CONNECTICUT: "The idea is to keep us competitive," says Guy Ortoleva of the different film-related legislation on the books in Connecticut. Ortoleva is the managing director of the Connecticut Film, Video & Media Office. With the Nutmeg state's close proximity to New York, maintaining the competitive edge is very important in keeping and attracting business. Take, for example, the tax exemptions the state offers to the film community. Not only is there a 100% Property Tax Exemption, which includes the purchase and lease of production equipment and computer software that is used specifically in motion picture, video and sound productions, but the Sales and Use Tax Exemption, which provides a 100% exemption on "equipment, materials, and services used in the production," of different projects.
There's also a little known grant that is available to Connecticut-based businesses that want to provide training. The Job Training Finance Program will reimburse 25% of a loan amountup to $25,000to qualified employers with a Job Training loan balance.
The seminar on "Connecticut: The State of Commercial Television Production," had a very broad range of supporters, according to Ortoleva, who is proud with the group that was assembled to put on such an event. The sponsors for the discussion were: Group W Network Services, Sonalysts Studios, IATSE Local 52, the New Milford Film Commission, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. And what a group that is!
On the production slate, GILMORE GIRLS, the new WB series shot in Connecticut the last week in September. "The [Connecticut] Department of Transportation worked with the production team so they would have road signs pointing to the fictitious town of "Stars Hollow," where the show takes place." JUDGING AMY also rolled cameras during the second week in October.
There is also talk of an independent filmmaker's group that would bring together a number of filmmakers to create an alliance and help acquire certain services for a better rate than they would receive individually. It's to "help us identify what their needs are," says Ortoleva. Nina Adams, head of the New Haven Film Fest is helping to set up a series of meetings for the filmmakers, he adds. For more information, or if you are interested in helping to form the group or get involved, call the film office at (800) 392-2122.
MASSACHUSETTS: There is legislation proposed by state senator Brian Lees (R), the senate minority leader, that will repeal state sales tax on goods and services, says John Alzapiedi, Production Coordinator for the Massachusetts Film Office. Similar programs in neighboring states have gotten a good response, so it seems the right time to get the ball rolling in the Bay State. The state senate would hopefully vote on the proposal by the end of the year. Also in the works is providing hotel rooms without hotel taxes after a production is in town for 30 days. The current requirement is 90 days, and even WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN (WTWTCH) wasn't in town for that long. WTWTCH, according to recent record, had one of the longest production schedules of a location film crew with 13 weeks and over 60 different locations. A lot of the credit, Alzapiedi says, has to go to Sam Weisman, the film's director, for bringing the project to Massachusetts. Weisman has homes in both Newton and Chatham and has also taught courses locally at Brandeis University.
Alzapiedi and Robin Dawson, director of the Mass. Film Office, just recently returned from a trip to the West Coast, meeting with studio execs and producers about the film future and present in the state. From Disney and Dreamworks, to Warner Bros. and MGM, the trip was a rousing success. They even got a meeting in with Gary Strangis, a producer of THE PRACTICE. One project, THE WINTER HILL GANG, about the Irish mob in Boston around the 50s and 60s, is looking promising for the Bay State. According to Alzapiedi, the producers (Mark Rocco and Mark Freedman) very much want to shoot in Massachusetts. Though it's not confirmed, "they said [Massachusetts is] our number one choice," said Alzapiedi.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: "There is no need to apply for sales tax rebates," says Margaret Joyce, director of the New Hampshire Film and Television Office. That because there's no sales tax throughout the state. "Many lodging and dining establishments offer discounts to film crews, particularly during the off season," notes Joyce.
The Granite State is also state income tax free. There is no personal income tax that must be paid to the state, only to the federal government. There's a reason why the state motto is: Live Free or Die. Another free incentive is in the simple permitting process, which the Film and Television office provides assistance with state-owned property and the White Mountain National Forest.
Mount Washington was home to a Lincoln Navigator commercial, while Paramount Studios is scouting for "prep schools that would resemble Harvard University for a project called ABANDON."
RHODE ISLAND: "Since we seem to be ahead of the curve," says Rick Smith, director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, of the most recent investment incentive that was passed in July, the office wants to take advantage of the current laws and leverage them. The 25% film investment tax credit will give local, Rhode Island-based investors the opportunity to invest funds into a qualifying (and also local) film project, and receive a 25% tax credit. To qualify, a film must be Rhode Island-based with most of the locations also being in the state and have a budget between $300,000 to $5mil. As was reported in the August issue of IMAGINE NEWSMAGAZINE the credit is for 25% of an investment from residents of Rhode Island. To clear up any confusion, say you live in Rhode Island and want to invest $1,000 into a specific qualifying film project. Ultimately it would only end up costing you $750. "The legislation helps the investors themselves," said Eric Olin, executive director of the Providence Film Commission Mayor's Office of Film & Video Arts, in August. The credit also gives a well-deserved helping hand to the film economy of the state.
PROVIDENCE, the television series, shot in the Rhode Island cities of Warwick and Newport, with some scenes also rolling film at the State House. The Vinnie Paz bio-pic, THUNDER DOYLE, has been put on hold. Or rather has been put off until at least next January. Let's hope it makes it all three rounds, pre-production through post!
Carl Hansen lives in Burbank, CA and suggests you write to your local state senator to endorse more film friendly legislation. Hansen can be reached at: fhansen1@netzero.net.
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