Surge

There’s a recurring theme in David Fincher’s 2020 film “Mank” about Los Angeles film workers fretting that the studio bosses are going to move Hollywood to Florida. That never happened, and certainly Florida’s paltry statewide tax incentives throughout the 2020s made that seem less likely than ever. However, there are signs that things could be changing, and quickly. Consider it a prelude to Florida’s version of the sudden massive film investment in New Jersey that Paramount and Netflix have carried out by building new studios there.

That level of investment for Florida is still quite some way off, but some tracks are being laid to make it more possible. IndieWire can exclusively announce that Stage 32, the world’s largest online entertainment education program, is partnering with Film Florida to launch a statewide below-the-line certification program. The idea is to begin creating a large, ready-to-work crew base in the state that can spring into action as film and TV productions ramp up.

The training will cover key roles, including line producing, location management, post production supervision, production accounting, being an assistant director, being a production assistant, being a production coordinator, and script supervising. In-person workshops will be included as well, and industry veterans leading both online and in-person courses include post-production producer Brad Carpenter (“The Diplomat,” “Fosse/Verdon”), post-production supervisor Leslie Coverse (“Babygirl”) Shalonda Ware (senior production finance manager at Paramount), DGA assistant director Korey Pollard (“SEAL Team”), and location manager Miranda Carnessal (“Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon”).

Though a statewide incentive has been nonexistent for years in Florida, local jurisdictions have offered their own incentives. Across the state, in places like St. Pete/Clearwater, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Broward County, there is a cumulative total of over $30 million in tax incentives for productions, with some allowing up to $2 million in incentives for a single production.

In addition, IndieWire has heard rumbles about the Trump administration encouraging new statewide Florida production tax incentives that could go into effect in the future. There’s no such thing as film tariffs. Supporting film production through new statewide tax incentives, though? That could work.

Tampa Bay in particular has been a magnet for some time for Lifetime and Hallmark movie productions, as well as being one of the leading destinations for shooting commercials in the entire country. Car companies love that it only costs $2,000 to shut down a key toll freeway in Tampa when it isn’t rush hour as a way to really show off their vehicles on-camera. There’s also a growing DIY spirit, with a major indie TV production of Patrick D. Smith’s multi-generational Florida Western novel “A Land Remembered” planned for a 2026 production from “The School Duel” director Todd Wiseman Jr.

But the mini-renaissance of Florida-based filmmaking in the 2010s, with “Magic Mike” and the A24 trifecta of “Spring Breakers,” “Moonlight,” and “Zola” hasn’t continued this decade.

However, if these expanded incentives come through, the Stage 32 program could mean that there’s a ready-to-go crew base in Florida for when production does ramp up again. Local crew bases did indeed spring up around production hubs in New Mexico and Atlanta, and though New Mexico is still going strong, major studio productions have started leaving Georgia en masse. Disney’s MCU films always shot in Atlanta — now they’re in London, reflecting the unfavorable financial environment for films in the U.S. altogether. (On the other hand, production seems to keep ramping up in Texas, thanks to the Taylor Sheridan-motivated tax incentives there.)

Could New Jersey and Florida really pick up the slack for California and Georgia? At the very least, a trial program for Stage 32 in Florida has succeeded so far just in the Tampa Bay region, with the collaboration and support of Film Tampa Bay commissioner Tyler Martinolich, who’s done as much as anyone to bring filmmaking to the area. That program was focused on everything involved with being a production assistant: on-set protocols, paperwork, and collaboration. Those who completed the program were entered into Stage 32’s Certification Portal to be matched with relevant productions across the state and beyond.

“Film Florida is thrilled to partner with Stage 32 to bring world-class training to our members and elevate Florida’s film industry,” said John Lux, Executive Director of Film Florida. “By providing access to Stage 32’s certification program, we’re empowering our film commissions and organizations to build a robust, skilled workforce, starting with this exciting program in Tampa Bay.”

“Stage 32 is honored to collaborate with Film Florida to strengthen Florida’s production ecosystem,” said Amanda Toney, managing director of Stage 32. “After successfully training talent for over 50 film commissions worldwide, including an impactful program with St. Pete/Clearwater, we’re excited to launch this initiative in Tampa Bay and expand opportunities for below-the-line professionals across the state with Film Florida.”

Could New Jersey and Florida really be places where major film productions are taking place all the time? Time will tell.