by admin on February 6, 2012
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Filmmakers Notebook spoke with actress D.J. Harner, who appears in the short film “Dog Math”, a poignant story about a child first experiencing loss with the death of a beloved pet. John Donovan and I first met D.J. last summer here in Las Vegas when she was here for a screening of the film and since then it has been an official selection in several film festivals. This was D.J.’s first time producing as well as acting in a project and we got her take on some of the differences she’s found in each of these roles when attending an event to promote a film. We also touched on the topic of casting, which she’s begun doing for some shorts and learned about what’s next for the actress including another project with Lori Stoll, who wrote and directed “Dog Math”.
by admin on January 24, 2012
In view of the constant changes happening with regard to state tax film credits it’s great to receive frequent updates from The Incentives Office. For those who are unfamiliar with this organization, they help monetize soft money by providing estimates and vetting anticipated tax credits or rebates for producers and lenders. They are known for managing the entire incentives process from state selection to application, preparation and submission, enhancing the incentives, arranging to cash-flow credits or rebates, tracking, filing for the money and expediting the payment of funds. In addition, they also help states to develop new incentives and improve existing programs. Below I’ve posted the latest information they sent out this week:
First of all, there is a new commissioner in Florida. Shari Kerrigan, a prior legal advisor to the Senate Democratic Caucus in Florida, has been appointed interim director of the Florida Film and Entertainment Commission. Since 2008 Lucia Fishburne has served in this position after being appointed by the previous governor. In several states the person in this position serves at the pleasure of the governor and commissions in Massachusetts, New Mexico, South Carolina and Colorado resigned once the new governors in those states took office.
Moving on to Hawaii, the new legislative session is set to begin and a bill will be introduced to increase the state’s 15% or 20% refundable credit. A similar proposal stalled in committee during the last legislative session. “The Descendants”, a 2012 Golden Globe winner, was filmed on location in Hawaii.
On Saturday, February 11, Jeff Begun and Ease Entertainment will be participating in a “Financing Your Independent Film” panel at the Oxford Film Festival in Oxford, Mississippi. Information about the festival can be viewed at http://www.oxfordfilmfest.com/category/off/. The Incentives Office was also represented this year at Sundance with Dama Claire holding court in the lobby of the Stein Eriksen from January 21st through the 23rd.
The organization’s official 2012 Winter Guide to U.S. Production Incentives is now available for download by visiting their website at http://www.tio1000.com/.
