Recap: Rally for the

Philadelphia Film Industry

By Le Anne Lindsay, Editor  Tinsel & Tine

The Greater Philadelphia Film Office is keeping track of movies and television shows that were meant to shoot here, and didn’t. World War Z, The Bourne Legacy, House of Cards and American Hustle are on their list. The office contends that Pennsylvania lost these projects because there weren’t enough tax credits to entice them. Concerns that the state’s film tax credit program could be eliminated entirely in Pennsylvania’s upcoming budget talks, spurred Sharon Pinkenson and her team at The GPFO to organized a Rally, held last Saturday, June 3rd, to stir up awareness and support for the program and to highlight all that could be lost if we can’t get Harrisburg to Un-cap the PA Tax Credit.

Le Anne Lindsay & Nakia Dillard ( Mike D in the background)

I attended front and center as Tinsel & Tine definitely feels much love and support for the Philly Film Industry.

Remember, Film & TV production in our city creates jobs, benefits local businesses and shines a spotlight on Philadelphia!

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What You Can Do

GPFO: “In our combined pursuit for the continuation and expansion of the PA Film Tax Credit program. Please connect with Governor Tom Wolf at http://www.governor.pa.gov/contact/ and the elected officials for your district by emailing or calling to tell them just how important expansion of the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit incentive program is.”

Not sure of the officials for your district? No problem, you can easily find this information with your address here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address.

If you aren’t sure exactly what to say, feel free to use this Sample Text:

Dear _________________,

I am writing as a concerned tax-paying citizen of Pennsylvania who is working in the film industry. I encourage your support of all bills or proposals that would either increase the film tax credit annual cap or uncap the film tax credits altogether. Please keep in mind, supporting the film tax credit program supports Pennsylvania families and businesses.

According to DCED’s latest Report to the Legislature (2014), since the program’s inception, nearly $433.5 million in film production tax credits have been approved/awarded to film production companies under the program. These companies, in turn, have directly injected close to $1.8 billion into PA’s economy; generated an estimated $3.2 billion in total economic activity; and supported an estimated 21,700 jobs (based on 2014 IMPLAN multipliers.) Films bring an unparalleled increase of tourism to an area once seen on the big screen – movies like Rocky, Creed, Philadelphia, and Silver Linings Playbook for examples.

Over the past few years, due to the decreased film work I have seen many of my colleagues, crew and film businesses leave PA permanently for states with dependable film tax credit programs. Without a competitive film tax credit program, we are losing tax-paying Pennsylvanians and most importantly, life-sustaining jobs.

States like New York and Georgia are examples of what can be done with an uncapped (or in NY’s case, a $425M annual allocation) program. The film tax credit incentive program is a win-win for all involved and for the economic impact that film and TV production has on the region it touches. Please uncap the Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit program.

Thank you for taking the time from your very busy day to read my letter.

Warm Regards,
(your name)

While You’re Here

Greater Philadelphia Film Office 25th Anniversary
Nu Millienium Studios

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