As Phoenix Film Office turns 50, it says industry brings in $17 million a year

The Phoenix Film Office recently turned 50 years old. The office works on projects ranging from movies and television to music videos and social media content.

“Whether it's commercials, still photo shoots, student projects, TV shows, reality shows, could be a "90 Day Fiancé." We're seeing a lot of those dating shows from Netflix coming out here to the Phoenix market. "Great Christmas Light Fight" always comes out here every year to film,” said Phil Bradstock, film commissioner.

Production companies and major brands often pick Phoenix for its climate and diverse geography. A downtown street was recently transformed into a Chicago crime scene, complete with snow. Bradstock said the two nights of shooting involved several city departments.

“It involved the Streets Department for road restrictions and hooding meters. We had to turn off some of the lights for the light poles because the light was bleeding into the shot. We worked with the convention center for the parking garage because they needed to get a camera hanging out over the sidewalk,” he said.

Bradstock told council members the production companies cover the cost of city staff. The film office issues about 100 permits each year, and the industry creates about 4,500 technical crew and talent positions annually.

On average, the shoots bring in nearly $17 million in direct spending for the metro area.

“I don't use any type of multipliers in any of my reporting,” Bradstock said. “And I get these numbers because I survey all the production companies that come through my front door, and then every six months, I survey all the local production companies to volunteer information because it could be a local production company. Let’s say the shot takes place on the Tempe Mill Avenue Bridge. Obviously, that would not go through my office, but that's still important because they are hiring the same people that make all the commercials, and so those numbers do calculate into the impact of filming here in Greater Phoenix.”

Films with scenes shot in Phoenix

• "Transformers V: The Last Knight" (Paramount)
• "Everything Must Go" (Temple Hill Entertainment)
• "Noele" (Walt Disney Pictures)
• "The Kingdom" (Universal Pictures)
• "Bad Santa" (Columbia Pictures)
• "Psycho" (remake) (Universal Pictures)
• "Jerry Maguire" (Tri-Star)
• "Days of Thunder" (Paramount)
• "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure" (Interscope)
• "Raising Arizona" (Circle Films)