The Number

Film and television production plays an important role in the Santa Clarita economy, but it goes beyond rentals of sound stages and movie ranches. $17.4 million Economic impact of film and TV production in Santa Clarita It’s also a matter of patronizing local hotels, buying wardrobe and production supplies – even meals and a cup of coffee. Recently, the city calculated that economic impact for the first seven months of the current fiscal year – from July through January – and found it totaled $17.4 million. “They buy supplies at Home Depot or Lowe’s or Newhall Paint Store,” said Jason Crawford, the city’s marketing and economic development manager. “They will go to Starbucks and get 150 coffees for the crew in the afternoon.” Santa Clarita has seen a steady growth in production. It was up 44 percent in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and there were 294 permits issued in the first seven months of this year. The city calculated the broader economic impact by sending out surveys requesting information on how much and where each production spent. Not every production was accounted for, but Crawford said there were enough responses to get a reasonable estimate. (The surveys do not include filming done in unincorporated neighborhoods.) The responses also were cross-checked with California Film Commission estimates of production spending. “They are always close,” Crawford said. Television brought in $13.5 million, while feature films totaled $1.9 million and commercials $1.7 million. Series that film in the city include “Justified,” “Franklin & Bash” and “NCIS.” Academy Award nominees “Whiplash” and “American Sniper” also filmed there. Stacie House, marketing director for Westfield Valencia Town Center, said mall stores sell clothing and other supplies. She also gets calls from wardrobe supervisors looking for certain clothing. “We can help with that and make sure that we are available,” she added. – Mark R. Madler