The movie and TV industry contributed 2.5 million jobs and $41.1 billion in wages to the U.S. economy in 2007, according to an MPAA report.

That’s up from more than 1.3 million jobs and $30.2 billion in 2005 as reported by the trade group in its inaugural report a couple of years ago.



Clearly, when it comes to the film business, New York officials are nervously watching Massachusetts and hoping we decide to throw in the towel.

Ambitious studio projects could make Massachusetts a center for the film industry.

Yesterday, Ben Affleck and co-star Kevin Costner were on location in Roxbury shooting scenes for the upcoming “The Company Men.” The flick, by “ER” producer John Wells, is about corporate downsizing.

By all accounts the film tax credit passed in Massachusetts in 2005 and expanded in 2007 seems to be working well in an otherwise down economy. The two production companies filming here now – and the competing plans for soundstage capacity – are on-going testament to that.

Word is, location scouts already have scoped out car czar Ernie Boch Jr .’s Ferrari dealership for the flick, which has Paul Blart being fired from his mall cop gig and being forced to find work as a zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo.

“Hollywood East” isn’t just a clever sales pitch. It means getting our fair share of a $60 billion industry that every year enjoys a balance of trade surplus of $10 billion – even in bad times.

Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and Ben Affleck are set to star in “The Company Men,” an independently financed drama about the impact that a corporate downsizing has on both its casualties and survivors, starting April in Boston.

Overall, ABC Studios has been among the most active in exploring its options outside of Gotham and Canada. Beantown is home to ABC Studios’ ABC hour “See Cate Run”.

Adam Sandler’s next movie, to be filmed this summer in Essex, has already brought smiles to the faces of residents. The movie will bring the town $150,000 in property use and parking fees. “It could not come at a better time for us,” said Finance Committee Chairman Jeff Soulard. Beyond the “financial boon to the town” said Bob Coviello, owner of Main Street Antiques and member of the Essex Merchant group, “there will be considerable spill-off to local businesses, restaurants and antique shops.”

While much of the economy is teetering between bust and bailout, the movie industry has been startled by a box-office surge that has little precedent in the modern era.

Details of the $422 million facility are becoming more concrete.

Film work has pumped hundreds of millions directly into the Massachusetts economy.

“We’re extremely well positioned for the next 3-4 years,” said Paleologos, explaining that if the ongoing labor dispute between the major studios and the Screen Actors Guild is settled by mid-March, anywhere from eight to 12 movies will likely be made in Massachusetts in 2009.

Parts of Taunton and North Dighton are being considered as location sites for a major cinematic production about the Civil War and the 16th president of the United States.