“What do stellar beauties Kiera Knightly, Scarlett Johansson, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jenna Elfman, Heather Locklear and Kim Basinger have in common? They've all had starring roles in movies shot in Nevada over the last few years. 

Why is this important to you, if you’re a Nevadan reading this article?  There are five primary reasons:

First, this means the box-office-power of the above stars (and countless others that have appeared in hundreds of movies that have shot in our state) has translated into advertising and marketing dollars for the State of Nevada, worth hundreds of millions of dollars we have NOT had to pay for that exposure.  This holds true with television programs and TV commercials as well, as hundreds of those productions shoot in Nevada every year, too.  A single "commercial" or product placement position in an episode of CSI or NBC's "Las Vegas" costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, and being seen in a "Super bowl" spot costs millions.  Yet, there we are, getting that exposure for free every time our locations are used and shown.  As the credit card commercial might say, Priceless!

Second, hundreds of millions of people around the world have seen or will see these movies, TV programs and commercials, and the images of our locales -- from glittering neon to stunning desert beauty (Valley of Fire and Red Rock for example) -- are imprinted on those potential tourists.  This generates visitor volume, awareness and curiosity about many aspects of the state a tourist might not otherwise consider.  The Nevada Film Office receives calls from tourists asking when and where TV shows will be shooting because they want to plan their travel to coincide!  We hear from tourists asking where to find certain spots they’ve seen in movies and documentaries, which they want to visit personally.  From the obscure to the over-the-top, tourists are fascinated by what they see on the big and the little screens.   

Third, when these movies, TV programs and commercials shoot here, they spend tens of millions of dollars in hard cash, pumped directly into our Nevada economy as first tier spending for everything from accommodations, transportation and food to hiring locals, renting equipment, utilizing our vendors and services, and more. This economic development means a growing revenue stream that further diversifies our economy. 

Fourth, filming helps a community’s resources generate more “bang for its buck” as existing infrastructure utilized in filming earns new and different revenue.  Properties and places already in existence earn additional income that doesn’t require new expense on their part; filming puts it to a new use making it earn more, effortlessly.  And the community benefits while capitalizing on an industry that is basically environmentally friendly and low-impact. Productions are required to leave a location in as good (and often better) condition than they found it.   

Fifth -- although perhaps this should be first – filming of all kinds draws new permanent resources to our state.  Skilled and semi-skilled people move here to find jobs in film, television, and other media production, bringing their diversity, experience and family with them (and their friends and relatives and associates as future visitors!).  They become part of our citizenry and our permanent economy, obtaining housing, buying goods and services year-round, enrolling their children in our schools, adding their talents and enriching Nevada’s professional and personal resources in myriad ways.  They add to our growth and contribute to every economic aspect (including sales tax and real property taxes, for example), among other spending they infuse into Nevada.

There are many other reasons that filming of all kinds is important to Nevada, but those are the five key points.  These are the reasons why hundreds of film commissions exist across the United States and around the world, and why we compete furiously for this business. 

Who are we and why do we do what we do?  The Nevada Film Office is part of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, and it was founded just over twenty years ago as the Nevada Motion Picture Division.  Our mandate is to proactively attract and thoroughly facilitate the production of media of all kinds (including motion pictures, television, commercials, documentaries, corporate/industrial films, music videos, webcasts and new media, student films, still photography  and other media projects), promoting Nevada locations, vendors, services, crew and staff, and performance talent.   

During fiscal year 2005 (ended 6/30/05), more than 700 productions shot here.  Our duties include assisting with locations, scouting, photography, intergovernmental liaison, problem-solving and research, providing extensive reference materials, directories of service providers and vendors, public outreach and education, proactive “sales” promotion and participation in trade shows, conventions and conferences, and more. 

In just the last six fiscal years alone, we have helped to channel nearly three-quarters of a BILLION dollars into Nevada’s economy as filming of all kinds has averaged over $120 million a year.  Even after the devastating 9/11 effect on location travel, we’ve maintained our strong position in a nation that’s seen many states lose filming revenues dramatically (up to 70% in some locales).  In fact, for several years in a row, we’ve been voted one of the top ten filming locations in North America for independent filmmakers.

We do all of this for the reasons shown above, and we love what we do.  Our motto is “Do it all, do it right, do it NOW, and do it with a smile.”

For more information on the Nevada Film Office contact:

Jeanne D. Corcoran

E-Mail:  jdcorcor@bizopp.state.nv

Direct line:  (702) 486-2713