct economic impact came from filming commercials and product photo shoots.

“Everybody thinks it’s about bringing in the ‘big movie,’” Lewis said. “Those are rare productions … The big ones are not the bread and butter.”

Recent productions in Placer County include an Izod product shoot and a BF Goodrich product launch, according to Lewis.

Sacramento anticipates awarding the consulting contract in early March. The assessment is expected to take six to 12 months.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2019/02/06/city-looks-to-create-sacramento-film-office