Written by new-contact on Apr 24, 2015. Posted in On Location

Bryan Cranston uses local filming incentive for The Infiltrator in Florida

Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston's new movie is using a local filming incentive to shoot scenes in Tampa Bay, Florida. True-life crime feature The Infiltrator is filming mostly in the UK, but will get a small local filming incentive for a short Florida shoot, where the story takes place.

"I know they are going to be at several different locations in Tampa,” said Tony Armer, head of the Pinellas County Film Commission, in comments to local news affiliate WFLA:

“I can't say exactly where and they are going to be doing a little bit more in Pinellas County as well. Some fun unique locations that give it a throwback look to the 1980s.”

Armer added that the film could help increase the region’s profile, while production spending will benefit local businesses.

"You are hiring a lot of locals to work on the project,” he added: “You are booking hotel room nights for people who are flying in for the project. You are promoting the area and promoting a destination by having news cameras shooting and talking about the film, and the celebrity presence of having Bryan Cranston here drives more business and more money is spent in the area.”

Filmmaker Tim Burton also spent a few days filming in Tampa Bay recently for his new feature Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The production was also awarded a small local filming incentive, but again is shooting mostly in the UK.

Florida has a filming incentive in place but the programme has lacked funds for the past couple of years. As a result the state has faced a challenge securing high-profile productions, although it’s scored a recent success with the Netflix series Bloodline (above).

Legislation to boost the filming incentive is currently being considered by state authorities.

(Image: Saeed Adyani)