Just about every week I get a message from someone around town telling me about a film being shot in Buffalo. So much so, that I throw up my hands because of lack of time to cover each and every film. Feeling that I needed to play some catchup, I finally got a chance to sit down with Rich Wall, Director of Operations at the Buffalo Niagara Film Office.
Right off the bat, I asked Rich to sum up the film industry in Buffalo with one word.
“Deluge”
That was his response, and I have to agree that Buffalo is currently undergoing a successful film run, that looks as though it will happily continue for years to come.
The following is a continuation of our interview:
There was time when Buffalo was grasping at straws, trying to get films to come here. How has that changed?
The game changer? An increase in State tax credits for studio films. Also the accessibility to tools to make films – in particular, access to HD cameras. The availability of cinema quality cameras that are under $5K has helped. We also have a number of vendors locally who are equipped with these types of cameras – ND Studios for example. And FilmKiln, or Gribbins Films. The playing field has been democratized.
How about the bigger directors/producers? What are they finding in Buffalo?
Take director Fred Olen Ray – he was looking for a city to shoot his last film. His son shot Battle Dogs in Buffalo, and told Fred that the film office had been very supportive and had local quality crews. Since shooting his new feature, Small Town Prince, Fred has figured out the great production value that Buffalo has to offer. As Fred was working on Small Town Prince, he began to put together the pieces for a second movie that is also being shot in Buffalo, called Trial. Fred started off with B-movies, but his newer films feature more experienced actors.
How is Fred’s experience (and directors like him) pushing the envelope in Buffalo?
Fred is the ideal director to get to Buffalo – he’s the quintessential film maker because he’s of the mindset that he wants to use the raw canvas of WNY. You can tell the difference with the production quality and film making artistry. Buffalo is like cinema gold.
Now that we’re on a roll with films being shot here, what is Buffalo missing that would help to attract more films… a major sound stage?
Well, editing can be done anywhere – it’s not location specific. We have qualified production stages such as WNED Studio, which is a sound proof professional sound stage. Pierce Arrow is a qualified production space. And there are plenty of places to build non-sound proof spaces to build sets. The production crew for The Natural used the Masten Avenue
Armory. The Ninja Turtles used an old office supply warehouse for preparation and to conduct operations. Honestly, the reason that the films come here is not whether we have a sound stage or not, it’s because of our everyday settings. There are so many places to shoot here that aren’t used over and over, as they are in some other cities. There are sound stages in Rochester and Michigan that sit empty most of the time.
What does a feature film do for Buffalo?
We’re are looking at over 4000 room nights in 2015 (hotel stays). It’s smart business to support films. All things considered, the City doesn’t have to build anything, and if you don’t mind some minor inconveniences (during The Turtles), the industry infuses money into the economy. The Turtles added an additional $7 million to the local economy over the course of two weeks. Local companies also benefit, such as Skyworks – The Turtles used their cranes, which allowed the business to buy more equipment. They also sourced their office supplies at the Ink Spot on East Side. The security vests made by the Olmsted Center for Sight on Main Street. The list goes on. On top of it, The Turtles paid for all of the police overtime.
Other than the big films, what is the upside to the industry?
Buffalo’s sweet spot is independent films, which tend to range from $200K to $1 million. We’re knocking those out of the park. You have to remember that the films being produced in Buffalo equate to jobs. These are skilled labor positions. The workers are getting paid to do what they studied and trained for. They are also gaining valuable experience. Since February, rarely has a week gone by when a film is not being shot in Buffalo. At this very moment, a film crew is shooting outside of GCR’s music studio on North Street. The film is called Two for One, and stars Jon Abrahams (who also directs the film), Erika Christensen, and Annie Potts (pictured below). Nikki Sumner (starred in “Francis Ha”) is also in the film.
^Actress Annie Potts on the set of “Two For One”
The Mayor held a press conference yesterday… no other Mayor does that. There is an excitement around filming in Buffalo, opposed to the fatigue that can be found in other cities.
How does the Film Office play into all of this?
The Film Office is hands on. There is a lot of good will, and the impression that we make upon the makers is one of the reasons that they are coming back. Often times, we’re on the set when they need us. We support them every step of the way, which is not something that you often find. Film Commissioner Tim Clark is very service oriented. That’s because our best advertising is word of mouth.
How does all of this bode for Buffalo’s independent film scene?
The more films that are produced in Buffalo, the more talent that rises up locally. Buffalo supports the young people who are making films here. The bigger the industry is here in Buffalo, the easier it will be for all makers. From equipment to locals who understand the industry. Buffalo has a creative community with a supportive atmosphere. The Film Office is a two-person office, yet we helped to attract $32 million over the last four years. That’s not just good for the local economy, that good for building a local work force that can get the job done the next time a big film rolls into town.
*Small Town Prince (or A Prince for Christmas), will be airing on cable in November
Lead image: On the set of Two for One