BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....It wasn't all that long ago that the notion of the Buffalo Niagara and Western New York region becoming a major hub for film production was viewed as a pipe dream.
But, that pipe dream has become a reality.
The crew currently filming the rebranded "Rewinding Christmas" (formerly 'Christmas at the Starlight') punctuates the point.
"Soundstages around here are very busy and that's encouraging," says Cindy Abbott Letro, a Buffalo Niagara Film Commission director and former chairperson and a commission founder.
Consider: "Rewinding Christmas" is being produced by Great American Media, who in the past few years has filmed 13 other movies here.
In fact, Great American Media has signed a two-year deal with Great Point Buffalo studios on Niagara Street to make more movies - mostly feel-good, holiday-themed flicks, in Buffalo.
"The film industry is becoming very dynamic," Cindy Abbott Letro said.
Last year, Erie County pegged local film making as having at least a $65 million economic impact.
Buffalo Film Works, the city's other major sound stage, is booked solid and several films are also using Buffalo Toronto Public Media's sound stage for various productions.
"Our goal, from the beginning, was to create a robust film industry," Cindy Abbott Letro said. "We are on our way to getting there."
Before the film commission - headed by Tim Clark and Rich Wall - gained traction, the region saw an occasional movie filmed - mostly one-offs like "The Natural," "Best Friends" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."
The true crystalizing moment when the big ticket/big cast "Marshall" was filmed in the region a decade ago.
The buzz from the film's crew about how easy and cooperative it was to make a movie in Buffalo made its way through key Hollywood cricles.
And, New York's film tax credits has helped too.
Taken together, Cindy Abbott Letro feels, the foundation is there for the region to land even more movies.
"It is a great opportunity,:" Cindy Abbott Letro said.
Movies creating major economic impact across the region
Movies creating major economic impact across the region
