2 min read June 2023 — Boston has been a creative hub for big Hollywood productions as well as niche independent filmmakers, and the industry is continuing to see growth as more investors explore opportunities that the entertainment sector brings to the area.
In early June, Boston-based minority-owned real estate company Rise announced plans to build a movie and TV production campus in Braintree. According to Boston Business Journal, the property is fully permitted and is expected to develop 272,500 square feet of industrial and office space — geared towards sound stages and pre- and post-production amenities and facilities. According to Rise, over 800 union jobs are estimated to be created in the town of Braintree as a result of the proposed movie studio.
This latest development highlights the region’s advancement in a highly contested industry. “The film industry has taken off in Boston and in Massachusetts as a whole in recent years thanks, in part, to tax incentives. More and more large budget films and television shows are choosing to base their production in and around Boston,” Don Schechter, CEO of the Charles River Media Group, told Invest:.
Massachusetts provides filmmakers with a package of tax incentives — a 25% production credit, 25% payroll credit and a sales tax exemption, as well as any projects surpassing $50,000 deemed eligible for a payroll credit, according to Massachusetts Film Office.
Some notable projects that were filmed in the Boston area include high-profile movies such as Good Will Hunting, popular television series Boston Legal and independent film Manchester by the Sea. The city also hosts the Boston International Film Festival and Boston Underground Film Festival, giving filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work.
Despite the tax cuts and employment opportunities, the film industry in Boston still faces strains less relevant to markets such as California, Georgia and Florida. “The weather in Boston throughout the year, and short days in the winter, is a limiting factor to many productions,” Schechter said.
Severe weather and lack of daylight create difficult shooting conditions that might deter potential filmmakers from coming to Boston. The shortage of qualified workers also poses an issue, but is expected to improve as more companies like Rise choose to invest in the Boston film industry.
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