Film shoots on the rise

BANGKOK Thailand earned a record THB942.20 million from on-location film shoots, January to July, according to a Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Thailand Film Office Department update released late last week.
During the first seven months of the year, 344 documentaries, advertising slots, TV series, and music videos were filmed on location in Thailand generating THB942.20 million in tourism related revenue compared to 444 productions and THB1,176.17 million during the same period last year.
The 344 productions were categorised as 82 documentaries, 167 advertising spots, 48 television programmes, 22 music videos and 25 films.
Europe’s filmmakers topped the list in the first seven months with 69 productions followed by 57 from Japan, 54 from India, 23 from China, 16 from the United States, 15 from South Korea, 14 from Hong Kong, eight from Australia, one from Taiwan, and 87 from others.
In July alone, there were 40 productions that circulated THB72.25 million compared to 65 productions earning THB175.75 million during the same month last year.
Of the 40 productions, four were documentaries, 21 advertising spots, eight television programmes, two music videos and five films.
India filmmakers led the field with nine productions followed by five each from Japan and Europe, three each from South Korea and China, one each from US and Hong Kong and 13 from others.
Promoting film shoots is a Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ priority based on the belief that films provide positive tourism awareness that encourages travel without a major investment in media or advertising.
While revenue earned from film crews is substantial as stated in the ministry’s data, the bigger picture is the positive awareness of Thailand once the films are circulated. Film earnings in 2014 should grow 15% from Bt2,173.35 million last year.

sourced:ttrweekly.com