Made in Texas: Perry Says Films a Growing Export of State Economy
By Rick Spruill
Corpus Christi Caller Times
Posted May 16, 2012 at 3 a.m., updated May 16, 2012 at 6:08 a.m.
CORPUS CHRISTI — Imagine the legendary television series “Dallas” being filmed in New Zealand or the famous Ewing family brokering fictitious deals from a soundstage in Vancouver. It just would not have worked, Gov. Rick Perry said during a speech Tuesday at the Texas Film, Interactive and Tourism industry conference hosted by state Rep. Todd Hunter, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Del Mar College, the University of Houston-Victoria and the Texas Travel Industry Association.
Perry joined Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp in delivering one of two keynote speeches throughout the all-day event. The governor told about 700 industry experts, tourism officials, state lawmakers and national business leaders that Texas is an emerging force in the film business with a rich heritage on the silver screen. “Producers choose Texas, and they do so because not only do we have incredible scenery and diversity, they also get the benefit of an experienced crew base that call Texas home,” Perry said. He said the Texas Film Commission continues gaining traction through investments in films, television shows and commercials along with interactive video gaming.
Combined, the moving image industry annually returns about $525 million into the Texas economy, based on a University of North Texas Center for Economic Development study cited by the state comptroller’s office. The video gaming industry alone pumps about $177 million annually into the Texas economy and accounts for about 3,700 full-time jobs, the commission estimates.
Perry’s remarks at times expanded beyond the film industry as the former Republican presidential candidate touted statewide job growth, rapidly diversifying employment sectors and industry-friendly policies as the envy of the nation. He said the Texas Moving Image Industry Program, provides rebates to filmmakers who spend at least a half-million dollars and shoot 60 percent of a production in the state, returns $19 for every $1 spent, according to a 2011 University of Texas study. “I’m an animal science major from Texas A&M and even I get those numbers,” he said.
Combined with the estimated $2 billion impact of tourism on the Corpus Christi economy each year, attracting more attention to the South Texas coast as a permanent home for filmmakers, video game developers and tourism initiatives is a win-win scenario, Hunter said. “The Gulf Coast region could be the center point for all of these industries,” he said. “We have the water, the coastline and the job market to support the growth of these industries.”
A&M-Corpus Christi is expanding its reach by offering a degree track geared to building skills in multimedia projects through a new school of arts, media and communications, said Kelly Quintanilla, dean of the university’s college of liberal arts. She said the new school, tentatively set to open in the fall, will offer hands-on projects for students who, as children of the digital age, are seeking degree programs that combine multimedia performance art programs with practical experience. “People underestimate the power of performance arts and multimedia communications programs to train young people for leadership positions, particularly in the 21st century,” she said.
The conference included several breakout sessions on topics such as low-budget filmmaking and the global state of the video gaming industry. Hunter said the meetings helped build a platform for awareness of the economic impact and possibilities heading into next year’s 83rd Legislature. “The more we educate, the more we can file the legislation to get a segment of these industries,” he said.
