The spotlight is on Tampa, and the city is ready to get it right in one take. A slew of new projects have brought their production to Tampa (The Betrayal could be next), and the films are generating millions in economic impact. This includes direct spends. Businesses are being highlighted in the backgrounds of shots, crew members are buying groceries, getting coffee and lunches here. They’re purchasing supplies from shops around town, and bringing on locals as extras in scenes. Tampa is now ready for its closeup as Project Baby comes to a close.
Both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties now offer a $10 cash back incentive to filmmakers when they spend money locally. There’s just one rule to gain that incentive: the film has to also be set in Tampa Bay and feature local businesses in Tampa Bay.
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The latest production to wrap in the area is Haylie Duff’s directorial debut Project Baby. Producer Danny Roth hopes to bring another stretch of projects to the city of Tampa soon. Duff wrote the following on Instagram after Project Baby wrapped production:
“That’s a wrap on #ProjectBaby 🍼 My heart is honestly busting with so much love & gratitude for this amazing crew & cast. ✨ This first time director couldn’t have asked for a better tribe 💜 Can’t wait to share this movie with y’all!”
St. Pete/ Clearwater Film Commissioner Tony Armer told ABC Action News that nearly one dozen films have come to the region in the last year, and they’ve had a multi-million dollar impact on the local economy. ABC Action News adds that businesses such as Keystone Farmers Market have found themselves as the setting for several Lifetime and Hallmark films this year.
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