When it comes to filmmaking, there is no shame in coming in number two. MovieMaker Magazine has officially ranked Chicago as the second best city to live and film in.
What makes the Windy City, which is cold and snowy most of the year, the second best? First, according to MM, the city helped Illinois deliver the most revenue ever for filming, tracking $519 million in 2019.
The City of Big Shoulders also now has its own night all to itself with #OneChicago, comprised of Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD. Not to mention films including Friend Request, Holiday Heist and Say My Name and Swing Shift were produced in town. The city also created 12,700 jobs for the film industry.
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There are also other obvious assets that attract moviemakers, including an extensive infrastructure, talent from Steppenwolf and Second City, and a 30% tax incentive.
Peter Hawley, director of the Illinois Film Office and Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity told MovieMaker, “Illinois is currently the only state with a codified provision specifically identifying diversity hiring as part of the incentive program. The Illinois film tax credit statute contains a diversity plan and reporting requirement—which means that no production will receive the tax credit without proof of best faith efforts to hire women and minorities as part of the technical crew and office staff. Overall crew and production office staff diversity was at 28% in 2019 year-to-date, up from 14% when the program was established.”
What happened to Los Angeles (home of west coast Reel 360) and New York? Well, they apparently have been moved to the MovieMaker Hall of Fame, since they are obvious choices.
And the number one city for filmmakers? Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s been popular ever since a little-watched show called Breaking Bad was filmed there. For the full list, click here.
SOURCE: MovieMaker Magazine
