MM’s Top 10 U.S. Cities to be a Moviemaker 2006

MM's sixth annual survey of America's best places to live, work and make movies

Jennifer M. Wood with Lily Percy | Published January 21, 2006

If it's true that we learn something new every day, then since we first began researching the best places to live and work as an independent American moviemaker we’ve learned approximately 2,192 new things (counting two leap years)... which, of course, is an enormous understatement.

In compiling our list of the 10 best places to make movies, we speak with hundreds of people—film commissioners, directors, writers, actors, location scouts, etc.—to find out just what makes their city tick, especially with regard to quality of life issues of interest to moviemakers. Beyond the influx of dollars and number of production days (which are important) or the films that have defined the city in the past and will in the future, or the number of film festivals, organizations and education programs, what remains? When you strip away the glitz and glamour (or dirt and grime, depending on where you’re shooting), what do you find? What is the soul of the place? The answer to that very subjective question, divined from mostly objective sources, is the question we work hard to answer each year.

As in past surveys, there are a few expected cities in this 2006 edition—and a few surprises, too. New York and Austin continue to battle it out for the top spot, but there’s strong competition from Chicago, Portland, Oregon and Philadelphia, as well. The south is also rising, with cities such as Atlanta, Miami, Wilmington and Memphis all accommodating the needs of independent moviemakers in excellent fashion. And the west coast should never be counted out—both Los Angeles and Portland are edging upward in our rankings.

So, without further blather, we give you the 10 best cities to be in if you’re an indie moviemaker in 2006. (As always, we look forward to hearing your comments.)

New York City’s Central Park

1. NEW YORK, NY
LAST YEAR: #1
If You Can Make it Here…

Just when you thought the city of New York had done everything it possibly could to secure its place at the very top of this list, they do such a good job plugging their new incentive program that they have a banner year—bringing $600 million into the city and creating jobs for more than 6,000 New Yorkers, according to Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting.

Spurred on largely by the city’s revolutionary “Made in NY” program—where qualified film productions receive a five percent tax credit from the city in addition to the state’s 10 percent credit, along with free advertising on bus shelters, the NASDAQ Marketsite Tower, in Times Square and beyond—New York’s moviemaking community just keeps growing. Moviemakers looking to use the Big Apple backdrop are finding this to be a very good thing; the enthusiasm within the community seems contagious, and nobody wants to see it end.

“The ‘Made in NY’ incentive program has made it an incredible year for production in New York,” says film commissioner Katherine Oliver. “Not only has the city been successful in retaining the films set in New York, but we have also lured projects such as The Departed, which is set in Boston, and Fast Track, in which Staten Island doubles for Ohio.”

Writer-director Bart Freundlich was one of the first moviemakers to benefit from the program, which he says “really, really benefitted” his indie production of Trust the Man. (Though he notes that the city’s natural beauty, or “built-in production design,” is the best part of shooting in his hometown.)

Based on the success of the program, which was introduced by Mayor Bloomberg on January 3, 2005, in June the city announced an additional component, the Made in NY Discount Card, which entitles its carrier to discounts with more than 400 citywide vendors in 27 categories.

So is all this a genuine, long-term attempt at bringing moviemaking back to the city or is it just an elaborate political rouse designed for short-term attention and headlines? Why would anyone—let alone a government entity—invest the time and money into such an artistically-minded endeavor? The answer, of course, is simple: Economics. The film community gives back, big time.

“New York City’s production industry employees 100,000 New Yorkers, contributes $5 billion to our local economy on an annual basis and brings our city to audiences around the world,” enthuses Oliver. As part of their new outreach initiative, the Mayor’s Office is even adding an education component to their offerings, which it hopes will assist local moviemakers in advancing in their careers.

In association with the Independent Feature Project, the film office also announced the Independent Film Training Grant Initiative, which will encourage moviemakers to personally train their crew to advance their careers to the next position. (With production grants of up to $25,000 per person offered to offset the cost of training, moviemakers are going to be begging to help their crewmembers learn.)

“With the ‘Made in NY’ incentive program, Mayor Bloomberg and Katherine Oliver have effectuated the single most important change in New York City’s viability as a film and television destination,” says Dick Wolf, creator and executive producer of “Law & Order.”

Oliver and company remain steadfast in their commitment to make the Big Apple the place to make movies once again in 2006. “We are committed to building off of the successes of 2005 to continue to strengthen and grow the city’s media and industry sector,” says Oliver.

“New York City has always offered filmmakers free permits,” Oliver says, “along with free police assistance, free access to unparalleled locations, the finest crews and richest talent pool. Now, with a rich incentive program, there is no reason to not ‘make it in New York.’”

RECENT FILMS: The Devil Wears Prada, The Inside Man, Across the Universe, The Squid and the Whale, Trust the Man
SEMINAL FILMS: Manhattan, Mean Streets, Do the Right Thing, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Godfather
LOCAL LEGENDS: Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Woody Allen, Wes Anderson, James Toback
FILM FESTIVALS: New York Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Independent Feature Film Market, New York Avignon Film Festival
FILM EDUCATION: Columbia University, New York University, New York Film Academy, School of Visual Arts
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Tribeca Film Institute, IFP, New York Film/Video Council NEW YORK CITY MAYOR’S OFFICE OF FILM, THEATRE & BROADCASTING 1697 Broadway, Suite 602 - New York, NY 10019 - 212/489-6710 - www.nyc.gov/film

Cinematographer Dan Parsons shoots in Austin.

2. AUSTIN, TEXAS
LAST YEAR: #2
Indie Stalwart

Holding steady in our number two position, in lauding Austin we could tell you all sorts of things. We could talk about the work of the Austin Film Society and their first-class facilities at Austin Studios. Or we could mention the Hollywood players who are an indelible part of the city’s film community. But Austin’s placement on this list—and its reputation as a genuine indie moviemaking haven—isn’t anything you don’t know about already (particularly if you’re a regular reader of this magazine).

In the six years we’ve been ranking the best places to be an indie moviemaker, the city has cracked the top five every year without breaking a sweat. But unlike what you may hear about those laidback Texans, popularity has not bred complacency with these folks. Each year, the Austin Film Commission manages to outdo itself in bringing exciting new programs and initiatives to the city, from the smallest detail to the biggest.

For example, the Austin Film Guide got a makeover for the new year, looking just as impressive on the outside as it is, information- wise, on the inside. (It will soon be available online at the Film Commission’s Website, www.austinfilmcommission.org, which is getting a revamp of its own.) Also new to the city is their utilization of Reel-Scout location management software which, according to Film Commission director Gary Bond “has absolutely changed my life and increased my productivity by a ton.” Reel-Scout is a program with unlimited storage capabilities which streamlines the location scouting process, cataloging photos and data on filming locales. “We’ve got about 600 locations, thousands of photos and something like 80 active projects in that system right now,” says Bond. Which translates to a faster response for moviemakers looking for that perfect Austin setting.

Best of all, the city respects the passion— and pocketbooks—of its indie community. They know that moviemaking is a win-win situation, whether you’re making a multimillion-dollar feature starring Sandra Bullock or a $250 production with your dad’s digital camcorder.

“The city has virtually eliminated all charges for street, sidewalk and alley closures,” says Bond “so long as the production company complies with the permit as issued.” We don’t think they’ll have much trouble in that department.

RECENT FILMS: How to Eat Fried Worms, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: the Origin, Fast Food Nation, Revolver, Grind House, Idiocracy, The Ringer
SEMINAL FILMS: Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Blood Simple, Sin City
LOCAL LEGENDS: Robert Rodriguez, Richard Linklater, Mike Judge
FILM FESTIVALS: Austin Film Festival, Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, SXSW
FILM EDUCATION: Austin Community College, Motion Media Arts Center, University of Texas
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: The Austin Film Society, Reel Women
AUSTIN FILM COMMISSION 301 Congress Ave., Suite 200 - Austin, TX 78701 - 512/583-7229 - www.austinfilmcommission.org

Portland, Oregon is home to a close-knit group of indie moviemakers.

3. PORTLAND, OR
LAST YEAR: #5
Best Unkept Secret

Ask a portland moviemaker why he or she chooses to live and make movies in Oregon’s capital city and you’ll get a laundry list of reasons. Then you’ll be asked to keep it quiet.

Like the twist ending of a Hollywood blockbuster, Portland’s indie community wants to keep their secret safe—and sacred. “The best thing I can say about Portland is that I don’t want anyone else to shoot movies here,” confides Dog Hole Pictures’ Todd Freeman. “Portland is me and my friends’ clubhouse to make movies. Please do not come here unless you know the pass phrase. That being said... the secret to Portland’s success is that if you visit, you never want to leave. It’s just one of those places. Around every corner lies inspiration and enthusiasm for everything you could ever want to shoot.”

Freeman’s not alone in his appreciation of this magical city, where independence is the norm. (It is, after all, the home base of iconoclastic directors Todd Haynes and Gus Van Sant, as well as novelist Chuck Palahniuk and many other well-known artists and original thinkers.) Last year, the city brought in almost $20 million just in out-of-state productions. They’re so busy, in fact, that they’ve had to hire a “one-stop film permit person” to help facilitate all the filming requests.

In addition to their Oregon Production Investment Fund, which affords a 10 percent rebate on production-related expenditures, the state legislature recently approved a new labor rebate incentive, which will give a tax credit of approximately 6.2 percent to all qualified productions spending at least $1 million.

But you don’t have to spend $1 million to take advantage of all this area has to offer. “You could never find a more suitable location for finding the most talented crews, the best actors and the most exciting indie films being made for under $1 million,” boasts Freeman. “But don’t tell anyone about how awesome I think it is; I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag. Well, just in case you tell a few of your close friends, the pass phrase to get in is: You, Me and Every Drugstore Cowboy We Know From Heaven.” Better write that one down!

RECENT FILMS: Sasquatch Dumpling Gang, Thumbsucker
SEMINAL FILMS: Mean Creek, Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho
LOCAL LEGENDS: Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant
FILM FESTIVALS: The 48 Hour Film Project, Northwest Film & Video Festival, PDX Festival, PISS! Fest, Portland International Film Festival, POW! Fest
FILM EDUCATION: The Art Institute of Portland, NW Film Center, Portland State University
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: NW Documentary Arts & Media, Portland AIVF Salon, Portland Community Media
THE OREGON FILM & VIDEO OFFICE One World Trade Center - 121 SW Salmon, Suite 1205 - Portland, OR 97204 - 503/229-5832 - www.oregonfilm.org

Chicago, Illinois is a city famous for its acting talent.

4. CHICAGO, IL
LAST YEAR: #6
Homegrown Talent

Maybe it’s the lure of seeing Jennifer Aniston dining and shopping about town while filming Derailed and The Break-Up here. Or the fact that “Prison Break,” one of television’s hottest shows, is shooting here. Whatever the reason, after several years of moving up and down in these rankings, Chicago seems to have landed firmly back on its feet as one of the nation’s most filmfriendly destinations. A lot of the credit goes to the city’s creative community, which seems to love the city enough to either stay here to work—or return from places like Hollywood to get their movies made. As a result, much of the work made here is done so independently.

But putting Chicago’s homegrown artists aside, as well as the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act (which offers a 25 to 35 percent tax credit on wages), there is one shining ing reason why Chicago makes sense: The talent! “A lot of actors gain their training in Chicago before heading out to New York for theater and Los Angeles for film,” says director Niles Maxwell of Balanced Productions. “There is an amazing pool of talent to choose from, in particular for directors and producers seeking actors with comedic training. We have three major improv comedy venues here: Annoyance Theatre, Improv Olympic and Second City.”

Ricardo Islas of ALPHA Studios concurs: “Chicago is a great place to shoot for indie filmmakers not only for its locations, but also because, along with New York, it has the best acting schools in America. That means a huge pool of talent looking to get a first chance.”

But the talent does not just lie with Chicago’s thespians. “There is also Columbia College, which churns out people who are highly skilled in the technical side of filmmaking. For these reasons, it’s been easy to find cast and crew members to join my team,” says Maxwell. “I don’t think I would want to make films anywhere else,” Maxwell says. We certainly understand that passion.

RECENT FEATURES: The Amityville Horror, The Break-Up, Derailed, King’s Ransom, The Weather Man, Proof
SEMINAL FILMS: Adam’s Rib, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, BackDraft, The Untouchables
LOCAL LEGENDS: John Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Vince Vaughn, John Hughes
FILM FESTIVALS: Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, Women in the Director’s Chair Festival
FILM EDUCATION: Columbia College Chicago, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The University of Chicago
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: Facets, Cinema Chicago, Women in Film Chicago
CHICAGO FILM OFFICE 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 806 - Chicago, IL 60602 - 312/744-6415 - www.cityofchicago.org/FilmOffice

Philadelphia hero M. Night Shyamalan directs Paul Giamatti in Lady in the Water (2006).

5. PHILADELPHIA, PA
LAST YEAR: #3
There’s No Place Like Home

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: If these rankings were based on sheer excitement alone, Philadelphia would come out on top every time. But even with all the other criteria mixed in, they’re not doing so poorly. (Particularly considering the entire Greater Philadelphia Film Office is helmed by fewer than 10 people.)

In July, 2005, the state legislature ruled to base its generous 20 percent tax credit on a first come, first served basis. Which means that it pays to shoot early in Pennsylvania. The upside, according to the Greater Philadelphia Film Office’s executive director, Sharon Pinkenson, is that this credit applies to “every dollar spent on the ground in Pennsylvania, even equipment rented elsewhere but used in PA and hires from other states for every day they work in PA. Consequently, this year there was a tremendous rush for production to begin as soon as possible after July 1, 2005, when the annual allotment became available.”

Those films lucky enough to cash in on the deal—literally— included M. Night Shyamalan’s Lady in the Water, starring Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard and Disney’s Invincible, with Mark Wahlberg and Greg Kinnear.

In addition to its film work, which includes everything from the tiniest indie to the largest studio film, the city also snagged a new television series, “The Block.” “The creator and director, Sri Rao, is a PA native, University of Pennsylvania graduate and another wonderful example of how we are nurturing our local talent to be able to have blockbuster careers without leaving home,” says Pinkenson.

Why would they? With no permits required to shoot on city streets, sidewalks or alleyways, the city of Brotherly Love offers that major metropolitan background that adds legitimacy and production value to so many films, with a variety of distinct neighborhoods that can easily work for any genre of film. (Shyamalan’s filmography alone pays tribute to this diversity, having shot all of his films in the area). “The key is being able to have a home base that you’re comfortable in and be able to go wherever a project may take you,” says director Don Argott of 9.14 Pictures.

As for any new developments: The film office is working with the mayor to develop a specific City of Philadelphia incentive program, in an effort to “drive production directly to the city,” says Pinkenson. Though they hope to have this in place in early 2006, at press time, no confirmed details were available.

RECENT FILMS: The Lady in the Water, Shadowboxer, Invincible, In Her Shoes
SEMINAL FILMS: Philadelphia, The Sixth Sense, Dawn of the Dead
LOCAL LEGENDS: Lee Daniels, M. Night Shyamalan
FILM FESTIVALS: FirstGlance, Philadelphia Film Festival, Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
FILM EDUCATION: Temple University, University of the Arts
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: Philadelphia Film Society
THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA FILM OFFICE 100 S. Broad Street, Suite 600 - Philadelphia, PA 19110 - 215/686-2668; 215/686-3663 (Hotline) - www.film.org

Micah Marie, Brandon Green, Bjorn Noren and Anthony Solorzana shoot on an LA rooftop.

6. LOS ANGELES, CA
LAST YEAR: #7
The Invisible Moviemaker

“I’ve always found it curious that when people speak of regional filmmaking they mean filmmaking outside of LA, as if we who are from Los Angeles are all somehow tainted by Hollywood,” says writer-director Brandon Wilson (The Man Who Couldn’t). As the epicenter of big-studio moviemaking, it can be easy to forget how many indie moviemakers thrive in LA, too, taking coffee orders by day and making movies by night—and making them their way, not the Hollywood way.

“The first two things many regional filmmakers talk about is 1) the thrill of shooting in virgin locations and 2) the enthusiasm many people have toward their endeavor since the idea of shooting a movie in Town X is exotic and thrilling,” continues Wilson. “Neither of these is particularly applicable to shooting in LA. But what many people, including many of us who live here, fail to appreciate is that Los Angeles is a huge and diverse metropolis. And while many of the more photogenic areas have been used by others, there are plenty of areas where no one ever shoots.”

Add to that the fact that Angelenos are surrounded by some of the world’s most fabulously talented craftsmen—from actors, writers, DPs, editors, etc. still looking for their first big break to the skilled musicians, post people and effects gurus who can put those perfect final touches on your project—and you’ve got yourself one hell of a talent pool (which can be easily accessed, especially from the local film schools, where tomorrow’s stars are busy honing their techniques). Plus, the amount of competition keeps prices low–and most companies are willing to negotiate even beyond that.

Offers Wilson: “While Angelenos may not greet your filming with excitement and magnanimity, the trade-off is that in LA, if your crew is small enough, people, including the cops (and we shot my feature without permits) leave you alone. That invisibility may be just what you need to make your day and make the best movie you can.”

RECENT FILMS: Crash, Something New, Thank You for Smoking, Fun with Dick and Jane, Kissing Katie Holmes
SEMINAL FILMS: Clueless, Swingers, The Player, To Live and Die in L.A., Pulp Fiction
LOCAL LEGENDS: Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Singleton
FILM FESTIVALS: AFI Fest, FirstGlance, Los Angeles Film Festival, Screamfest LA
FILM EDUCATION: AFI, Columbia College Hollywood, UCLA, USC, Los Angeles Film School
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: IFP West, AFI, DGA, SAG, WGA, Los Angeles Filmmakers Alliance
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 1201 W. 5th Street, Suite T-800 - Los Angeles, CA 90017 - 213/977-8600 - www.eidc.com

Miami’s natural beauty provides a gorgeous backdrop.

7. MIAMI, FL
LAST YEAR: #8
Coming Full Circle

There’s no denying the heat in Miami—both in terms of the weather and the buzz that has returned to the city in recent years. Once a playground to the rich, the city took a downturn in the ’80s, in its “Miami Vice” days when it also had the dubious distinction as the murder capital of America. But the recent influx of A-List star power has once again made Miami, Florida the place to be.

Though its industry is still dominated by commercials and television, motion pictures make up about 10 percent of the action, which isn’t bad considering the entertainment industry brought in approximately $165 million in 2005 alone.

What’s the draw? What isn’t the draw would be an easier question to answer. The city offers one-stop permitting for most local municipalities (including Miami-Dade, the City of Miami, Miami Beach and beyond) and even offers online permitting, so that you can do it at your convenience. The state does not charge any sales tax on production equipment rentals and purchases, nor on goods manufactured or produced in Florida (even if they’re being used outside of the state). Florida’s Discount and Deals program offers discounts and special pricing to moviemakers on a number of local services and goods.

Considering the city’s rise to fame in the 1980s with “Miami Vice,” it seems as if Miami has come full circle: One of the biggest and most anticipated features coming out of Miami this year will be Michael Mann’s bigscreen adaptation of the classic cop drama.

RECENT FILMS: Miami Vice, Meet the Fockers, Transporter 2, Red Eye
SEMINAL FILMS: Scarface, Bad Boys, Out of Sight, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, There’s Something about Mary, The Birdcage
LOCAL LEGENDS: Andy Garcia
FILM FESTIVALS: Miami International Film Festival, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Miami Children’s Museum Film Festival
FILM EDUCATION: University of Miami, Miami-Dade Community College, Florida International University
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: Miami Beach Film Society
MIAMI-DADE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF FILM & ENTERTAINMENT 111 NW 1 Street, #2540 - Miami, FL 33128 - 305/375-3288 - www.filmmiami.org

Baltimore's Little Italy Film Festival.

8. BALTIMORE, MD
LAST YEAR: #9
Getting to It

Since relocating his business from Los Angeles to Baltimore, Elvis Avrum Cohen, president and CEO of Hennessey Entertainment, Ltd., a boutique marketing, advertising and PR firm, has been “overwhelmed with more pitches, e-mail, snail mail, etc. I think a lot of folks are fed up with the Hollywood way of treating people.”

Perhaps that’s why Charm City has been a hotbed of independent activity since even before “independent film” as we know it existed. Of course, no conversation of movies and Baltimore would be complete without the mention of the city’s well-known patron saint. “Baltimore is a fantastic place to make an independent film and to be an independent filmmaker,” says moviemaker Jon Jolles. “Why? We’re the friggin’ home of independent moviemaking, for chrissakes. John Waters was doing it here before people even knew what an independent film was— before there was a name for it. Back then it was a ‘midnight movie.’”

But Baltimore offers great diversity, too. Some of the city’s recent offerings include Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s documentary The Boys of Baraka, Shane Felux’s Star Wars: Revelations, Lee Tamahori’s xXx: State of the Union and Steven Gaghan’s Syriana, proving once and for all that you really can do it all in Baltimore.

Concludes Jolles: “Our cost of living is probably the cheapest of all the big east coast cities—perfect for the indie filmmaker. Add to that great artists, musicians, actors, characters, eccentrics and just plain crazy-ass freaks and you’ve got the place any indie filmmaker should be. You can struggle in Los Angeles or shell out all your dough in New York City. Or you can come to Baltimore and get to it.”

RECENT FILMS: Ladder 49, A Dirty Shame, xXx: State of the Union, The Boys of Baraka
SEMINAL FILMS: Diner, Pink Flamingos, Home for the Holidays
LOCAL LEGENDS: Barry Levinson, John Waters, Divine
FILM FESTIVALS: Maryland Film Festival, Microcinefest
FILM EDUCATION: University of Maryland, Towson University
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: The Creative Alliance, Women in Film and Video of Maryland
MARYLAND FILM OFFICE 217 E. Redwood Street, 9th Floor - Baltimore, MD 21202 - 800/333-6632; 410/767-6340 - www.marylandfilm.org

Making movies is a way of life in Wilmington, NC.

9. WILMINGTON, NC
LAST YEAR: UNRANKED
People are Talking

It’s a funny thing. In the six years we’ve been compiling this list, Wilmington has only made it on here once (and that was as an honorable mention). Though there’s a ton of activity here, much of it is in the television sector, which is why the city has always been on the short list but never quite cracked the countdown.

What’s different this year? Part of the reason MovieMaker initiated this “Best Places to Live” feature series was to create a conversation in the national film community— one where we could learn about places outside of Los Angeles and New York that were experiencing a moviemaking renaissance. Perhaps the place we hear about most is Wilmington, North Carolina.

Each year, we receive countless letters and phone calls about the city’s exclusion, with what seems like a community-wide effort to let us know just what we’re missing. They’ve sold us. This list is as much about living in a place as it is about working there, and Wilmington offers excellent opportunities on both counts.

Opportunities for work abound, says director Bo Webb (Dead Heist), who moved to Wilmington in 1992 and quickly found work. “It was booming here at the time, and I became friends with a bunch of people like me who wanted to make movies,” he recalls. “We all worked on big (usually awful) movies to pay the rent, then would work on each others’ short films for fun between shows. It’s a perfect setup for what I want to do in life.”

When pressed for specifics, Webb is happy to oblige: “It’s not LA or New York, but there’s still a thriving film business here. You can make a living at it. Rent and mortgages are cheap. Filmmaking infrastructure is in place here—sound stages, camera and lighting/ grip rental, high quality post-production services, film-friendly locations and a large crew base. The crews here work on big shows, but are not snobby about working on little projects ‘for the love’ between paying jobs. Locals enthusiastically support the idea of indigenous NC filmmaking. Most here agree that although large, out-of-town productions taught us to ride, we’re anxious to ditch the training wheels via independent film.”

From the city’s most recent output, it sounds like this transformation is already happening. Three Wilmington-shot films will premiere in Park City this January: Paul Fitzgerald’s Forgiven, Erica Dunton’s Find Love and D.B. Sweeney’s Dirt Nap.

“With beautiful beaches and a historic downtown, Wilmington provides the perfect getaway for filmmakers looking to escape the stress and expense of working in larger, more expensive regions,” says Legion Production Services’ Neil Boone.

RECENT FILMS: Find Love, Forgiven, Dirt Nap
SEMINAL FILMS: Blue Velvet, The Crow, A Walk to Remember, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
FILM FESTIVALS: Cucalorus, Port City Animation Festival, Sometime in October Film Festival
FILM EDUCATION: UNC Wilmington
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: Cape Fear Independent Film
WILMINGTON REGIONAL FILM COMMISSION 1223 North 23rd Street - Wilmington, NC 28405 - 910/343-3456 - www.wilmington-film.com

Memphis's renowned Beale Street is a great place to eat, listen to music--and make movies.

10. MEMPHIS, TN
LAST YEAR: UNRANKED
Moviemaking with Soul

You don’t attract the business of Hollywood’s elite (including Milos Forman, Sydney Pollack, James Mangold, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, Robert Zemeckis and Joel Schumacher)—or rave reviews, for that matter—by eating barbeque on Beale Street all day. The difference in Memphis is in the details.

It’s just like a Southern city to promote such thoughtful details as Fed Ex drop-offs as late as 11:30 p.m. (the city is home to the delivery giant’s corporate headquarters) and the wide availability of local musical talent as some of their key benefits. (The Film Office tells the story of Cookie’s Fortune co-producer David Levy simply walking to Beale Street to find the music for the film’s soundtrack.)

But just like the big guys, Memphis offers some serious cost savings, too, including hotel tax exemptions after 30 days and a complete refund of sales and use tax on goods and services (currently 9.25 percent).

Dollars aside, Memphis has a surprising variety of diverse locations, as the city is just minutes away from farmlands, flatlands and the Mississippi Delta. It’s not any city that could work equally well for Mangold’s Walk the Line, Iñarritu’s 21 Grams and Craig Brewer’s Hustle & Flow. (Brewer pays further tribute to the city that inspired him on the film’s Website, www.hustleandflow.com, where he has created a separate page for his favorite Memphis hangouts.)

“Memphis has everything a big city does but is still small enough to be welcoming to filmmakers,” says director Matt Beickert (Dummy... A Love Story). “Most importantly, it’s got that special Memphis vibe that has fostered so much of the most powerful music ever recorded.”

RECENT FILMS: Hustle & Flow, Walk the Line, Forty Shades of Blue
SEMINAL WORKS: Mystery Train, Great Balls of Fire!, The Client, The People vs. Larry Flynt
LOCAL LEGENDS: Craig Brewer, Morgan Freeman
FILM FESTIVALS: Indie Memphis Film Festival, Memphis International Film Festival
FILM ORGANIZATIONS: Live from Memphis, Tennessee Film & Music Commission
MEMPHIS & SHELBY COUNTY FILM COMMISSION 50 Peabody Place, Suite 250 - Memphis, TN 38103 - www.memphisfilmcomm.org

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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by Luisa Piette on 9/03/07 at 9:59 pm

Great to see Austin, Texas, still ranked high among the top ten best locations in the US to shoot indie movies. Watch out for the upcoming movie shot in Austin, “Power Trip”, by young Directors John Piette and Vincent DiDaniele. Initial funding for the comedy-style movie came from private sources, particularly from Spicewood Films, a new production house founded by Matthew Piette, John Piette and myself, Luisa Piette. More post production funds are still needed for what promises to be a thrilling sci-fi comedy to be released in the early winter months.

Luisa
Austin, Texas

Comment by ermina on 3/10/08 at 1:48 pm

i am intrested in moviemaking

Comment by karthik cmouli on 4/13/08 at 5:42 am

Well, NY sure, but Seattle, I never thought that seattle would indeed be a great place for a budding filmmaker. I had always thought that seattle is more or less okay for serials and for kelsey grammar,

Comment by karthik cmouli on 4/13/08 at 5:55 am

I had always found independent films to be a pleasure to watch but so ofteh when the independent films get a certain bit of success they go all the way commercial, which is really a shame.

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