Skip to comments.
Robert Altman won't 'runaway' to Canada
Canoe Jam Showbiz ^
| Monday December 29 2003
| CP
Posted on 12/30/2003 1:16:22 PM PST by xp38
CHICAGO (CP) -- Add veteran director Robert Altman to the list of American filmmakers who say they won't shoot a "runaway production" in Canada.
In an interview with film critic Roger Ebert in Friday's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times, Altman, 78, said it's obscene to move a film production to Canada, just to save money on tax breaks offered by the government.
"There's no reason to let a political decision decide where a picture is shot," Altman is quoted as saying. "Why was (the musical) Chicago made in Toronto? To save a couple of million dollars -- which, of course, doesn't go to the artists. On moral grounds, I won't do it."
The creator of such films as MASH, Nashville and Gosford Park said he was preparing to make a Paul Newman film about a bear when producer Harvey Weinstein decided to take the film to Canada to save $2 million.
"I said 'Fellas, goodbye.'"
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: altman
Robert Altman the patriot. BTW he shot McCabe and Mrs. Miller in Canada. Why isn't he living in France?
1
posted on
12/30/2003 1:16:23 PM PST
by
xp38
To: xp38
Robert Altman has been, along with Tarantino, the most overrated hack "Director" of the past fifty years.
2
posted on
12/30/2003 1:17:37 PM PST
by
TheBigB
(...international law is whatever the United States and Great Britain say it is. - Ann Coulter)
To: xp38
Why is he opposed to making a movie in Canada? You'd think, Big Name Liberal like him would want to stick it to President Bush. But when it comes to putting his beliefs into effect, Robert Altman is as they say, "all hat and no cattle."
3
posted on
12/30/2003 1:18:28 PM PST
by
goldstategop
(In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
To: goldstategop
I think he wants union cred. He is taking a moral stand by not taking any food out of the mob controlled IATSE.
4
posted on
12/30/2003 1:21:29 PM PST
by
xp38
To: xp38
IATSE= International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. You see their 5 petal logo at the end of credits on movies. Nothing in big time show biz happens without them taking a cut.
5
posted on
12/30/2003 1:25:16 PM PST
by
xp38
To: xp38
"Robert Altman won't 'runaway' to Canada" How about if we chase him waving sharp sticks?
6
posted on
12/30/2003 1:26:41 PM PST
by
Mad Dawgg
(French: old Europe word meaning surrender)
To: xp38
I agree.
I had a close relative (now deceased) who was in the SWG (Screen Writers Guild). Hollywood is a closed union town. Very difficult to break in for the craft unions that aren't just the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and one can be punished for going against the rules, written and unwritten.
To: xp38
"Why was (the musical) Chicago made in Toronto? To save a couple of million dollars There's the real rub. Why should it cost so much in the US? I suspect a lot of it is Union restrictions.
8
posted on
12/30/2003 1:28:53 PM PST
by
narby
(McGovern lost in 72 - and launched the left's takover of the Dem party)
To: xp38
Earth to Altman: "Money doesn't have politics!"
(By all means make your next movie oversees - then stay there!)
9
posted on
12/30/2003 1:34:09 PM PST
by
Redbob
(this space reserved for witty remarks)
To: narby
There are unions in Canada too but since the movie industry isn't as well entrenched the pay rates are less than in the US. Exchange rate until recently was very much in favor of Canada too. The Lord of the Rings was made in New Zealand and I suppose could have been made in the US but I'm sure it was much cheaper making it there.
10
posted on
12/30/2003 1:41:30 PM PST
by
xp38
To: xp38
"..To save a couple of million dollars -- which, of course, doesn't go to the artists..."
No, it goes back to the studio so they can continue to make movies and employ artists. That's why you're not a producer.
To: Redbob
Earth to Altman: "Money doesn't have politics!" Liberals think it does. Money = Power and to liberals, all power is political.
That was an important clue to a weird - but common - way of thinking.
12
posted on
12/30/2003 1:56:39 PM PST
by
irv
To: xp38
Harold Ramis sent in a letter to the Chicago Tribune talking about a movie he was going to shoot in Chicago (he lives there). The difference in cost between Chicago and Toronto was substantial - in the millions. He was pleading for reduction in taxes.
BTW, the City Council (i.e Daley's sycophants) wants to raise the rental car tax another 4%.
13
posted on
12/30/2003 3:18:37 PM PST
by
glorgau
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson