The film industry, once concentrated on the coasts, has spread out geographically in recent years, and Flossmoor is positioning itself to benefit from that trend.
The village in April adopted an ordinance that sets ground rules for film projects in the village and on Sept. 13, the Flossmoor Art Council hosted a panel discussion at the FCC Community House that brought together film professionals with residents and local elected leaders who wanted to learn more about the industry and how the village might benefit from attracting film projects.
Panelists included Christine Dudley of the Illinois Production Alliance, Michael Scott Jr. of Cinespace Studios, Phil Plowden of Weapons & Wildflowers, Anthony Barracca of Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 476, and Peter Hawley of the Illinois Film Office.
Their remarks focused on job creation and careers in the industry, on the economic impact of film projects for a community and on state tax incentives designed to help attract film projects to the state.
Qadree Holmes of Flossmoor knows from experience the various ways a project can bring dollars to a community. He is the founder and executive producer of Quriosity Productions. He said film crews eat at local restaurants and get coffee from local coffee shops. He also noted that being part of a popular TV show or film can have lasting marketing value for a community.
“Look at the ‘Home Alone’ house, right? People are still going to take a picture there,” he said, referring to the house in Winnetka where the 1990 movie “Home Alone” was filmed.
Holmes said Flossmoor already has two elements the film industry looks for: great locations and a ready workforce. The village’s architectural treasures and picturesque neighborhoods are possible film locations, and Holmes said the village is home to a number of industry professionals.
“I know of 20 people, just off the top of my head,” he said.
For those who want to break into the industry, Scott described the CineCares Job Training Program, a 24- to 38-week progam that pairs participants with professionals in the industry to learn the skills they need to fill jobs.
Plowden said the growing workforce means projects in the state are done with 90% or more local workers. In the past, he said, local projects would bring in crews from Los Angeles or New York.
He credited the state tax credit for helping build the industry, noting for example, an FX series, “Justified,” which was set in Detroit but filmed mostly in Chicago because the tax incentive in Illinois helped reduce costs.
In addition to Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson, two state elected officials were at the event. State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) and state Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) both expressed strong support for the tax credit and for expanding the industry.
Plowden said part of his work is scouting locations for film projects. He said residents who choose to grant permission for crews to shoot on their property are compensated well.
“We need to put a camera on your front porch, we’re going to pay for that,” he said. “That is part of the appeal to working in some of these communities. It’s not just about all the money going to the crew or to the production. We’re also giving the money back to people that we’re working with here in town.”
