ARTS & CULTURE
The success of Gerwig ’ s film , however , which stars Saoirse Ronan in the title role as a high school senior at odds with her mother ( Laurie Metcalf ), created a new opportunity , West says . Recognizing the demand for more projects , the city launched its Sacramento Film + Media office as part of its Creative Edge plan , a 2018 initiative to bolster the local cultural and creative economy , which included turning the commissioner role into a full-time job . West stepped into the expanded role in January 2020 .
“ The hope is to provide opportunity for more films like ‘ Lady Bird ’ to have more film days in Sacramento ,” West says . There are still obstacles , she adds , including a lack of basic infrastructure . Among her upcoming goals : Increasing support services , which includes adding prop and wardrobe houses , offering trailer rentals , training local crew for television and feature film projects , and eventually building a soundstage .
“ It is my hope that , like bigger film markets , increased film production will drive the private sector to invest ,” West says . The benefit is clear , she adds . In 2020 , productions injected $ 1.5 million into the Sacramento economy , with revenue that included money spent on hotels , local staffing , car rentals and catering . “ I began keeping metrics in January 2020 … so comparisons will be exciting in years to come ,” West says .
There ’ s another tangible boon in the heightened tourist interest a marquee production can generate . Many of the productions shot locally present the region as a stand-in for another location , such as the 2005 film “ Memoirs of a Geisha ,” which is set in Japan but includes scenes shot in Old Sacramento , El Dorado County and along the American River . Films that distinctly reference the area ’ s beauty and charms , however , may attract visitors .
In Sacramento , for example , the “ Lady Bird ” effect has sustained ripples long beyond the film ’ s release , including a popular pre-pandemic walking tour inspired by the film . Mike Testa , president and CEO of Visit Sacramento , says seeing the region on the screen
Jennifer West , Sacramento Film + Media film commissioner , stands at McKinley Park Rose Garden , where scenes from the movie “ Lady Bird ” were filmed . West hopes to provide more opportunities for movie productions to be filmed in Sacramento and bring in revenue to the community .
can present a significant opportunity , particularly with films that actually represent the city , such as “ Lady Bird ” or the 2005 indie “ Her Minor Thing .”
“ When Sacramento appears as Sacramento … and ( viewers ) see it on the screen , it makes them wonder about the Tower Bridge or realize that we have rivers ,” Testa says . “ It ’ s a primary education for people who ’ ve never been here before .”
Over in El Dorado County , a self-guided “ Modern Family ” tour has allowed fans to check out places where the popular series filmed a vacation episode . The county ’ s film office also produces a map of notable spots where more than 40 films have been shot , including the Clint Eastwood-directed 1982 film “ Honky Tonk Man ,” shot in Latrobe , and the 2013 Vera Farmiga horror film “ The Conjuring ,” which filmed scenes in Placerville . Dodge , the El Dorado County film commissioner , plans to soon add the Tom Cruise blockbuster “ Top Gun : Maverick ” to the map .
Part of her job , Dodge says , is acting as a liaison between productions and those who can offer services or location shoots . “ You have a beautiful apartment and I have a movie that needs an apartment , but you ’ ve never done this before ,” she says . That ’ s where a film commissioner comes in . It ’ s not just about opportunity , it ’ s about relationships .
“ It ’ s all very personal ,” says Dodge , who 30 years ago relocated to El Dorado County from Los Angeles , where she ’ d worked in film and television . Recognizing the wealth of prospects in the region , she convinced the county ’ s chamber of commerce to hire her as its inaugural film commissioner . “ I ’ m lucky to be the face of the film industry here . El Dorado County has come together so completely to support this venture , and that ’ s why we ’ re so successful .”
A cultural record
When COVID-19 shuttered everyday life , it wasn ’ t initially clear what that meant for business . During the
68 comstocksmag . com | July 2021