Las Vegas, NV. -- The Nevada Film Office has released final production figures for fiscal year 98-99, and the numeral production revenues in the state of more than 50%. With over $79 million in revenues and approximately 500 productions coming to Nevada between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 1999, production has been a strong revenue stream for the state. 1997-98 revenues were $51 million in production, making the prior three fiscal years' average $72 million per year.

"We are pleased to see this dramatic improvement," says Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt, Chair of the Commission on Economic Development. "We believe it is a direct result of the Nevada Film Office's aggressive pursuit of production through increased marketing and advertising, extensive personal outreach to the film, television, music and other multimedia. There is no substitute for any of those elements."

Charles Geocaris, Director of the Nevada Film Office, states "Intergovernmental efforts and cooperation are also key factors to the success of bringing more production to Nevada, and these relationships continue to grow stronger every year. For example, Clark County, the City of Las Vegas, Metro, NDOT and other entities work closely and often with our offices here in southern Nevada, and together we all strive to streamline and expedite every project. Our northern Nevada office has also developed strong multijurisdictional ties."

A challenge facing all states over the last several years has been how to combat and reduce "runaway production," meaning those productions that leave the United States to film abroad. Canada has been the primary recipient of this runaway production, and recently released figures show more than $10 billion was lost to runaway production in 1998. According to an extensive SAG-DGA report released in June, production has declined between 20% - 37% in Illinois, North Carolina, Texas and Washington sate. Nevada's production increase of more than 50% in the last year is a notable contract to those figure.

"This sizeable increase in production is also indicative of more industry interest in different locales," adds Geocaris. "The NFO promotes and publicizes the great diversity of Nevada through our campaign of 'Locations Less Known,' and raising awareness around the nagtion and the world of all this state has to offer is a primary goal of our division."