I’m no movie buff by any means. In fact, I’m usually the last person you would ask for a review about the latest feature film. I’d most likely look at you with a confused look and say “what movie?”
But I do understand the economic impact producing a film, large or small, can have on our city. According to the Savannah Film Office’s 2012 annual report, more than $12 million was spent on film-related activities in our local economy last year.
This includes hiring local talent for jobs ranging from acting to production to management, as well as money spent daily for out-of-town crews to stay in the city (food, hotels, transportation, etc.).
This money goes directly into our local economy and therefore is an important industry on which the city of Savannah focuses through the Savannah Film Office’s work in recruiting and coordinating productions in the region.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to film here? It’s one of the most beautiful cities, rich with history and picturesque landscapes. I never get tired of driving, walking or biking down the many live oak lined streets.
This beauty is what brings people to Savannah every day and, most recently, Manu Kumaran of Medient Studios. The Creative Coast had the honor of hosting Manu and his team back in June for a community presentation to a collection of local environmentally focused individuals.
Manu and his team shared their vision of a new innovative film and production studio with impressive environmental goals for the buildings and operations.
Last week I was excited to be in attendance as this vision began to take root during the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Medient Studios campus in Effingham County. All of us at The Creative Coast look forward to seeing their dreams continue to take shape and expect to see Medient Studios push the movie industry toward a more sustainable mindset.
In the meantime, two great film festivals that will be happening soon in Savannah will focus on sustainability through films that are sure to both educate and entertain.
First, the 11th annual Gray’s Reef Ocean Film Festival opens Thursday, Sept. 12, and continues through the 15. Check out http://graysreef.noaa.gov/ for details. This is a great free event featuring films, lectures, panels and talks.
Then, in January, is the fourth annual Telluride Mountainfilms on Tour Savannah. I hear you saying, “What do ‘mountainfilms’ have to do with Savannah? We don’t have mountains.”
This is true, and while there are a few films about mountain related sports (which are generally adrenaline pumping thrillers) the majority are about political, environmental and humanitarian issues affecting us globally and even locally.
Check out the Mountainfilms page at http://mountainfilmsav.org/ for the soon-to-be-announced details regarding ticket sales, films and events.
We often get the special opportunity in Savannah to see movies filmed in downtown and throughout the county. We are also fortunate to have several great film festivals throughout the year.
So whether you are a movie buff or not, the way I see it, we all have a chance to play a part. Either we are watching the films or making them. Hopefully, these films and festivals will continue to boost our economy and awareness of this great city.
See you all at the movies.
Charisse Bennett is the program director of The Creative Coast, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the creative and entrepreneurial community within the region. Charisse can be reached at 912-447-8457 or charisse@thecreativecoast.org.