March Madness applies to the St. Louis production community!

FROM VISION TO VICTORY: 3 CHALLENGES TO BUILDING A BIGGER, BETTER FILM & VIDEO INDUSTRY IN MO

Challenge #1: The Vision

Last month, I wrote that for MO to become a first-rate filmmaking powerhouse, we must begin with a "bold vision." Michigan has such a vision. The state's governor, Jennifer Granholm, recently said in a speech: "We must pass the most robust incentives in the nation to spur growth of the film industry in Michigan."

The vision is bold, clear-cut, and to the point.

Challenge #:2: Nuts & Bolts

Turning a bold vision like that into reality brings up the second challenge: Determining the nuts and bolts of achieving such a vision. Michigan legislators are doing just that, hammering out a new tax incentive law that would include:

-- a 40% tax rebate
-- an additional 2% for shooting in some 100 "core" communities -- Michigan 's older townships and villages.
-- provide up-front loans to production companies in the amount of the anticipated tax refund.
-- Enact other types of state loan assistance
-- Set a threshold of $50,000 as the minimum in-state expenditure.
-- Allow individuals who invest in a Michigan film production to get an income tax break for any gains realized from their investment. This is a law designed to encourage "angel investors" for Michigan films.

Other measures being discussed include tax incentives for investment in a filmmaking infrastructure, such as incentives to build studios or to train and hire Michigan residents to work on films. There's also a proposal to hire more people for the Michigan Film Commission, which like Missouri 's, currently has two employees.

Challenge #3: Making It Happen

Once the plan is developed, then it must be sold to the legislators, most of whom are loathe to give tax breaks ... to anybody.

In Michigan , though, it should be an easy sell. Even though the governor is a Democrat, her plan has substantial support from Republicans. There doesn't seem to be much opposition from the Michigan press either.

Why? Michigan is the most economically depressed state in the country. They're desperate to turn things around. The state needs to diversify outside of the automotive industry, which dominates the economy there. Tax incentives boost economic activity. Film tax incentives are especially robust, because they have an almost immediate impact -- much faster than, say, real estate development, alternative energy, or other "brick and mortar" businesses. The state legislature is on a fast-track to write the new law and pass it.

What Does This Have To Do With MO?

The Michigan example shows what's possible. It shows how a clear-cut vision can lead to a victory.

Of course, that vision doesn't have to come from the governor. It can come from a local industry organization, a member -- or members -- of the legislature, or the Film Commission. It doesn't matter, but the vision must be communicated clearly to everyone involved -- and bold enough to inspire people to work towards it.

Once that's decided, then we must develop strategies and tactics to make it happen. What laws, policies, or programs will bring about that vision? How will we convince the legislature? What's negotiable, and what's non-negotiable? What are our short-term and long-term goals? Should we hire a high-powered lobbyist to represent our interests in Jefferson City (and who will pay for it)? How do we get key legislators on board? How do we handle legislators, politicians, or bureaucrats who oppose us? What grassroots measures can we use? What groups, organizations, or individuals can we form coalitions with?

What tactics and strategies have been successful in other states, and will they work in MO? How can we avoid repeating any mistakes we've made in the past?

What can be done on the local level? Should St. Louis and Kansas City revive their film commissions? How could local communities help filmmakers?

We'll be exploring these questions -- and more -- at our upcoming MCA meeting on March 12 (see information below). We'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

As an election year, it's a good time to for the MO production community to find a common goal -- and start working towards it. It's a good time to pin the politicians down and find out who's for us and who's against us. It's a good time to start creating a vision -- and laying the groundwork for a victory.

Mike Ketcher