Posted 27 July, 2008 in CA News
*This from Nikki Fink, deadlinehollywoodda ily.com:
EXCLUSIVE:* Over the weekend, /Iron Man/ director Jon Favreau organized a meeting with Marvel Studios producer Lou D’Esposito, California Film Commission member/producer Stanley Brooks, and actor Tom Arnold with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to talk about the problem of runaway production. During the Saturday lunch at Caffe Roma in
Beverly Hills, Schwarzenegger pledged to reach across the aisle and push for tax break legislation starting this week in Sacramento.. …..Saturday’ s meeting was pushed by Favreau who wants to keep /Iron Man 2/’s $140 million production in Los Angeles. The director’s motivation is personal — the family man has a clause in his contracts saying his shoots must stick close to home. (During the luncheon, Schwarzenegger boasted that, on /Terminator 3,/ he used millions of dollars of his own
money to keep the production in California. People I’ve asked about this say it’s news to them…) Favreau deserves kudos for wanting to leverage his new-found clout for the greater good of the Hollywood community……Here’s one reason why this lobbying effort might succeed where others have failed: I’ve learned that Marvel Studios intends to build a $600 million production facility in the Los Angeles area if the state makes
it worth their while. But during lunch Schwarzenegger explained that the problem isn’t him: it’s the state legislature looking at a $15+ billion budget shortfall…. Since Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana is making a nice living off of hosting Hollywood productions by offering 25% cash rebates or tax credits for all in-state spending on things like equipment rentals, food, hotel rooms, and, at a lower rate, labor. The result is that in
2007 Louisiana had 53 film and television projects that pumped $400 million into the state’s economy. Its program has been so successful that other states have upped their incentive programs to stay competitive. New York recently boosted the showbiz tax credits on below the line expenses for qualified productions to 30% (up from 10%), and Mayor Michael Bloomberg added an extra 5% if a project is made within New York City limits. Unlike about 40 other states, California does not offer a tax credit program to keep Hollywood at home. So the number of film production days shot on location in Los Angeles has plummetted
nearly 40% since 1997, according to FilmL.A. Inc, a non-profit group that handles film permits. What’s at stake? Well, a major production can pump tens of thousands of dollars a day into local economy what with hotel room stays, catering, services and permits. One figure cited is that 3 weeks of filming of /Memoirs Of A Geisha/ generated more than $4 million for Sacramento and El Dorado counties
Posted 27 July, 2008 in RI News
The Rhode Island Film & Television Office is proud to announce that BROTHERHOOD, the critically acclaimed winner of a 2007 Peabody award, will commence photography for its third season on location in Rhode Island beginning Monday, July 28, 2008. The drama stars Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish and Fionnula Flanagan. It was created by Blake Masters and is Executive Produced by Mr. Masters, Henry Bromell and Elizabeth Stephen, and produced by Donna Bloom.
BROTHERHOOD is the first television series to be filmed entirely in the State of Rhode Island. The premium cable network has ordered eight more episodes to be shot on location in Providence and East Providence, as well as other towns and cities within the Ocean State.
Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, welcomes the groundbreaking series Brotherhood back to the Ocean State, adding, “The return of Brotherhood will provide additional opportunities for our talented and dedicated local workforce. In the previous two seasons, Brotherhood has employed over 300 local, full-time crew members, and produced more than 225 speaking roles for local actors along with approximately 3,000 extra and walk-on roles. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Showtime executives, producers, cast and crew for making our beautiful state their location of choice.”
In January 2008, when Showtime announced Brotherhood would be returning to Rhode Island for a third season, several of our elected officials commented:
“The decision to film a third season of Brotherhood in Rhode Island is a tribute to a good story and a great place to tell it,” Governor Carcieri said. “Rhode Island is proud to welcome this project home, and the state Film and Television office should be credited for putting our state in front of the Hollywood decision makers.”
Speaker of the House William J. Murphy said, “It’s great news that Showtime has decided to shoot a third season of Brotherhood entirely in Rhode Island. The production was the first one to take advantage of the General Assembly’s film and television tax credit legislation, which has been a tremendous success. We welcome them back to film more scenes in our House chamber and offices.”
“It is exciting to have Showtime’s Brotherhood back in Rhode Island for the filming of its third consecutive season,” said President of the Senate Joseph A. Montalbano. “For two years Showtime has experienced the numerous benefits of filming in Rhode Island first hand, and it goes without saying that the on-location production has lent a significant authenticity to the program. Our state’s small size and big beauty have made Rhode Island an attractive shooting location for multiple productions, both large and small, in the few short years since we adopted film tax incentives. We look forward to many more years of hosting Brotherhood and other productions here, which in turn will bring more jobs and other opportunities to all Rhode Islanders.”
Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline remarked upon hearing the news, “I congratulate Blake Masters and the entire crew of Brotherhood for a great achievement in an incredibly competitive industry. Brotherhood is a tremendous source of good, steady jobs that pay well for our local actors and production professionals. It has been a pleasure to work closely with the Brotherhood team at every level of city government and we welcome them back for a third year.”
The Rhode Island Film & Television Office recently hosted HACHIKO, starring award winners Richard Gere and Joan Allen; TELL-TALE, a thriller starring Josh Lucas and Brian Cox; and the Warner Brothers’/Tyra Banks film production of the best-selling book series THE CLIQUE.
The Rhode Island Film & TV Office is a division of The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. For additional information on any of the past or current productions filming in Rhode Island, please visit our website at www.film.ri.gov.
