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Wisconsin Film Makers

The technical clean up bill for Wisconsin's film incentives has been introduced and its bill number is Assembly Bill 907.

AB 907, which is a bipartisan bill, would allow film production companies to transfer unused, non-refundable credits to other taxpayers, such as other film production companies. It would also phase in residency requirements for eligibility of film production employees for tax credits as the talent infrastructure needed for productions fully develops in our state.

A hearing has been scheduled for AB 907 before the Assembly Committee for Jobs and the Economy. Please take a moment to complete the following action items by no later than Thursday, March 6 at 10 am.

You may be asking, "Why am I receiving a flurry of e-mails from Film Wisconsin all of a sudden?" Time is of the essence as we are racing against the calendar to get this important legislation passed. The legislature will adjourn sometime in the next two weeks and they will not reconvene for this type of work until next year!

Action Items:

• Register your support with the members of the Assembly Committee for Jobs and the Economy and thank Representative Patricia Strachota, the Committee's Chairperson, for holding the hearing.
  
  • Ask the Committee members to support AB 907. The talking points are below in this email. As always, personalize the e-mail using your story if at all possible
    
  • The members of the Committee for Jobs and the Economy are:

    • Rep.Strachota@legis.wisconsin.gov (Chair) (R-West Bend) 58th

      Rep.Honadel@legis.wisconsin.gov (Vice-Chair) (R-S. Milwaukee) 21st

      Rep.Friske@legis.wisconsin.gov (R-Merrill) 35th

      Rep.Kerkman@legis.wisconsin.gov (R-Powers Lake) 66th

      Rep.Nygren@legis.wisconsin.gov (R-Marinette) 89th

      Rep.Vos@legis.wisconsin.gov (R-Caledonia) 63rd

      Rep.Sheridan@legis.wisconsin.gov (D-Janesville) 44th

      Rep.Fields@legis.wisconsin.gov (D-Milwaukee) 11th

      Rep.Toles@legis.wisconsin.gov (D-Milwaukee) 17th

      Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov (D-Racine) 62nd
      

• Contact Assembly Speaker Michael Huebsch (R-West Salem) at: Rep.Huebsch@legis.wisconsin.gov.
  • Ask Speaker Huebsch to support AB 907 and to schedule a floor vote this session, when it is voted out of committee.
  • Inform the Speaker that there is no fiscal note on this bill.
  • Remind him of the economic power of the film incentives, and that these incentives are especially important during this tough economic time.

Finally, please note: we are waiting for the companion Senate Bill number as well as news of the Senate Committee that will hold a hearing. We will forward that information as soon as it is available.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the Wisconsin's film industry!

* * *

Background on Assembly Bill 907

The bipartisan bill would allow film production companies to transfer unused, non-refundable credits to other taxpayers, such as other film production companies. It would also phase in residency requirements for eligibility of film production employees for tax credits as the talent infrastructure needed for productions fully develops in our state.

Currently, Wisconsin's incentives are a hybrid of refundable and non-refundable, non-transferable tax credits. States experiencing the greatest success in the industry enhance the value of their credits by making non-refundable credits transferable. The language of the bill allows for limited transfers and includes important safeguards to prevent fraud in transfers. Administration of the program will be funded by a fee paid by both parties in the transaction to the Departments of Revenue and Commerce.

* * *

TALKING POINTS

• Tell the legisaltor(s) why this bill is important to you as a member of the creative class or to your business.

• The purpose of these incentives has always been to grow the film industry in Wisconsin. The incentives have already increased the film industry activity here and therefore the opportunity for existing Wisconsin businesses and the small, talented Wisconsin film industry workforce. Already at work on the new film PUBLIC ENEMIES are Wisconsin Set Designers, Location Managers, Art Department construction crew members, Art Department coordinators and Location Scouts. New films including DUST and THE VIOLINIST are in pre-production or in the process of scouting locations. New studio facilities and sound record facilities are either completed or in progress. Major studios and television networks continue to scout Wisconsin using Wisconsin scouts.
• 
  
• Fact: Wisconsin businesses and workers have already been recommended to projects that have come from outside of the state. They have also been featured on high profile panels to discuss the incentives, the industry and its growth. Leading Line Producers in Wisconsin are currently using Film Wisconsin as a resource to put Wisconsin crew members to work on productions ranging from commercials, to television and feature films. Wisconsin companies have been doing panel discussions and networking with both in and out of state producers at such venues as the Milwaukee International Film Festival and Beloit Film Festival.

• Given: as we expand the industry, we must also expand the infrastructure to service the industry. New businesses will open and creative class individuals will move to the state. Until we grow our own talent we will need assistance from our colleagues in Illinois, Minnesota, etc. The average production needs 80-120 qualified crew members, a number that Wisconsin alone at present can not supply at present.

• Fact: The movement to expand the current worker tax credit to include those from outside of the state has been undertaken for two reasons: First, so that we may service the increased demand. If we are unable to service these productions in a seamless and professional way, they will choose shoot elsewhere. Second, if out of state crew members are not counted, producers will not view our incentives as competitive.

• Fact: The proposed change to the incentives has a sunset provision. In five years, a suitable-sized workforce will be in place and the inclusion of out-of-state workers will no longer be necessary.

• Fact: Film Wisconsin has always been about both small, home grown, independent films as well as Hollywood blockbusters. There is a difference in scale of support needed for different sized productions. Film Wisconsin, in collaboration with Marcus Theaters also made it possible for Wisconsin independent filmmakers to have access to over 600 screens for exhibition.

• Fact: Those interested in protecting the small amount of work in Wisconsin for just a select few to benefit are working at cross purposes with both those who want more opportunity to work, and with the state that wants more economic activity. They also risk destroying their own opportunities to work in our neighboring states and our own.

---

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Wisconsin Film Makers

Senator Jeff Plale (D-Milwaukee) and Representative Pat Strachota (R-West Bend) are circulating a bill (LRB 4091/1) to improve Wisconsin's Film Production Tax Credit Services Program for co-sponsorship. Your action is required TODAY as the deadline for co-sponsorship is TOMORROW, 2/28/08, by Noon.

The bipartisan bill would allow film production companies to transfer unused, non-refundable credits to other taxpayers, such as other film production companies. It would also phase in residency requirements for eligibility of film production employees for tax credits as the talent infrastructure needed for productions fully develops in our state.

Currently, Wisconsin's incentives are a hybrid of refundable and non-refundable, non-transferable tax credits. States experiencing the greatest success in the industry enhance the value of their credits by making non-refundable credits transferable. The language of the bill allows for limited transfers and includes important safeguards to prevent fraud in transfers. Administration of the program will be funded by a fee paid by both parties in the transaction to the Departments of Revenue and Commerce.


ACTION REQUIRED:

 Encourage your legislator to become a co-sponsor of the bill.

 Thank Senator Plale (Sen.Plale@legis.wisconsin.gov) and Representative Strachota (Rep.Strachota@legis.wisconsin.gov) for their sponsorship of this important measure.

 Thank Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton (ltgov@ltgov.wisconsin.gov) for her continued leadership on this issue.

# # #

TALKING POINTS

 Tell the legisaltor(s) why this bill is important to you as a member of the creative class or to your business.

 The purpose of these incentives has always been to grow the film industry in Wisconsin. The incentives have already increased the film industry activity here and therefore the opportunity for existing Wisconsin businesses and the small, talented Wisconsin film industry workforce. Already at work on the new film PUBLIC ENEMIES are Wisconsin Set Designers, Location Managers, Art Department construction crew members, Art Department coordinators and Location Scouts. New films including DUST and THE VIOLINIST are in pre-production or in the process of scouting locations. New studio facilities and sound record facilities are either completed or in progress. Major studios and television networks continue to scout Wisconsin using Wisconsin scouts.

 Fact: Wisconsin businesses and workers have already been recommended to projects that have come from outside of the state. They have also been featured on high profile panels to discuss the incentives, the industry and its growth. Leading Line Producers in Wisconsin are currently using Film Wisconsin as a resource to put Wisconsin crew members to work on productions ranging from commercials, to television and feature films. Wisconsin companies have been doing panel discussions and networking with both in and out of state producers at such venues as the Milwaukee International Film Festival and Beloit Film Festival.

 Given: as we expand the industry, we must also expand the infrastructure to service the industry. New businesses will open and creative class individuals will move to the state. Until we grow our own talent we will need assistance from our colleagues in Illinois, Minnesota, etc. The average production needs 80-120 qualified crew members, a number that Wisconsin alone at present can not supply at present.

 Fact: The movement to expand the current worker tax credit to include those from outside of the state has been undertaken for two reasons: First, so that we may service the increased demand. If we are unable to service these productions in a seamless and professional way, they will choose shoot elsewhere. Second, if out of state crew members are not counted, producers will not view our incentives as competitive.

 Fact: The proposed change to the incentives has a sunset provision. In five years, a suitable-sized workforce will be in place and the inclusion of out-of-state workers will no longer be necessary.

 Fact: Film Wisconsin has always been about both small, home grown, independent films as well as Hollywood blockbusters. There is a difference in scale of support needed for different sized productions. Film Wisconsin, in collaboration with Marcus Theaters also made it possible for Wisconsin independent filmmakers to have access to over 600 screens for exhibition.

Public Enemies

The Film Public Enemies will be filmed in Wisconsin!
Yes the years of effort of the group that is now Film Wisconsin has paid off.
Public Enemies will be film in central Wisconsin around the Baraboo area (source tells me)
There have been casting call held in Madison.
My understanding is that the buget for Public Enemies is 50 to 100 Million.
This should have a huge impact for this area bring both short term and long term benefits.
Please remeber that .50 of every dollor spend on film stays in the local area.
This area of Wisconsin (My home town) could use an influx of money.
I am very proud to have been part of Film Wisconsin since day one. In fact I was the man who called the first meeting that day in Madison.
Bounis Points to everyone who helped make this happen
Bonus bonis points to Scott Robbie and George Tzougros without their help it never would have happened.

This weekend!

http://www.animemilwaukee.com/

Yes Milwaukee's Anime con! this weekend! For more information please go to the Web page!
A great line up of films and workshops!

Haunted Fundraiser Kenosha WI 2/29/08

'Haunted" Fundraiser/Get-to-gether Event!
Houston's Corner Bar in Kenosha, WI will host this event!


Friday February 29th, 2008--Kenosha, WI

PLEASE PASS THIS ONTO OTHERS



We are having our first Fundraiser for "Haunted" at Houston's Corner bar. For address and location use the link here:


Houstons Corner Bar


We are collecting $5.00per person at the door as a free-will donation towards production and there will be two t-shirts from the film haunted for raffle and a few other prizes.

This is a small place but the fundraising will be from 7pm until at the very least 11pm.

If you want to donate more than the $5.00 that is all up to you at the door.



The free-will donations will go towards production to film the rest of "Haunted" short film due for release Fall of this year (2008)

Please visit: www.hauntedthefilm.com for full details on the film and view the "Fundraiser Event" TAB on that same website, thanks!