Well, I've heard that people from FRANCE do lean to the LEFT.............
Posted on 02/27/2008 6:57:35 AM PST by Son House
Attracted by tax incentives that went into effect Jan. 1, Universal Pictures has committed to shooting portions of its upcoming Johnny Depp film "Public Enemies" in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday.
The movie is likely to include scenes filmed at locations in Milwaukee, Baraboo, Oshkosh, Madison and Columbus, Wis., said Scott Robbe, executive director for Film Wisconsin and a leader behind the development of the tax incentive program.
"Milwaukee will play prominently in the film," Robbe said, adding that Depp will come to the city for the shoot.
The movie company reached agreement Tuesday with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce on tax credits from the new Film Production Services Tax Credit Program. The film company could spend up to $20 million in the state and earn up to $3.9 million in tax credits under the program.
The film stars Depp, who will play the infamous John Dillinger, and actor Christian Bale, and will be the first major production to come to Wisconsin since the tax incentives went into effect. State legislators are now looking to improve the film industry tax incentives law credited for attracting the Depp project.
"Public Enemies" director Michael Mann and his crew had been scouting sites in Milwaukee, including the downtown Germania building, 135 W. Wells St., which could serve as a bank lobby in the film. Robbe said producers of the film will not disclose specific sites to avoid the publicity.
In choosing Wisconsin, Mann cited the high quality historic building stock in many Wisconsin communities, which will lend authenticity to the action thriller, Doyle said. About 50 percent of what's spent on a film production stays in the local community where filming occurs.
The tax incentives offered by the state include a 25 percent credit for production expenses, including wages paid to Wisconsin residents and expenses such as music, air travel and insurance from state-based providers. Incentives also include a 15 percent credit for equipment purchases or for acquisition and improvement of real estate for state-based film companies.
Other states that have enacted credits, such as New Mexico and New York, have seen revenue from film production increase from $125 million to $600 million in the first year of such incentives.
"It is a coup to have Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Michael Mann headline the first film, but these incentives have just begun to work," Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said in a press release. "They will continue to attract both blockbuster and smaller budget films to Wisconsin as more producers hear what a great place Wisconsin is to do business. Wisconsin is now a major player in attracting creative industries."
I don’t think anyone is criticizing Wisconsin for giving tax incentives. The criticism goes to the liberals of Hollywood who have a double-standard.
“Yup...it’s up Nort, dont’cha know. “
Den let’s go by Little Bohemia. Aini hey?
So what do George Soros, Warren Buffet and Ted Turner have to do with the state of Wisconsin offering this corporation a tax break?
Seems ass-backwards to me. They are giving tax breaks to 1 film company when they could be doing the same for thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of individuals (registered voters) who could could then pump that money back into their local economy - seems to me like they just want to rub elbows with Johnny Depp and claim they are helping the economy.
The tax breaks are not just for “1 film company,” but for any film company that wants to come to the state. Johhny Depp had nothing to do with the passing of this particular legislation.
Sure, it’s a high-profile industry. But it’s a start, and first steps are often high-profile. We ought to encourage Wisconsin to do the same for manufacturing companies, white-collar companies and other companies that employ locals and pump tens of millions into the local economy.
I know Hollywood is a popular boogeyman and easy target, but the bottom line is that most of the people who actually work on the films are conservative blue-collar Americans.
Point being, these rich liberals weasel out of taxes while they have supported Democrats who impose high tax rates on other Americans. Low tax rates are good for everyone, not just rich liberals, who, by their own standards should pay every penny over a minimal existence for the common good. Universal Studios can pay more taxes too, they don’t have to profit.
I would prefer across the board tax cuts rather than tax cuts for new and sometimes favored businesses.
Nothing. But they do hold the same double-standard that Hollywood holds: They criticize other people for becoming wealthy and taking tax breaks, yet they do it themselves.
There's nothing wrong with a state attracting money through tax incentives. The criticism goes to the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do Hollywood liberals.
He does pay huge taxes in France, his residence.
Well, I've heard that people from FRANCE do lean to the LEFT.............
But they consume mass quantities, so it’s good for local businesses.
Pittsburgh actually has a Film Office and they actively recruit movie/TV shoots here. Its cheaper for the film companies to create NYC in Pittsburgh than it is to shoot in NYC. And once your area builds up a list of Union filmworkers more shoots then come (and more money for the economy.) Hey, maybe you'll get hired on as an 'extra.'
And I loved 'Finding Neverland.' And no fellow FReepers, it has nothing what so ever to do w/Michael Jackson.
I'm a Depp fan too, PBR :)
exactly. the city calculated that on a net basis, they would make money by having movies filmed there, even without directly taxing the production company.
Liberals and Democrats should never accept tax credits, and I am never an extra (please don’t confuse the screen name, the real Son House was never an extra either).
Not really the point of the article, but isn’t a Michael Mann directed movie staring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale can’t miss?
bump
I would agree that it should be box office gold.
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