ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County leaders are moving forward with a plan to create incentives for filming and producing movies in central Florida.
On Tuesday, the board of commissioners voted unanimously to bring experts together to make recommendations on what these film production tax incentives could look like.
Film Florida Executive Director John Lux will be one of the one of the members of the workgroup, collaborating with Orange County on this proposed plan.
He says since 2016, when the last statewide film incentive program ended, Florida has lost more than 100 major feature film and television series that would’ve brought more than $2 billion to local economies. He says about $150 million would have been in Orange County.
“There has been a lot of loss and a lot of struggles for people that work in the industry over the last decade,” said Lux. “We’re really excited the county commission has taken this first step to seriously consider proposals.”
The film production community called the commission’s decision a game changer that could help create jobs, promote local businesses and hotel stays.
“It’s very exciting,” said Kimberly DiPersia, artistic director for All The Lines Studio and Incubator LLC in Orlando. “I really hope that they continue forward with it. If we get a film incentive that encourages us to get these films produced and we have local crew and talent that we can tap into, that creates employment right away.”
In addition to producing films, DiPersia’s studio develops screenwriters, actors, and directors through workshops. They also hold events to stage readings of original screenplays written by local writers.
DiPersia, who has worked to produce films for Netflix, Amazon and Showtime, says many artists and crew currently travel out of state for other jobs. She says the potential incentives can help keep them in the community.
“It creates opportunities for them to be here, to devote themselves to the industry, gain more experience,” she said.
There’s already filming locations in Orange County ready to go for potential productions.
Tucked away inside the Oviedo Mall, Studio Lot Orlando offers pre-made sets like classrooms, hospital rooms, bars or police departments.
Co-owner Justine Renee says she recently worked on a TV series with a $100,000 budget, which she says is still “low budget.” She hopes that film incentives would bring even higher budget productions into town.
“Just like Disney came in years and years ago (...) Well, the film industry can come in and enhance the economy even more,” said Renee. “That cast and that crew needs to eat. They need a place to stay.”
Renee also says filming in Florida offers unique opportunities for productions.
“Orlando gives a beautiful look for film and TV that L.A. and a lot of other places don’t have to offer,” she said. “We have so much greenery, which is so vibrant. I think it’s a really cool place, and it could even look like a lot of countries.”