The Entertainment Industry in the United States has a direct economic impact $40.5 billion in wages, and an average salary 26% higher than the national average. The Entertainment Industry also supports more than 2.2 million direct and indirect jobs according to a 2009 survey by the Motion Picture Association of America. The majority of these jobs are in so-called “below the line” jobs or jobs that require technical skills such as electrician, construction, etc.
What does this mean for Alabama? As a direct result of a progressive incentive package passed by the Alabama legislature in 2009, Alabama is positioned for growth in this dynamic industry. The incentive package offered to producers and filmmakers is one of the top packages in the country and puts us in firm competition with other states in the highly competitive market.
The EMPACT program takes students through the basics of set construction, lighting and then production to give them an overview of some of the things they will be required to do if hired by a production. The goal of the classes, as with most AIDT training, is to provide students with as much simulated real-world experience as possible.
AIDT in conjunction with our Alabama Workforce System partners are pursuing this industry as it would any other. With an estimated return on investment of up to $2.50 for every one dollar in tax incentives to hourly wages approaching $18 to $35 per hour, the entertainment production industry has the potential to make a serious “IMPACT” on Alabama’s economy.