Ten Dollar Movie Company is an Appalachian based film and television production company social enterprise. Our goal is to train and hire industry professionals to make high quality movies and television shows right here in Appalachia for the purposes of nationwide/global distribution.
On July 1st 2022, the state of West Virginia enacted one of the most robust film tax incentives/rebates in the United States. While this is certainly wonderful news to the Mountain State, we want to make sure that we are training and putting West Virginian’s to work on these productions.
Unfortunately the whole idea of “making movies” is still an alien concept here in West Virginia.
Let’s face it, our ears perk up when you mention a new coal mine or steel plant opening. Those are industries that created our economic growth and areas of work we have emotional connections to. When you start talking about “making movies”, a lot of well-intentioned folks give you a weird look. It isn’t necessarily because they are against the idea in general. They obviously love movies. We all do.
However, the truth of the matter is most of the Appalachian population (like most non-Appalachian folks) are unaware of just how many millions of dollars are brought in from the film industry each year.
States, cities and municipalities benefit through movies being filmed in their area because it drives the economy through employment opportunities, revenue and related infrastructure development.
For example, the city of Pittsburgh just made over $330 million last year from the film industry.
Think about that for a minute. Pittsburgh isn’t Hollywood or Atlanta and they are on a path towards becoming a major film hub. And guess what? Pittsburgh is part of the Appalachian Regional Corridor.
Another example is Georgia. 25 years ago, the idea that the Peach State would surpass California in film productions was unheard of. But they did. And now they are raking in over $12 billion (that is with a B) a year in revenue.
On this specific issue, we do not have to sit on the sidelines and watch massive economic growth all around us without the benefits reaching our state border. We CAN replicate those models here in West Virginia. In fact, we have already started. Within (1) week of our state’s film tax credit becoming reality, (2) major motion pictures were filmed here.
So now that the movies and shows are being filmed here, how do we get our local folks good paying jobs in the industry?
It’s actually not that difficult. And we have a very simple plan to make this happen.
First, let’s take a minute to discuss what exactly we do and what our goal is.
As mentioned above we are a social enterprise film company based right here in Appalachia that is ready to train and hire local individuals, especially those who face barriers to employment such as: criminal justice system involvement, discrimination, substance abuse problems, low-income, homelessness and those who are disabled.
In short, we want the world to see our high quality productions while showcasing the amazing talent we have right here! And in doing so, we will help grow the film industry here in West Virginia which means more jobs, a more diverse economy and an end to generational poverty.
And we want to do this by keeping everything local!
Because as an Appalachian based social enterprise our vision is a regional economy that works for EVERYONE.