Reelscene News- Film incentive bill jeopardized, Alabama loses movie

At a time when surrounding states are increasingly enticing movie productions with tax incentives, Alabama stands a chance to have what little it has to expire in September without a vote from the State Legislature.

The current tax breaks on lodging and more set to expire in September of 2005 was to be extended with the passing of bill HB 10 in this special session. The problem occurred when Dr. Paul Hubbart amended the bill with language that raised the eyebrows of Alabama film industry advocates. While the provisions of the amendments may have been to include accountability to the tax provisions, industry advocates were afraid the added debate in the legislature would defeat or delay bill HB 10 pass the Sept. 30 deadline. This comes on the heels of the failure earlier this year of SB 1, SB 2, SB 3 and SB 74 to pass the Legislature in the last regular session.

In a quick flurry of activity by the Alabama Film Office produced a compromise with the FT&G Committee.

On Friday July 22, 2005, the Alabama Film Office posted on it's web site an update from Director Linda Swann

"We have a number of people to thank for supporting us in this special session and the end result is not yet set in concrete, but the Senate FT&G Committee approved a compromise, substitute bill that returns the process to a simple extension of existing law (Dr. Hubbert’s compromise, personally acknowledged to the committee). The compromise on our part is that it’s for one year only. The good news is that we will have time to talk through this with him and try to find a win-win for all of us.

The third reading should happen Tuesday morning (July 26, 2005) in the Senate, and then it will go back to the House (quickly, I pray) for concurrence. Since he has given his word, an affirmative vote should be no problem. But, just in case, Courtney or I will be there to monitor.

We really need to thank some folks, beginning with Robin Stone from the Governor’s Office, Representative Mary Sue McClurkin and Senator Tom Butler, and a host of others whose names we will forward to you early next week. There are people in the Legislator who do care and understand the importance of our film industry; I hope you will join the film office in thanking them. They will need our continuing support and we certainly need theirs.

Linda P. Swann, CEcD, Alabama Development Office "

The failure of the aforementioned incentive bills earlier in the year may have played a part in the in the choice of locations to film the upcoming Will Ferrell, Adam McKay racing comedy movie. The Charlotte Observer in an July 13, 2005 edition is reporting that the incentives offered by North Carolina was a big factor in the producer's decision to set the film there.

- excerpt -

The project was formerly titled "Talladega Nights," but that name has been dropped. It is now being referred to as "The Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy." (Expect that to change.) Sources close to the project could not say where the film is set, or if that issue has been decided.

Petty, who brokered the deal with Los Angeles-based Columbia Studios to bring the filming here, said producers visited the area several times. They scouted many locations, including Lowe's Motor Speedway, other tracks, Kannapolis, Salisbury and Charlotte.

Petty and others say competing states coveted the film. But Petty was able to land it thanks in part to financial incentives for filmmakers in the state budget currently being negotiated. "That certainly didn't hurt," Petty says

"That film was set for Alabama," Frank Capra Jr., president of Wilmington's ScreenGem Studios, says of the Ferrell comedy. "The incentives -- or the promise of the incentives -- are what brought it to Charlotte."

-Charlotte Observer, July 13, 2005

The production company held auditions July 16-17 at the Clay/Chalkville High School in Birmingham, Alabama and will hold auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina and has placed a notice to hire a crew in Charlotte.

Related articles-

Alabama Film and Television Alliance on film incentive legislation for Alabama, other States and countries.
http://reelscene.com/afta/aftaindex.html

Proposed Alabama Film Production Incentive Legislation
http://reelscene.com/law/lawindex.html

Casting call draws thousands for Will Ferrell, Adam McKay racing comedy movie.
http://reelscene.com/news/rscastcallthousands050718.html