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(Last updated: 13 Jul 2007)
Trends and opportunities
The market
According to the Center for Entertainment Industry Data and Research, gross film production expenditures in the US have decreased. Industry sources attribute this decrease in spending to the increase in US runaway productions.
Runaway productions are movie and video productions that are taken overseas by US companies. This is mainly due to economic factors (rather than creative), stemming from increased costs of production in the US, quality and cheaper facilities being made available in other countries, tax incentives offered by overseas countries and exchange rate differences. Canada, the UK and Australia are the largest markets for US runaway productions (IBISWorld).
According to a report published by Washington Production Team, what has recently drawn attention to US filming in Australia is the fact that US productions shot in Australia have been successful at the box office. Such blockbusters include Peter Pan, The Great Raid, The Quiet American, Scooby Doo, The Matrix, The Thin Red Line and Star Wars 2. Foreign film companies are attracted to Australia by a growing film production infrastructure and lower costs.
Australia has a federal tax offset incentive, which may be available to some feature film productions. The refundable tax offset is worth 12.5 per cent for qualifying feature films.
Opportunities
The best opportunities for Australian exporters in the film industry are to attract US film and television production companies to Australian facilities (eg. pre-production, production and post production) and locations.
The entertainment industry comprises the production of:
- first run feature movies
- television programs
- documentaries
- commercials
- infomercials
- training and education movies
- TV shows
- taped sports events and concerts which are distributed by movie and video distribution companies to theatre
- network TV
- cable TV
- video and DVD retailers and rental outlets
- Internet
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Tariffs, regulations and customs
Industry standards
An important industry body for the US film industry is The Motion Picture Association of America. The Rating Board of the Classification and Rating Administration is responsible for applying a rating to films released to the public in the USA.
In the USA, unions are very important to the entertainment industry. Most people working on films need to be members of the Screen Actors Guild Inc. or a similar trade union.
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Marketing your products and services
Market entry
As the US is an extremely competitive marketplace for the film, television and video production industry, it's best to try and establish a relationship with AusFILM Australia. With offices in Sydney and Los Angeles, AusFILM markets Australia overseas as the world's best destination for film, television and commercials and to encourage producers to film and/or post-produce their project in Australia.
AusFILM is a unique collaboration of over 60 corporate members, Australia's state film offices and the Federal Government, through Austrade and the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts. They are a non-profit organisation with an elected board and a private sector focus.
The first step for Australian filmmakers wanting to distribute to the US market is to appoint an Australian sales agent (eg. Southern Star or Beyond). Alternatively, distributors could appoint a US sales agent who works in the theatrical or television industries.
All contact with AusFILM should be initiated with the Australian end of their operations.
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Contact details
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by succeeding in trade and investment, internationally, and promoting and supporting productive foreign investment into Australia.
Austrade:
- Delivers services that assist Australian businesses initiate, sustain and grow trade and outward investment.
- Promotes Australia as an inward investment destination and, with the States and Territories, supports the inflow of productive foreign direct investment.
- Administers the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
- Undertakes initiatives designed to improve community awareness of, and commitment to, international trade and investment.
- Provides advice to the Australian Government on its trade and investment development activities.
- Delivers consular, passport and other government services in designated overseas locations.
A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.
More information
For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au |
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