The Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission (FTC) released the 2001 Production Activity Report (PAR) this month. The FTC reports $128,079,943 in production revenue, exceeding earlier estimates and overcoming a summer Screen Actors Guild strike, the effects of September 11th and the receding economy. Film Commissioner Chuck Elderd commented, "Resilient and innovative local production companies continued generating revenue and making headlines, building on an already strong foundation. Our base of production in Palm Beach County maintained production levels, providing the opportunity to reclaim future on-location projects. More companies reported this year than ever before." 59 companies reported this year, contributing to the overall revenue increase of 10.2%. Last year, 45 companies participated in production reports totaling $116.9 million.

Palm Beach County began the year by being named Florida's Featured Location by the Governor's Office of Film & Entertainment. At the box office, the comedy hit Heartbreakers soared to #1. Independent filmmakers took to the streets of Palm Beach County with features Deal and The Changing Light of Day. Palm Beach was named one of The Travel Channel's Top Ten Beaches, and was featured in The Hidden Wealth of Palm Beach. Post-September 11, the FTC led PBC back to business with an October familiarization tour and the coordination of a statewide initiative at NATPE 2002. Autumn also brought Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Liz Claiborne for their spring fashion shoot and the ladies of LPGA graced the greens of Trump International Golf Club attracting worldwide broadcast attention. Nickelodeon's Slimetime Live gooped up some students in November, Redbook Magazine featured Serena and Venus Williams, and Talbots fashion catalogue showcased sunny South Florida in a 10-day shoot. 

USA Network series Go For It filmed the first 13 episodes at Palm Beach Ocean Studios (PBOS) featuring sports stars Dan Marino, Grant Hill and Mia Hamm. Burger King lensed an incredibly popular international spot. PBOS also hosted the reunion of Wilford Brimley and producer/director Dick Richards for a Liberty Medical national commercial.
 

Among the highlights of 2001 were: Information Television Network (ITV) sold several series to the Discovery Channel; Ko-Mar Productions opened a new studio facility and attracted several high profile projects; Teaching Learning Network (TLN) agreed to provide the Hawaii Pacific Channel over 1500 half-hours of quality programming; WEBN, the Educational Broadcasting Network merged with Net Video Networks, a division of 5th Avenue Channel Corporation; Five Star Productions completed and open their 18,000sq.ft.expansion of their studios. High profile national commercials included Frito Lay with Cal Ripkin, Jr., Ovaltine, Claritin with NY Mets catcher Mike Piazza, Fidelity Federal, Sears and Sports Authority. Television shows included Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart, America's Most Wanted, A&E's The Competition, CBS's The Early Show, This Old House, CourtTV, A&E specials, National Geographic and the Travel Channel. Still shoots included American Vogue, Izod, Mark, Fore and Strike, Mastercraft, People Magazine and Smithsonian Magazine.

Although negative economic circumstances did impact the number of on-location productions in PBC, resulting in decreases in hotel room nights and permitted projects, the production industry demonstrated its stability with increased revenue of 10.2% and 14,374 production days, an increase over 2000 of 33%. 

PBC's forward-thinking production companies laid the groundwork for an even more successful 2002. Synergy Broadcasting, Perpetual Motion Films and the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum joined forces to co-develop film, television and educational programming. TLN announced a new television series entitled Voices of Vision. ITV announced that KidsHealthworks will begin airing on the Discovery Health Channel in Spring 2002. A new travel series, Conde Nast Traveler will be based out of the County. Additionally, three movies are currently in development featuring Palm Beach County along with five new, nationally-syndicated television series. 

Film Commissioner Chuck Elderd reflects, "Looking back over the 12 years of production history, it is clear that innovative professionals and educational programming dedicated to cultivating a skilled workforce have strongly contributed to keeping PBC in an upward growth pattern that promises a bright future for our local economy." A 30-minute television show, which recaps this exciting year of production, is airing on Palm Beach County's local government Channel 20 on Mondays at 9pm, Tuesdays at 2pm and Thursdays at 9:30pm