Dallas film group keeps pushing for more productions
10:19 AM CDT on Friday, August 4, 2006
By JOE O'CONNELL
Need a gaffer? How about some rented mannequins or a
superhero costume with realistic muscles? The Dallas
Producers Association's list serve has got you
covered.
The backbone of the North Texas film industry since
1977, the association has taken off in recent years,
thanks in good part to cyberspace. Formed as a way for
film and video producers to help one another prosper,
it now includes film-industry support companies and
has grown to an estimated 140 plus members, up from a
scant 10 just a few years back.
The computer list serve, which doesn't require DPA
membership, boasts more than 400 members who
frequently joke, sometimes argue and always exchange
information and contacts.
Why does this matter? It's from the group, with an
assist from Texas film commish Bob Hudgins, that the
idea of a statewide film-industry alliance sprung. And
DPA members are at the forefront of efforts to
persuade the Texas Legislature to fund financial
incentives to lure Hollywood to the Lone Star State.
The DPA motto is "Defend, promote and assist," says
Todd Sims, association president and now Legislative
Committee Chair for the Texas Motion Picture Alliance.
The DPA is also the first group to pony up cash for
the statewide alliance.
Mr. Sims already has met with state representatives
and senators about potential incentives and is trying
to persuade them that an industry that brought in film
projects with combined budgets of $200 million last
year can add another $300 million to that total in one
year. He cites Louisiana as an example. Before 2002,
the state's film industry brought in $20 million
annually. That year the state legislature voted to
allow film incentives and the industry now rakes in
$200 million annually.
The reaction from legislators? Mr. Sims was told by
one that the Lege doesn't fund "extracurricular
activities."
Part of the problem is that film-incentive states such
as New Mexico and Louisiana have sales-tax revenue to
pull from; Texas doesn't. However, Mr. Sims says the
word from Hollywood is if Texas even gets close, major
projects will come here because of the experienced
crews and varied locations.
Mr. Sims, who produces industrial and educational
films for groups including NASA, says that DPA
producers likely will not directly benefit from an
influx of Hollywood films, because those projects will
come with their own producing pros. But they will
benefit from a healthy North Texas film industry when
making their own films, he says.
The DPA also is widening the net of film options,
starting with the first DPA Indie Filmmaker's Lounge.
The event will be held Wednesday at noon at Ozona
Grill & Bar, 4615 Greenville, with Michael Cain,
director of the Sundance-honored doc TV Junkie,
scheduled to speak.
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