Subject:
Title
Production Agreement with Folklore Film Company, LLC dba Rare Folks for production of “God’s Fingers.”
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the Director of Administrative Services of the Production Agreement with Folklore Film Company, LLC dba Rare Folks for production of “God’s Fingers,” an independent feature film.
• Agreement for $22,000.00 is for production of “God’s Fingers.”
• Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB’s) review committee evaluated the production and determined the incentive award based on qualified local expenditures projected at $100,000.00 and the tourism value the production brings to the County.
• Funding is allocated as follows:
o $15,000.00 - reimbursement for local expenditures
o $3,000.00 - additional promotional deliverables
o $2,000.00 - in-production marketing deliverables
o $2,000.00 - distribution and post-production marketing
• Funding is paid on a post-production basis with distribution-based incentives contingent upon receiving proof of distribution.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities
Summary:
Production Agreement for “God’s Fingers,” is for an independent vacation-themed feature film and the result of the Film Commission’s Screen Industry Incentive Program (Program). This Program awards funding to local productions for promoting and marketing tourism in connection with film projects. Funding for “God’s Fingers” is based on qualified local expenditures projected at $100,000.00 and allocated as follows: up to 15% for local expenditures, up to 3% for additional promotional deliverables, up to 2% for in-production marketing, and up to 2% for distribution and post production marketing. Details are included in Exhibit A of the agreement.
Background/Explanation:
In the absence of state film incentives, the Film Commission, a department of the CVB, administers the Screen Industry Incentive Program to position the destination as a location for small budget film and digital projects, social media productions, and music videos. The maximum funding award is 30% of a production’s total qualified local expenditures which includes up to 15% for reimbursement of local expenditures, up to 5% for additional tourism promotions, up to 5% for in-production marketing, and up to 5% for distribution and post production marketing. Funding is paid on a post-production basis with distribution-based incentives contingent upon receiving proof of distribution.
The CVB’s review committee evaluated “God’s Fingers,” and determined an award of up to $7,000.00 for the production’s impact to tourism, positive brand exposure, and distribution, and up to $15,000.00 for reimbursement of qualified local expenditures. This film was shot at various locations on Clearwater Beach including the Camelot Beach Suites.
In exchange for support of “God’s Fingers” the County will receive positive media value through deliverables such as hosting a media day, beauty shots, behind-the-scenes photographs, testimonial video, and more. In addition to the media value and brand exposure generated, the County also benefits from local jobs, room nights and $100,000.00 in direct local expenditures that are a result of this film being produced in Pinellas County.
“God’s Fingers” will be strategically entered into 25 film festivals and will be available on Kinema, a global film distribution and exhibition streaming platform. This film will also be showcased at Kodak Film Lab Atlanta where it will be followed with an educational discussion led by the director on the production process and Florida-based filmmaking.
Fiscal Impact:
$22,000.00 Total Funding
Funding to support the Production Agreement is provided through the CVB’s Annual Operating Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Director of Administrative Services to sign the Production Agreement is delegated by the County Administrator per the memo dated December 2, 2019.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Production Agreement