The local film community, as well as local businesses can sigh in relief after yesterday’s decision by the Massachusetts House to reject the amendment that proposed to limit to the film tax credits, and thereby paving the way for continued feature filmmaking in the Bay state. Per the Boston Herald’s announcement yesterday, state lawmakers rejected an amendment that would have limited the film tax credit, instead agreeing (including House Speaker Robert DeLeo) that filmmaking truly does help create jobs for locals.
Although out-of-state film producers bring their own crew for specific tasks, they also rely heavily on local businesses from caterers to equipment rentals, skin care services and of course, background extras. Film community members protested 3 weeks ago during hearing 3854 on March 3rd at the state house and later the bill was rejected on March 11th after much debate. Yesterday, after rejecting additional amendments, the Bill was finally laid to rest. We New Englanders may not get star-struck by celebrity actors in our neighborhoods, but if it involves job creation, we can live with it.
Stay tuned for our interview with the Massachusetts Film Office Executive Director, Nick Paleologos for what’s in store for 2010!
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[...] state legislators still grapple over the tax credits given to producers and filmmakers. The House rejected a proposed cap on the tax credit just earlier this [...]