JEFFERSON CITY- With the Missouri Film Commission currently in its 25th year of existence, Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Linda Martìnez today wrote Mark Biggs, Chairman of the Missouri Film Commission, to commemorate the Commission’s efforts in attracting the industry to Missouri during the past quarter century. The Missouri Film Commission, created by the state legislature in 1983, is housed within DED.
“The challenge of repairing our economy will not be reliant upon one industry, and a diverse approach is essential,†wrote Director Martìnez. “A part of that diverse approach includes the film industry, and there is no better time than on the occasion of the Film Commission’s silver anniversary to reflect upon the investment our state has made in attracting film makers, and the return on that investment we have received.â€
Currently, a production team from Paramount Pictures’ Up In The Air is filming on location in St. Louis until April 22. The production began in Missouri last December, and will have people on the ground in state through May. Another production, independent film Winter’s Bone, finished production late last month in Branson and Forsyth after beginning the project in southwest Missouri last December. The two films invested nearly $15 million in Missouri, netting a $40 million economic impact. Upon release, the films are expected to spawn even more economic activity across the state through tourism.
Recently, DED received letters of appreciation from the production crews of both movies. In a letter signed by Up In The Air Director Jason Reitman and Producers Michael Beugg and Daniel Dubiecki on behalf of Paramount, the team stated that they are having an “incredible experience†shooting in Missouri and that they are impressed by the quality of Missouri’s workforce, the hospitality they have received, and will be encouraging other productions to come here. Similarly, Winter’s Bone Director Debra Granik stated that shooting her movie in Missouri was a “fantastic experience,†that the cooperation they received was outstanding, the landscape was beautiful, and they look forward to returning.
“It is clear that our strong package of business-friendly incentives have helped attract these film productions to our state, and once they got here, our quality Missouri citizens sealed the deal,†said Martìnez. “The investment we have made in Missouri’s film industry means it will be playing a ‘lead role’ in assisting our state’s economic recovery in the future.â€
Release Date: 04-13-09
Contact: John Fougere (573) 522-5058
