Proctors helps launch organization to attract more TV, film productions to the region

Goal: Attract and support 10 major film productions per year 

What if the Capital Region were able to attract and support 10 major film productions per year? 

Film Upstate New York posed that question in an early 2017 grant application. While media represents the largest sector of the regional creative economy with nearly 10,000 jobs in 2015, the film industry represents only a small segment of this total. Nonetheless, it offers significant opportunity for growth in the coming decade both in terms of supporting and developing the existing film community and attracting a greater number of films and filmmakers to the region. 

To that end, several organizations began coming together regularly to discuss how to attract more film, television, and commercial production and leverage the important investments that have already been made. The diverse group includes government, non-profit, unions, economic development agencies, and others. Among Film Upstate New York’s inaugural organizers in early 2016 was Proctors, represented by CEO Philip Morris and former Marketing Director Jim Murphy.  

The Capital-Saratoga Region is already an attractive location for filmmakers, offering a diverse set of urban and rural locations, a talented group of local craft professionals, a supportive network of film commissions and, perhaps most importantly a robust set of state tax credits which were enhanced in late 2016 by the extension of the additional upstate 10 percent credit to the Capital District counties of Saratoga, Washington, and Rensselaer. 

It is estimated that the goal of 10 productions per year would add a total spend of approximately $10 million to the regional economy. To achieve that growth, the group had discerned that the region needs to coordinate marketing and workforce development activities, and create a one-stop shop for filmmakers to access all of the location, personnel, and equipment needs they might encounter in preparation for and while filming in the Capital-Saratoga region.  

The Capital Region has since expanded passed this original entity, breaking into area-specific film commissions. For the full list, visit albany.org. The Facebook group is still an active group to discuss any events and collaborations. Click here to join.