Abandoned mines, cacti, Desert and of course the Grand Canyon. Arizona is known for a multitude of things but there is one you might not think of, movie production.
From classics such as 3:10 to Yuma and Broken Arrow to campier flicks like Eight Legged Freaks and Evolution, Arizona’s film production is an essential part of both Arizona’s economy and heritage.
While most states who want to lure movie production to their doorstep offer tax breaks, Arizona is trying something just a little bit different, incentives. With incentives it’s not just government cutting taxes, private businesses can get involved as well. That is exactly what billionaire Bill Parsons is banking on.
Recently Parsons, Owner of Sneaky Big Studios and marketing firm BIG YAM, The Parsons Agency, announced he is pledging $300,000 as part of a joint donation with the Arizona Commerce Authority. The donations from both parties are to ensure the continued operation of the Office of Film and Digital Media.
“Here we’re making the investment and the investment is being made by business. Not government. Now the government is helping, but mostly it’s spearheaded by private business and I think anytime that happens and the ball starts rolling, much more so than it is happening in California, you’re going to find this is where it starts to boom” said Parsons on the incentives
This “joint venture” of incentives from both business and government has two major parts. The first is called the “Reel Deals Discount Program.” it actively seeks out vendors and purveyors who are willing to provide discounts to the out of state productions.
The second step is having a film resource coordinator. A ground level team working to find local professionals to work the shoots, help with getting permits and find locations.
The closeness in proximity to Arizona and Los Angeles is a benefit to help studios save thousands of dollars in transporting equipment and labor costs.
The goal of this ambitious project is to get movie studios big and small to set up shop here in Arizona, which is great for our economy.
