Economic Benefits

Missouri has more than 11,000 * professionals working in the motion picture and commercial production industry already. 

Its colleges and universities offer 38 film and digital media programs to future industry and community leaders. 

64% of all of Missouri’s graduates leave the state to pursue careers. In this “bright flight” we are ultimately educating the workforce of our competitors. 

The direct impact of one film set in Missouri, shot elsewhere, Thank You For Your Service, lost 10.3 million for Missouri's economy.

The estimated direct impact of one series set in Missouri, shot elsewhere, Ozark, lost 50 -100 million for Missouri's economy.

Without a competitive film and media production incentive, Missouri is losing it's own skilled workers, sandbagging its own production industry, and losing projects worth tens of millions to other states.

Missouri deserves to be open for business 

• An incentive  program is part of a business decision checklist for companies. Missouri needs one again.

• Stories are already being set in Missouri

• Big productions want to come to Missouri, but without an incentives program are forced to go to other states and countries.

• There are 200+ scripts in the MO Stories Screenwriting Fellowship – 

 all chances for production in MO.

• Missouri has a rich variety of location offerings and lower production costs than most states.

• An incentive is not a handout, not funding but a tool for economic development. 

• Missouri's media production industry needs a competitive incentive program.

Source: 

* Association of Film Commissioners International 

The incentive program is state wide. It helps all of Missouri, rural and urban economies. Film productions are not just good for big cities. 

Films and series set in rural areas or raw nature are often interested in Missouri's small towns and natural scenery for their charm, character, and cinematic look. 

Small towns, small cities, big cities, everyone wins with more entertainment industry in Missouri.

Manufacturing entertainment in Missouri is also good for tourism.

Film, TV and commercial productions are treated as business travelers whose product (film, TV show, commercial) creates ongoing tourism and economic impact. 

• Seeing a destination in a film is the ultimate product placement.

• Average American watches 34 hours of TV each week.

• 45 million international tourists chose a destination primarily because they saw it on a film or television show; international travelers are a strategic target opportunity for incremental leisure growth to the KC region. 

• Mentioning the name of destination, hotel, restaurant, etc. in a movie has been proven to add additional influence in attracting tourists.

Sources:

 * New York Daily News Americans Spend 34 hours a Week according to Nielson numbers, Sep. 19, 2012; 

** Bureau of Labor Statistics 2013; 

*** IBT Times On Location: Hollywood Inspires Travel Around the Globe, Feb. 2, 2015.

Any legislative action takes a grassroots support. If you want to see our economy grow there are lots of simple things you can do.

Get Involved and help bring film back to Missouri: