Industries in the Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries subsector group establishments involved in the production and distribution of motion pictures and sound recordings. While producers and distributors of motion pictures and sound recordings issue works for sale as traditional publishers do, the processes are sufficiently different to warrant placing establishments engaged in these activities in a separate subsector. Production is typically a complex process that involves several distinct types of establishments that are engaged in activities, such as contracting with performers, creating the film or sound content, and providing technical postproduction services. Film distribution is often to exhibitors, such as theaters and broadcasters, rather than through the wholesale and retail distribution chain. When the product is in a mass-produced form, NAICS treats production and distribution as the major economic activity as it does in the Publishing Industries subsector, rather than as a subsidiary activity to the manufacture of such products.

This subsector does not include establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of video cassettes and sound recordings, such as compact discs and audio tapes; these establishments are included in the Wholesale Trade sector. Reproduction of video cassettes and sound recordings that is carried out separately from establishments engaged in production and distribution is treated in NAICS as a manufacturing activity.

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating motion picture theaters and/or exhibiting motion pictures or videos at film festivals, and so forth.

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating drive-in motion picture theaters.

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1997 Economic Census

Bridge Between NAICS and SIC

NAICS Manual Table 1

NAICS	SIC	Corresponding Index Entries
512132	7833	Drive-in motion picture theaters
512132	7833	Motion picture theaters, drive-in
512132	7833	Movie theaters, drive-in
512132	7833	Open air motion picture theaters
512132	7833	Theaters, motion picture, drive-in
512132	7833	Theaters, outdoor motion picture

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing postproduction services and other services to the motion picture industry, including specialized motion picture or video postproduction services, such as editing, film/tape transfers, subtitling, credits, closed captioning, and computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as developing and processing motion picture film.

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing motion picture and video services (except motion picture and video production, distribution, exhibition, and teleproduction and other postproduction services).

Go to:

1997 Economic Census

Bridge Between NAICS and SIC

NAICS Manual Table 1

NAICS	SIC	Corresponding Index Entries
512199	7829	Booking agencies, motion picture
512199	7829	Booking agencies, motion picture or video productions
512199	7819	Film libraries, motion picture or video, stock footage
512199	7819	Film processing laboratories, motion picture
512199	7819	Laboratory services, motion picture
512199	7819	Libraries, motion picture stock footage film
512199	7819	Libraries, videotape, stock footage
512199	7829	Motion picture booking agencies
512199	7819	Motion picture film laboratories
512199	7829	Motion picture film libraries, stock footage
512199	7819	Motion picture film reproduction for theatrical distribution
512199	7819	Motion picture laboratories
512199	7819	Reproduction of motion picture films for theatrical distribution
512199	7819	Stock footage film libraries
512199	7819	Videotape libraries, stock footage

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing and distributing musical recordings, in publishing music, or in providing sound recording and related services.