Posted on 06/18/2020 10:00:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
From Mission Impossible to Transformers, the U.S. military’s vast expertise and array of equipment are part and parcel of the moviegoing experience. The partnership between the Department of Defense (DOD) and Hollywood started decades ago and continues to benefit both parties as well as millions of moviegoers. If Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) gets his way, the DOD – and other federal agencies – will face great difficulty advising filmmakers and renting out their buildings and equipment to creators trying to accurately depict the armed forces. Sen. Cruz’s proposed “Stopping Censorship, Restoring Integrity, Protecting Talkies” (SCRIPT) Act would bar studios from filming on bases and using equipment such as fighter jets if the studio in question edited any other film or show for screening in China. This all or nothing mandate would wreak havoc on film production, deprive the U.S. armed forces of a free, valuable recruiting tool, and bolster bureaucracy at the expense of freedom of expression. The only thing that “talkies” need protection from is overzealous legislators and regulators.
Even to a film or television buff, the extent to which the U.S. government lends a helping hand in production can be surprising. Pentagon assistance for shows such as “NCIS” or “Hawaii 5-0” makes sense, but taxpayer-funded equipment also shows up on fan-favorites like “Jeopardy” and “The Price is Right.” Far from subsidizing these endeavors, taxpayers benefit on net from, say, a pivotal scene of a movie taking place at Fort Meade or the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The General Services Administration notes, “Filming and other special event space rentals help support federal preservation goals by generating revenue to keep historic federal buildings occupied, in good repair, and economically viable while contributing to their use and enjoyment by the public. Location fees support the care of this magnificent inventory of historic courthouses, custom houses, and federal buildings…” Meanwhile, film directors win by giving their works a veneer of legitimacy and credibility using locations and equipment that they otherwise would have to spend millions of dollars building.
From Mission Impossible to Transformers, the U.S. military’s vast expertise and array of equipment are part and parcel of the moviegoing experience. The partnership between the Department of Defense (DOD) and Hollywood started decades ago and continues to benefit both parties as well as millions of moviegoers. If Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) gets his way, the DOD – and other federal agencies – will face great difficulty advising filmmakers and renting out their buildings and equipment to creators trying to accurately depict the armed forces. Sen. Cruz’s proposed “Stopping Censorship, Restoring Integrity, Protecting Talkies” (SCRIPT) Act would bar studios from filming on bases and using equipment such as fighter jets if the studio in question edited any other film or show for screening in China. This all or nothing mandate would wreak havoc on film production, deprive the U.S. armed forces of a free, valuable recruiting tool, and bolster bureaucracy at the expense of freedom of expression. The only thing that “talkies” need protection from is overzealous legislators and regulators.
Even to a film or television buff, the extent to which the U.S. government lends a helping hand in production can be surprising. Pentagon assistance for shows such as “NCIS” or “Hawaii 5-0” makes sense, but taxpayer-funded equipment also shows up on fan-favorites like “Jeopardy” and “The Price is Right.” Far from subsidizing these endeavors, taxpayers benefit on net from, say, a pivotal scene of a movie taking place at Fort Meade or the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The General Services Administration notes, “Filming and other special event space rentals help support federal preservation goals by generating revenue to keep historic federal buildings occupied, in good repair, and economically viable while contributing to their use and enjoyment by the public. Location fees support the care of this magnificent inventory of historic courthouses, custom houses, and federal buildings…” Meanwhile, film directors win by giving their works a veneer of legitimacy and credibility using locations and equipment that they otherwise would have to spend millions of dollars building.
This is especially counterproductive given how lucrative the Chinese market can be for some U.S. films. Chinese audiences accounted for more than a fifth of Avengers: Endgame's $2.8 billion revenue. Indeed, U.S. films and television shows are one of the country’s most successful global exports, accounting for $16.3 billion. That’s a win for taxpayers as local communities around the country benefit from production company investment and tax dollars. For example, Avengers: Endgame was filmed in Georgia, where, according to the Governor’s office, the film industry accounted for $9.5 billion of economic activity in fiscal year 2018. When Chinese consumers spend money on American films and TV shows, it’s the U.S. economy that ultimately benefits. The SCRIPT Act would spell serious trouble for industry-supported jobs and taxpayer revenue, all in the name of “making China pay.”
And, in the case of Avengers: Endgame, it turns out the U.S. military didn’t need legislative mandates in order to decline to cooperate with Marvel during production. They made that choice not because of concerns about Chinese censors, but because, “the Defense Department didn't think a movie about superheroes, Norse Gods and intergalactic invasions was sufficiently realistic in its treatment of military bureaucracy.”
The armed forces should be the ones to decide when and how they cooperate with filmmakers – not Ted Cruz’s political advisors. Taxpayers and movie buffs deserve better than an expensive, legislative flop. Sen. Cruz’s legislation should end up on the cutting room floor rather than walking the red carpet.
“This is especially counterproductive given how lucrative the Chinese market can be for some U.S. films.”
In case you missed it the first two times,
From Mission Impossible to Transformers, the U.S. military’s vast expertise and array of equipment are part and parcel of the moviegoing experience. The partnership between the Department of Defense (DOD) and Hollywood started decades ago and continues to benefit both parties as well as millions of moviegoers. If Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) gets his way, the DOD – and other federal agencies – will face great difficulty advising filmmakers and renting out their buildings and equipment to creators trying to accurately depict the armed forces. Sen. Cruz’s proposed “Stopping Censorship, Restoring Integrity, Protecting Talkies” (SCRIPT) Act would bar studios from filming on bases and using equipment such as fighter jets if the studio in question edited any other film or show for screening in China. This all or nothing mandate would wreak havoc on film production, deprive the U.S. armed forces of a free, valuable recruiting tool, and bolster bureaucracy at the expense of freedom of expression. The only thing that “talkies” need protection from is overzealous legislators and regulators.
Even to a film or television buff, the extent to which the U.S. government lends a helping hand in production can be surprising. Pentagon assistance for shows such as “NCIS” or “Hawaii 5-0” makes sense, but taxpayer-funded equipment also shows up on fan-favorites like “Jeopardy” and “The Price is Right.” Far from subsidizing these endeavors, taxpayers benefit on net from, say, a pivotal scene of a movie taking place at Fort Meade or the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The General Services Administration notes, “Filming and other special event space rentals help support federal preservation goals by generating revenue to keep historic federal buildings occupied, in good repair, and economically viable while contributing to their use and enjoyment by the public. Location fees support the care of this magnificent inventory of historic courthouses, custom houses, and federal buildings…” Meanwhile, film directors win by giving their works a veneer of legitimacy and credibility using locations and equipment that they otherwise would have to spend millions of dollars building.
From Mission Impossible to Transformers, the U.S. military’s vast expertise and array of equipment are part and parcel of the moviegoing experience. The partnership between the Department of Defense (DOD) and Hollywood started decades ago and continues to benefit both parties as well as millions of moviegoers. If Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) gets his way, the DOD – and other federal agencies – will face great difficulty advising filmmakers and renting out their buildings and equipment to creators trying to accurately depict the armed forces. Sen. Cruz’s proposed “Stopping Censorship, Restoring Integrity, Protecting Talkies” (SCRIPT) Act would bar studios from filming on bases and using equipment such as fighter jets if the studio in question edited any other film or show for screening in China. This all or nothing mandate would wreak havoc on film production, deprive the U.S. armed forces of a free, valuable recruiting tool, and bolster bureaucracy at the expense of freedom of expression. The only thing that “talkies” need protection from is overzealous legislators and regulators.
Even to a film or television buff, the extent to which the U.S. government lends a helping hand in production can be surprising. Pentagon assistance for shows such as “NCIS” or “Hawaii 5-0” makes sense, but taxpayer-funded equipment also shows up on fan-favorites like “Jeopardy” and “The Price is Right.” Far from subsidizing these endeavors, taxpayers benefit on net from, say, a pivotal scene of a movie taking place at Fort Meade or the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The General Services Administration notes, “Filming and other special event space rentals help support federal preservation goals by generating revenue to keep historic federal buildings occupied, in good repair, and economically viable while contributing to their use and enjoyment by the public. Location fees support the care of this magnificent inventory of historic courthouses, custom houses, and federal buildings…” Meanwhile, film directors win by giving their works a veneer of legitimacy and credibility using locations and equipment that they otherwise would have to spend millions of dollars building.
To blazes with the Chinese market. Let them make their own Kung Fu movies.
talkies?
Next, extend this to the FBI because there are far too many shows where they are the good guys instead of being the DNC's secret police.
I get it. He’s trying to stop and punish Chinese censorship. I’m for that. This may not be the best way to do i, but some measure needs to be taken to achieve that end.
That's exactly the problem. The Chinese market is so lucrative that they kowtow to the Butchers of Beijing and become a part of their propaganda machine, all for a few extra bucks.
What was that?
Gee Ross, who do you think paid for all that military equipment in the first place? F Hollyweird and their anti-American agenda. Let them use CGI or go to China to make their films.
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