The motion picture and television production industry paid more than $40 billion in wages and $38 billion to vendors throughout the United States in 2007, according to a new report released on April 21 by the Motion Picture Association of America.

The report, the Economic Impact of the Motion Picture and Television Industry on the United States, provides a snapshot of economic impact and job creation derived from production and distribution of film and television entertainment.

“People don’t think of the business of making movies the same way they think of other American businesses such as manufacturers or large retailers. However, our industry in many ways is just like every other—we employ millions of people, we create jobs all across America, and yes, we too feel the sting of declining economic times,” said Dan Glickman, MPAA chairman and CEO. “But just as you have to look beyond the images you see on the silver screen to fully appreciate the hundreds of working men and women that go into making a single 20-second scene from your favorite movie, if you look deeply at how movies are made you will see that there is also much to consider and, indeed, celebrate about the contributions of this uniquely American industry to our economy.”

The industry itself comprises 115,000 businesses in all 50 states. More than 80 percent of these businesses are truly small businesses, employing fewer than 10 people.

Among the top-line findings from the report, which is based on 2007 data, the most recent year complete data was available, the motion picture and television industry was responsible for:
* 2.5 million American jobs
* an average salary of $74,700 for production employees
* $41.1 billion in wages to workers in America
* $38.2 billion in payments to U.S. vendors and suppliers, small businesses and entrepreneurs
* $13 billion in income and sales taxes
* $13.6 billion in trade surplus

The report was released at the 2009 “Business of Show Business” industry symposium, a biennial event providing the movie industry a forum to speak to lawmakers, students and other interested parties about the business of movie making. The day-long event focused on “American Creativity at Work” and featured panels and speakers to highlight the impact of movie and television production and distribution on the U.S. economy. Participants included U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, Congressmen John Conyers, Henry Waxman and Steve Scalise, and actor Dwayne Johnson.

The report is available online at www.mpaa.org.