Film production

October 2, 2009 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that two major motion picture projects and a third season of a popular television series are preparing to shoot in New Mexico during the coming months.

“Despite the economy and despite competition from many other states New Mexico’s film industry is still strong,” said Governor Richardson. “We are known around the world for our highly skilled and experienced crew base, our growing base of support businesses and facilities, and of course, our unparalleled locations and climate. Add to that the strong support for the industry from local communities and we are at the top of the list when productions are choosing locations."

The projects are:    » read more »

Oregon is in the middle of a record year for film and video - best in over 15 years

June 1, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today met with film and television producers, representing three companies currently employing hundreds of Oregonians, to highlight the state’s thriving film industry. In the first six months of 2009, productions have invested more than $40 million in Oregon, representing the largest investment in any full year in the past 15 years.    » read more »

Three Cases Link Terrorists to Piracy Profits

March 3, 2009 -- Organized crime increasingly is involved in the piracy of feature films, with syndicates active along the entire supply chain from manufacture to street sales of pirated movies, according to a new RAND Corporation report.

While crime syndicates have added piracy to criminal portfolios that include drugs, money laundering, extortion and human smuggling, the profits from film piracy also have been used on occasion to support the activities of terrorist groups, according to researchers.    » read more »

Electric Entertainment & TNT’s hit Television Series “Leverage” to Shoot In Oregon

February 26, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced that Electric Entertainment and TNT will relocate the hit television series, “Leverage” to Oregon, creating long-term job opportunities and higher than average wages with benefits for Oregonians hired as cast and crew. The series represents a direct investment of millions of dollars and ensures that Oregon is in for a record year in film and television production.    » read more »

February 3, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced Michigan's aggressive film production attraction efforts will create 5,993 new jobs in Michigan, including 4066 new film, animation and programming jobs. Three companies, Wonderstruck Studios, Motown Motion Pictures and Stardock Systems, plan to invest more than $156 million in Detroit, Pontiac and Plymouth locations.

"We are working hard to build a diversified economy and create good-paying jobs in Michigan," Granholm said. "As a result of our aggressive film incentives we are not only bringing new investment to Michigan, we are laying the foundation for an industry that will support long-term job growth for our citizens."

The three projects announced today are:    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- ALAMOGORDO -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures and director Michael Bay will return to New Mexico to film major sequences for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The next installment of the box office hit Transformers is expected to hit theaters next summer.

“Transformers was a huge success and I am pleased that Dream Works, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay have decided to return to New Mexico to film the second installment,” said Governor Richardson.

The first film, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox and John Turturro, grossed more than $700 million worldwide.

The current production has been prepping in Alamogordo since April and expects to begin filming in the fall.    » read more »

May 30, 2008 -- SANTA FE — New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the Lifetime Original Movie “Sex & Lies in Sin City,” produced by The Konigsberg Company and Sony Pictures Television, will be shot primarily in New Mexico.    » read more »

Action Will Help Ensure New York Remains a Premier Destination for the Movie and Television Industry

April 23, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he will sign legislation this afternoon, which will dramatically expand the Empire State film production tax credit program and help attract even more movie and television industry business to New York.

Manhattan film set: Photo by Napoleon Cole (CC)    » read more »

Sets Stage for Growing Industry in Michigan

April 7, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed into law legislation designed to grow the film industry in Michigan, setting the stage for hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment that will create jobs in the state.

Michigan Ave., Detroit: Photo by Derek Farr (CC)

The legislation was proposed by the governor in her State of the State address and is part of an overall economic stimulus plan to grow Michigan's economy and create jobs.    » read more »

Universal Pictures Movie Featuring Oscar Winners George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, Boosts State Economy

4/4/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today praised the work of state and regional film officials for their role in the production of the feature movie, Leatherheads, opening nationwide today, which was largely filmed on location in North Carolina.

George Clooney and Renée Zellweger in South Carolina: Photo by Melanie McDermott (CC)    » read more »

Since the Governor's signing of the Film Tax Credit in 2003, Illinois' film industry has rebounded sevenfold to an all-time record of $155 million last year

March 31, 2008 -- CHICAGO – Highlighting the success of the Illinois film industry since the enactment of the Film Tax Credit in 2003, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the film industry has reached an all-time record of nearly $155 million in 2007. This represents the single best year in the state's history - and an 80 percent increase over 2006.    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- COCONUT GROVE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today visited the production set of Marley and Me, a movie inspired by John Grogan’s bestselling memoir about his mischievous dog. Marley and Me is a participant in Florida’s program that rebates film, TV and digital media production companies up to 22 percent of their qualified Florida expenditures as an incentive to produce films and video games in Florida. The Don Davis Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act of 2007 increased the incentive to $25 million. This year, Governor Crist is proposing a $5 million increase in the state’s film incentive fund.    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist last evening hosted a reception at the Governor’s Mansion for Florida’s film and entertainment industry leaders and legislators. The reception, coordinated by the Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment and Film Florida, honored actor Armand Assante and Frank Patterson, dean of the Florida State University Film School. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Michael Joseph Alstott, who is featured in the EA Sports Madden NFL game, was also a special guest at the event.    » read more »

March 3, 2008, Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is now accepting entries for the 2008 Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition. As many as five $30,000 fellowships will be awarded through the program later this year.

Application forms may be downloaded from the Academy’s Web site and mailed with the other required materials, or they may be completed and submitted online. Interested parties should go to oscars.org/nicholl.    » read more »

Thriving NYC Businesses Restart Immediately

February 3, 2008 -- NEW YORK -- The New York City independent film community will once again be a thriving community. Some of the city's leading independent film companies reached interim agreements with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW), enabling them to resume business immediately. Agreements have been signed with GreeneStreet Films, Killer Films, Open City Films, and This is that corporation.    » read more »