“The film industry brings good-paying gigs, it supports a lot of mom-and-pop businesses, and it, in a neat way, gives us bragging rights," Mayor Kirk Watson said. "Many of us describe Austin’s creative economy as the third leg of our economic stool. And that creative economy is driven by a very, very robust film industry."
The big picture
Participants in a Nov. 20 press conference at City Hall pointed to the Greater Austin area's rising status as a production hub. Hundreds of film, TV, animation, commercial, video game and visual effects projects have received Texas incentives and completed production in Travis County—the second-most in the state, according to the Texas Film Commission.
More than a decade ago, creative productions were estimated to generate more than $1 billion in the local economy. Martin Jones, head of the 20-acre Austin Studios complex in Mueller—a partnership between the city and AFS—said film, TV and digital media projects have "consistently been robust" as that facility supported tens of thousands of jobs and generated more than $2.6 billion in economic activity since its founding in 2000.
"I cannot think of a major city in the United States whose city government has directly invested in the creation of major studio complex with multiple soundstages, office buildings and a backlot," Jones said in a statement.
The city also continues to aid local productions through its Creative Content Incentive Program, established as a new economic development strategy in 2014.
Since then, Austin leaders agreed to incentive deals for:
- Four seasons of the CW series "Walker"
- Two seasons of ABC's "American Crime"
- A "Call of Duty" video game
- The 2022 film "Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood," directed by AFS founder Richard Linklater
Zooming in
City and AFS officials noted the release of a new workforce report from the film nonprofit, which highlighted the organization's impact in the industry. Data on the film and industry workforce is hard to track around Austin, according to AFS, leading to the report on its programs and their effects with an aim of bolstering the local film industry going forward.
In addition to the economic impact of Austin Studios, AFS also reported on outcomes such as the more than 100 job placements through its Creative Careers program, community training opportunities through its Austin Public studio on the east side, and millions of dollars in grant funding given out through artist development programs.
"The visionary leadership of the mayor and City Council has made it possible for AFS to grow its programs and serves as an economic engine for the support of over 1,100 projects, 37,000-plus good-paying jobs, and over $2.6 billion dollars in economic impact for the crews, vendors, hotels and retailers who benefit from the film and television industry being attracted to Austin,” AFS CEO Rebecca Campbell said in a statement.
Put in perspective
Completed productions under Austin's incentive program have employed hundreds of locals with pay totaling tens of millions of dollars. The $150 million "1923" production was expected to pay $15 million in wages to area residents, support hundreds of jobs and involve $23 million in other local spending this year alone.
Council member Zo Qadri, whose district includes Austin Studios, credited local filmmakers and crew members as the "heartbeat of our creative community."
Film producer Elizabeth Avellán, whose work includes many Robert Rodriguez-directed features such as the "Spy Kids" series, said Austin has become a "world-renowned" destination in the industry given the local workforce, production output and city assistance.
"That’s why I think council is more and more open, and even new council people are more understanding that we are a hub of jobs, a hub of training for those jobs—and good-paying jobs," she told Community Impact. "Our city’s becoming more diverse, and anybody that wants to be in the film business gets to be a part of it.”
Austin's backing of local productions continues as creatives are also petitioning state leaders for help. Entertainment industry notables appearing this fall at a Texas Senate finance committee hearing testified on the need for millions more in state investments for film and TV projects in Texas as lawmakers gear up for the 2025 legislative session.
