Film industry brings $$$ to town

From John Beifuss' story in the CA: (also note that release date for Nothing But the Truth is no longer in September)

Companies producing movies, TV shows, music videos, corporate videos and television commercials spent $4.5 million in the Memphis area during the past year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission.

The most profitable production for the city was director Rod Lurie's "Nothing But the Truth," which spent almost $3.5 million and employed 87 local crew members during 31 days of shooting here during October and November. Originally set for release in September, but now more likely to arrive in theaters in 2009, the movie stars Kate Beckinsale as a crusading reporter.

Other notable feature films that shot for at least a few days in Memphis during the 2007-08 fiscal year were "Soul Men," with Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac, and "The Open Road," with Jeff Bridges and Justin Timberlake.

The economic figures were collected from production company expenditure reports filed with the commission, according to Deputy Film Commissioner Sharon Fox O'Guin.

In less-cheerful news, the commission reported a $54,119 operating deficit for the fiscal year, based on expenses of $390,396. The discrepancy was mainly because of unexpected increases in marketing and recruiting expenses, as film and TV company representatives -- lured in part by the state's new incentive programs for filmmakers -- scouted locations around the Mid-South.