money.cnn.com: Once known for its steel mills and smog, Pittsburgh is fast becoming the Tinseltown of the East. A generous film tax credit, coupled with the region's diverse landscape and skilled labor unions, have made the city a hot destination for recent productions -- and the firms that cater to them.
14 comments:
I read this article a week ago and didn't think much of it at the time, but I started to ask the question why? Why has Pittsburgh become a place where movies are being filmed more and more. Is it because of the Tax break? I don't think that is the answer. Pittsburgh has a quality that America is desperate to get back. Its a since of home and history and the fight to stay alive. The buildings still have a little soot from the old mining days but they look like they have a nice story to tell because of that. Pittsburgh is a city that got knocked down several times, stood back up, brushed itself off and continued working. That is the vision that america wants to see, even if it is only for a scene.
I like what Taylor has to say about this! I too read a bit about this article before, my uncle emailed it to my dad (and then onwards to me) because he thought it was pretty relevant. And when I opened my inbox to see this title, I smiled. Reading on, it actually makes alot of sense why Pittsburgh could be the up and coming tinseltown. It is a diamond in the rough, new and fresh to commercial ventures (atleast cinema) with alot of history but most importantly potential. The neighborhoods vary so much from surrounding area to area, we have SO many bridges, a stadium, downtown buildings that echo New York, suburbs, campuses, and old old buildings that, like was said before, tell stories of their own. I wasn't even aware of the movie making- Pennsylvania taxbreaks, a huge additional bonus for low/ even high budget films. It's so great to hear our Pittsburgh is forseen to hopefully have such a large future in the film industry, an industry that alot of the people here would love to be a part of!
Most everyone that I've told about my love of Pittsburgh is puzzled by it. I'm glad to see the rest of the United States is finally taking notice of how cool of a city this is. Really, Pittsburgh's got some seriously cool stuff going on.
I think the tax credit was only the catalyst in the recent surge in Pittsburgh's film scene. What will keep that going strong is the city's incredible buildings and landscapes.
I think there's no downside to this. It's great news.
I have always been facinated with film and the impact that it has on the world in which it is created. Not only the cultural and political implications, but also the economic and logistical issues that arrise during its creation. This article was great to see what the local business and governments can do to help make an insentive to film in a given local. I have heard that Pittsburgh is a great city to film in because you get the big city film but with a smaller city price. Personally I love the idea of more and more films coming to the area, not only does it give the economy a good boost, but it also allows for a significant amount of internship and production assistant jobs in the area for college kids.
It's funny, because I remember when the debate was going on regarding whether to pass the tax credit or not. We discussed how even if movies begin to work in Pittsburgh, the city might not see any of that money - as many expenses are brought from outside. I didn't know about the 60% requirement, and if the numbers are right, it seems to be working.
Another great aspect of the bursting film industry in Pittsburgh (besides getting to talk up the city when watching a movie), are the opportunities available for those of us looking to work in film. Many of my friends have been able to build a steady film career by working on the films that come through town.
I would love if the School of Drama worked to reach out to the film groups and created more opportunities for students to work in the business. One of the hardest things is getting your foot in the door.
It's those beautiful bridges I reckon.
While exploring the Strip District, I started noticing a lot of "antique" stores that were getting a lot of their business from theater and film productions. These stores were doubling as a prop shop and there was a range of products that you could rent out. It's funny because you don't expect that and you certainly don't expect Pittsburgh to be such a movie hot spot but it is.
Thinking about it more, there are so many reasons for why it would be so popular. The article is right in saying that the diversity found in Pittsburgh is certainly desirable for a shoot. Another aspect of Pittsburgh that might contribute to its popularity is that it isn't so densely populated. There are a lot of people here, but they are really spread out and you can do those big action scenes that appear in the "The Dark Knight". I think that we will be seeing a lot more of Pittsburgh in the coming films.
I agree with a lot of what everyone else has said in previous comments, especially Taylor. I think that the tax break was most likely the catalyst for this huge growth in the PIttsburgh film industry, but I also think that Pittsburgh has a very unique urban-rural quality to it that is much different than other large cities I've been in. It's true that you can shoot a New York City street scene in downtown or drive 15 minutes away and find a farm, but it's more that Pittsburgh is a city that never escapes what it actually is. New York is focused a lot on the "image" of New York, DC is focused on what DC should be, LA is all about creating somewhere else, but Pittsburgh doesn't try to be something it's not. Its buildings have an authentic quality that's appealing to see on screen.
I agree with Ariel that I would love to see CMU SOD reach out more to the films that come in to PIttsburgh, since they could be a huge opportunity for the students that want to get involved in the film industry.
Pittsburgh as a new Hollywood? I don't buy it. I'm not sure how to say it, but that a little bit, there's something in the Kool-Aid out here in Pittsburgh. And someone sent some to cnn.money.com If Pittsburgh is so great why did Pittsburgh's own George Romero pack up his studio and move to Toronto to make his films cheaper there than here? How much additional influence did Thomas Tull CEO of Dark Knight Rises' Legendary Pictures and Steelers co-owner producing have when bringing the film to the city?
What point does so much work come into town that the tax credit actually becomes a source of lost revenue for Pittsburgh and it's citizens? I'm not sure coupons to Hollywood film studios are the best way to generate business. It's a nice way to get people interested initially, I'd be interested to see what happens in the long-term for Pittsburgh. I'll admit things look good for small businesses if the entertainment industry picks up here in Pittsburgh. (I'd love to see the receipts for the cartoon and comic-book themed Toonseum during the shooting of DKR. Their downtown location was literally at the end of the block where most of the shooting in Pittsburgh took place.) But these businesses need to see that it's not Pittsburgh, its history, its culture, or its people that is attracting Hollywood, it's policy. The people of Pittsburgh and the small businesses need to be aware that they've been burned before by industry leaving the town, and this might be another way to get burned. There's evidence in the article's layout itself: did no one see the video about how China is set to be the next Hollywood?!? Look to your future Pittsburgh, America business outsourcing an industry. Sound familiar?
I think it is very smart that Pittsburgh is using the diversity of its City and surroundings along with a tax break to help stimulate its economy. I think that the rich history that the city has to offer is really helping it attract big names in the film industry. I agree with the comments before me that it would create amazing opportunities if the school of drama were to reach out to the productions that have been coming to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is becoming a new hotspot for film because of its versatility. (film tax aside) To film in Pittsburgh becomes a major expense savor in my opinion. As the article states within a. 20 minute drive you can be filming in an Irish farm or in new york city. Readily accessable and so many differnet athletics to chose from eliminates the need to build cities on backlots and thus saving company time and money. Not to mention everything is cheaper in Pittsburgh then it is in new york
Since my first visit to Pittsburgh, I have always been fascinated by the vast collection of different architectural styles. Pittsburgh could stand-in for any city around the world if only you know where to point the camera. It's great to hear that this gift has been noticed and acknowledged on the state level and has gone as far as giving tax breaks. Great for the economy, great for morale, great for tourism.
I really think its not just one thing that attracts the film industry here. Taylor is right about Pittsburgh having that sense of home and history. Those qualities plus the fact that it is a very diverse and beautiful filming location, cheap cost of living, and the tax break all help make Pittsburgh appealing.
I also agree that i would love to see the school reach out and try to make new opportunities in the film industry because there are so many people in the school of drama interested in film.
I think it is great to see another city capitalizing and fighting for the producing movies. Pittsburgh is my new home and my first impression are great. The possibilities in this city are immeasurable. Also the love of the town by the citizens is very tangible. These qualities and the continue growth of utilizing the cities resources, such as old steel mills for a sound stage, have to be a major reason for the growth of the industry.
I think it's also important to acknowledge that Pittsburgh is sensitive to unionized labor contracts, which is imperative in the film industry. Almost everyone who works on a professional film is represented by a union. Pittsburgh is great not only because of the tax credit but also because of its capacity to accommodate a diverse range of aesthetic objectives, and that's a rare thing. There is urban life, rural landscape, and everything in between--we're only missing a beach...
I think it's great that there is appeal here for the film industry now...but what are the strategies for keeping it here? Pittsburgh is the new hot spot until another state passes the same tax credit legislation, I fear...
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