Production News Weekly

Austin Film Scene Keeps Plugging Along Nicely

  State-sponsored film incentives are a big driver of the entertainment industry these days. Georgia and Louisiana in particular have beefed up their programs, luring big projects away from states that have curbed their enthusiasm – like Texas. While the lack of incentives may have scared off big-budget projects, incentives aren’t the end-all and be-all for Texas film success. Smaller budget, yet influential filmmakers like Richard Linklater, continue to tell […]

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Production News Weekly

Much More TV Scheduled To Shoot in New Orleans Including Amazon

  The crowd of TV folks shooting series in New Orleans is about to get even more crowded. Two new pilot projects, one from ABC, and the other from CBS and Warner Bros’ CW network, as well as an Amazon miniseries are setting up shop in town this spring.   Read more at http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2018 /03/tv_series_shooting_in_new_orleans_ 03092018.html      

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Production News Weekly

Production News Weekly March 14, 2018 Hollywood South Is Back

  To my surprise, I have noticed over the last few weeks a resurgence of film and TV production heading back to Louisiana, in particular New Orleans. Not only have I seen an increase in production, but have also seen projects originally slated for Georgia now moving to Louisiana. It doesn’t hurt that some in the film and TV industry are calling for a boycott of the Peach State over […]

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Production News Weekly

Ohio Plans To Increase Motion Picture Tax Credit

A new bill before the Ohio General Assembly would more than double the state’s Motion Picture Tax Credit. Currently at $40 million per year, the credit would increase to $100 million annually under House Bill 525. The state legislature doubled it from $20 million in June 2016. If passed this will make Ohio one of the most competitive states in the country. Read more: https://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/ohio-general-assembly-considers-increasing-states-motion-picture-tax-credit        

Production News Weekly

Detroit Rapper Big Sean Is Just Getting Started

    Sean “Big Sean” Anderson announced plans last week to build a revolutionary entertainment venue in his hometown that would house 10-12 movie screens as well as space for cultural events. He and his best friend, Lawrence Lamont, who has directed several of his videos, have started a film production company called Great Lakes Pictures. The duo hopes to follow the trail left by F. Gary Gray, the iconic […]

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Production News Weekly

Production News Weekly March 7, 2018 Milwaukee Throws Hat In Ring!

With a resurgence of film and TV production happening in the Midwest, filmmaker John Ridley, who won an Oscar for his adapted screenplay 12 Years A Slave, is taking over a building in what is known as the Pabst Brewery Complex in Milwaukee to create a creative hub for artists in his hometown. No Sudios, a 40,000 square foot building, will become a home to artists who want to create […]

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Production News Weekly

Second City and Illinois Are Breaking Records in Hiring

Second City and Illinois now ranks among the top five destinations for film and TV production. In 2017, film and television productions in Illinois generated $423 million for the local economy and close to 14,000 jobs. Of those jobs, a record 53 percent went to women and minorities.   Read more: https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/02/01/illinois-now-ranks-among-top-5-states-film-tv-production

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Production News Weekly

Production News Weekly Feb. 28, 2018: A Banner Year For The U.K.

  The last couple of weeks, I have noticed an increase in film and tv production in the U.K. 2017 was a banner year for film and TV production in the United Kingdom, with spending hitting a record £2.84 billion ($4 billion) – an 11% increase from the previous year. With the quality of world-class studios, a talented workforce, VFX and production services, locations and a supportive tax regime, all […]

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Production News Weekly

Portugal Launches New Bid To Lure Hollywood

The government of Portugal is launching a new incentive program that is designed to lure more film, TV and streaming shoots from around the world. The new system is set to launch in March. Portugal’s incentive differs from other European programs in that it is a cash rebate, as opposed to a tax credit, and therefore would have a faster turnaround time.   Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-portugal-europe-rebates-20180222-story.html  

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Production News Weekly

NBA Players Become Hollywood Moguls

  Los Angeles, which hosted the N.B.A. All-Star Game on Sunday, is crawling with basketball royalty turned rookie producers. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant hope to build substantial entertainment companies that tap into the billions of dollars that Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google are pouring into original programming. Kobe is already Oscar nominated this year for Best Animated Short Film for his 2017 short film, Dear Basketball. Hollywood has […]