Miles to Go
In spite of all the perks and marketing efforts, Boston lags far behind its southern rival, New York City, in local production.
From New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting comes the startling figure of $2.37 billion in film and television revenues last year. In 1997, 213 films were shot in New York City, compared with only 12 in Boston.
With a relatively skimpy skyline, the Hub must rely on its "unique culture and particular scenery" to draw filmmakers, says film financier and Harvard Business School graduate Jon S. Ein.
Donald K. Baillargeon of the Screen Actors' Guild, which represents 1,300 thespians in Boston, points to the city's unique terrain.
"The lay-out is special," Baillargeon says. "I mean, it's not as dramatic as San Francisco, but it's interesting."
"The fact that Boston has so much old world architecture--especially in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill areas--would make it attractive to filmmakers," Baillargeon adds.
Ein stresses its world-renowned collegiate scenery, which makes the city "pretty film-friendly."
Toronto, which can duplicate many of Boston's looks, may in fact be the Hub's toughest competitor, Dawson says.
Filming in Toronto can save studios $1-2 million per film, Dawson says, because of the Canadian/U.S. exchange rate.
Donadio, a native New Yorker, suggests that the growth of Boston in the 25 years she has lived in the city bodes well for the future.
"I don't think Hollywood has even begun to discover it," Donadio says.
But the economics of producing in Boston may deter filmmakers, particularly those working on low-budget, independent projects.
To obtain the requisite permits for local shooting, producers must provide a minimum $1,000,000 Certificate of Insurance and a bond of $5,000 to the city. Arranging for parking clearance and assistance from the Boston Police and Fire Departments requires additional expenditures.
Romano says his union regularly engages in deferment contracts with independent filmmakers. Such an agreement entitles workers to low wages and benefits with the understanding that they will be fully compensated upon the successful completion of a project--the signing on of a big studio.
While Romano celebrates the New England region for having "a totally different kind of look--one that you can't get in L.A.," major studios tend to do their shooting in California, where sound and technical equipment is readily available.
Ein says that filmmakers are increasingly taking advantage of tax breaks in Canada and Europe, where foreign cities are serving as stand-ins for Boston.
With competition from abroad threatening domestic production, Boston's glory day's as a production site may be coming to an end fast.
But for the moment, plenty of projects remain in the city, and opportunities for bit parts are still available. For information about upcoming films and walk-on roles, call the MFO hotline, updated weekly, at (617) 973-8800, or visit the MFO website at www.state.ma.us.