Production of Pathé’s Oscar® Nominated Film, SELMA, Contributes over $10.3 Million to Georgia’s Economy, Hires Close to 1,900 Georgia Cast, Crew and Extras

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2015

Production of Pathé’s Oscar® Nominated Film, SELMA, Contributes over $10.3 Million to Georgia’s Economy, Hires Close to 1,900 Georgia Cast, Crew and Extras

Directed by Ava DuVernay
Produced by Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner
Executive Producers Brad Pitt, Cameron McCracken, Diarmuid McKeown, Nan Morales, Nik Bower, Paul Garnes and Ava DuVernay
Written by Paul Webb
Distributed in the United States by Paramount Pictures

WASHINGTON, DC– On the heels of receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture this morning, new economic figures released today reveal that the production of Pathé’s SELMA spent a total of 95 days in Georgia, contributing more than $10.3 million dollars to the local economy and hiring close to 1,900 Georgia cast, crew and extras. The production paid over $5 million in wages to more than 400 Georgia crew members.

SELMA’s production not only hired members of the Georgia film and television industry, it also worked with a wide array of local businesses, including those involved with wardrobe purchases, car rentals, lumber, hardware, supplies, and lodging. The production also stayed over 3,000 nights in hotel rooms, spending $375,000.

Film and television production is a major economic driver in Georgia. The latest state economic profile data shows that the core in-state film and television industry employs 23,000 workers, supports over 77,000 jobs and pays $1.6 billion in wages.

“The fact that we have become one of the fastest growing entertainment production centers in the U.S. is a testament to the unwavering commitment of Governor Deal and the Georgia legislature to creating a pro-business environment, investing in our highly-skilled existing crew base and support for the state’s diverse locations,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr.  “Not only is Georgia’s entertainment industry creating thousands of jobs, but it has been a catalyst for long-term infrastructure growth, new tourism opportunities and increased brand awareness.”

“SELMA tells an incredibly powerful story about a turning point in our nation’s history, and the process of bringing that important story to life has meant an economic boost for Georgia,” said Senator Chris Dodd, MPAA Chairman and CEO.  “The state’s competitive film incentive program continues to encourage filmmakers to choose Georgia as the place to film, hiring local workers and prompting economic growth. I am grateful to Governor Deal and the state legislature for their leadership on this issue.”

Key economic impact figures from SELMA’s production in Georgia:

• Contributed over $10.3 million dollars to the Georgia Economy
• Paid over $5 million in wages to over 400 Georgia crew members, and hired close to 1,500 cast and extras
• Stayed 3,000 hotel room nights, spending $375,000 on lodging
• Spent $470,000 on in-state wardrobe purchases, dry cleaning and laundry
• Contracted $180,000 on lumber, hardware and supplies
• Spent over $200,000 on catering and food and over $131,000 on car rentals

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. 

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For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Kate Bedingfield
202-293-1966
Kate_Bedingfield@motionpictures.org