[Adobe Acrobat required]
Wm. S. Hart Union High School District What's Good &
School Board Roundup
College of the Canyons
Breaking News Bottom Line
Newhall School District NSD Today
Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center
The Mighty Oak
Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc. Health Matters
Santa Clarita Valley
Historical Society
Heritage Junction Dispatch
Organization: City of Santa Clarita
Date: February 3, 2009
City of Santa Clarita Film Office Sees Increases in Film Days and Economic Impact in January 2009
The City of Santa Clarita Film Office announced today that the month of January 2009 was the most successful to date, with the office overseeing more film days and reporting a higher economic impact for the month than any other January on record since the office's inception in 2002.
The City of Santa Clarita reported a total of 84 film days in the month, a 265 percent increase when compared to January 2008 when the City hosted 23 film days. Location filming for the month resulted in more than $2.3 million in economic benefit to Santa Clarita businesses, compared to January 2008 when $367,500 in economic impact was reported. The City of Santa Clarita Film Office issued 25 permits in January 2009, compared to 24 permits in January 2008.
The Film Office attributes the dramatic increase in film days to the steady base of local television production in Santa Clarita, which currently includes HBO's "Big Love," CBS's "NCIS" and "The Unit," and Discovery Channel's "Doing Da Vinci." And while the City of Santa Clarita is proud to start 2009 on a strong note, officials remain realistic about the coming months and what they will bring with the still-looming SAG strike and weakening economy.
"We are thrilled to start 2009 on such a strong note," said Mayor Frank Ferry. "Los Angeles' film community, which includes Santa Clarita, is really taking a hit with feature films leaving for other states and countries offering production incentives. However, Santa Clarita's ability to capture television production has really offset the losses and declines most cities are feeling in Southern California."
In addition to shows based in the City, several other television shows, like "24," "Heroes," "House," "Wipeout," and "My Name is Earl," regularly film on location in Santa Clarita. And in the month of January, the City also hosted several small budget feature film days and commercials.
Location filming is an important part of the Santa Clarita Valley economy, contributing an estimated $13.5 million in economic impact locally in the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2008-2009, which runs from July through June.
The City continues to market our valley as an ideal place to film and credits its success as a prime film destination to Santa Clarita's film-friendly neighborhoods and businesses, variety of locations, affordable permit and location fees, close proximity to Los Angeles, and access to talented industry professionals.
Santa Clarita businesses continue to make the area an ideal place to work in the industry's "30-Mile Zone," an industry designation that allows productions to save money on per diem and mileage, by keeping location and rental fees competitive. The residential communities are also a big part of the Santa Clarita Valley's success, with individual homeowners and neighborhoods working hand-in-hand with productions to make filming happen, even when it includes the occasional late hours and complicated scenes.
The City of Santa Clarita's Film Office was created to help attract and retain the filming industry including both location filming and film-related businesses. The office currently issues permits for all location filming within the City ensuring that there is a minimal impact on residents and businesses, promotes the City as an ideal place for the film industry to do businesses, and promotes the Santa Clarita Valley as a great place for location filming.
The film industry is a major economic engine of the City's economy, providing increased revenue for local programs through sales tax revenue, and jobs for residents. For more information about the Film Office, please contact City of Santa Clarita Economic Development Associate Jessica Freude at (661) 286-4103 or visit santa-clarita.com.
