St. Louis is the place to be for film production workers, according to a recent study by Giggster, an online platform focused on film locations. The study ranks St. Louis as the top city in the U.S. for real pay in film-related jobs, surpassing Hollywood itself. This is a surprising finding, as St. Louis has long been overlooked in favor of more glamorous locations. But what makes St. Louis so attractive to film workers? It's all about the wages, says St. Louis film commissioner Kelley Hiatt. Unlike other cities, wages for film production work in St. Louis are set by national unions based on the movie's budget, not the local cost of living. This means that workers in St. Louis can earn more for the same work compared to other cities. Hiatt also attributes the city's resurgence in film production to Missouri's resurrected film credits. In 2023, Missouri lawmakers approved a new set of tax credits for film and TV productions, providing up to $8 million in tax credits each year. This has fueled a 7% increase in film-related employment growth in St. Louis since 2023, according to the Giggster study. But it's not just about the money. As Variety recently reported, productions are increasingly looking for good talent on the ground, and St. Louis is attracting attention for its hospitality and access to locations. Hiatt notes that she was working with a producer for the Discovery Channel who had never been to St. Louis before but was impressed by the city's hospitality and ease of access to locations. This is evident in the recent filming of mid-sized productions like Chasing Summer and Jacob Beats Up Nate, which featured stars like Megan Mullally, Lola Tung, Justin Long, and Lamorne Morris. The city's universities and public school buildings are also being utilized for filming. Hiatt is determined to make her office at Explore St. Louis a one-stop shop for productions, helping to secure permits and open doors. She believes that word of mouth is a powerful tool in the film industry, and her efforts are paying off. The future looks bright for St. Louis's film industry, with two more mid-sized productions set to start filming in the coming weeks. St. Louis is proving to be a top destination for film workers, offering competitive wages, a supportive environment, and a growing film industry. As Hiatt says, 'This place rocks!'
