About Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city in South Florida 25 miles North of Miami along the Atlantic shoreline. The 2020 census marked the population within the city limits at 183,000 and the Greater Lauderdale area at 1.8 million. Fort Lauderdale is a part of the Miami MSA with a population of 6.1 million.
Dubbed the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale has an intricate network of interwoven canals. These inland waterways total 165 miles concentrated within the city limits comprising seven miles of shoreline.
The history of Fort Lauderdale is tumultuous. From 1763, control of the land transferred between the native Indians, Spain, the UK, the US, the Confederated States of America, and back to the US. In contrast to this rich history, Fort Lauderdale essentially went undeveloped until the 20th century.
Today, Fort Lauderdale is host to nearly four million cruise passengers annually through Port Everglades, home to over 50,000 registered yachts and 100 marinas. The major economic drivers of this city include the film and production industries. The production space in Fort Lauderdale is as diverse as the city’s scenery and attributes.
Production Space Options in Fort Lauderdale
Whether the production space is indoor or out, the options available in Fort Lauderdale will accommodate any message, genre, or brand. With the variations of scenery within the city, from the urban coastline, inland waterways, defined neighborhoods, and marinas to the port, the flavors of South Florida are here.
- Staging
The products and services ancillary to a production space are offered in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. This category includes contract labor, set design, grips, crews, and equipment rental.
- Catering
Of the outside services necessary to a production, the most remembered will be the catering. Foodservice to a production set is an art in and of itself with specific coordination and serving detail. The caterers must show flexibility in the menu options and have an understanding of the flow of a production set.
- Permitting
The film office within the Economic & Small Business Development Department provides permit assistance to production companies. Permits are required for all production projects, including those confined to private property. There is no fee specific to a film permit but, if the scope of a project requires additional permits and public services, then there may be accompanying fees.
Production Space Companies in Fort Lauderdale
It is productive, beneficial, and efficient to outsource ancillary services to local companies. The products and services provided by the talent will bring local knowledge to the project. The job creation and the wage investment in the local economy will strengthen the position for tax incentives and grants for the project.
- The Production HUB
Fort Lauderdale is served by this clearinghouse-style referral service of local companies providing support services to production companies. All companies sponsored by the HUB bring the necessary support during the filming and the post-production talent necessary for the end product.
- Broadcast Beat Studios
This local company provides the sound stages, mobile production units, crews, and gear for any film project. Broadcast Beat Studios employs the engineers and the operators for in-studio and remote filming. Their production spaces in Fort Lauderdale are versatile and supported by data centers and control rooms.
- Le Food Catering
Based in Miami, this catering company specializes in catering to production sets. Le Food Catering can serve from high-end to individually boxed meals to blend into the production schedule. The providing of food services to a film set is a specialty, and the ability to provide flexibility within the catering staff is a must.
Pros and Cons of Production Space in Fort Lauderdale
There are pros and cons to everything, and it all comes down to the management of expectations and informed decisions. Below is a list of both the advantages and the disadvantages when considering Fort Lauderdale as a location for production space. The list is an attempt to address the important aspects of the time schedule, as well as the comfort of, and the recreation for, the crew.
Advantages
- Climate
The summers are hot and humid, and the winters are mild and dry. The average temperature in the summer is 85 degrees F and the winter average is 60 degrees F. The average rainfall is 60 inches, with the most occurring in late spring through the end of summer.
- Local support of the industry
In addition to the services offered in the permit process, the Economic & Small Business Development Department will assist in contacting the appropriate governmental agencies associated with the project.
- Transportation
Fort Lauderdale is connected by interstate highways, state roads, high-speed and commuter rail, and an integrated bus system all of which intersect with major arterial roads.
Disadvantages
- Weather
This subject is mentioned in both the advantages and the disadvantages category. Hurricane season runs from June through November, and this city is hit by hurricanes often. Besides that, it rains often so always have a Plan B if you are producing anything outdoors.
- Crowds
Although Fort Lauderdale production space options are many and the support for the production industry is favorable, the population, the tourists, and project activity are crowded into a strip section along the coastline.
- Walkability
Due to the city’s layout and the intersecting interior waterways, connections within neighborhoods to work, parks, and the beach are often fragmented and broken.
Famous Locations in Fort Lauderdale
- Las Olas Boulevard
This walkable downtown-to-beach thoroughfare is an attraction to both residents and tourists. The Boulevard caters to high-end shops, galleries, and cafes. Ample paid parking areas are easy to find in commercial lots, metered side streets, and on the Boulevard. This is the perfect spot to do some filming, photography, or to spend the day enjoying the city.
- Johnson State Park
The focal point of this park is the 2.5-mile coastline in its natural condition. The park is close to the Port Everglades Inlet for access to the Atlantic from the boat ramps in the park. There are three natural reefs offshore popular for snorkeling and diving. The closest reef is 300 yards from shore.
- NSU Art Museum
The museum is located on trendy Las Olas Boulevard in a 3-story unique and modern-styled building. The permanent collections contain over 7,000 works, most of which emphasize female and multi-cultural artists. These artifacts represent the history of South Florida by showcasing the works of Cuban, Latin American, and native Indian tribes.
