Let’s make some movies!
Hunter Rand operates a cinema camera on a film set in Northern Nevada in 2025.
A key part of my economic diversification policy is expanding the film industry in Northern Nevada. This has been in motion since the early 2000s. My mentor before me spent years - decades - laying the groundwork for what we have today.
One of the strongest components already in place is workforce development through Career and Technical Education programs in the WCSD. Programs at Spanish Springs High School where I taught, The Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology where I studied, and Debbie Smith Career and Technical Academy graduate approximately 150 students each year who are ready to enter the multimedia industry. That includes film production, television, marketing, graphic design, and more.
From this foundation, our local film industry has grown organically. So how do we grow it further?
First, Sparks is already doing a lot right. A friend and director, Andrew Arguello, who just wrapped filming Love Me x3 using locations in Sparks, told me how surprised he was by how easy it is to film here. Permits are affordable, the City of Sparks is responsive, and the locations are diverse and accessible.
Second, with just a small amount of targeted outreach, the City of Sparks could attract more productions that would stay in our hotels, spend money at our local businesses, and hire our local professionals.
Organically grown industries are the most resilient. They develop with a natural balance of demand, labor, investment, and community support. This leads me to AB 5, restructured from AB 238 - one of the bills being considered during the Legislature’s current special session.
Large incentive packages that rely on massive transferable tax credits to rapidly build regional industries often create sectors that are less resilient than those that grow organically. In film, we have seen what happens when the money runs out and productions leave for the next best state.
The industry collapses - major studio infrastructure sits vacant and unused. As film production has left Hollywood, it has left behind enormous empty soundstages that become a financial burden on surrounding communities. Similar patterns have occurred in New Mexico and Atlanta. Even Tyler Perry is pausing expansion of his facilities.
Sparks can continue growing its film industry organically by supporting our local filmmakers and attracting productions because of our natural advantages - strong locations, friendly permitting policies, and a talented workforce ready to go.
