By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 commentator.
Dallas, TX – Movie box offices enjoyed record profits last year, and Blockbuster surprised everybody by reporting higher than expected earnings. Then why is North Texas not getting a piece of this highly lucrative pie? I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Middays.
It was movies that we went to after September 11th. I'll bet we spend more on movies than we do any other cultural event. It is an industry that we love to follow. We can't read enough about our movie stars, gossip or not. No one is exempt from its influence. That is why the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Film Commission is constantly looking for ways to literally show off North Texas. But, like any business, it takes money and marketing to sell the producers and directors that North Texas has the landscapes, the talent, and the resources that would enhance their production.
In the past year, there has been much squabbling as to why Texas, as a right-to-work state, is still losing films to Canada. The answer up until now has been dwindling financial support. Think how you felt the last time you even just heard North Texas mentioned in a film. There's an amazing sense of pride. Not to mention free advertising. What we need is another Walker: Texas Ranger. In addition to leaving up to $50 million a year in spending, in its 8 years of filming here there was the equivalent of $800 million in commercial air time of exposure to Dallas and Fort Worth.
We talk much of the need for job and cultural diversification to continue making North Texas a region that will appeal to businesses that are looking for a new home. This must include the actors, the production crews, and the other artistic vendors that a film industry attracts. Without them, there is no diversification.
It was brought to my attention that things are actually moving in the right direction. This state, and more importantly, this region has begun to realize the abundance of assets that come from having a vibrant, well-supported film community. Texas is a beautiful state and we should not hesitate to show it off in any means possible. This can only be a win-win situation. For KERA Marketplace Middays, I'm Maxine Shapiro.
Marketplace Midday Reports air on KERA 90.1 Monday - Friday at 1:04 PM.