(thanks to linda for stoking the fire on this important matter)

I will be sending this out periodically. Please keep up the fight! We
have lots of issues that are being presented to our congressman and we
need to keep film legislation in their minds during their off time.

This email contains:
--Link to find your state representatives and contact information for
letter writing
--sample letter to your state reps
--Link to Right To Work Laws in Texas (and other RTW states)
--State By State Film Incentives (pdf file attached below)

We lost out on our Film Legislation this past year due to overwhelming
requests for public services, school funding, and health programs. Our
Texas Legislators did pass one bill for film legislation appropriations
were taken out and it is inactive unless a public or private entity
invests in it. This is similar to the 1999 Film Act which was sunsetted
this year due to inactivity. Ours is a revenue generating industry,
instead of revenue depleting. Providing legislation to facilitate our
industry would have provided more funding for the above programs along
with our own.

Instead of waiting for 2007 sessions, I'm encouraging EVERYONE to please
start your letter campaign now. Forward this information on to other
industry supporters whether they work in the industry or not. I've added
a link below to assist you in finding your state representatives. Don't
wait for the committees, start writing your own reps now for support.
This should be done on a regular basis. Never assume they receive your
first letter.

Please make this a priority and do not wait for the next legislative
session in 2007. We need to be our own lobbyist.

Linda
Linda McAlister Talent
972.938.2433 off
1.866.816.3042 fax
972.948.1199 cell
linda@... <mailto:linda@...>
www.lindamcalistertalent.com <http://www.lindamcalistertalent.com>

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Link to find your area STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS: Provides
proper letter writing instructions and addresses:
http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/citizenResources/ContactLeg.html

For Right To Work Laws in Texas:
http://www.nrtw.org/rtws.htm

SAG Website:
www.sag.org <http://www.sag.org>

AFTRA Website:
www.aftra.org <http://www.aftra.org>

SAMPLE LETTER (excerpt from a sample letter previously sent by State
Senator John Carona) below regarding FUTURE legislation. Choose one per
letter pertaining to who you are contacting:

The Honorable (insert name of Senator)

TEXAS SENATE
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711

The Honorable (insert name of Representative)
TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910

Dear Honorable_____________:

(SIDE NOTE: Please state what you do in this industry OR if you are a
supporter of our film industry. They need to hear from everyone
interested in our film industry whether you work in it or not, so
encourage EVERYONE to write and pass this on.)

While other states throughout the south now enjoying higher levels of US
production, Texas is experiencing a 25 percent decline in production
inquiries. Texas is surrounded by nearby states offering incentive
packages designed to lure the millions and millions of production
dollars spent each year on projects. At the end of the year, these
numbers are impressive. It is estimated that an "on location" production
will leave behind one-half of its budget in the state where it films.
Since Texas has a great diversity in locations producers are known to
take their projects to a variety of spots dispersing revenue to each
area. Additionally, the many crew members also spend a good amount of
money as they spend time in an area, sometimes many weeks on end. This
revenue is treasured by small Texas towns and healthy to larger city
economies. Films also stimulate tourism.

Prior to the enactment of their incentives, many states had only a small
amount of production work when compared to Texas. We know of several
projects which "really" wanted to film in Texas, but were told to go
take advantage of incentives being offered elsewhere. There are now over
16 states offering incentive packages.

Please note that Texas has a long history in the motion picture industry
and we have worked hard in recent years to become recognized world wide
by the industry for being both skilled and professional at our crafts.
Business investments in Texas have been made to provide the goods and
services which the industry requires. These businesses exist in many
parts of the state. It would be difficult to retain our status if we
lose our talented crew, actors, and local support businesses to states
that are not established like Texas.

Incentives are a good choice and we cannot lose when we offer both
incentives and local crews and talent to go with them.

Thank you,

Your name
Your address
Your phone number