- December 20, 2024
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The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in May to move forward with a plan to create incentives for filming and producing movies in Central Florida.
Officials believe a financial incentive could attract creative talent, promote local businesses, showcase the county’s unique assets, and lure filmmakers and production companies to the area.
The charge is being led by Commissioner Emily Bonilla.
“People in arts and culture do it for passion,” she said at the May meeting. “The arts in our community help with mental health. … It brings people together. It’s so needed in our community. Film is an art, and I think that’s forgotten sometimes. … Film is suffering here in Orange County, and it needs support. The economic development benefits have an immediate impact. … It’s a no-brainer. … We can so easily become the next East Hollywood. I am so excited about this, where it’s going to go and where we are going to be in a couple of years.”
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
The County Commission has opted to create a group of experts who will work together to make recommendations on what these film production tax incentives could look like. These members will provide recommendations on establishing a film program to determine the purpose, costs and tasks, including permits and incentive management.
A sample proposal submitted by Bonilla to the Orange County Comptroller outlines specific requirements for the incentive program, such as minimum spending thresholds, promotion and marketing requirements, employment and workforce development, financial incentives, and infrastructure and community engagement.
Bonilla’s documents estimate Florida has missed out on roughly $1.5 billion in tax revenue within the last few years.
Statewide competitors with film incentive offices and programs include Palm Beach, Broward and Duval counties.
There already are many filming locations in Orange County ready to go for potential productions.
The program is in the early stages, and officials currently are working to select the group of experts who will lead the plans.
Subject matter experts will include members from Orange County, Walt Disney World, Film Florida, Visit Orlando, Universal Orlando and the University of Central Florida.
‘LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION!’
The film production community has called the commission’s decision a game-changer that could help create jobs, promote local businesses and hotel stays.
Winter Garden’s Franny Titus, actor and board member of All of the Line Studio & Incubator — a production company that helps elevate local artists with professional readiness and work experience within the film industry — was one of the residents to make public comments at the May meeting.
“I’ve grown up in West Orange County my entire life and have seen the opportunities the incentive brought when I was a kid in this industry and the opportunities it’s taken away from me by not having it,” she said. “I feel robbed of a dream that was very tangible for me as a young girl growing up here and then was nonexistent as a young adult.
“Now, as a mother of two and business owner myself, I feel very compelled to fight for what we truly should have a right to — especially when you see what it’s done to help neighboring counties and states,” Titus said.
She said the area not having an incentive program impacts the local economy, and she believes Florida does not have a statewide incentive program because it gets disregarded due to several factors.
“There is a limited understanding and skewed perceived value of the industry as a whole and why it’s important to our state and residents,” she said. “Timing is everything. We see the benefits it’s had, and I believe our commissioners totally get it. They are for it, and they will make it happen for us. It’s our time.”
Adam Vernier, actor, on-air deejay and owner of Book It Acting and Taping Studios, said he moved from Los Angeles to Florida because Florida was ranked No. 3 for production of film and TV.
“We certainly did have an incredible incentive that Gov. (Jeb) Bush had maintained,” he said. “There was so much work in Florida. When Gov. Rick Scott took office, he killed the statewide incentive. Sadly, I don’t think citizens really know what they are missing. When movies start shooting here and regular citizens see productions booming, they will see. It’s hard to explain, but people love seeing their city referenced in film and TV.”
Vernier believes the County Commission’s decision to move forward is at least a start.
“Film and TV is one of the cleanest industries out there,” he said. “If you were to rent your house for a day to a production company shooting a commercial, they will leave it in better shape then they got it. Every time. When a production comes to town, they use our hotels, they eat at our restaurants, they visit our theme parks. They take in everything Orlando has to offer, and you can’t get this with all industries.”
Stefanie Robinson, who owns Florida Film Academy in Winter Garden, also believes the county’s decision is a great step in the right direction.
“The commissioners are doing their homework and researching the impacts of bringing an incentive program to our area,” she said. “Years back, when our business used to be on Plant Street, a couple of location scouts found our charming downtown Winter Garden community and did some filming in the area. This opportunity allowed them to hire local actors. They spent their dollars at the local restaurant, and the community got to see their small town on the big screen. The impact definitely affects our local economy and brings in more jobs. Maybe when negotiating the incentives the balance is to hire local first. With the theme park industry right in our backyard, we have so many professionals that would fill those positions.”
Overall, the film professionals believe the plan could have a positive effect on the community for years to come.
