I just spent a delightful and informative day at an MPAA conference titled The Business of Show Business, featuring directors and producers along with studio executives and entrepreneurs. It was absolutely fabulous, and the hall was packed -- I had to stand during an inspirational morning address by actor Will Smith. I'm going to share my thoughts and observations on the conference in a number of blog entries, but let me start with some numbers I heard today:

* Over 1.3 million US workers are employed as a result of the American film and television industry.
* The industry generates $30.24 billion in wages for American workers.
* The average motion picture employs 350-500 people.
* 11.3 million workers were employed by the total copyright industries in 2005.
* The average salary of workers in the core copyright industries was nearly $70,000 in 2005, 40% higher than the average American worker.
* Absent piracy, there would be 141,030 more jobs created by the motion picture industry every year.
* One fifth to one fourth of US economic growth comes from copyright industries, which grows at twice that of the economy as a whole.
* Total copyright industries account for more than 11% of the US GDP ($1.38 trillion) and were responsible for 24% of US economic growth in 2005.
* The motion picture industry carries a positive balance of trade around the world, with a surplus of $9.5 billion.
* Foreign sales and exports of the core copyright industries topped $110 billion in 2005, outpacing other major industry sectors.
* One hour of TV programming costs $2.2 million to produce.
* The average movie costs $60 million to make and $36 million to market.
* Only 3 in 10 movies make money, only 1 in 10 make a profit in domestic theater release.

It's important that these figures, from industry and the US government, are kept in mind when policymakers find copyright-related issues before them.

Speaking of policymakers, several prominent ones spoke at today's event, and I'll get to them next.

posted by Patrick Ross @ 4:36 PM | Markets: Business, Investment & Innovation

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