In The News

The last time I talked to Portland filmmaker Noah Bessey in May of last year, he’d just wrapped on his second, Maine-made short film. Our second phone interview, less than a year later, sees Bessey telling me all about writing his first-ever feature film, which has just hit streaming services everywhere.

It’s the sort of feel-good Maine moviemaker tale you’ll want to hear.

The streaming economy — and the writer’s place in it — will be a central theme of the upcoming talks between Hollywood studios and the Writers Guild of America. The union’s current contract expires on May 1,with the industry bracing for a major battle and what could be the first strike in 15 years. That has the entertainment business growing increasingly anxious that production could grind to a halt. If that weren’t enough, the entertainment companies also must reach new agreements with the major unions representing directors and actors, who might also take to the picket lines if their terms aren’t met.

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Film Office (MFO), a division within the Office of Tourism at the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), has selected Olsberg•SPI (SPI) to complete a thorough audit of the state’s current film production capacity, its strengths, weaknesses and constraints, and capacity gaps in key areas of production, as well as opportunities for future growth.

“Maine has seen a welcome increase in filming here since the pandemic. Production companies were seeking a safe place to film, and found excellent crews and film-friendly communities throughout the state,” stated Karen Carberry Warhola, director of MFO. “With the increased interest in Maine as a filming location, we are in a perfect position to enhance the state’s ability to attract and service more – and larger – productions, and to do that effectively, we need to complete a comprehensive audit of what’s working and ways where we can improve to set a course for growth.”

MFO sent out a Request for Proposals in 2022 seeking companies with expertise in the film and television industry sector and a proven track record conducting similar studies. Following a proposal evaluation process, London-based SPI was selected for the contract. SPI works with a variety of global clients including governments, public agencies and institutions, and commercial entities, and specializes in film, television, video games, and digital media. SPI’s services help their clients to plan, design, and deliver sustainable growth, and prove impact while evolving and expanding in a highly competitive and fast-moving industry.

“As an internationally renowned creative consultant in the global screen sector, I think the selection of Olsberg•SPI to do a deep dive into Maine’s film and television business is a good one,” said Devon Platte, an executive film producer who participated in the selection process. “Olsberg•SPI is experienced at analyzing everything from how a state’s increasingly important film tax incentives rank against other states, to the overall economic benefit infused into a state’s economy by visiting big-budget productions. The results of this new creative collaboration between the Maine Film Office and Olsberg•SPI can do nothing but help Maine attract more ‘big league’ film and television projects to work here in the state, while also giving a lift to Maine’s local productions, too.”

Leon Forde, Managing Director of SPI, stated, “We are honored to be selected for this important and timely audit study for the State of Maine. Given the significant economic and strategic opportunities created by film and television production, it is critical for jurisdictions to take stock of their industry’s current capacity to play a competitive role – and plan accordingly. Our company is a leading consultancy in this industry, and I feel that not only are we ideal for the required level of analysis but our results will provide immense value to Maine’s growing film and television industry and be a touchstone for future marketing efforts to attract significant productions to the state.” 

SPI will conduct a thorough analysis of Maine’s current film production capacity, and provide a detailed audit of specific gaps and challenges in current production capacity. They will also identify key opportunities to increase current levels of production, and ways to attract and service more and bigger productions. “Olsberg•SPI will also review our current incentives and provide recommendations that could attract more film companies to choose Maine as their production location,” added Carberry Warhola.

MFO markets Maine as a filming location for all forms of production, including indie films, TV series, commercials, and photo shoots. MFO also aids productions with help finding support services and resources within Maine, offering incentives, and working with communities to prepare them for productions of all types and sizes. The office also works with the Maine Office of Tourism to develop Film Tourism initiatives. “MFO’s strives to promote Maine communities, businesses, and our residents within the film industry, while encouraging productions to hire and buy locally, deepening the economic impact in Maine. Films made in Maine often show the same characteristics of the state that draw tourists here and that is another benefit to a vibrant local film industry,” said Steve Lyons, director of the Maine Office of Tourism.

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About the Maine Film Office: A division within the Maine Office of Tourism at the Department of Economic & Community Development, the Maine Film Office markets Maine as a filming location and executes a strategy to increase production in Maine to help grow Maine’s economy. It is the official liaison between the film industry, state agencies, and production companies. For more information, go to FilmInMaine.com.

About Olsberg•SPI: SPI is an international creative industries consultancy specializing in the global screen industries. Based in London, SPI’s global client base includes governments, public agencies, and commercial entities. For the last 30 years, the company’s expert services have helped clients to plan, design, and deliver sustainable growth, evidence impact, and evolve and expand in a highly competitive and fast-moving landscape.

Further information on SPI and the company’s work can be found on SPI’s website and company brochure.

Study contact: SPI Consultant, Joshua Dedman – joshua@o-spi.com.

Regardless of the subject matter, film and TV sets can be stressful and dangerous places to work. The pandemic added a raft of anxieties as cast and crews returned to work to face rigorous safety protocols such as testing, masking and social distancing. The streaming boom put more pressure on film workers as production of new shows spiked and crew worked longer hours to keep up with demand, fueling burnout and rising labor tensions. As a result, more producers are considering offering therapy services, both on set and virtually, to help film workers cope with on-the-job stress.

Jenna Bush Hager talks about her recent trip to Maine for a Christmas Prelude. “I basically stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie this weekend,” she says.