Film studio urges state to attract movie industry
“All it takes is one ‘Field of Dreams’ or one ‘Harry Potter’ to permanently boost tourism,” he said. Sowards is vice president of Delaware Film Company, a Wilmington-based film production business. Along with film company Creative Director Christopher Stout, Sowards launched Delaware Film Initiative, an effort to raise awareness and garner political support for loans and incentives.
“In five years, we could have over 20 productions a year being made in Delaware,” he said. In addition to making Delaware a destination for film buffs, Sowards said the industry could create more than 1,000 jobs within a year.
“For every one person in front of the camera, there are a hundred behind it,” Sowards said. When a major film production moves into town, it brings the need for computer gurus, builders, skilled laborers and caterers. Out-of-town workers fill hotels, restaurants and shops, providing dependable business for months on end.
“Really, this isn’t about film makers,” Sowards said. “This is about making jobs.”
The Delaware Film Initiative plans to introduce a bill to the General Assembly next month proposing a system of incentives and loans for big-screen productions. Sowards compares the bill to the Financial Center Development Act, passed in 1981, which brought banking giants to Wilmington. He said similar legislation would prompt a similar boom with the film industry.
Sowards said a film with a $16.5 million budget would require a $2 million loan. It’s a smart investment, he said, considering these films can gross more than $100 million.
“We have the ability to select projects that will be able to repay their loans,” Sowards said, “and then some.” He said the state recently turned down a potentially lucrative filming offer in 2008. The film, which Sowards declined to name, starred two Academy Award-winning actors. Its producers wanted a 25 percent loan, state-guaranteed. The state said no. The film was shot in Louisiana instead.
Sowards acknowledges the need for financial prudence in a slumping economy, but insisted that turning a profit demands a little risk. And with the film industry, he said, the risk is slight.
“It’s our job to make sure no matter what happens, the state comes out ahead,” he said, adding that a Delaware bank has already agreed to loan money to production companies.
Does Delaware want the bustle of Hollywood in its towns and on its beaches? Sowards says yes. A number of government officials, business owners and citizens have already voiced their support by uploading videos to the initiative’s website.
“Our issue now is the tight budget, but the concept is a good one,” said Sen. George Bunting, D-Bethany Beach. Sussex County Council President Vance Phillips, R-Laurel, agreed. “I totally support the notion of bringing the film industry to Delaware and the many high-paying jobs that it would provide the citizens of Delaware and Sussex County,” Phillips said.
In 2005, a scene of “Failure to Launch,” a romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker, was filmed off of Cape Henlopen.
Sowers said Delaware is already ahead of the curve – it has an in-state production company, a bank willing to make the loans, and major productions lining up to shoot on its soil. All it needs now, Sowers said, is to make the jump.
“Clearly, the time has come,” Sowers said. “Now it’s just a question of getting that bill passed and making it happen.”
