Making movies in Alaska: tax incentive program improves economy.

• Author: Bohi, Heidi
• Position: FILM INDUSTRY

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Shortly after the movie "Everyone Loves Whales" began filming in September, Uptown Blossoms, a popular flower shop in midtown Anchorage, had its own brush with fame when the set decorator called to talk about flower needs for various scenes in the movie.

"When we first met him we were sort of nervous, but really he's just a person like you and me," shop owner Carol Trout says, adding that her business was recommended to the studio coordinators. "Wherever there was a need for flowers, we supplied them."

Set in Cold War-era 1988, the film tells the true story of a small-town news reporter and a Greenpeace volunteer, played by Drew Barrymore, who enlist the help of rival superpowers to save three gray whales trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle as they made their way to Mexico for the winter. The national media, environmental activists, and the United States and Soviet Union--then in the middle of the Cold War--quickly descended on Barrow in an effort to escort the whales into open water.

Trout says flower needs all had to be designed to reflect what was in style in the 1980s, and included centerpieces and arrangements for various scenes in the film. Some of the flower orders required working with the production person responsible for props any of the actors or actresses touched.

What it meant for Uptown Blossoms was about $4,000 in orders. Although Trout says her business is fortunate to have a steady stream of customers year-round, it was nice to have the extra bump.

ALASKA'S NEWEST INDUSTRY

Since beginning to offer financial incentives to studios that decide to film their movies in Alaska, as is the case with "Everybody Loves Whales," the State's resurrected Film Office is optimistically watching what is being dubbed as Alaska's newest industry. The hope is the economic development initiative will attract projects that mean millions of dollars in economic impact resulting from increased receipts for small and large businesses and local hire, which in the case of "Everyone Loves Whales," meant hiring 3,000 Alaskans statewide, though most were hired in the Anchorage area. Other businesses that stand to measurably benefit are airlines, hotels, freight handling and air cargo, along with smaller enterprises that include everything from courier businesses to seamstresses.

About 30 productions have been prequalified by the State Film Office, meaning studios have submitted applications, estimated budgets, distribution...