Covington/Newton County launches new film centric tourism website

Covington/Newton County's Chamber of Commerce has just launched a new website with special emphasis on their long history of film and TV production.

Congratulations to them!

 For immediate release

Contact:

Hunter Hall, President

Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce

hhall@newtonchamber.com

770-786-7510

Covington, Georgia – April 10, 2013: The Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce will premiere its new innovative website www.gocovington.com Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 5:00pm at Triple Horse Productions in Covington.  Covington and Newton County were identified by the State of Georgia in the first group of “Camera Ready Communities” in 2011, and remains the “go-to” community for location scouts in Georgia. More than 65 feature films and television productions have chosen Covington because of its picturesque setting and ease of production with leaders and residents in the community.   

GoCovington.com will feature:

·         A dedicated portal for film scouts and producers to view filming sites

·         Production specific angles

·         Pinpoint map locations

·         360◦ panoramic views

·         Sun tracking data

·         Step-by-Step guide for location requests

·         Incentives and Tax Credit information

·         Crew Listing availability

Over the years, Covington has been better known in TV Land as Hazzard County in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Sparta, Mississippi in “In the Heat of the Night,” and most recently as Mystic Falls, Virginia in “The Vampire Diaries.” The County Courthouse has been seen by millions in the opening credits of “In the Heat of the Night.”

Starting with A Man Called Peter in 1954, Covington has become the true “Hollywood of the South^TM” by playing host to more than 60 productions that have appeared on the silver screen. Some of Covington’s most famous big screen appearances include: My Cousin Vinny, Sweet Home Alabama, Cannonball Run, Remember the Titans, Madea’s Family Reunion, Footloose (2010), and Flight.

Covington, Georgia - Hollywood of the South^TM

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BC's Provencial Sales Tax Returns April 1, impacts film industry negatively

Provencial Sales Tax impact 

BC's emphasis on raising revenues through increased taxes means film flight to other places with more tax-friendly messages for filmmakers.

In the competitive film and TV production industry, even a small change can move the needle and impact decisions to film in one place or another.

We heard it this week in discussions with filmmakers - film tax or other incentives are a key component of determining where to film!

Tax Credits help BC mobile film industry

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/story.html?id=8044334&goback=.gde_141309_member_219920036

This Vancouver filmmakers comments on the puzzling lack of understanding about the value of film tax credits to attract filming to their communities.

We agree. They definitely make sense and work!

Communities see filming as revenue stream

Parks Dept now charging for filming and other permits

Washington, DC joins a number of other communities who are looking to raise revenues by emphasizing permits, not just for filming or TV production but also for other events which previously were free.

Seems like film tax credits are not enough to generate revenues directly to communities, so they are either enforcing existing policies or creating new policies for film, TV, music video production and other "new" events.

Michigan film tax credits again under scrutiny

http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/state/michigan-film-industry-faces-more-cuts-under-governor-snyders-new-budget-proposal?goback=.gde_46674_member_214951844

It's not the rate of the incentives this time. It's the total amount available.  Under proposed legislation, a $25 million cap is a reduction by 50% of the total amount available to filmmakers.

Once again, that sends an uncertain message to filmmakers about planning films in Michigan.

Will it drive away filming to other states (like Georgia, Louisiana, others?) and countries (Canada, others?) with more attractive and predictable film incentives?

It has done so in the past, but with many states scrutinizing the appearance of subsidizing wealthy filmmakers, it's a challenge many politicians and state officials must address!

Arizona film tax incentives being considered

Film Tax Credits.  Film Incentives. Film Rebates.  No matter what they are called, they are part of a state's realistic set of tools to attract filming.  Here's Arizona's new approach:

 http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/02/14/abqnewsseeker/arizona-considers-new-film-tax-breaks.html
Arizona lawmakers looking to woo Hollywood are flirting with resurrecting a tax incentives program aimed at competing with New Mexico and other states that have long thrown free cash at production companies that film there.

The bill seeking to grant millions of dollars in tax breaks through 2043 would require production companies to hire some Arizona residents. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy and Military unanimously approved the bill Wednesday after local film and tourism leaders framed it as a jobs bill and argued Arizona would suffer economically if it didn’t do more to lure Hollywood to the state.

“This will grease the skids for Hollywood to come over here,” said Sen. Al Melvin, a Republican from Tucson and the bill’s sponsor, after the vote.
The bill, which has been introduced for the fourth time in four years, includes a 20 percent tax credit for multimedia productions that spend at least $250,000 in Arizona. Businesses could seek tax credits worth up to $15 million as long as they say the production was filmed in Arizona in the end credits, among other requirements.

The Arizona Commerce Authority would be tasked with weeding out abuses and ensuring the businesses are holding up their end of the deal. No more than $70 million in income tax credits each year could be preapproved under the proposed program.

FLIPSFilm's opinion:  Film tax incentives work.  They clearly "move the needle" to choosing between several locations and are an important part of the economic planning of productions.  It's an important reason for the continuing film flight from traditional filming sites.  States - and even communities within states - should look for all ways to attract valuable filming to cash starved economies.