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."
Is Johnny Depp a liberal?.........
You know that Johnny Depp doesn’t pay taxes?
Is Wisconsin, Milwaukee anywhere near Milwaukee, Wisconsin? That’s what’s great about New York, New York... You never have to remember which one goes first.
Wasn’t Little Bohemia, the resort Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson escaped an FBI raid from in Wisconsin?
Ah well, at least Depp has talent, and is a hard working actor. Imagine if it were Orlando Bloom!
Yes, and he wasn’t going to show up without the tax incentives.
I won’t criticize anybody for not wanting to pay taxes they can legally get out of, even if they are a liberal...............
Yup...it's up Nort, dont'cha know. It looks much the same now as it did then. There are interesting historical newspaper clippings on the wall inside, and as I recall, bullet holes on the outside.
Moreover, nothing springs to mind that Depp has done that is not family friendly. I think he’s really good (though obviously very strange...).
Yeah, but the liberals complain about other legitimate
businesses being given tax breaks to keep business in
state etc....
What the liberals don’t understand is that by completely
controlling businesses with laws (which monetarily
is the same as a tax), they drive business type laborers
out of the city,state or country. Then they complain that
they have no state money for their pet sociological projects.
Yeah, but the liberals complain about other legitimate
businesses being given tax breaks to keep business in
state etc....
What the liberals don’t understand is that by completely
controlling businesses with laws (which monetarily
is the same as a tax), they drive business type laborers
out of the city,state or country. Then they complain that
they have no state money for their pet sociological projects.
He moved to France...
He has made statements in the past, but then backtracked on them. My feel is that he is probably liberal; but, not militantly so like a George Clooney.
Johnny Depp, George Soros, Warren Buffet, Ted Turner(UN Supporter, we know that's anti-American) what's the difference, they all won't voluntary pay taxes they can weasel out of.
Okay, you're obviously not understanding what Wisconsin is doing here.
This isn't a tax break for rich liberals, it's a tax break intended to draw corporate investment. The film company gets tax incentives for pumping x amount of money into the local economy.
Instead of complaining, we ought to be celebrating any time when a state reduces taxes on those who invest in their state's economy.
Yikes!
Have you seen Sweeney Todd?
We should work on that next. This is a good start, but I didn’t suggest that it was the end.
Still, the original poster obviously didn’t understand the article.
You REALLY need to review his filmography.
That said, Depp is a very good actor and I certainly don't believe that everything has to be family-friendly.
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