Creative Economy and Film
Businesses and governments in Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County recognize the importance of today's "creative economy" to the region's long-term growth and sustainability.
From the arts to law firms, from designers to publishers, from broadcasting to engineering, knowledge workers in the creative economy are leading many of the positive advancements in our economy and contributing to the success of our region. These well-educated and highly paid workers are attracted to the area by its vibrant public spaces, cultural and recreational attractions, excellent healthcare facilities and a variety of entertainment and shopping venues. Protected natural areas and city centers as public gathering places also are enhancing the Greater Fort Lauderdale lifestyle and developing its "character of place."
For the last decade, Greater Fort Lauderdale has been successful in growing those businesses and professions that provide creative services in the county.
As of January 2009, Broward County was home to 5,660 arts-related businesses that employ 20,918 people, according to the 2009 Creative Industries Report conducted annually by Americans for the Arts. The creative industries are comprised of museums and collections; performing arts; visual arts/photography; film, radio and TV; design and publishing; and arts schools and services.
As the 21st century progresses, it is clear that regions with diverse populations-like Greater Fort Lauderdale-and those that value creative individuals will maintain the highest quality of life as well as the most durable, recession-proof economies.
Photo: Huizenga Plaza and Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale, two favorite film locations
Strengthening the Creative Economy
Recognizing the importance of the creative economy to South Florida's own success, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is collaborating with many other community organizations to increase awareness of the region's many creative assets, with a strong focus on these topics:
- Film and television industry
- Dynamic, mixed-use city centers developed around transit systems
- Increased cultural tourism
- Realignment of city and county zoning, codes and permitting to promote a high quality lifestyle
- Protection of the environment, including the "greening" of the county
- Attraction of funding sources for locally grown companies
- Promotion of lifelong learning programs that focus on the needs of the creative class
- Greater appreciation of Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County's cultural diversity
Placemaking
In collaboration with its 31 municipalities, the Broward County Commission has made regional redevelopment and placemaking a major priority. As the county approaches property build-out, redevelopment efforts will focus on well-planned projects that provide a positive return on investment, promote cost effective utilization of public resources and attract high quality development.
The county offers a wealth of resources to assist in making neighborhoods in Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County more aesthetically appealing and enjoyable, thereby creating a stronger "sense of place." Current programs identify ways local governments, builders and neighborhood and civic associations can improve local urban environments including architecture, design, transportation, landscape and signage.
These are some of the place-making resources available from various local agencies:
- Cultural Heritage Landmarks is a program that is installing large-scale permanent markers at each of the more than 100 historical landmarks designated by the Broward County Historical Commission. www.broward.org/arts/padtour/inventory/bellini_cltrlndmks.htm
- Community Design Guidebook addresses: creating a more pedestrian/transit friendly environment; making Broward County one of the nation's most visually attractive counties; providing for a mix of uses and housing types; and enhancing redevelopment and economic opportunity. www.broward.org/planningservices/upi00117.htm
- Design Arts Grant Program assists partnerships of governmental entities and/or not-for-profit organizations (neighborhood associations, historical organizations, garden clubs, civic organizations, etc.) in improving or upgrading the aesthetics of the physical environment in Broward County. www.broward.org/arts/grants/grantsdesign.htm
- Historical Preservation Challenge Grant Program provides financial support for the preservation and rehabilitation of historical and archaeological sites of local, state and national significance within the county. www.broward.org/history
- NatureScape Certification seeks to promote environmental stewardship through the creation of Florida-friendly landscapes that conserve water, protect water quality and create wildlife habitat. NatureScape sanctuaries throughout the county are being certified. As these areas populate the map, we see greenways forming which help support our native and migratory wildlife populations. www.broward.org/naturescape
- Public Art and Design Partnership Program allows for art purchases in county facilities. The program also has a provision for public-private partnerships. A number of cities have adopted public art ordinances, providing for public art in private developments. www.broward.org/arts
- Redevelopment Capital Program is a funding mechanism for the county's participation in municipal and unincorporated area redevelopment activities. The county will examine the proposed redevelopment project or activity to determine the extent to which it achieves the funding criteria. www.broward.org/planningservices/upi00104.htm
Community Cultural Plan
In 2009, the Broward County Cultural Division began work on the "2020 Community Cultural Plan." The study process will be conducted over an 18- month period with four community-based committees: Steering Committee, Creative Economy Task Force, Cultural Tourism Task Force and Public Art and Design Task Force. The 10-year plan will provide a comprehensive needs assessment, vision, draft legislation, policy framework, recommendations and strategies. It will also identify funding requirements, viable funding sources, an outcome evaluation instrument and progress benchmarks. The overall purpose of the study is to further develop the county's cultural community and economy through 2020.
Cultural Embassy
In 2007, the Broward County Commission designated the Broward Center for the Performing Arts as a "Cultural Embassy" to promote Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County's local and global business and expand understanding between diverse local and global partners. The center has been promoting and creating cultural exchanges, and assisting the County with its international trade strategy by hosting inbound and outbound missions. The center was named one of the first "Brazilian Points of Culture" outside Brazil by the Minister of Culture for its commitment to promoting Brazilian culture abroad, the first performing arts center to be honored with this designation. Today, as a Cultural Embassy, the center facilitates the County's local and global business ties and creates greater understanding among the county's global partners.
Public Art and Design
The Broward County Public Art and Design Program recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary. As one of the nation's most advanced and respected public art programs, this initiative is creating a sense of place by enhancing the urban environment through the creation of commissioned artworks that improve the visual environment of the community.
ArtsParks are cultural centers for the performing, visual and literary arts including classroom and workshop space, exhibit and performance space, and cultural programming by professional artists with free or low cost services to the community. ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood, Miramar ArtsPark, Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill and Pembroke Pines River of Grass ArtsPark are open to the public. The four ArtsParks are valued at $69 million.
Film and Television
Broward County Film Office Services
- Accommodations brochure and hotel contacts
- Broward County general information kit and map
- Business relocation assistance
- Crew & technical referral/resumes
- Crew lists from recent productions
- Digital database of 2,000 locations
- Government liaison
- Location assistance
- Locations & facility tours
- Locations database-searchable
- Municipal service contacts for all 31 cities in Broward County
- Online film permitting
- Organization & union contacts
- Pre-production set-up assistance
- Production directory
- Production headquarters referral
- Production resources referral
- Screenwriting research assistance
- South Florida studio list
- Support service referral
- Tourist information
- Troubleshooting
- Website
Since 2000, the on-location film industry has contributed more than $220 million to the Greater Fort Lauderdale economy. Supporting this creative sector is the Broward County Film Office, which was formed in 1982 to support and attract film, television, video, commercial and still photography production in the county's 31 municipalities.
In 2009, the largest economic impact was realized from Burn Notice, the popular television series that airs on the USA network. More than $17 million was spent on production for the show's third season of episodes, which were shot entirely in South Florida.
Independent features also accounted for a sizable infusion of dollars that circulated in the area benefiting vendors, crew, hotels and actors as well as numerous local businesses that provide goods and services to the on-location production industry. For instance, an independent feature from Los Angeles, Criss Cross, employed 60 crew daily during five weeks of filming, spending approximately $1.8 million. Some other low-budget independents filmed during 2009 were East Hampton, Immigration Tango, Promises, Exposure and Once Upon a Summer.
Photo: Fort Lauderdale, the "Venice of the Americas," offers miles of picturesque canals for location shots
Motion Picture and Television Industry Incentives
Florida's film and entertainment incentive program is a highly effective workforce and economic development tool. It fits squarely into Greater Fort Lauderdale's broader economic development strategy, which is to diversify the economy, continue to grow a high-skill, high-wage and creative workforce, support small businesses and invest in innovations that will be adopted by other industry sectors.
Projects that film "on-location" in Broward can take advantage of the Florida Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive. Film, movie, television and recording businesses can also receive sales tax exemptions. That means no taxes on the purchase or lease of movie, video and sound recording equipment. This exemption can substantially cut the cost of buying or renting equipment. There is also an exemption on the lease of property used as an integral part of a motion picture production. Renting studios, lots, buildings, soundstages and other real estate for that purpose is exempt. For information, contact the Governor's Office of Film & Entertainment at 877-352-3456 or www.filminflorida.com or the Broward County Film Office, 954-357-6148.
2009 Reality Television, Telenovela and Commercial Production
In 2009, Greater Fort Lauderdale saw significant growth in reality television filming, while Spanish-language telenovela production continued to provide an important economic impact. Local, national and international commercial production continued at a similar pace as in the past.
Reality Television
- A Place In the Sun-UK
- Almost Got Away With It-Discovery
- Designing Spaces-HGTV
- Desperate Landscapes-DYI Network
- Fetch Me a Beer-Animal Planet
- Forensic Files-Teacher's Pet-True TV
- Forensics: You Decide-Discovery
- G's to Gents-MTV
- Gimme Sugar 2-Logo TV
- Herrie aan de Horizon-Netherlands
- Housewives of Orange County-Bravo
- I Want to Save Your Life-WE TV
- Kitchen Nightmares-Fox
- Miami Social-Bravo
- Mr. Food-Syndicated
- Musical Prodigies-RDF TV
- On the Job-Web TV
- Police Women of Broward County-TLC
- Prison Wives-Discovery
- Rock Dinner-MTV
- Speeders Fight Back-True Network
- Tabatha's Salon Take Over-Bravo
- The Balancing Act-Lifetime TV
- The Maury Show-NBC
- UFO Hunters-History Channel
- Unique South-YouTube
- Verminators-Discovery
- Voyager-Italy
- Wildlife Cops-Discovery
- 1111-MTV
Telenovelas
- El Rostro De Arelia-Telemundo
- Amores de Luna II-Telemundo
- Casa al Dia-Univision
- Mas Sabe El Diablo-Telemundo
Commercials
- Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent
- Avis
- Belk Department Stores
- Charles Schwab
- Coca Cola
- Coppertone
- DaVinci
- Dick's Sporting Goods
- Food Lion
- Hair Club for Men
- ITT Tech
- Maxi King Ice Cream
- National Express
- Nutrisystem
- Page Turners
- Reebok
- The Room Place
- Volkswagen
