Production of ‘Collateral Beauty’ contributed over $14 million to the New York economy

WASHINGTON – Production on the Warner Bros. Pictures holiday release Collateral Beauty, from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, was responsible for a major boost to New York’s local economy, according to new figures from the Studio. The film generated more than $14 million in local economic activity and employed over 2,000 local workers, who took home more than $7 million in wages.

From Oscar-winning director David Frankel, the thought-provoking drama Collateral Beauty, in theaters beginning December 16, features an all-star cast that includes Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Michael Peña, Naomie Harris, Jacob Latimore, and Oscar winners Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren.

The production spent over 40 days filming in New York. A significant portion of the production’s investment supported a wide array of in-state vendors, including numerous small businesses, such as:

• More than $300,000 on catering, bakery goods and other food items.
• Over $260,000 on hardware and lumber supplies, and equipment.
• Over $250,000 on local wardrobe expenses.
• More than $100,000 on transportation, including truck and car rentals.

MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd stated, “As millions of people head to the cinema this holiday season, I hope they take note of the enormous efforts that go into creating great films such as Collateral Beauty, and the benefit these productions provide to the communities in which they are filmed. Films are more than great entertainment, they are catalysts for economic development and employment.

“Importantly, these productions are supported by production incentives, and I am proud of New York’s competitive program, which is thriving under the leadership of Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature,” Dodd continued. “Over the course of the program, the Film and Television Credit has generated $14.5 billion in revenues and created an estimated 915,000 jobs in New York State, according to Empire State Development. Effective incentive programs like New York’s ensure that local workers and businesses continue to thrive in the film production sector and that audiences around the world continue to enjoy amazing creative storytelling.”

“Films like Collateral Beauty, which spent 40 days filming here and in that time generated more than $14 million in local economic activity and employed more than 2,000 local workers, are great examples of why we work so hard to support our thriving film and television industry,” added Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “New York State has so much to offer and when motion picture and television productions choose to film here, they create jobs and inject billions of dollars of investment into our economy.”

About the Film

Collateral Beauty follows the story of a successful New York advertising executive who suffers a great tragedy and retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. A New Line Cinema presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, an Anonymous Content/an Overbrook Entertainment Production, a PalmStar Media and Likely Story production, the film is directed by David Frankel, from a screenplay by Allan Loeb, and is produced by Bard Dorros, Michael Sugar, Allan Loeb, Anthony Bregman, and Kevin Frakes. Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Michael Disco, Michael Bederman, Peter Cron and Bruce Berman are the executive producers. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language.
About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

# # #

For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Chris Ortman
(202) 293-1966
Chris_Ortman@motionpictures.org