LOCAL FILM REVENUE REBOUNDS IN 2002(January 3, 2003)

(Ridgecrest)---Revenue from local film production has been much like the stock market the past few years, bouncing back and forth erratically, due in part to the problem of 'runaway production to Canada,' according to Film Commissioner Ray Arthur, "but we think 2002 was the turnaround year. And the next few years we'll enjoy steady growth for the foreseeable future."

Last year's film revenue is estimated at $5,414,000, compared to $4.1 million in 2001, $3.7 million in 1999. These figures compare to the record high total of $7.17 million in 1998, which was the culmination of several years of steady growth. 1998 was also the year that California first felt the pinch of competition from Canada, as our neighbor to the north began promoting a major incentive program to lure Hollywood moviemakers. The program, which included national and provincial tax incentives, lower Canadian labor wages, a 30 percent monetary exchange rate, as well as restrictions on U S crew size, combined to make Hollywood an offer it couldn't refuse. "One producer of TV Movies Of The Week explained it to me this way, 'For every three movies I produce in Canada, I get the fourth one free," said Ray Arthur.

Initially Arthur was relatively unconcerned about the Canadian power play, in that the greatest asset the Ridgecrest Regional Film Commission(RRFC) has to offer is its one of a kind locations, "Frankly, we thought we were bulletproof. Where would a production company find the Trona Pinnacles or dry lakebeds or open desert in Canada?" But in 1999 Arthur experienced the beginning of a three-year dry spell that not only saw a decline in feature film and television production, but the bread and butter category of television commercials. The combination of Canada's multi-level incentive package and the rising cost of TV commercials resulted in script rewrites and location changes. According to Arthur, dry lakebeds became lakes, desert roads became mountain roads and unique rock frmations became...replaceable.

This year's turnaround is being felt throughout the state with production increasing in many areas in California for the first time in five years, and for several reasons, "Canada eliminated or reduced several of its tax and wage giveaways last year, Hollywood producers cannot attract the quality or quantities of crew and actors in Canada, and Governor Davis's "Film California First" incentive program, which offers filmmakers cash rebates on virtually all public land fees, has been a huge success," Arthur notes.

This year's tally of most popular area film locations includes Cuddeback Lakebed, which captured first place honors with 94 days, due in part to the Disney feature HOLES which spent 10 weeks prepping and filming. Runner up was the Trona Pinnacles with 19 days. Two other locations logging double-digit days were Inyokern Airport with 17 and Cinder Mountain located just north of Fossil Falls with 15 days. Several sites that are rarely chosen saw additional work in 2002, including Dun Movin', IMC Chemical, Fremont Lakebed, Robber's Roost and the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. Additional film production occurred at Spangler Hills, Jawbone Canyon and Dove Springs OHV Areas, Searles Lakebed and several area roads.

The Ridgecrest Regional Film Commission markets the 10,000 square mile area in and around Ridgecrest that include parts of Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo and Tulare counties. The RRFC is one of 57 FLICS, Film Liaisons In California Statewide, that promote and market the state to all types of film production including features, television programs, commercials, documentaries, music videos, student films and still photography.