Film Dollars Spent in Phoenix
on the Rise

But Total Number of Projects are Down

In a recent report, the Phoenix Film Office announced a 43 percent increase in production dollars in the fiscal year ending June 2009 versus the preceding year. More than $34 million was pumped into the Greater Phoenix economy in crew and latent salaries, as well as into film related support businesses, such as rental equipment companies, hotels, building supply stores, restaurants, car rentals and retail stores. That’s the good news.  On the down side, the industry experienced a 29 percent drop off in the total number of projects that were produced in 2008.

According to Phil Bradstock, Phoenix Film Office program manager, a prime reason for the decline was that many companies cut budgets, planning fewer productions due to economic reasons. Nevertheless, in the fiscal year that just ended, jobs increased by 25 percent on average per project. Also, Bradstock indicated that spending per project was up, resulting in an overall positive impact on the economy.

The tally of productions as reflected in the report shows that Phoenix had 99 commercials, 40 still photography shoots, eight reality shows, 25 TV specials 11 documentaries and eight feature movies. A total of 9,256 shooting days were logged as well as 2,109 hotel overnight stays.

All data reflected in the report were based upon surveys collected from productions that filmed in Phoenix. No multipliers were used.

Elayne Stein was a tremendous
supporter of literacy and BookPALS.

BookPALS Wants You!

The late Elayne Stein, extraordinary actor, teacher, BookPAL and friend, said of her 10-year experience as a BookPALS reader, “Reading to kids makes your heart smile!”

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about giving back to your community and being part of BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools). If so, do it now! Make your heart smile!

Make kids smile by using your talents as a performer to bring stories to life for children in disadvantaged schools. It takes just one hour a week, and we provide you with training, booklists and a school near you.

You too can perform for a rapt audience.

If you just don’t have time to get into the schools, you can be part of BookPALS’ PencilPALS program, in which you write to a student throughout the school year and then meet at a year-end pizza party. In this way you can contribute to children’s writing skills and make a new friend.

Visit our website at bookpals.net to see what BookPALS is all about. Sign up online or call Ellen Dean at (602)750-2923 to get started now.

MOPIC Program Safe—for Now

As many of our members know, SAG is working very closely with the Arizona Production Association and other groups associated with the Arizona Film & Media Coalition to protect Arizona’s film incentive program. The following letter was sent out recently by APA to its members.
 
Dear APA Members and members of the Arizona film community,

I wanted to follow-up and let you know the status of the Motion Picture Tax Incentive Program (MOPIC). Our original goal was to keep the program from being cut before it sunsets in December of 2010.

I am happy to say that because of the report completed by ESI Corp. and all of your help in contacting your State Representatives, we were successful! This is a tremendous achievement, and I am honored to be a part of this industry.

Now we must prepare ourselves for the second phase of our fight. With the ESI report and your help, our next goal will be to extend the Tax Incentive Program and make some much needed improvements so that we can be competitive with other states.

Thank you again for all of your help. To view the independent report, click here.

Rami Kalla, APA President

A Glimpse Back in Time . . .

Here are some newsletter items that were uncovered recently in our Branch archives.

From ARIZONA SAG NEWS, November 1971:
Membership Meeting Draws Big Numbers

“The 6-month statewide membership meeting was an enormous success! Over 90 members attended and heard Mr. John Gavin current 1st Vice President of SAG and the nominating committee’s choice for president in the November elections give an excellent talk on the current state of the motion picture business in relation to SAG. Also speaking was Mr. Fred Graham, Arizona SAG member and Dept. of Economic Planning & Development liaison for the film industry. Mr. Graham outlined the State’s long-awaited involvement in promoting more film business in Arizona. Mr. Jim Nissen, Southwestern Regional Director of SAG spoke on recent – and important – developments in Arizona regarding the franchising of agents, SAG members’ responsibilities toward working in the industry, and opened a question and answer period on our new Guild contract.”

From ARIZONA SAG NEWS, August 1973:
Election Results Announced

“Newly elected members of the Arizona Screen Actors Guild Coordinating Committee: Co-Chairs: Francesca Jarvis & Jed Nolan, Secretary-Treasurer: Hope Silvestri, Corresponding Secretary: Sarah Jane Miller, Telephone Committee: Grace Etchen, Mike Ivor, Robert Glover. “

(Editor’s note: Before Arizona became a branch with leadership elected to a council in 1978, local governance consisted of members elected to a “coordinating committee.” SAG had no local staff in Arizona until 1978 when Judy Hawks was hired as our first branch executive secretary. She worked out of her apartment until an office was rented on Central Avenue in Phoenix in 1979. Her desk doubled as the boardroom table.)

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