The film industry in Florida is one of the largest in the United States: in 2006, Florida ranked third in the U.S. for film production (after California and New York) based on revenue generated. However, more recent 2009-2010 data no longer show Florida among the top four states.
Production activity has been generally concentrated in two regions, South and Central Florida (Orlando and Tampa). The South Florida region is famous for large projects like Jerry Bruckheimer's Bad Boys film series and Neal Moritz's 2 Fast 2 Furious. The Central Florida area has been featured in The Punisher, starring John Travolta, and Adam Sandler's The Waterboy.
The state of Florida has a long film history thanks to its year-round sunshine and moderate climate. Film classics were filmed throughout the state, such as Moon Over Miami (1941) and Esther Williams' Easy to Love (1953).
Orlando
YSF: South Florida Film Industry Boost - Florida's once booming film industry suffered a huge blow in 2016 when state legislators failed to pass an incentives program to lure productions and compete with states like Georgia. Now,...
In the early 1990s Orlando experienced a great boom in film production. The construction of the Disney-MGM Studios and Universal Studios production facilities attracted many filmmakers to the area. Films like Ron Howard's Parenthood and syndicated television shows like The Adventures of Superboy led the pack. Soon, the Steven Spielberg series seaQuest DSV and Tom Hank's From the Earth to the Moon called Florida home. During this period Orlando acquired the nickname "Hollywood East" because of its surging film industry.
Just as film production appeared to be on the decline in Florida, the phenomenal success of 1998's The Blair Witch Project led to another boom. While this film was filmed in Maryland, its director and entire crew were University of Central Florida film school graduates. This cult independent film has led to a new wave of film production for the area.
Celebrity residents
Florida is also the home of many famous actors. Celebrity residents of Florida include Burt Reynolds, James Best, John Travolta, Michael Winslow, Justin Timberlake, Scott "Carrot Top" Thompson and Sylvester Stallone. There are also quite a few successful film directors located in the state including Daniel Myrick and George A. Romero.
Recent feature films shot in North Florida (Pensacola, Ocala, Jacksonville regions)
- Kruel (2014)
- Lonely Hearts (2006)
- Cross Creek (1983)
- Jaws 2 (1978)
- The Year of Getting to Know Us
Recent feature films shot in Central Florida (Orlando/Tampa region)
- Monty Comes Back (2016)
- Spring Breakers (2013)
- Tomorrowland (2015)
- Charlie (2013)
- Silent Night: Agent Down (2010)
- Letters to God (2010)
- The Camel Wars (2008)
- Bloody 27 (2008)
- RoboDoc (2008)
- Never Back Down (2008)
- Bring It On: All or Nothing (2007)
- Bring It On In It To Win It (2007)
- Sydney White (2007)
- Altered (2006)
- Larry the Cable Guy (2006)
- Alone and Restless (2004)
- The Punisher (2004)
- Monster (2003)
- Florida City (2003)
- Ocean's Eleven (2001)
- Olive Juice (2001)
- Contact (2000)
- Held for Ransom (2000)
- Alligator Alley (2000)
- Walking Across Egypt (1999)
- Instinct (1999)
- Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)
- The Waterboy (1998)
- Rosewood (1997)
- Trekkies (1997)
- Apollo 13 (1995)
- Cop and a Half (1993)
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
- Passenger 57 (1992)
- Problem Child 2 (1991)
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
- Quick Change (1990)
- Parenthood (1989)
- Ernest Saves Christmas (1989)
- D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
Recent feature films shot in South Florida (Miami region)
- Miami Love Affair (2017)
- Moonlight (2016)
- The Strongest Man (2015)
- Pain and Gain (2013)
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Marley and Me (2008)
- Miami Vice (2006)
- Hunted (2006)
- Transporter 2 (2005)
- Red Eye (2005)
- Meet the Fockers (2004)
- Stuck on You (2003)
- Bad Boys II (2003)
- Out of Time (2003)
- 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
- Wild Things (1998)
- There's Something About Mary (1997)
- Bad Boys (1995)
- Fair Game (1995)
- Get Shorty (1995)
- The Specialist (1994)
- Drop Zone (1994)
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
- The Mean Season (1985)
- Scarface (1983)
Documentary films shot in Florida
- Vernon, Florida (1981)
- Gates of Heaven (1980)
Florida-based narrative TV series
- The Adventures of Superboy (1988-1990)
- Bloodline (2015-)
- Burn Notice (2007-2013)
- Cougar Town (2009-2015)
- CSI: Miami (2004-2012)
- Dexter (2006-2013)
- The Glades (2010-2013)
- Miami Vice (1984-1988)
- Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998)
- Seaquest DSV (1993-1995)
- South Beach Tow (2011-)
- Super Force (1989-1990)
- Swamp Thing (1990)
- Thunder in Paradise (1994)
Florida-based documentary/reality shows and independent shorts
- Carpocolypse (2005 sports reality show)
- The Chad Effect (2001 independent short)
- Dr. G: Inside the Caylee Anthony Case (2012 documentary TV special)
- Dr G Medical Examiner (2004- docu-drama)
- Gainesville (2015- reality show)
- Garriage: A Documentary in 4 Chapters and an Epilogue (2004 documentary)
- Hogan Knows Best (2005- reality show)
- Making The Band (2000 reality show)
- On Being Your Average Joe (2005 independent short)
- The Paper Route (1999 independent short)
- Skating's Next Star (2006 competition reality show)
- WWF: Raw Is War (1997 sports show)
Film festivals hosted in Florida
- American Black Film Festival
- Central Florida Film and Video Festival
- Florida Film Festival
- Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (and its subsidiary Jury Award)
- Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) (Tampa Bay)
- Hispanic Film Festival of Miami
- The Humphrey Bogart Film Festival
- India International Film Festival (IIFF) of Tampa Bay
- Jacksonville Film Festival
- L-DUB Film Festival (Lake Worth Playhouse)
- Miami International Film Festival
- Miami Short Film Festival
- Palm Beach International Film Fest
- Sarasota Film Festival
- Tallahassee Film Festival
- West of Cannes Film Festival
Film commissions and offices
- Film in Florida - official site of Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment
- Metro Orlando Film Office
- Miami-Dade Film Office
- Polk County Film Office
- Space Coast Film Commission
- Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission
Florida-based studio facilities
Metro Orlando alone is home to more than 10 state-of-the-art sound stages, making it one of the largest working production facility centers outside of Los Angeles and New York. Complete studio and production services are available throughout Florida, including backlots that can double for just about any national or international locale, production office space and sound stages totaling more than 160,000 square feet (15,000Â m2).
Some of these facilities include:
- Chapman Leonard Soundstage and Equipment (Orlando)
- Detour Studios (Haines City)
- Disney's Hollywood Studios (Orlando)
- Horizon Pictures Studio (Orlando)
- Universal Studios (Orlando)
See also
- Cinema of the United States
- Cinema of the world
- Florida Film Critics Circle
External links
- Florida Film Commission
- Metro Orlando Film Commission
- Film Florida