It's the first New England state to mount and to successfully pass legislation that will allow the state to offer seductive incentives to the film and television industry. Motion picture studios, production companies, and major producers are already taking notice. This big legislation will impact the tiny State of Rhode Island with a tidal wave of production business sweeping its shores bathing it with an economic boom the likes of which it has never seen before. We will watch it happen, I predict; and we will report it regularly in IMAGINE.

Speaker of the House William J. Murphy addresses the Showtime press conference regarding tax incentive legislation for Rhode Island. Photo by Lew Place.

Passing film incentive legislation is the most significant milestone of the film and television production industry in the history of Rhode Island. The state has a rich and colorful industry history beginning in the early 1900s. But, it was never as "rich" as it will be now. Important, too, is this little state is considered "film friendly" with a professional film office by almost everyone who works in the field. This action sets a benchmark for all New England states to follow. And each must follow suit. We (consensus at IMAGINE) suspect that Massachusetts will be next and it may be this year as well. Make no mistake, every New England state is looking at the possibilities.
And consider, a heavily incentivized region is unmistakably the best situation New England, moviemakers, and indigenous filmmakers could hope for in the grand scheme of things.

The economic impact will be revolutionary!

Many people had to roll up their sleeves to make this happen. It didn't happen overnight! Conversely, it didn't drag out over years, either. Industry individuals, elected officials, unions, and common sense came together in a logical and sequential manner to make this
happen. Good things happened along the way. (Showtime Network's "Brotherhood," for example).

Critical to the movement was the installation of Steven Feinberg in a newly created film office under the auspices of The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and its Executive Director, Randall Rosenbaum. Early in April of 2004, I sent Feinberg an email welcoming him aboard and wishing him well in his new appointment. His generous response indicated the office's budget had not yet been set. At the bottom of his email was his new job description, "Assists production professionals with research, location photos, scouting, permitting, lodging, and local production coordination."

Less than one month later, IMAGINE received an email from Feinberg announcing The Rhode Island Film & Television Office will hold "Film & TV Town Hall Meetings" in Providence and Newport during the latter part of May.  These meetings would explore opportunities and promote discussion with filmmakers, videographers, storytellers, actors, business people, government officials and any citizens interested in participating in film and television production. The meetings were facilitated by Steven Feinberg, the new director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office.

The meeting in Providence was co-sponsored by Cliff Wood, Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the City of Providence at Tazza Café. The Town Hall Meeting in Newport was co-sponsored by the Newport Convention & Visitor's Bureau and the City
of Newport at the Newport City Hall. Folks began to take note of their new film office director. A "doer" as I like to say it.

Steven Feinberg had a "fantastic" first month. He told me himself on May 13, 2004. He liked what his "Town Meetings" culled from constituents. The nucleus began to emerge for him. And Feinberg saw it as a good beginning. Randall Rosenbaum sent Steven's photo that day and we published it in IMAGINE.

The next month in June, Feinberg put out a request for bids for web site construction for the Rhode Island Film Office. In July we traded phone calls. He never had time to talk long as the important phone calls were always coming in, calls that he just had to take.

In August, I received an email marked "Press Conference with Showtime TV." It read, "Please be our guest at the State Reception Room in the Rhode Island State House as we warmly welcome the stars and crew of the new Showtime television pilot, which begins shooting here in Rhode Island next month. Please take a moment to join our elected officials and the Chairman of the Showtime Television Network for this important event."

I'm giving this guy high marks! The pilot was for "Brotherhood" set in a Massachusetts' town, scheduled to shoot in Toronto. Wow! How in the world did this pilot land in Rhode Island? I attended the press conference. Vin Fraioli had already interviewed Steven Feinberg for the next issue of IMAGINE, in which he quoted Feinberg as saying, "We
brought in over a 4 million dollar major television pilot to our state - the fact is, the entire pilot is being shot here, unlike the NBC series, "Providence", which spent just 3 days here then went to Hollywood. Projects like these are more than just tourism. This is putting work here." Amen. That's the mandate of a real state film office. It's called economic development.

Later, the same day of the press conference, I receive this email form Steven Feinberg. "How are you?  Thanks for your phone call and for joining us at the Press conference….I think Vin (Fraioli) did an amazing job with the article and frankly was overwhelmed by his kind remarks and yours as well in your editorial."

Events developed quickly, and the next few months went by. Will the pilot be picked up? If so, will Mandalay Entertainment and Showtime continue their commitment to Rhode Island? The IMAGINE Industry New Year's Eve party rolled around and the day before, I received an email from Steven saying he, "I plan to attend with Carol Conley and Lew
Place, from my office.  We look forward to seeing you and the rest of
the gang.

Best, Steven."  Carol and Lew attended. Feinberg had some "industry business" to attend to and could not be present.

An email from Steven shortly thereafter read, "Thank you for your kind note, Carol.  Now you know why I could not attend your party. I was in the middle of discussions and conference calls with Showtime, Mandalay Entertainment and various representatives of our government.  Lots of chatter…. Thank you for your encouragement and support..."

Steven called a press conference at the State House for January 14, 2005. On that day, it was announced that Showtime would order 11 more episodes of "Brotherhood"

In an article in the Providence Journal that day, writer Andy Smith wrote "It'll soon be Showtime in Providence "Filming will begin in June on Brotherhood, a 12-episode series on the premium cable network…. It might not have cute puppies and Melina Kanakaredes, but another TV series is coming to Providence. Cable channel Showtime has approved production of an hour-long dramatic series called Brotherhood, which centers on two brothers -- one a politician, the other a mobster -- who grew up in a fictional Irish neighborhood called 'The Hill' in Providence."

Steven Feinberg, director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office announced "This is the first time a TV series has been shot entirely in the state of Rhode Island….This is a huge thing for us. A lot of people in the state worked very hard to make this happen. This will put hundreds of people to work, and inject millions of dollars into the state's economy."

Brotherhood stars Jason Isaacs, best known as the villainous British officer in Mel Gibson's THE PATRIOT, as the criminal brother, and Jason Clarke, who appeared in the Australian film RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, as the politician brother. Annabeth Gish, who has appeared in "The West Wing" and "The X-Files," will play Clarke's wife. Each attended the press conference.

Also attending, Elizabeth Stephen, the show's executive producer at Mandalay Entertainment. Stephen is a 1986 graduate of Brown University who majored in theater arts.

The plan had been to set "Brotherhood" in Providence, but film most of it in Toronto, where costs are generally lower than in the United States. But Feinberg and other state officials lobbied hard to keep the show in Rhode Island.

"The producers stressed how pleased they were at the cooperation they were getting from public officials at all levels," said Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty. "We wanted to show that you can get what you want to get done quickly and with a minimum of red tape. Hopefully, the good reputation we get will attract more productions here."

State Rep. Paul E. Moura, D-Providence, said the House leadership is currently drafting legislation that would provide tax breaks to Film and TV productions that work in Rhode Island.

The state found an ally in Phillip Noyce (PATRIOT GAMES), the pilot's director "It's as good a location shoot as I've ever had," he said in an interview with The Journal last December. "The people are not cynical about the movies, and everyone was incredibly helpful." Noyce also pointed out that, for a filmmaker, the state has some remarkably
diverse locations -- Colonial architecture, Victorian mansions, triple-decker houses, the State House -- in close proximity to one another.

Showtime had already closed its Toronto Brotherhood office and committed to Providence. The city and state, with beauty and diversity and everything in close proximity, was what won over the Showtime executives, according to House Speaker Murphy. But, he added, tax incentives are coming. "We want Rhode Island to compete with Toronto," Murphy said.

Feinberg was doing something really smart. He met with every top studio executive and those who made the decisions about where a film project locates. His question to each was, what do you need from Rhode Island to bring your productions there?  He quantified all the answers and the Rhode Island legislation was drafted and introduced into the
House and the Senate respectively by House Speaker William J. Murphy, and Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano.

On March 7th, I received this email from Steven Feinberg: "You are cordially invited to attend a very important and historic Press Conference, which will be held at the State House in the House Lounge at 3pm, on Tuesday, March 8, 2005. This significant event will have an immediate impact on our motion picture and television community and I
encourage you to attend.

"Various talents in attendance will include writer-director Bobby Farrelly (SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, ME, MYSELF & IRENE), director Michael Corrente (FEDERAL HILL, OUTSIDE PROVIDENC, AMERICAN BUFFALO) and Blake Masters (creator of the new Showtime series, "Brotherhood") as well as other important guests.

On this momentous day, the notion of film incentives for Rhode Island became a reality.. Hearings were held one month later on April 7th.

Steven's emails grew shorter and shorter, "Busy, busy, busy here....sorry for being rushed!"

His focus was on writing tax incentive legislation for the film industry. We agreed to meet in Santa Monica for the Association of Film Commissions International's Location Trade Show and attend all the Film Incentive Seminars we could find. It was time well spent. We looked at every competitive situation in the country and world that was present, over 230 eager, aggressive competitors who want to grow their production industry and create jobs for their cities, states, and countries. "Transferrable" was the word we kept hearing over and over again!

On June 9, 2005, Steven Feinberg sent this email: To the entire Rhode Island Film & Television Community---

"Today, Thursday, June 9, 2005, at 4pm, in the House Chamber at the State Capitol, the House of Representatives will be voting on House Bill 6201, the film and television tax incentive bill.  THIS IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILM, TELEVISION, COMMERCIALS AND VIDEO GAMES EVER TO BE VOTED ON IN OUR STATE.

"This Bill, if enacted, will act as the foundation for building a sustainable film and television industry in our Ocean State and provide several hundred jobs for our local crew and talent.  It will also promote our State's tourist industry to the entire world and ultimately, inject hundreds of millions of dollars into our local economy. The entertainment business continues to evolve, creating future opportunities for those entering the workforce.  In other words, the economic impact is clear."  I like the word "sustainable."

I encourage you to fill the balconies on the third floor, overlooking the House Chamber. The session begins at 4pm. Thank you. Warmest regards, Steven Feinverg."

Later that day, I received this, "The House Bill on Film & TV Legislation passed overwhelmingly with a vote of 62 in favor and 3 opposed. Our next stop is the Senate, which should occur next week. Thank you for your support! Warmest regards, Steven."

June 15th,  "Dear Friends of RI Film and Television Production,

"The companion bill for Film & TV tax incentives will be voted on in the SENATE, tomorrow, Thursday, June 16th at 4pm in the State House.

"It is the first bill to be heard on the floor….

"Please join me on the balcony overlooking the Senate and let the legislators know that we care about this very important bill which will greatly impact the entire Film and TV community.

I thank you for your support of this special event. Warmest regards, Steven.

June 16th, "GREAT NEWS!!!!! Today, the Senate unanimously voted to approve the Film and TV tax legislation!  The vote was 31 yeah and 0 nay. The Governor has six days to either sign, not sign or veto the legislation.

Seven days later, without the Governor's signature, the tax incentive legislation, House Bill 6201 became law. Good work!

Carpenters, painters, and other construction fellows had already begun building a new set for "Brotherhood" inside a building in East Providence to mimic the interior of the three-story pictured in the pilot. It's a lot easier to shoot if all the rooms are on the ground floor! The principal cast and crew has come to town and settled into rented houses, apartments, and condos; some of them bringing their families including children that will go to school in Rhode Island in the fall.

On July 5th, principle photography began….The new film incentive tax law had kicked in and in fact, is retroactive to January 1, 2005. Rhode Island is now on Hollywood's radar screen! Steven's phone is ringing off the hook and he is busy, busy, busy….