Written by on Jun 11, 2015. Posted in On Location

MPAA pushes strong US trade agreements to boost domestic filming

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is pushing for strong international trade agreements to boost the distribution of US film and TV. In turn this could help stimulate filming in America and in states like New York which hosted 277 films in 2013 and 2014.

The US government is currently considering legislation that will make it easier for American products to penetrate foreign markets, which would have a clear benefit for films and TV shows.

According to the MPAA the US motion picture and TV industry registered nearly USD 16 billion in exports in 2013. Nearly three quarters of theatrical revenue comes from overseas markets.

“Supporting TPA (Trade Promotion Authority) and the US trade agenda – including TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) – will enhance America’s competitive advantage around the world and allow our industry to drive even more economic activity here at home,” said Senator Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the MPAA.

California, New York and Georgia are the main production hubs in the US, along with Louisiana in the south. Internationally, the UK is also very attractive for big-budget studio productions and is hosting the rebooted Star Wars franchise for the foreseeable future.

China is now the world’s second-largest film market and Hollywood is especially keen to build its presence in the country. The Chinese government allows only a few dozen foreign films to be released each year, but Hollywood films still dominate the country’s domestic box-office.

Some of the Hollywood studios are beginning to specifically plan global shoots for their biggest franchises in order to further develop and nurture their international fan bases. The Avengers: Age of Ultron filmed scenes in Seoul and Johannesburg partly to cultivate new markets.

(Image: Michael Bay/Paramount)