Sarasota County may shore up film incentives

During outgoing state Sen. Nancy Detert’s first meeting on the Sarasota County Commission Tuesday, staff will discuss a topic she championed in the Florida Legislature: film incentives.

Commissioners will discusses plans to add about $213,000 to the Entertainment Industry Incentive Program, which exists to lure production companies to the county with rebates when a project wraps filming in the area. The fund has roughly $35,600 remaining for such incentives.

Over the last six years, the county has paid out more than $393,000 from the fund for a variety or productions, the most notable being the 2012 “Spring Breakers” starring James Franco, which received $8,716,60. “Free Ride”, a 2013 crime drama starring Anna Paquin, received $36,400, which the largest amount out paid of the fund to date.

The county paid an average of $8,600 for 46 projects since the incentive program began, including $10,400 for Sanborn Studio’s failed “Miami 24/7.” Other productions include “Breaking Amish,” a reality show highlighting the local Amish community, as well as documentaries, short films and commercials.

“I am very pleased that Sarasota County is so visionary to have this program,” said Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design, which “The Hollywood Reporter” ranked No. 16 on it list of top U.S. film schools. “It’s very, very helpful, especially when we have a state that unfortunately is not willing to provide those kind of economic incentives.”

Still, as Ringling’s profile continues to rise in the world of filmmaking, and as the school prepares to debut its new 30,000-square-foot sound stage and post-production studio next year, Thompson hopes the county will consider increasing the fund and the $25,000 cap on incentives for each project.

“I really believe this area is destined to become a digital media hub,” Thompson said.