Media Coverage of AFTRA/SAG Legislative Advocacy

Posted March 11, 2010

More than 50 media outlets, including the Associated Press, the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, NECN and WBZ Radio, have recognized our important arguments for the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Film and TV Tax Credits’ vitality in both states. Please find links to these articles below:

Salem News – March 10, 2010

Editorial: Film tax credit should stay 
By John D. Keenan and Sarah Peake 
“As we begin the FY 2011 budget debate at the Statehouse, it is imperative we identify our successful and growing economic engines that create and provide jobs in the commonwealth during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. We need to stoke these engines because their success means putting people to work and growing our lagging economy. People's lives and livelihoods depend on this.”
http://salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_068210713.html

WCVB-TV 5  - March 6, 2010

WCVB-TV 5 Survey: 77% Favor Film Tax Credit
“WCVB-TV 5 and the BostonChannel.com conducted and online survey between March 4th and 8th. Of the more than 5,000 respondents, 77% registered their support of the Massachusetts film tax credit.”
http://www.mafilm.org/2010/03/06/76-favor-film-tax-credit/

WCVB-TV – March 4, 2010

Editorial: Tax Credits For Hollywood 
by Bill Fine, WCVB-TV President and General Manager 
“In the last four years, 38 major motion pictures have been shot in the Bay State, including the Scorsese-DiCaprio "Shutter Island" that's currently a box office hit. The main reason for the surge in production is a 25 percent film tax credit that went into effect in 2006.”
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/station/22738166/detail.html 

Gloucester Times – March 4, 2010 

Essex official testifies to keep state film credits 
by Jonathan L’Ecuyer 
“They came to the Statehouse not to shoot a movie, but to try to save tax credits in Massachusetts. Among those testifying against the bill was Essex Selectman Ray Randall. "It is likely, if we were to calculate it, that hundreds of thousands of dollars were brought into the town of Essex because of the spending on the movie 'Grown Ups' last summer," Randall said.
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_062232730.html

The Associated Press – March 3, 2010

Filmmakers plead case for keeping Mass. tax break
by Jon Chesto 
“Supporters swarmed the State House on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to oppose a bill sponsored by Rep. Steve D’Amico to cap the film tax credit. The industry is showing itself to be a bigger force than it was in 2005, when lawmakers first adopted the credits. That’s because the credits are working…”
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E7ACKG0.htm

State House News Service – March 3, 2010

Economic Straits Play Supporting Role for Film Tax Credit Arguments
By Jim O’Sullivan
“The crowd of more than 300 in the capitol’s largest hearing venue was overwhelmingly in favor of the current tax credits.”
http://www.mafilm.org/2010/03/04/economic-straits-play-supporting-role-for-film-tax-credit-arguments/

Boston Herald – March 2, 2010 

Hollywood big ‘Fighter’ for tax breaks 
By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa 
“You can’t opt in and then out of offering film tax credits,” said producer David Hoberman (“The Fighter” and “The Proposal”) referring to Gov. Deval Patrick’s plan to cap the film tax credit at $50 million - down from around $125 million. “If you’re going to stay in the business of making movies, then stay in the business,” said the man behind Disney’s Mandeville Films, who was at Suffolk University yesterday leading a screenwriting workshop for 50 undergrads. “You need to develop infrastructure and talent. It takes time for people to feel secure enough to stay in Massachusetts if they know there’s going to be work,” he said.
http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/20100302main_track_story/srvc=track&position=also

Boston Globe – February 28, 2010 

Weighing the Value of Bay State’s Film Tax Credit 
By Roger Danchik
"If Professors Fitzgerald and Enrich stepped out of their offices at Northeastern University and sauntered to where wage earners are struggling to meet mortgage payments, they might reassess the value of “transient’’ jobs. In Dorchester and South Boston during the summer production season, on the set of the “The Zookeeper,’’ just one of the movies then in production, they would have seen many employees who were happy with their transient union jobs.”
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2010/02/28/transient_jobs_ask_the_folks_who_count_on_them/

State House News Service – February 25, 2010 

Film Tax Credit Defended as Revenue Generators
By Kyle Cheney
“Joe Maiella, president of the Massachusetts Production Coalition, an unexpected attendee at a State House briefing held by critics of film industry tax breaks, took on the leading opponent, Rep. Steve D’Amico, challenging his facts and offering his version of “what’s true” about film production credits.”
http://www.mafilm.org/2010/02/26/film-tax-credits-defended-as-revenue-generators/

Harvard Crimson – February 23, 2010

The Scenic Route: Harvard filmmaking flourishes despite industry troubles
By Abigail B. Lind and Rebecca A. Scheutz
“Since [the tax credit’s] implementation, there has been a steady increase in the number of films produced in Boston. “Boston, as a result of a tax break for films, is kind of crazy. It’s become this huge haven for feature films,” said Horovitz. Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” and “Shutter Island” are two such films shot in Boston since the tax credit.”
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/2/23/the-scenic-route/

Newburyport Daily News – February 22, 2010

Editorial: Tax credit for films should be preserved 
“The growth of the film industry here ought to prompt a wider discussion about general tax policy. It is the film industry that is in focus right now. But it is actually about every industry.”
http://www.newburyportnews.com/puopinion/local_story_052230944.html

The Boston Globe  – February 21, 2010 

Editorial Governor needs a wider-angle lens on program’s benefits
By Nile Ziemba, Concord
“It’s clear that given Governor Patrick’s proposed cap on film industry tax credits, he’s in need of a wider-angle lens.”
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2010/02/21/governor_needs_a_wider_angle_lens_on_programs_benefits/

The Daily Item of Lynn – February 21, 2010

DeLeo: Film industry tax credit sensible for tough times
By Thor Jourgensen
“It’s nice to spot Leonardo DiCaprio in Nahant or Bruce Willis in Lynn, but Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo said business is the biggest reason to bring Hollywood to the Bay State. His view is underscored by a recent University of Massachusetts study concluding the state’s efforts to lure Hollywood stars has transformed Massachusetts into one of the nation’s fastest-growing locations for film and television production with a 117 percent growth in motion picture and video production jobs in the state between 2005 and 2008.
http://www.mafilm.org/2010/02/21/deleo-film-industry-tax-credit-sensible-for-tough-times/

The Salem News – February 19, 2010

Editorial: Film tax credit boosts state economy 
“…a new study from the University of Massachusetts Boston confirms what local residents have been noticing in recent years: The state is one of the fastest-growing locations for film and television production.”
http://salemnews.com/puopinion/local_story_049224916.html 

Weymouth News – February 18, 2010

Weymouth officials write script for movie tax credit 
By Ed Baker
“Local officials fear that Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to scale back a tax credit for movie producers to make films in Massachusetts would set back plans for the construction of a $300 million motion picture studio complex at the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station.”
http://www.wickedlocal.com/weymouth/news/x692834756/Weymouth-officials-write-script-for-movie-tax-credit

WGBH 89.7 – February 18, 2010

The Emily Rooney Show 
Emily Rooney interviewed Joe Maiella about the UMass Boston report and the effect the film tax credit has on the local economy.
http://www.wgbh.org/listen/index.cfm

The Eagle Tribune – February 18, 2010

Editorial: Film tax credit boosts state's economy 
“…the growth of the film industry here ought to prompt a wider discussion, including the governor and legislative leaders, about general tax policy. The prevailing philosophy on Beacon Hill has been that the state can tax its way back into prosperity.”
http://www.eagletribune.com/puopinion/local_story_049011556.html

NECN – February 17, 2010 

Jim Braude’s “Broadside” 
Joe Maiella debated Michael Widmer on the Film and TV Tax Credit.
http://www.necn.com/02/17/10/Broadside-Debate-over-the-film-productio/landing.html?blockID=182009&feedID=4215

Boston Herald – February 17, 2010 

Robert DeLeo: Film tax credit plays role in job growth.
By Thomas Grillo 
“Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo said it may not be the right time to edit the film-industry tax credit.‘I’m very concerned that we’re sending mixed signals to businesses,’ he said. ‘We are talking about increasing jobs, and here we have a credit that puts our residents to work.’”
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20100217robert_deleo_film_tax_credit_plays_role_in_job_growth/srvc=home&position=also

Wicked Local – February 17, 2010  

Massachusetts movies fill up Rolling Stone’s review section this week
By Jon Chesto
“Here’s a Massachusetts movie sweep that’s probably the first of its kind: I picked up this week’s Rolling Stone (the one with a heavily-tattooed Lil Wayne on the cover), and all of the movie reviews inside were of Massachusetts-set films.”
http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/massmarkets/2010/02/17/massachusetts-movies-fill-up-rolling-stones-review-section-this-week/

WAMC 105.1 Midday Magazine – February 17, 2010

Commonwealth May See Cap to Film Credit 
Charlie Dietz interviewed Joe Maiella about the UMass Boston report findings.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain/article/715/0/1613253/WAMC.New.England.News/Commonwealth.May.See.Cap.to.Film.Credit

Wicked Local Plymouth – February 17, 2010 

deMacedo: Tax credit cap could kill Mass. movie industry
By Emily Wilcox
“The Massachusetts Production Coalition contends that, since Massachusetts adopted a 25 percent tax credit for filmmakers who film here, Massachusetts has garnered more than $1 billion in new economic activity.”
http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/news/business/x1715241361/deMacedo-tax-credit-cap-could-kill-Mass-movie-industry

Wicked Local Plymouth – February 17, 2010

Highlights of UMass Boston study of film industry
“Here are some of the highlights of the recently released study conducted by UMass Boston on the film industry in Massachusetts .”
http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/news/government/x1328943912/Highlights-of-UMass-Boston-study-of-film-industry

Gloucester Daily Times – February 16, 2010

Study cites film gains amid tax-break battle
From Staff and Wire Reports 
“While most of the nation's film and television production still takes place in New York and California, Massachusetts ranks high among the fastest-growing locations, according to a new study from the University of Massachusetts Boston.”
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_047224413.html

WTAG – February 16, 2010

Jordan Levy Show
Producer Mike Messina interviewed Joe Maiella about the UMass Boston report findings.  Aired February 16.

Boston.com/The Boston Globe – February 14, 2010

Globe Editorial: Film tax credit boosts state, shouldn’t be subject to cap
“The new thriller “Edge of Darkness,’’ based on a BBC miniseries set in Yorkshire, could have been filmed anywhere. The grieving policeman played by Mel Gibson could have been from a big city or small town, from San Francisco to the bayous of Louisiana. But by the time the film went into production, Gibson’s character was from Roslindale.”
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/02/14/film_tax_credit_boosts_state_shouldnt_be_subject_to_cap/

The Associated Press – February 12, 2010

Mass. film industry pushes back on proposed cuts
By Steve LeBlanc
“Massachusetts film industry is embracing a new study that finds the state s efforts to lure Hollywood stars has transformed it into one of the nation s fastest-growing locations for film and television production.”
http://www.allbusiness.com/government/public-finance-taxes-taxation/13932965-1.html

Boston Herald – February 12, 2010

Hub’s box office gold
By Boston Herald Editorial Staff
“Boston isn’t Hollywood - yet. But any way you slice it the effort to boost film production in Massachusetts has been a win for businesses and taxpayers.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/editorials/view/20100212hubs_box_office_gold/

Lowell Sun – February 12, 2010

Film-industry backers say study shows folly of slashing tax credit
By Aviva Gat
“Buoyed by big-budget movies like The Fighter, Massachusetts has one of the fastest-growing film industries in the United States, according to a study released yesterday by UMass Boston.”
http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_14388615

MetroWest Daily News – February 12, 2010

Study says films bring jobs, money
By Laura Krantz 
“The film industry is seizing on a new study, saying it justifies the state's decision to offer lucrative tax credits.”
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x687633709/Study-says-films-bring-jobs-money

Hamilton Wenham Chronicle / Wickedlocal.com – February 12, 2010 

Study: Bay state growing as film industry location
By Gintautas Dumcius
“Employment in film and television production has increased in Massachusetts during a period when total state employment has been on the decline,” the report said.”
http://www.wickedlocal.com/beverly/news/x1025058353/Study-Bay-State-growing-as-film-industry-location-adding-construction-jobs

California Chronicle – February 12, 2010

Hollywood dollars roll in Study: Massachusetts movie biz generates jobs, local cos.
By Christine McConville
“From Tom Cruise to Cameron Diaz to Leonardo DiCaprio, movie stars are boosting local businesses when they work in the Bay State, according to a new study by the University of Massachusetts.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1232113

WBZ-TV – February 11, 2010

State May Cut Tax Breaks, Push Filmmakers Out: Hearing  To Be Held On 2 Beacon Hill Proposals
“Hollywood filmmakers have been lured to Massachusetts with the help of big-time tax breaks in recent years but now high drama is expected on Beacon Hill over a plan to limit how much the state gives up to bring the filmmakers to the Bay State.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money/22725694/detail.html

WBUR  – February 11, 2010

Tax Credit Cap Threatens Bay State’s Burgeoning Film Industry
By  Andrea Shea
“…new report out of the University of Massachusetts at Boston focuses on economic effects and says local companies are benefiting from the state’s film tax incentives, which have been in place for nearly five years. With Gov. Deval Patrick’s new budget, however, that growth may be in jeopardy.”
http://www.wbur.org/2010/02/11/film-credit

WTKK – February 11, 2010

Michele McPhee Michele interviewed gubernatorial candidates Baker, Mihos and Cahill – all of whom spoke in favor of keeping the tax credit.  Aired February 11

Boston Globe – February 11, 2010

Film projection: With tax credits and facilities, state can build stable movie sector, study says
By Robert Gavin  
“Massachusetts has the potential to develop a small but robust film industry that could establish the state as a leading production center and support thousands of good-paying jobs, according to a study to be released today by the University of Massachusetts at
Boston.”
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/02/11/film_projection/

Boston Globe – February 11, 2010

Today in Globe Business: Film Protection  
“Boosted by a generous tax credit, Massachusetts has become one of the nation’s fastest-growing locations for film and television production since 2005, with employment in the industry jumping about 30 percent, according to the study.”
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2010/02/today_in_globe_253.html

Banker & Tradesman – February 8, 2010

Patrick Yells “Cut” to Successful State Film Credits Programs  
By Scott Van Voorhis 
“As we speak, the Patrick Administration is pumping hundreds of millions in federal stimulus cash into road and infrastructure projects across the state in hopes of boosting our sagging economy.”
http://www.mafilm.org/2010/02/09/patrick-yells-cut-to-successful-state-film-credits-programs/

Boston Globe – February 7, 2010

Tax credit cap new studio hurdle; Moviemakers seen less likely to go east
By Christine Legere  
“Since its financing deal fell apart late last year, Plymouth Rock Studios has been focusing on finding and securing the millions of dollars it will need to build its film and television production campus in Plymouth.  But what may make that search even tougher is the recent release of Governor Deval Patrick’s 2011 budget proposal, which includes a $50 million cap on film company tax credits per year for both 2011 and 2012.”
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/02/07/proposed_cap_on_film_tax_credit_seen_as_new_hurdle_for_plymouth_rock_studios/

WCVB-TV – Channel 5 – February 4, 2010

Mary Saladna reported on the effect that Governor Patrick’s cap could have on the local economy and the local film industry.  Segment featured interviews with Joe Maiella of the MPC, Boston actor Mike Pingree, and Eric Engelsen of Backstage Hardware. Aired February 4.

WBZ Radio – February 3, 2010 

Interview with Joe Maiella.  Segement focused on benefits of the existing film credit. Aired February 3.

WBZ Radio – January 30, 2010

Suzanne Sausville interviewed Mary Fifield – MPC PR .  Segment focused on $1 billion in jobs and economic activity. Aired four times on January 30.

Gloucester Daily Times – January 30, 2010

“Darkness” debut spotlights film tax deals
By Jonathan L’Ecuyer and Kate Curley Katzman  
“Nick Paleologos, executive director of the Massachusetts Film Agency, said in an e-mail that the credit has resulted in new economic activity in the state since it was created four years ago.”
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_029235546.html

Associated Press – January 28, 2010

Patrick unveils $28B budget 
By Steve LeBlanc 
“Gov. Deval Patrick released a $28.2 billion budget for the new fiscal year Wednesday that maintains education and local aid for cities and towns while increasing taxes on candy and soda, and scaling back a tax credit that has lured movie makers to Massachusetts.”
http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/01/28/gov-patrick-unveils-282b-budget-proposal

Boston Globe – January 28, 2010

Tax hikes, job cuts in Patrick budget; State spending would rise 3%; rivals pounce
By Matt Viser and Michael Levenson  
“Governor Deval Patrick unveiled yesterday a $28.2 billion budget proposal for the next fiscal year that would increase taxes on tobacco, candy, and soft drinks, trim tax incentives for the film industry, and eliminate hundreds of state jobs.”
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/28/patricks_282b_budget_plan_has_3_percent_spending_hike/

Boston Herald / BostonHerald.com – January 28, 2010

Film biz blasts move to cut its tax break
By Thomas Grillo  
“The Bay State film industry is giving a thumbs down to Gov. Deval Patrick’s plan to slash the tax credit that helped create more than $1 billion in economic activity.”
http://news.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1228734

The Sun Chronicle – January 28, 2010

Patrick says no aid cuts  
By Jim Hand  
“Gov. Deval Patrick proposes to increase funding for education, keep local aid level and cut some social services in a $28.2 billion budget plan he released Wednesday.”
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2010/01/28/news/6850381.txt

Wicked Local – January 28, 2010

Governor’s budget could jeopardize local film industry
By Jon Chesto  
“Patrick unveiled the latest proposal to restrict tax credits for the film industry in his state budget on Wednesday. His proposal would limit the total number of credits to $50 million a year for 2010 and 2011 – meaning the state’s 25 percent tax credit could subsidize no more than $200 million worth of production activity each year.”
http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/massmarkets/2010/01/28/governors-budget-could-jeopardize-the-local-film-industry/

State House News Service – January 27, 2010

Patrick budget sees 3 percent boost in spending  
By Jim O’Sullivan  
“Tax credit programs would also be curbed, with Patrick looking to cap a $125 million incentive for filmmakers at $50 million and save $5 million by reducing a tax credit for life sciences companies. The Department of Transitional Assistance employment services account would receive a $9 million cut.”
http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/news/x985826867/Patrick-budget-sees-3-precent-boost-in-spending

Fox 25 – January 27, 2010

Massachusetts Governor Patrick unveils $28.2B budget proposal
“Gov. Deval Patrick released a $28.2 billion budget for the new fiscal year Wednesday that maintains education and local aid for cities and towns while increasing taxes on candy and soda, and scaling back a tax credit that has lured movie makers to Massachusetts.”
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/massachusetts-governor-patrick-releasing-state-budget-25-apx

NECN – January 27, 2010

Film Tax Credit reported by Chet Curtis and Greg Wayland Aired January 27 

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