(Memphis) If Hollywood wrote a script about why Memphis is a great place to live and work as a movie maker, one national magazine article would likely be that script.
Linn Sitler is the Memphis and Shelby County Film and TV Commissioner.
“That has to do with the willing environment, the cost of living, the production facilities available and how friendly the film culture is,” Sitler said.
Moviemaker Magazine unveiled on its website its national list of top ten big cities for movie making and Memphis landed the number nine spot.
The article says Memphis has all the amenities of a big city with rural landscapes and small towns just minutes away that were used in films as The Firm, Walk the Line and 21 grams.
“Whether you’re here already and you’re making a movie and your budget is $10 or you’re coming from out-of-town and your budget is $20 million, we’re a very good place to make a movie,” Sitler
Another big factor for Memphis is the film commission’s new partnership with financial experts at SCORE (service corps of retired executives) to provide financial guidance to independent Memphis based films.
Erik Jambor is executive director of the Indie Memphis Film Festival.
“Memphis has an incredible film community. The local filmmakers are really welcoming and embracing of new folks who come to town and of each other and their work,” Jambor said.
Now the local film industry hopes the honor puts the spotlight on state lawmakers to offer even more tax incentives for more lights, cameras and action in the Bluff City.
“It means with or without big state filming incentives, with or without big projects coming in every season, we’re still a good place to come and make movies,” Sitler said.
