Patterico's Pontifications

10/11/2008

More Taxpayer Subsidies for Hollywood

Filed under: Government — DRJ @ 4:44 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Your State tax money at work:

“Already on the hook for billions to bail out Wall Street, taxpayers are also finding themselves stuck with a growing tab for state programs intended to increase local film production.

One of the most shocking bills has come due in Louisiana, where residents are financing a hefty share of Brad Pitt’s next movie — $27,117,737, to be exact, which the producers will receive by cashing or selling off valuable tax credits.

As the number of movies made under these plans multiplied in recent years, the state money turned into a welcome rescue plan for Hollywood at a time when private investors were fleeing the movies. But the glamour business has not always been kind to those who pick up the costs, and states are moving to rein in their largess that has allowed producers to be reimbursed for all manner of expenditures, whether the salaries of stars, the rental of studio space or meals for the crew.”

In addition to Louisiana, the article states that Michigan, Rhode Island, Colorado, New Mexico and as many as 35 other states currently offer or have in the past offered lucrative taxpayer-funded subsidies to filmmakers. That probably explains why No Country for Old Men – a drama set in West Texas – was actually filmed in New Mexico.

— DRJ

13 Responses to “More Taxpayer Subsidies for Hollywood”

  1. It may also mean the eventual drifting back of many movies and TV series to Canada – specifically, Toronto and Vancouver.

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  2. DRJ, just how many people can tell the difference between West Texas, and SW New Mexico?
    From Angels-30, it all looks pretty much the same.

    But, seriously, if those Hollyweird people want to run away to Canada, and other climes, we won’t stand in front of the door. I just wish they’ld stay there too.
    How many in the last 3-weeks of the election will threaten to move to xxxxx if John McCain wins?
    Still waiting for Alec Baldwin, Streisand, and others to book those flights.

    Another Drew (2a4150)

  3. Even democrats realize that reducing taxes encourages commerce. Their leanings will always be toward liberal commerce.

    ManlyDad (75cbfe)

  4. Without these tax supported programs, many actors would be forced to take $10 million for 12 weeks work rather than their customary $20 million or so.

    Perfect Sense (9d1b08)

  5. Comment by Perfect Sense — 10/11/2008 @ 6:05 pm

    Oh, The Humanity!

    Another Drew (2a4150)

  6. AD,

    I understand your point but I can tell the difference. West Texas and Southern New Mexico are both scenic but in different ways. For one thing, West Texas is flatter so the sunrises and sunsets look different. In addition, there is more dust in West Texas so the skies are more likely to have that dramatic pink or orange tint that comes from dust in the atmosphere.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  7. 3:10 to Yuma was also shot in New Mexico.

    It was also interesting to see that the financing of Oliver Stone’s new movie “W” is coming from overseas. Maybe the same people who are financing Obama’s campaign. I expect most attendees will be overseas, as well. Probably a big player in the Middle East. I don’t expect all that many people want to pay for something from Lord Haw Haw.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  8. Comment by DRJ — 10/11/2008 @ 6:14 pm

    Thanks for appreciating my sarcasm.
    But, I was specifically thinking of the SE area from the Pecos River east (hit the wrong key in my original post, and did it again here until I caught it – SE not SW).

    Another Drew (2a4150)

  9. One of these programs is in place here in Massachusetts and it has apparently been quite successful.

    When these movie productions come to town they spend millions of dollars on local businesses and workers.

    There are actually two rather substantial projects in the works to build movie studios and soundstages here to take advantage of the tax incentives. One of the projects is “Plymouth Rock Studios” to be built in America’s Hometown, Plymouth, Massachusetts. “They” are predicting thousands of jobs being created. I’d love to see it happen.

    Metacom (b8c7e2)

  10. Oooh Meta your dissident anger gets me hot. Let’s destroy Thanksgiving together and then listen to Dead Kennedys albums and quote Engels to each other. It’ll be like so radical.

    Jack Klompus (b0e238)

  11. Do you spit or swallow, Jack?

    Metacom (b8c7e2)

  12. But isn’t “America’s hometown” an evil place, marking the arrival of all those nasty pilgrims and their Thanksgivings? How can creating jobs there be a good thing?

    Evil Pundit (843b74)

  13. Just one more excellent reason to boycott Hollywood. Well, I did see “An American Carol.”

    Peg C. (48175e)


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