ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County is looking to lure more moviemakers to Central Florida. On Wednesday, the Board of County Commissioners signed off on a new economic development strategy that includes a film incentive working group.
The experts will provide recommendations to the board on establishing a film program to determine the purpose, costs, and tasks, including permits and incentive management.
Film industry veterans and newcomers met Monday night when Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla discussed creating a tax incentive for film projects. Bonilla’s plan documents stated that Florida has missed out on roughly $1.5 billion in tax revenue within the last few years.
In order to qualify, a film production must meet a list of requirements.
First off, it can’t be an award or reality show. Secondly, the budget must near $500,000.
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Students from local film schools will be required to be interning on set, in addition to hiring local companies for services. Additionally, to qualify for the tax incentive, 60% of all production days will need to take place in Orange County.
The initial investment is recommended at $5 million. However, Bonilla feels confident if a lower investment is determined, the commission will approve more funds in the future.
During the Monday night meeting, Jeff Roberts shared he spent years on the set of Miami Vice and longs for another successful Florida production.
“You still have people going to South Florida looking for the art deco and stuff they see from Miami Vice that they are watching in Europe somewhere,” Roberts said.
Roberts and Chris Ranung advocate with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Ranung entered the film industry three decades ago. He said there is plenty of talent in Florida to help increase tax revenue.
“Florida as a whole, it’s all going out of state,” Ranung said. “When you have a Miami Vice, or you have a Bloodline in The Keys or you have what happened over in Clearwater with Dolphin Tale, you know those are drivers that only people who understand the industry and tourism.”
The working group will provide project updates and progress to the Board of County Commissioners.
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