From: Rob W <sd51@...>
Subject: Re: [Christian Movie Making Forum] Is there a unifying or coordination organization for Christian Filmmakers?
To: ChristianFilmmaker@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 6:09 PM

Rod,

Your post brought up some facts we had not covered in the other post:
incentive monies and tax refunds.

I know in Florida, we have a nifty instant tax refund" where we don't
have to charge the production company from any state Sales and Use tax,
IF they fill out a form and hand it to all those they hire. So
basically, they can shoot here, 100% tax free, if they do their homework
and some paperwork before wrap.

Now, tax incentives. It was something we just went through here in
Florida with Letters To God. Originally, we were going to take much of
our crew to Nashville and shoot the movie there, as that's where the
original young man the story is loosely based on had lived. Costly.
Then, the state heard about what we were doing and informed us that
there was unused incentive money that was about to expire. The
production company could have that money, if they qualified, on the
condition that the movie was shot in it's entirety in the state of
Florida, using a Florida crew and Florida production services. That of
course is what happened. And the incentive was substantial but depended
also on what money was spent in the state.

Now as already stated, most of our SAG actors were from L.A. So that
would have impacted some on how much of the money could be claimed. But
it didn't disqualify the production from getting ANY money, just how
much. And since they were only a few (6 I think) the rest of the
supporting cast and all the crew and services we're from Florida. So the
lion's share of the incentive money will be able to be claimed.

This is definitely something even smaller productions should check with
their state about. I'm told that millions of dollars of incentive money
across the country goes unused each year. Can you imagine if Christian
productions were able to tap into that money? Proverbs 13:22b

So it definitely is worth everyone's time to contact their local and
state production offices to check out what is available, and to see what
regulations govern them. I worked on a good family film about 12 years
ago that had great potential. But those in charge were naive and lost
the film to the union in a lawsuit because they hadn't crossed their T's
and dotted their I's.

Rob W.

Rod Kerns wrote:
> [Attachment( s) <#TopText> from Rod Kerns included below]
>
> Winton,
>
> Thanks for the nice note.
>
> From what I know out here in CA, is that if a production goes out of
> state and uses the Tax Incentive program for that particular state, ie,
> NM, MA, NY,SC, NC, GA, MI and AZ, in order to qualify for the monies
> from that state, the Production Company from CA has to hire local crews
> for production. Some states require 50 % local hire and other states its
> as high as 80%. MI gives 42% tax credit and cash back when the picture
> is in the can (hard costs).
>
> I am not aware of the SAG ruling even though I am a Member and have been
> since 1978. Their rules are a little different. As for AZ which is a
> right to work state along with NM, if the Production is an IATSE
> contract for production the Production company is limited to that states
> percentage of Local Hires. I don't know about FL 's requirements. If
> your Production Companies offices are in FL I am not sure what rules
> apply. I guess I should because I have been a Line Producer on low
> budget shows in Sacramento, CA., but that was about 15 years ago and
> things were a little less convoluted.
>
> I am sending my resume to you and hope that it makes it your way. What
> is not on there are my 2nd unit directing shows and my Acting gigs. Not
> too many Acting gigs for I went behind the camera because I wanted to
> eat and pay my bills. (grins) But I am called upon to pick up the acting
> when we are way out of town and they need a Day Player but my last
> acting gig was in 2007 on a show called "How to Rob a Bank" with Nick
> Stahal. I coordinated the Hostage rescue in the bank and got to play a
> sniper. I forgot how much fun acting really is. But time marches on.
>
> Thank you once again for the nice note and I will try to call in a
> couple of days. I can be reached at:
>
> rod_kerns@yahoo. com
>
> and if you want my phone number email me and I will send it.