Woohoo! My industry is saved (for now)!

[CanuckAmok]

The BC government announced today that they will match the tax credits for the film insdustry which are currently offered by Ontario and Quebec.

That's good news, as one of the companies I frequently contract for was going to move to Toronto if the tax advantage wasn't matched.

The BC film/televison production biz is a billion dollar annual industry, employing some 60,000 people, and using the resources of many other industries.

[liberalhistorian]

1. Cool! So, does

this mean I can have a part in the next movie or TV show you produce? :evilgrin: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[CanuckAmok]

4. Oh...uh....

My casting couch is in storage at the moment, but I'll see what I can do ;)

[Schema Thing]

2. And Texas gets even less work.

Film Flight, we call it. :cry:


Not your fault or problem, I know. What type work do you do?

[CanuckAmok]

3. I'm a DGC member...

Rated as a Second Assistant Director, but I also Line Produce, Unit Production Manage, do story editing, and teach related labour relations/OHS courses.

Yes, film flight is common everywhere. Many people here complain about the tax breaks, but it's universal, and one has to offer them to remain globally competitive.

It's oner reason why New Zealand landed those HUGE features (Matrix, LOTR, etc)...no producer wants to be half-way around the world in a place where the toilets drain the wrong way, but a couple of percent of tax credit on a budget like LOTR's is literally millions of dollars.

Sadly, our RW press runs slanted stories whenever the film industry is a topic; they do profiles on hourly rates for crew, neighbourhood/location problems, and so forth, so the public at large tends to think of a film crew as being bloated with fifty extra people who don't do anything but sip lattes at $26.70 per hour, when in reality, that actual number is closer to twenty extra people.

I admit, we got fat and complacent (a million dollar budget proposal I compiled in 2002 included a $50,000 allotment for settling inevitable Teamster/IATSE grievances), but I think we've since learned to be more cooperative with governement, and the public, and with the US producers.

Seriously, not only is a strong production industry good for the local economy in the aspect of job creation and infrastructure support (construction, vehicle rentals, hospitality, etc), but a well-paid workforce will pump more money into the retail, real-estate and investment sectors.

[Schema Thing]

6. Yes, frankly I think my area needs to quit bitching and start

making things happen.

I'm not really in the biz much anymore. I'd like to shoot stills on a movie a few times a year though, I'm good at that and it's fun work.

[clovis29]

5. About time....

[HEyHEY]

7. I think BC should offer tax breaks to auto makers

[CanuckAmok]

8. Oh, I agree...

...I think the Bricklin is well due for a comeback!