How ‘Breaking Bad’ Inspired Arizona’s New Film Tax Credit
I was a big fan of the television series Breaking Bad.
The characters were intense, fascinating, and complex. Like many avid fans, I returned week after week to see what would happen to high school chemistry teacher Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, and his former student, Jesse Pinkman, portrayed by Aaron Paul.
The was originally supposed to be shot in Arizona, but filmmakers decided to move it to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to take advantage of a 25% tax rebate for film and television production in New Mexico.
At the time, Arizona wasn't interested in giving tax breaks to the film industry, and Breaking Bad was just one of the first lucrative projects the state lost out on as a result.
But things have begun to change in 2022. The Arizona State Film Tax Credit began to transform our state into a location hotspot, and things are continuing to look up.
The Incentive to Film in Arizona
Film production in Arizona can have a very positive economic impact on the state economy. Last year, film production in Greater Phoenix generated a whopping $29.1 million in economic output.
That's a massive jump from the $18.1 million in 2023, and as the Arizona Motion Picture Production Program begins to expand, the inducement to film in our state is getting better every year.
Arizona received a boost in revenue from 777 projects that were created in the Grand Canyon State last year. These projects include feature films, television shows, commercials, and more. They brought over 1,100 shoot days and employed more than 3,000 local crew members.
Filming in Arizona: Local Economic Impact
So, how does this impact Arizona's economy?
It's not just about the direct spending on production to make movies and shows in our state. The tally includes a boost to local businesses that directly benefit from the influx of film crews that need support services, like catering, accommodations, and transportation. Last year, over 4,700 hotel nights were booked across the state to house support staff. That's a significant revenue boost!
Film and television productions create a ripple effect throughout our local economy. With the incentives to film in Arizona growing every year, there's a good chance Arizona will see even more movies and TV shows created on location in our state over the next decade.
Let's hope this incentive keeps the momentum growing so people worldwide can see the beauty of our state—even if it's just from their living room!
Sources: Phoenix.gov | KTAR.com | azcommerce.com | SlashFilm.com
QUIZ: Can You Identify the Iconic '80s Film From Just a Single Freeze-Frame?
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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