Monday, 20 July 2009 00:00

News

The San Diego Film Commission, a government-funded nonprofit economic development program empowered to attract, facilitate, troubleshoot, and permit filming in the San Diego region, continues to be a strong advocate for filming in San Diego despite a troubled economic climate.

The Commission, recognizing that the downturn in the economy has had a negative effect on the industry, has created a commercial film incentive called “Invest San Diego” which will be funded by a grant from the San Diego Film Commission Foundation. It is comprised of a rebate to any commercial that has at least a $25,000 budget, shoots 75% locally in San Diego and hires 50% local hires. Up to a $2000 rebate will be offered to qualified applicants to reimburse police, fire, posting for no parking and ranger fees. This incentive also has a workforce training program built in to help give recent film school graduates their first job experience and a head start on a professional resume.

Additionally, the Commission:

• On July 10 hosted Mayor Jerry Sanders on a trip to Los Angeles with Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, and DreamWorks studio heads of production to discuss how San Diego can attract more work.

• Initiated an aggressive marketing campaign using new marketing monies from a new funding source, The San Diego Tourism Promotional Corporation (TMD). These funds also allowed the Commission to exhibit at AFCI’s Locations Trade Show in Santa Monica.

• Continues to support industry networking events/fundraisers, such as the one on July 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Bristol Hotel, which will benefit the new commercial film incentive program.

• Has written letters to local advertising agencies urging them to hire local production companies and to keep the work in San Diego.

• Is working to offer secondary job opportunities for San Diego officers working film detail.

• Continues to write letters and meet with state legislators, local elected officials on issues such as film incentives.

Since its inception in 1976, the Commission has become recognized as one of the most effective, highly successful film commissions throughout the world, renowned for its services and dedication to fostering the growth of filmmaking in the San Diego region. This is thanks to revolutionizing the film permission process by implementing “roundtable meetings,” which put all the experts at one table, eliminating duplication and multiple trips to various public safety agencies and government departments.

Because of this, the number of San Diego-filmed projects has surged. Notable San Diego projects include: Simon & Simon, Top Gun, Silk Stalkings, Traffic, Antwone Fisher and even scenes in 2009’s summer blockbuster Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.

For more information about the San Diego Film Commission, visit: http://www.sdfilm.com/index.php

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