The House passage of the Alabama Entertainment Incentive Act of 2008 has gained a moderate amount of press coverage. Some of it has been very good for the industry. Some of it has missed its mark on the importance of the film bill.
There have been stories that sparked the imagination with dreams of Hollywood productions and red carpet affairs. There have been stories about what filmmaking is from a director's standpoint. Images of the excitement of cameras and actors filling the communities have been covered by the press corp.
The stories that need the most attention are the ones that I have seen the least.
America is in one of the worst economic times in our history. The times that we are living in today will be in the history books tomorrow. There are millions of people out of work and more losing their jobs everyday.
States have suspended income tax rebates, laid off thousands on their own payroll and closed or consolidated schools to save money. Alabama is still moving forward even in these difficult times. But people are suffering in our state too.
The film incentive bill is more about developing a new source of income for our economy. It is about providing new jobs and new careers opportunities. It is about stopping millions of dollars of projects by Alabamians and/or covering Alabama stories from leaving the place that inspired these people and stories in the first place.
Representative Joseph Mitchell summed it up best when he told me that it is "about the electricians, the capenters, the sandwich vendors, the dentists, the mechanics and all the other vocations that go into making the industry".
He is absolutely right! It is all about these people that will benefit from the productions that are made here.
We don't see these people on the news or mentioned very often in the press stories. These are the aspects that we should be promoting and opening a dialogue about in our communities across the state.
In order to be successful, we have to let all vocations know that they can be a part of the industry in some way. We have to gain the support of the community leaders and all Alabamians. People have to know that the film industry cares about them before they will care about us and understand our dreams for Alabama. TJB
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Michigan Setting Example for Film Development
10 February 2009
Michigan Setting Example for Film Devlopment
Film incentive legislation has been an issued considered by many states over the past few years. Michigan has been one of those states. But they want to do more than just offer incentives. Michigan wants to bring the film industry to them in a collective effort.
In 2008, Michigan passed film incentive legislation that pays as much as 40 percent or more for film productions with a budget over $50,000. The film incentive includes rebates and tax credits. Their effort to draw the film industry to their state has paid off for them. There were 38 projects filmed in the State of Michigan last year.
Michigan’s struggling economy over the closing of the auto industry has found new life with the development of the film industry in the state. There are plans underway to build a $54 million dollar studio at a closed GM plant in Pontiac. The studio will employ 3,600 people when it is completed.
The development of the Michigan film industry has drawn the attention of some major players. Clint Eastwood moved the production for his critically-acclaimed and award-winning film, Gran Torino, from Minnesota to Michigan. Lifetime Network recently filmed one of its MOWs in Michigan. Prayers for Bobby was a recent Lifetime weekly featured film which employed people from the industry, community and universities. Reports show that George Clooney and Brad Pitt have movies lined up to be filmed in Michigan. Michigan’s Film Office announced that 65 films have been approved for the tax incentives as of October 2008. These films are projected to spend $440 million locally. Less than a third of the approved films have been completed. With more than 40 projects already planned, Michigan is actively seeking new ones to boost their economy and develop a new industry.
Michigan has an advantage in their pursuit of a working film industry. The government, the people, the schools and the businesses are working together to advance their development. State colleges and other schools have added programs to their curriculum for future infrastructure. They have established training programs to train out-of-work citizens how to perform jobs within the film production industry. The state is working hard to promote its capability to large productions. Some opponents of the Michigan film project state that the enormous incentives will create a future problem with millions of dollars to be paid out in rebates. The expenditures will mount to more than the state can afford. They also fear a temporary status for the portable film industry will leave the state in a worse situation than it is currently in. TJB
Michigan Setting Example for Film Devlopment
In 2008, Michigan passed film incentive legislation that pays as much as 40 percent or more for film productions with a budget over $50,000. The film incentive includes rebates and tax credits. Their effort to draw the film industry to their state has paid off for them. There were 38 projects filmed in the State of Michigan last year.
Michigan’s struggling economy over the closing of the auto industry has found new life with the development of the film industry in the state. There are plans underway to build a $54 million dollar studio at a closed GM plant in Pontiac. The studio will employ 3,600 people when it is completed.
The development of the Michigan film industry has drawn the attention of some major players. Clint Eastwood moved the production for his critically-acclaimed and award-winning film, Gran Torino, from Minnesota to Michigan. Lifetime Network recently filmed one of its MOWs in Michigan. Prayers for Bobby was a recent Lifetime weekly featured film which employed people from the industry, community and universities. Reports show that George Clooney and Brad Pitt have movies lined up to be filmed in Michigan. Michigan’s Film Office announced that 65 films have been approved for the tax incentives as of October 2008. These films are projected to spend $440 million locally. Less than a third of the approved films have been completed. With more than 40 projects already planned, Michigan is actively seeking new ones to boost their economy and develop a new industry.
Michigan has an advantage in their pursuit of a working film industry. The government, the people, the schools and the businesses are working together to advance their development. State colleges and other schools have added programs to their curriculum for future infrastructure. They have established training programs to train out-of-work citizens how to perform jobs within the film production industry. The state is working hard to promote its capability to large productions. Some opponents of the Michigan film project state that the enormous incentives will create a future problem with millions of dollars to be paid out in rebates. The expenditures will mount to more than the state can afford. They also fear a temporary status for the portable film industry will leave the state in a worse situation than it is currently in. TJB
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Internet Television: The Future of the Web
The next five years will be a revolutionary movement for the world wide web as it will expand itself in new areas of media. The social networking capabilities of the net have been realized in its truest form with the past election of President Barack Obama. He showed how a marketing strategy of connecting with voters through the web would expand his voter base. He added one-and-a-half to two points to his total popular vote total with the internet campaign. This shows the power of the social and democratic uses of the internet.
With the switch to digital television which is now slated for June 12 by Congress, there will be a wide spectrum of space opening up for new expansion. A designated section of this newly-vacated spectrum will be assigned to local, state and federal authorities for homeland security purposes. There is a lot of discussion amongst industry leaders and the government on exactly what would be the best use for the spectrum space.
One of the areas that I want to focus my attention is increasing development in the internet television stations and movie channels. There are dozens of experimental television stations on the internet. Some of these are ranked very highly by critics and researchers in their operations and content. The expansion and quality of these internet television stations will some show an impact on the traditional broadcast and cable hierarchy.
In the article Still on the Verge by Carol Wilson in 2008, she states “IPTV (internet protocol television), with its ability to combine features from the Internet with the video entertainment that we know as traditional TV, has the potential to be the ultimate multitasking tool”.
The internet can be a new field for the television expansion. Channels with all original, quality programming could lead to a loss of viewers and potentially advertisers for the traditional media outlets. It has become a fear for the networks too as they have started to explore their own options to utilize the space better.
There are a lot of channels on broadcast and cable television with a wide variety and option for programming. As many programs as there are on traditional television, there are hundreds of other programs that represent quality television. Internet television will provide another outlet for programs which are broadcast quality.
The future of these shows could expand to feature known television and film stars in made-for-internet television. Stations dedicated to showing independent films also have a future on the internet where viewership can be tracked easier than through traditional viewer polling methods. This will open a market for lower budgeted films to be broadcasted. The expansion of corporate advertising will also be evident as the popularity of the IPTV draws more viewers.
The Automotive News magazine wrote an article about the reduction in spending in the automobile industry. One of the areas hit the hardest was advertising dollars. But several major car companies showed that they were actually increasing internet promotional dollars while reducing print, radio and television ad budgets. The shift of power in the world of media may be returning to the people and new opportunities opening for those with a sense of adventure and knowledge of new technology.
With the switch to digital television which is now slated for June 12 by Congress, there will be a wide spectrum of space opening up for new expansion. A designated section of this newly-vacated spectrum will be assigned to local, state and federal authorities for homeland security purposes. There is a lot of discussion amongst industry leaders and the government on exactly what would be the best use for the spectrum space.
One of the areas that I want to focus my attention is increasing development in the internet television stations and movie channels. There are dozens of experimental television stations on the internet. Some of these are ranked very highly by critics and researchers in their operations and content. The expansion and quality of these internet television stations will some show an impact on the traditional broadcast and cable hierarchy.
In the article Still on the Verge by Carol Wilson in 2008, she states “IPTV (internet protocol television), with its ability to combine features from the Internet with the video entertainment that we know as traditional TV, has the potential to be the ultimate multitasking tool”.
The internet can be a new field for the television expansion. Channels with all original, quality programming could lead to a loss of viewers and potentially advertisers for the traditional media outlets. It has become a fear for the networks too as they have started to explore their own options to utilize the space better.
There are a lot of channels on broadcast and cable television with a wide variety and option for programming. As many programs as there are on traditional television, there are hundreds of other programs that represent quality television. Internet television will provide another outlet for programs which are broadcast quality.
The future of these shows could expand to feature known television and film stars in made-for-internet television. Stations dedicated to showing independent films also have a future on the internet where viewership can be tracked easier than through traditional viewer polling methods. This will open a market for lower budgeted films to be broadcasted. The expansion of corporate advertising will also be evident as the popularity of the IPTV draws more viewers.
The Automotive News magazine wrote an article about the reduction in spending in the automobile industry. One of the areas hit the hardest was advertising dollars. But several major car companies showed that they were actually increasing internet promotional dollars while reducing print, radio and television ad budgets. The shift of power in the world of media may be returning to the people and new opportunities opening for those with a sense of adventure and knowledge of new technology.
Alabama Film Incentive Bill Easily Passes House Vote
he Alabama House today passed the Entertainment Industry Incentive Act of 2008 unanimously. There was no opposition to the bill from any private or government sectors. The bill will provide rebates and other incentives to production companies that choose Alabama as the location for their production. The bill currently has 55 co-sponsors from Alabama legislatures.
Alabama previously had a minimum incentive act that expired in 2005. The current bill is the most comprehensive bill of its kind ever proposed in Montgomery. It includes incentives for all aspects of a film or music video production.
The Alabama Education Association had no opposition to the incentive bill during the discussion today. The AEA has been against the bill in the past due to language that left too many issues unaddressed. The AEA has been concerned about the costs to the Education Trust Fund. An agreement in language and a few caps on expenditures has allowed the incentive bill to be agreeable to the AEA and the industry.
The passage of this house bill is a major triumph for the film and music industry as well as the more than 100 other occupations that will benefit from local film productions. This bill will allow the development of an infrastructure where Alabama can start marketing itself as the ideal state for film production.
The Incentive Bill will now be introduced to the Senate for a vote. There is an expectation in Montgomery and in the industry that the bill will pass. There are no indications that Gov. Bob Riley will veto the bill. Montgomery has seen the potential of revenue that can be generated for everyone in Alabama.
Alabama previously had a minimum incentive act that expired in 2005. The current bill is the most comprehensive bill of its kind ever proposed in Montgomery. It includes incentives for all aspects of a film or music video production.
The Alabama Education Association had no opposition to the incentive bill during the discussion today. The AEA has been against the bill in the past due to language that left too many issues unaddressed. The AEA has been concerned about the costs to the Education Trust Fund. An agreement in language and a few caps on expenditures has allowed the incentive bill to be agreeable to the AEA and the industry.
The passage of this house bill is a major triumph for the film and music industry as well as the more than 100 other occupations that will benefit from local film productions. This bill will allow the development of an infrastructure where Alabama can start marketing itself as the ideal state for film production.
The Incentive Bill will now be introduced to the Senate for a vote. There is an expectation in Montgomery and in the industry that the bill will pass. There are no indications that Gov. Bob Riley will veto the bill. Montgomery has seen the potential of revenue that can be generated for everyone in Alabama.
Monday, February 2, 2009
AFDP: A Voice For An Industry
The Alabama Film Development Project is an organization that is dedicated to promoting the state's film/video and entertainment industry. I started promoting the development of the film industry in 1992 when I owned a pro-wrestling show. It was a one man operation that had a lot of contacts in the media. Today, the Alabama Film Development Project (AFDP) has expanded into an organization that is a leader in the education and promotion of entertainment industry incentive legislation. AFDP also provides information, consultations and support services for local media production companies. We run active media campaigns to help inform the general public on the advantages of a entertainment incentives and economical impact.
The AFDP is a private-sector organization that works with local and state government authorities to help create plans and promotion of the development of the entertainment industry including education and the development of an infrastructure. The AFDP is recognized as an industry spokes company by the Alabama Film Office, the Northwest Alabama Film Office, the Birmingham/Jefferson Film Office and many working members of the industry.
The Alabama Film Development Project is operated by people who love the industry and want to see it develop to its fullest potential in Alabama. Our goal is to show everyone what an impact that the entertainment industry can have on the culture, the economy and the tourism of Alabama. We have a lot of artistic and industrious folks in our state. Now is the time to let them work.
The AFDP is a private-sector organization that works with local and state government authorities to help create plans and promotion of the development of the entertainment industry including education and the development of an infrastructure. The AFDP is recognized as an industry spokes company by the Alabama Film Office, the Northwest Alabama Film Office, the Birmingham/Jefferson Film Office and many working members of the industry.
The Alabama Film Development Project is operated by people who love the industry and want to see it develop to its fullest potential in Alabama. Our goal is to show everyone what an impact that the entertainment industry can have on the culture, the economy and the tourism of Alabama. We have a lot of artistic and industrious folks in our state. Now is the time to let them work.
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