Ke$ha’s new video sparks interest
As the Imperial Valley grows more popular, the Imperial County Film Commission (ICFC) actively tries to bring additional filming opportunities into our side of southern California.
As the Imperial Valley grows more popular, the Imperial County Film Commission (ICFC) actively tries to bring additional filming opportunities into our side of southern California.
Celebrities have been filming for both the big and small screens here in the valley. The result of this is that more companies are interested in filming here.
Executive Director of the ICFC, Charla Teeters, said, “People who saw the Ke$ha video want to know where this video was shot. With the video being so popular, people will be very curious as to where it was filmed and more people will be introduced to the uniqueness that is the Imperial Valley.”
The Imperial Valley has had a long history with Hollywood reaching back to the silent film era.
“Over the years, millions of dollars have been spent in Imperial County through filming. $1.8 million in Estimated Economic Impact was tracked in fiscal year 15-16. Fiscal Year 14-15 resulted in an estimated economic impact of $3.3 million,” Teeters shared.
When a production company comes to the valley to film, they spend money, and that is why it is important for the valley to be a film-friendly county.
Teeters added, “The estimated economic impact for Ke$a’s music video was about $130,000. Economic impacts come in the form of purchases for food, gas, accommodations, rentals, construction materials and location fees.”
All the filming here has assisted in an economic growth for local businesses.
“Filming helps the valley through the money that is spent here, the businesses it supports and the recognition the valley gets from exposure on the big and small screens,” reminded Teeters.
With the film industry on a rise, there is a higher demand for production. The Imperial Valley is a film friendly county here to meet their demands.
Teeters concluded, “There is filming happening all the time around the valley. Over the past 2 years we have averaged 7 productions per month utilizing the valley as the backdrop for their project.”