This is RoboCop, an action film that, when complete,
will mean $8 million to the local economy.
And very quiet. Action.
This, too, is an important aspect of the film
and tape industry.
Here, an industrial feature is being videotaped
for a corporation.
This, combined with movies and television
commercials, brings about $200 million annually
to the Metroplex.
The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce would like
to see that figure grow,
so the chambers created the North Texas Film Commission.
Filmmaker Sam Grog says this area has a lot to
offer, including relatively inexpensive labor.
It seems like the standard union rates here, by
and large, are, oh, maybe 10-20% less than the
standard L.A. or New York union rates.
Trammell Crowe, whose family owns the Dallas
Communications Complex, claims a filmmaker can
save 50% producing a movie in Texas.
And this is one industry where money talks.
It's unlikely that Texas will ever surpass
Southern California or New York for movie making.
But this latest film commission intends to make
sure that North Texas at least gets more than
its fair share.
Bob Letter, Channel 5 News at Las Colinas.