Santa Barbara Film Commission





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California Film Commission's Funding Resource List
Sales Tax Exemptions on Post-Production Equipment
California Tax Incentives
California Tax Rebates - Film California First (Currently Not Funded)
Economic Impact Report for Santa Barbara County - Calendar Year
Economic Impact Report for Santa Barbara County - Fiscal Year
Location Jobs and Revenue
Santa Barbara County Fee Free Locations
Santa Barbara City Tax Incentives




Santa Barbara County Film Commission Economic Impact Report 


-- By Calendar Year


                                                                                                         
Year # Productions # of Days Economic Impact Ripple Down Effect

       

2006

January – June 118380$ 6,100,000
July-December 103389$ 12,145,000

   
Totals:221769$ 18,245,000$ 46,000,000
     

2005

January – June 116 451 $ 8,805,000
July-December 90 380 $ 6,786,000

Totals: 206 831 $ 15,591,000 $ 39,000,000*

Sideways had a positive
impact: fall 03 thru summer 05

         

2004

January – June 2004 102 328 $ 7,220,500
July-December 2004 99 499 $ 7,487,000

Totals: 201 827 $ 14,707,000 *$ 37,000,000
 Sideways had a positive impact: fall 03 thru summer 05


       

2003

January – June 2003 102 319 $ 8,352,500
July-December 2003 88 332 $ 9,870,000

Totals: 190 651 $ 18,222,500 *$ 46,000,000
Sideways had a positive impact: fall 03 thru summer 05


       
2002
January – June 2002 84 319 $ 6,915,000
July-December 2002 77 347 $ 6,775,000

Totals: 161 666 $ 13,690,000 *$ 34,000,000
         
2001
January – June 2001 138 495 $ 5,760,000
July-December 2001 89 374 $ 3,385,000

Totals: 227 869 $ 9,145,000 $ 23,000,000
 
2000
January – June 2000 151 445 $ 5,840,000
July-December 2000 139 588 $ 4,860,000

Totals: 290 1033 $ 10,700,000 $ 27,000,000
 
1999
January - June 1999 97 314 $ 4,365,000
July-December 1999 108 426 $ 4,000,000

Totals: 205 740 $ 8,365,000 $ 21,000,000
 
1998
January - June 1998 96 235 $ 4,275,000
July-December 1998 86 240 $ 3,295,000

Totals: 180 475 $7,570,000 $ 19,000,000
 
1997
January - June 1997 76 234 $ 3,700,000
July - December 1997 88 217 $ 3,055,000

Totals: 164 451 $ 6,755,000 $ 17,000,000
 
1996
January - June 1996 111 258 $ 3,960,000
July - December 1996 25 373 $ 5,235,000

Totals: 236 631 $ 9,195,000 $ 23,000,000
         
1995
January - June 1995 59 220 $ 4,840,000
July - December 1995 53 171 $ 2,635,000

Totals: 112 391 $ 7,475,000 $ 19,000,000
 


*Note: As of January 1, 2002, we began implementing AFCI's (Assn of Film Commissions Int'l) new economic formula.

In 2001, Total Entertainment Production Expenditures were approximately $43 million (Payroll $37, Vendors $6).
In 2000, Total Entertainment Production Expenditures were approximately $54 million (Payroll $40, Vendors $13). *In 1999, Total Entertainment Production Expenditureswere approximately $34 million (Payroll $9, Vendors $25). These arebased on Motion Picture Assn statistics for SB County. These figuresare higher than ours, as they include additional income brought home byactors, technicians and vendors who commute or provide services in LosAngeles.

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Santa Barbara County Film Commission Economic Impact Report 


-- By Fiscal Year


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Fiscal Year # Productions # of Days Economic Impact Ripple Down Effect
                                         
2006/2007    
July-December103389$12,145,000
January – June*123329$8,185,000

     
Totals: 226718$20,330,000$51,000,000
     
2005/2006        
July-December 90 380 $6,786,000
January – June* 118 380 $6,100,000

Totals: 208 760 $12,886,000 $32,000,000
*2005/2006 spring stats low due to gray / rainy weather February - May.
      Sideways had a positive impact from fall 03 thru summer 05.
         
2004/2005



July-December 107 531 $7,087,000
January-June 116 452 $8,805,000

Totals: 166 655 $10,200,000 *$26,000,000
Sideways had a positive impact from fall 03 thru summer 05. 
         
2003/2004        
January – June 2004 102 328 $7,220,000
July-December 2003 88 332 $9,870,000

Totals: 

190 660 $17,090,000

*$43,000,000

Sideways had a positive impact from fall 03 thru summer 05. 
         

2002/2003

       
July-December 77 348 $6,775,000
January-June 99 316 $8,297,500

Totals: 176 664 $15,072,500 *$38,000,000
         
2001/2002



July-December 82 336 $3,285,000
January-June 84 319 $6,915,000

Totals: 166 655 $10,200,000 *$26,000,000
         
2000/2001        
July-December 139 588 $4,860,000  
January-June 138 495 $5,760,000.00

Totals: 277 1083 $10,620,000 $27,000,000
         
1999/2000        
July-December 108 426 $4,000,000
January-June 149 445 $5,740,000

Totals: 257 871 $9,740,000 $24,000,000
         
1998/1999        
July-December 86 240 $3,295,000
January-June 97 313 $4,365,000  

Totals: 183 553 $7,660,000 $19,000,000
         
1997/1998        
July-December 88 217 $3,055,000  
January-June 96 235 $4,275,000  

Totals: 184 452 $7,330,000 $18,000,000
         
1996/1997        
July-December 125 373 $5,235,000
January-June 76 234 $3,700,000  

Totals: 201 607 $8,935,000 $22,000,000
         
1995/1996        
July-December 53 171 $2,635,000  
January-June 111 258 $3,960,000

Totals: 164 429 $6,595,000 $16,500,000
         


*Note: As of January 1, 2002, we began implementing AFCI's (Assn of Film Commissions Int'l) new economic formula.

In 2000, Total Entertainment Production Expenditures approximated $54 million (Payroll $40, Vendors $13).
In 1999, Total Entertainment Production Expenditures approximated $34 million (Payroll $9, Vendors $25). These are based on Motion Picture Assn statistics for SB County. These figures are higher than ours, as they include additional income brought home by actors, technicians and vendors who commute or provide services in Los Angeles.

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Location Jobs and Revenue By the California Film Commission

Location filming means jobs & revenue to California:

Motion picture production (film, television, and commercials) is a very significant economic engine in California. In 2002, the industry generated:

  • $34.3 billion in production expenditures (i.e., payroll $17 billion, vendors $17.3 billion)
  • Directly employed more than 246,000 Californians.
  • $1.3 billion was paid in personal and sales taxes.
  • Stimulated a ripple-down effect in other sectors (bars, hardware, pharmacies, etc.)

A part of California's mystique, the entertainment industry is a signature business for the Golden State as well as an abundant source of tourism opportunities.

Clean & non-polluting: Historically known as environmentally friendly, the industry generates high employment and revenues, making it a hot commodity in the global marketplace. Average salaries are 70% higher than salaries in other businesses statewide.

Big $: Motion picture production is California's 18th largest industry by share of gross state product. Of those core state industries that export goods, the motion picture industry is the 10th largest.  In the U.S., California accounts for 70% of total revenues and 60% of the total employment in the industry nationwide.

Small Businesses: 81% of entertainment industry firms have one to four employees. Film crews are mostly freelance, below-the-line workers, such as drivers, location scouts, grips, lighting technicians, camera operators and other craftspeople.

Partners with tourism: California's tourism industry is a $83 billion industry, and entertainment attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios, with their movie-themed rides, and Hollywood memorabilia, are major draws.  This is California's second year of positive growth, since 9-11.

PR: The industry promotes California worldwide, with films such as: Beverly Hills Cop 1 & 2, Chinatown, LA Confidential, Planet of the Apes and American Graffiti. Years later, the soap opera, Santa Barbara, still stimulates international tourism. Some visitors meander San Francisco streets to see where the famous car chase took place in Bullet. Others flock to Bodega Bay to see where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds… and Germans are still heading for Barstow to see the original Bagdad Café.

New revenue & jobs for local communities:

Jobs: Each location shoot means JOBS for electricians, caterers, dry cleaners, carpenters, animal trainers, home owners, make-up artists, hair stylists, helicopter pilots, photographers, truck rental companies, equipment rental companies, uniform rental companies, nurses, set designers, computer graphics companies, etc...

Ripple-down effect: Additional dollars are spent throughout the community on film, hardware, props, plants, steel, lumber, paint, furniture, portable dressing rooms, toilets, generators, clothing, makeup, sound and lighting equipment, food and gasoline.

Feature Budgets: Today the average cost to create a feature film by a major studio is more than
$54 million. These dollars are pumped into communities when filming occurs on location.

On-location feature $: In the fall of 2003, when Fox Searchlight's Sideways shot in Santa Barbara County's wine country, they spent over $4 million locally during their 47 day shooting schedule.  Warner Bros. Pictures' Torque shot in Blythe, Lancaster, and in Palm Springs over 60 days and spent more than $1.5 million within these
communities; the cast and crew also utilized 5,328 hotel nights.
They average more than $50,000* per day on location, when shooting outside the "movie zone" (the Los
Angeles region). This may be higher, depending on crew size, scene complexity, and number of days on
location.

Television: Television has similar economic benefits. A one-hour television drama has an average
budget of just over $1 million.

Reality TV: Shows, such as Survivor, are another source of local revenue. The Bachelor's average
budget is $300,000 per episode. They like unfamiliar territory (often smaller communities) to shoot and
house their crew-base for several weeks (e.g., Mr. Personality or Married by America.) Reality-based
shows are not tied to one specific location, which is good for local employment and economic impact.

Reality TV = more tourism: The City of Beverly Hills is home to rock star Ozzy Osbourne
and tourists have swarmed there wanting to see where his home is (e.g. The Osbournes).

Commercials and stills: Producers often visit California from Japan, Germany, and Italy to
produce car ads and still shoots. Additionally, catalog shoots may generate several weeks of work at
$15,000/day (e.g., Lands End, Nordstroms, Talbots.).


New jobs for local residents:

While the film industry remains centered in Southern California, the State as a whole and its regional
clusters benefit from local production (i.e., Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego and San Francisco). But throughout California, diverse locations, unique settings and the "Anytown, USA" look brings filming to many communities.

Jobs: On-location shoots mean jobs for electricians, caterers, dry cleaners, carpenters, animal trainers,
homeowners, restaurateurs, make-up artists, hairstylists, helicopter pilots, photographers, truck or car rental companies and other locally-based businesses. In addition, film crews fill up local hotels during otherwise slow periods. They rent location sites, and buy supplies locally, when available.

Everyone benefits: In short, when filming comes to town, everyone can potentially benefit by
its presence. Who knows? You may even be hired as an extra!

* In 1987, the CFC commissioned a study by Peat Marwick to determine the general economic value of a film shoot per day -- for film, television, commercial and/or still photography shot in California. The economic benefits stats of film production, as cited in this fact sheet, are based on the 2002 Consumer Price Index.
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SB County Fee Free Locations

*Please note that many properties do not have "location site rental" fees, but may still have application fees and personnel fees. Fees for state properties and public employees may be refundable under Film California First (if reinstated.). www.filmcafirst.com/state/cfc/cfc_homepage.jsp

For more information about state permits, call the California Film Commission at 800-858-4749,
or 323-860-2960, and speak to the Coordinator for Facilities or State Parks.

State Hwys:
1
135
150
154
166
192
246

State Beaches:
Carpinteria -- between Summerland and Carpinteria
El Capitan -- Gaviota coast north of Goleta.
Gaviota -- upper Gaviota coast near the tunnel.
Point Sal -- near the Guadalupe Dunes north of Vandenberg AFB.
Refugio -- Gaviota coast north of El Capitan.

La Purisima Mission & State Park, Lompoc

El Presidio State Historic Park / Santa Barbara Trust, 123 East Canon Perdido St, City of Santa Barbara

Earl Warren Fairgrounds and Rodeo Arena, Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara. Filming must be approved by the board of Directors. Earl Warren does charge a site fee for use of buildings and parking.
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Santa Barbara City Tax Incentives

Free Permits for Local Businesses
Local businesses holding a Santa Barbara City Business License are exempt from permit fees. You are still required to file a permit, to show insurance, and to pay a small application fee (approx. $10).

Free Permits for Not-For-Profit Stills on Private Property
Still Photographers are not required to file for a permit if they are shooting not-for-profit stills, and are wholly contained on PRIVATE PROPERTY, with no public impact.

TOT Refunds after 30 days
TOT (bed tax) is refundable for stays of more than 30 consecutive days.
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