The end of February brought good news from Rhode Island when Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film Office called a press conference at the State House Rotunda for March 1, a new television pilot for CBS Network to be filmed entirely in the production boom town of Providence. Titled “Waterfront,” the new series will star Joe Pantoliano (“Sopranos,” RACING STRIPES, THE MATRIX) as a charismatic, but ethically challenged Mayor of Providence. Billy Baldwin will play the state’s Attorney General. The new series is created and written by Jack Orman (“ER” and “Jag”), and will be directed by Richard Lewis whose credits include CSI. Peter McIntosh, one of the producers of recently filmed HARD LUCK (also in Rhode Island) will line produce “Waterfront.” All attended Feinberg’s press conference.

The effort to bring this new production to the Ocean State was a complete city and statewide collaboration including Governor Donald Carcieri, Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty, House Speaker William J. Murphy, Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, and Rhode Island Arts Council Director Randall Rosenbaum.

The conference was also well attended by industry and press who enjoyed the peppery, crisp and entertaining remarks from the elected officials and the talented creative team. We can score another one for Rhode Island where their Film Tax Incentive Legislation and their professional, well connected to Hollywood Rhode Island Executive Film Director, Steven Feinberg, have attracted more than $200 million production dollars to the smallest state in the union. 

Meanwhile, look for another New England State to buy a ticket on the Film Tax Incentive locomotive. At a press conference at the Connecticut State Capitol on February 6, 2006, Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford) was joined by legislators and representatives of the film and media industry as he unveiled the package of tax incentives designed to make Connecticut a major player in attracting movie and television production to the state. The speaker believes Connecticut can add billions of dollars to its economy by attracting more film and media production through investor and production tax credits.

Sen. Cynthia Creem, Chairman John Binienda, MPC member John MacNeil, Sen. James Timilty, Debbie DiMasi and Speaker Sal DiMasi listening to remarks by Director Sam Weisman at the MPC celebration honoring all those in this photo. Photo by Robert Pushkar.

Ellie Fund Founder Jeff Popkin, Executive Director Julie Nations, House Speaker Sal DiMasi holding Ernest Thompson's Oscar for ON GOLDEN POND, and Carol Patton at the MPC VIP reception for the passage of motion picture tax incentives honoring sponsors and supporters. Photo by Robert Pushkar.

On Oscar Night America in Boston Red Carpet are Ch 5 weather man David Brown, special guest Ernest Thompson with his Oscar for ON GOLDEN POND, and Pamela Lambert, Ernest's co-star in his next film "The Love Line" scheduled to be shot in Providence, Rhode Island in the late spring. Photo by Zvi Cole.

“This is about opportunity, jobs and economic growth,” Amann said. “Connecticut is perfectly situated with coveted production locations in close proximity to New York. We need to use our assets to take advantage of this burgeoning industry and put out the welcome mat.”

Included in Amann’s proposal are a 25% investor tax credit and a 30% production credit. To be eligible, 75% of production must take place in Connecticut, production costs must exceed $250,000 and 10% of workers must be state residents. An additional 20% wage credit would also be available if resident workers make up 25% or more of a crew.

When enacted, Connecticut’s incentives would rival Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Potential major movie studio projects in Preston by Utopia Studios and in North Stonington by Frank Capra, Jr. are already anticipated.

Oscar winning film producer and former Hartford Whalers owner Howard Baldwin (RAY, SAHARA, MYSTERY ALASKA) praised Amann’s initiative as a home run for Connecticut, noting that the state has a large number of film professionals who travel elsewhere for their creative assignments, a condition that prevails in all New England states.

"An incentive package such as this makes Connecticut a player in the industry," said Baldwin. "We have four films in progress right now, and I would look seriously at bringing one or two to Connecticut if there's an incentive package available that is competitive with other states."

Connecticut is already home to ESPN (Bristol), WWE (Stamford) and Outdoor Life Network (Stamford) all of which do original productions and programming, as well as over 400 world famous actors, writers, directors and producers. Media incentive legislation would also be a catalyst for the continued growth of Sonalysts Tour Rehearsals studios of Waterford.

Under Amann’s plan, the Connecticut Film Office would receive funding to coordinate and market potential productions including assistance regarding locations, available crews, training programs, housing, permit applications, police assistance, and certification of tax incentives. These services and accelerated marketing are critical to the successful implementation of a new incentive program. Connecticut already has legislation on the books that waives sales taxes on most production related expenses.

In Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci has asked legislators to set aside funds to attract the Film and Television Industry to the state. The governor and author Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Empire Falls,” met at the Statehouse to tout the potential benefits of incentives that would encourage production companies to bring casts, crews, and cameras to Maine. “Empire Falls,” about life in a small New England town was adapted to a two-part HBO miniseries starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ed Harris and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film won a Golden Globe for best miniseries or movie. Newman also won a Globe for his supporting role playing Max Roby, a cantankerous father figure. Hoffman, of course, just won an Oscar for his role in CAPOTE as Truman Capote. 

Russo testified before the Legislature's budget-review committee, saying the film industry can represent a significant economic boost for towns like those portrayed in "Empire Falls,” which was filmed in central Maine, mostly Skowhegan and Waterville, pumping $13.5 million directly into the region's economy.

There is a theme here in my message. New England is home to thousands of creative people who want to work here. As productions leave Hollywood more and more for other states (not foreign shores) all of those accomplished, brilliant, and contributing creators will lobby for incentives in their home states. I believe we have more of those accomplished, award winning individuals in New England than anyplace else, and that’s why I believe that New England can be the third highest grossing production Mecca in the United States. I’ve believed it since I first observed the talent, institutions, locations, architecture and sophisticated technology in the region.

It’s happening now and it is incumbent on all of us who care about this industry and who see its powerful economic potential to not lose sight of how we best help our state governments, elected officials, and industry leaders and participants to make this happen. Keep this in mind: entertainment is the chief export of the United States of America. Also remember this: buying the business is sensible; many successful companies and entities are doing it in the form of incentives like 2 for 1, rebates, 25% off, “keep the change and we’ll match it.” The key is to watch the market and remain competitive. The secret word in our industry is “transferable” tax credits. 

Speaking of such things, I will be off to Santa Monica, CA for the Association of Film Commissions International’s (AFCI) Location Trade Show where I will once again meet with more than 200 other states and countries to learn their latest efforts to compete in this incentivized world. I will be taking with me the April issue of IMAGINE containing vital information to the Hollywood community about New England including our New England Location, Resources and Production Guide including an in depth look at our new (and old) incentives, film office contact information, the professional companies and individuals available for hire here. Make sure you or your company are listed. I’ll also have a chance to see all the New Englanders who are now working and paying taxes in California (some would like to come home). After that it’s out to Las Vegas for NAB; it’s going to be a really “big show” this year.

Salma Hayek with her Harvard Foundation’s Artist of the Year Award, which she received on Saturday, February 25th at Sanders Theatre.To her left is Harvard College Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid,William Fitzsimmons and to her right is Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Harvard Foundation. Photo by George Weinstein.

In Massachusetts the industry celebrated the passing of its Tax Incentive Legislation at a special party hosted by the Massachusetts Production Coalition (MPC) at the Umbria Restaurant in Boston. The event was beautifully executed and extremely well attended. A VIP reception thanked elected officials and industry leaders for their work and supporting roles in making Film Tax Incentive legislation a reality for Massachusetts. Speaker Sal DiMasi, Senators Cynthia Creem and James Timilty, and Representatives John Binienda and Thomas O’Brien attended and accepted their thank you from the MPC. I was especially grateful for the kind words spoken by Dona Sommers (AFTRA/SAG Executive Director, NE) thanking IMAGINE, me and our government relations expert Ed Rae for our efforts over the past several years. Also in attendance was Academy Award winner Michael Williams (FOG OF WAR), Hollywood Director and MPC member Sam Weisman, and Ernest Thompson’s actual Academy Award. 

It was a great warm-up for the Academy Awards and Oscar Night America. And I’m happy to say, the winner is: “The Ellie Fund!” For New England all eyes were on the Academy’s officially sanctioned party for our area. A gala evening attended by a sold out crowd at the elegant State Room in downtown Boston, the event benefited The Ellie Fund and its support for breast cancer patients and their families in Massachusetts. It was a blockbuster event celebrated by all who attended including many from our industry. Zvi Cole, who founded the event, Jeff Popkin who founded the Ellie Fund in memory of his Mother, and Julie Nations, the Ellie Fund Executive Director fielded an extraordinary array of performing and attending talent, culinary delights, a fanciful silent auction, stupendous back drops, a stealth fashion show and a gift bag that made us all feel like we were in Hollywood at the Kodak Theatre. Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi, who should hold the political equivalent of an “Oscar” for his work passing Film Tax Incentive legislation, Senator Scott Brown and our “go to” guy on Beacon Hill Representative Brian Wallace were also there in support. 

The shortest month of the year always seems the busiest, and this February is no exception. STIFFS wrapped and there was a party. Harvard Hasty Pudding gave out their Pudding Cups to Halle Berry and Richard Gere. Read Robert Pushkar’s report on the Woman and Man of the 
Year in this issue.

I attended The Harvard Foundation’s 21st Annual Cultural Rhythms where Salma Hayek was awarded Artist of the Year and a host of diverse Harvard students entertained enthusiastically displaying the cultural and ethnic diversity that the Harvard Foundation fosters. Salma Hayek mastered the ceremonies, interacting with the students and audience thoroughly enjoying herself with energy and wit. She endeared herself when one instrumental group so excited her she told them on stage that she would take the ensemble to Hollywood and produce a CD; and when 
a Native American Dance group member gave her a pair of earrings, Salma put them on immediately, giving her earrings as a gift back. I liked her spunk and spirit. 

Along with Dorothy Aufiero and Lisa Simmons, your publisher has been selected to receive an Image Award from Women in Film and Video New England at their 25th Anniversary Gala Image Award Celebration. I hope you will join me and attend their event on Wednesday, March 22nd.

A special thank you to Ernest Thompson for lending his Oscar he won for ON GOLDEN POND for use in promoting Oscar Night America benefiting The Ellie Fund and being an honored guest. This 
is the “25th” Anniversary of the release of ON GOLDEN POND. Several celebrations are planned this year in New Hampshire where the movie was filmed. 

And finally, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all, especially to Senator Jack Hart and Representative Brian Wallace.