$20+ Million Spent in Florida Keys and South Florida Region
Florida Keys based Netflix TV series, Bloodline has received two Emmy Award nominations. Kyle Chandler (John Rayburn) has been nominated for Lead Actor in a Drama and Ben Mendelsohn (Danny Rayburn) has been nominated for Supporting Actor in a Drama. The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards show will be held LIVE coast-to-coast from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Fox Sunday, Sept. 20 (8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT), the Television Academy and FOX announced.
Season 1 of Bloodline was shot in the Florida Keys over a six month period in 2014 with its premiere on Netfilx in March of 2015. The production spent over $20 million in the Florida Keys and South Florida region. The average TV series shot in Florida typically employs more than 2,000 Floridians with an average annual wage of more than $70,000. Bloodline was picked up for Season 2 shortly after its premiere and is scheduled to start production in the fall of 2015.
The series was nearly lost to another location because of better incentive programs provided by other competing states. The series did benefit from Florida’s existing entertainment financial program coupled with the juxtaposition between the beauty of the Keys and the depth of the local crew base against the dark storyline of the Rayburn family. Bloodline is scheduled to film Season 2 in the Florida Keys because the show has already qualified for potential tax credits after filming concludes through Florida’s existing Film & Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive Program, keeping the series in Florida for at least one more season.
“We’re so happy for the whole KZK, Sony, Netflix team, an amazingly talented and creative group who deserve the accolades,” commended Rita Troxel, Florida Keys and Key West Film Commissioner. “Big Congrats to Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn, who are awesome in their roles. We’re very proud of all the people in the Keys who have been on board, our film-friendly communities and the talented crew who got the job done. We are grateful and thrilled to have Bloodline set in and filming in the Florida Keys.”
A recent survey conducted by VISIT FLORIDA showed 22.7% of domestic visitors to the state indicated viewing a movie or TV series filmed in Florida contributed to their decision to travel to the state. With many websites and travel blogs touting the Florida Keys locations used in filming the series, it appears Bloodline will substantially contribute to those positive tourism numbers.
About Film Florida: Film Florida is a not-for-profit entertainment production association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, and digital media industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator. For more information about Film Florida visit FilmFlorida.org.