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Show PAGE 6 THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 89 The Ups and Downs of the Film Industry Editor's Note: This page, normally reserved for the Mayor's Interview, has been provided this month to the Moab Rim Commission. They requested an opportunity to respond to comments made by Mayor Tom Stocks In last month's Zephvr Interview, and also to explain the operation and purpose of the Moab Rim Commission. Kabooml Shocked awake at 3:00 sun. by a heavy blast, your first thought Is that a gas Dne has ruptured and blown away half the neighborhood. Then you remember a movie company's In town doing night filming. You fell back Into bed and, unable to sleep, you wonder If the film business Is really worthwhile. and a reply to the Mayor by the Moab Film Commission service, with an annual Increase In film activity and added effort toward making local productions run more smoothly. This Is less than 5 of the dollars brought Into the area last year by the film Industry. The for salaries and benefits; budget breakdown would be as follows: for operational expenses (rent, supplies, telephones, etc.) and 00 for advertising and recruitment (ads In trade magazines, scouting brochure and production planner, photo expense, promotional four-collibrary, express mailings, location video and Location Expo). MFC proposed that the revenue to assume the cost of operation In 1990 come from the following sources: $15,000 raised by MFC through their various ng projects, contributions from film companies and contributions from local businesses and persons who profit from the film Industry; $15,000 $15,000 frcyn Moab City (the local from state supplements and sales tax generated from the film Industry adds to the Justification of the request to the City for help); and $15,000 from Grand County (a share of which could come via the Travel Council's transient room tax). members are all The Moab Rim Commission's board of directors and ad-htheir time and talents volunteers who earn their membership by contributing to the effort. This may Include committee work, complimentary scouting and many other tasks. Only the Central Service Unit staff (who provide MFC services) are paid and no overtime pay Is allowed. Since scouting Is usually done on weekends, and filming often takes place Into the night, an week does not exist In the film business. Therefore, uncompensated day5-da-y staff time can match, and often exceed, the volunteer time Invested 'by various commission members. Concerned about the total assumption of costs for the 1990 budget, MFC requested (via letter dated June 6, 1989) to be on the City Council agenda to make their request for $15,000. The Mayor said that MFC would be notified when the council was ready to receive requests from organizations outside of City government In the Zephvr Interview (June 1989 Issue), the Mayor made a. comment about : people "patting themselves on the back, presumably addressing MFCs budget In Justification of bringing $1.3 million Into the community during 1988. MFC Is or few one the of set who economic response, organizations agencies goals, with quantifiable objectives that can be evaluated to determine the MFC also maintains statistics and cost effectiveness of the program. documentation to verify the activities for which the funds are being used. Where public and private contributions are Involved, this would be a good,.; policy for all agencies and organizations to practice. If keeping track of present level off $30-35,0- 00 $8-10,- 000 When your town Is turned Into a Hollywood bacldot, K Is not all glamour and good times. A number of Moab residents reported a similar experience to the one Just mentioned during the production of "Nightmare At Noon" In 1987. Another common complaint comes from shopkeepers who dlscoyer a film crew has their street blocked so they cant get to their place of business. Realizing that their customers won't be able to reach their business either, they are not too happy with the film Industry at those particular times. They often tend to forget that the 100 crew and extras working for the picture will soon be In their store spending their paychecks. These examples are some of the worst scenarios that occur when a film company Is In town. How has an Industry with such problems survived for forty years In Moab? Because there Is also a very positive side to the business. The $1.3 million deposited Into local tills last year by film companies went to motels, cafes, gas stations, merchants and various services along with 254 Individuals hired as cast and crew whose paychecks were then shared with local merchants. The $1.3 million does not Include money the 776 crew members company spent on gifts, miscellaneous sundries and entertainment while In town. The film Industry Is compatible with other businesses In southeastern It has contributed to worldwide recognition of canyon Utah. country's magnificent scenery through exposure on the screen, television, and In the printed media. Such exposure would have cost city fethers a fortune, were they to pay for equal coverage to promote tourism and recreation In the area. From years of experience, Moab natives know that when a movie Is filmed In Moab old bills get paid. In addition, John can finally get a new pair of glasses and Jane can afford to get her hair done. Though the "trickle-dotheory Is controversial as a measure of economic value, It does occur and there are those who profit from the process. office (Grand During the past four years, MFC has shared a full-tiCounty Central Services) with other local economic development organizations. The grant which funded this office will be phased out this year and MFC, along with the other organizations, will need to raise funds to maintain a full-tioperation for the coming years. MFC has estimated that an annual budget of will maintain the wn me me $50-60,0- 00 $12-15,0- or fund-raisi- mini-gran-ts; oc 8-h- our 3 Grfuw IttH nni &A. $ Quality Realty, Inc. Ji it 59 S. Main Suite 4 suzan martin I7h sales associate Featuring X Moab Properties investment commerical n Jft., wBEen auf retirement -- agricultural joint ventures available tires-shocks-struts-br- ake alignment state inspection I know where the best deals are GRAND TIRE 300 No. Main 259-790- 7 8 AM-- 6 PM 8AM-Noo- n M-- Fr Sat VISA, MASTERCARD, PHILLIPS 66, TEXACO |