Senate Majority Leader Welcomes Members of Florida's Film and Entertainment Industry

Senate Majority Leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R-Miami) today welcomed representatives of Florida’s film and entertainment industry to the Senate Majority Office.  On hand were Jeffrey Donovan, star of the television show Burn Notice on the USA Network; Ellen Jacoby, casting director for Burn Notice; Lucia Fishburne, Florida’s Film Commissioner; and several film industry advocates.  The group is in the Florida Capitol today to promote the importance of the film and entertainment industry to Florida’s economy.  Unlike some television shows that are set in Florida but are not filmed here, Burn Notice is filmed exclusively in the Sunshine State.

“Florida has had a long relationship with the film, television and entertainment industry thanks to our year-round sunshine, moderate climate and spectacular scenery,” said Leader Diaz de la Portilla.  “Additionally, Florida offers a wide variety of filming locations that are difficult to duplicate in the United States and several, such as Miami, that are internationally recognizable.  Because this industry continues to be a significant economic driver for our state and a source of many jobs for Floridians, I am committed to continuing to encourage this industry in its growth and development.”

The film and entertainment industry is important to Florida’s economy as a major driver of employment and personal income, attracting revenue from other states and countries to be spent locally on wages and film production services.  According to the Motion Picture Association of America, as much as $225,000 per day can be injected into Florida’s local economies when a major studio shoots a big film on location.

“This industry is vital to Florida’s economic health and it is encouraging to see lawmakers recognize the industry’s economic impact," said Lucia Fishburne, Florida’s Film Commissioner.   "High-impact television series like Burn Notice spend money with dozens of businesses--many of them small businesses--and employ hundreds of Floridians. Events like today further highlight the importance of continued support for the film and entertainment industry through providing economic incentives to film makers to choose Florida for their next project.”

The estimated economic impact of the Florida film and entertainment industry grew from nearly $27 billion in 2003 to $29.2 billion in 2007 and was responsible for over 207,000 jobs in Florida, generating nearly half a billion dollars in tax revenues annually. 

For more information on Florida’s film and entertainment industry, please visit http://www.filminflorida.com/