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GRASSROOTS POLITICS & THE MO FILM INDUSTRY

How We Can Get Our Industry On The Radar In Jeff City

One thing that was clear from our March meeting (see Sandra Olmsted's article below) is that the production industry in Missouri won't continue to grow without help from Jefferson City.  Tax incentives for film production have become an integral part of the industry, and the states that offer film producers the best deals are the ones that will get the business.
 
That means that those of us who work in the industry -- or want to -- will have to get politically involved -- and do a hard-sell of our industry to the politicians, locally and in Jeff City.  This, being an election year, is the perfect time to start.  What's more, grassroots organizing and lobbying is becoming much easier and more effective, by using the power of the Internet to build coalitions and get the word out about important issues and events.

 
3 Ways Things Get Done in Jeff City
 
I've studied how various states have gotten tax incentives passed -- and there are three general approaches that work.
 
First, is the approach used buy most industries: Hire an expensive lobbyist in Jeff City to wine, dine, convince, cajole, and coax the legislators to vote for the industry's pet projects.  Unfortunately, the film industry in MO simply doesn't have the economic clout to pay for high-priced lobbyists and steak-and-lobster dinners for the politicians.  Unless some Hollywood studio or a wealthy benefactor wants to help out, both of which are doubtful, this approach probably won't work here. Usually, this approach only works in the big production states like Illinois and New York, in which the industry has the financial clout to hire a lobbyist.
 
Second, get the governor on board.  In several states, the state's governor has been the driving force behind film tax incentives, most notably Bill Richardson in New Mexico and recently Janet Grantholm in Michigan. However, while it's extremely helpful to have the governor's support, it's not really necessary.  In Indiana, for example, when the governor vetoed the recent film tax incentive, the Indiana state legislature voted to override his veto.
 
Missouri will have a new governor next year.  It would be a good idea for the film industry to come up with a proposal for a strong tax incentive, present it to each of the gubernatorial candidates, and find out who is our friend and who is our enemy.  Then we work to change whatever misconceptions they may have about the industry in Missouri.   If they won't change, then we work openly and aggressively to defeat them.
 
Third is grassroots political activity.  This will be necessary, whether we have the governor's support or not.

 
"All Politics Is Local"
 
As Tip O'Neill, the famous former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, from Massachusetts, once said, "All politics is local."  That's about as true a statement as any a politician ever uttered.  Political change starts at the city, township, precinct, and congressional district level.
 
The film industry will have to begin its state-wide grassroots lobbying effort at the local level, throughout the state, if it's to be successful.  Fortunately, there are film communities, not just in Kansas City and St. Louis, but in Columbia, Springfield, and Cape Girardeau, as well.  There's an army of people around the state who would like to see a bigger, better film industry in MO.
 
Calling or writing legislators is fine, but it'll take a much more proactive approach.  It'll mean meeting with the politicians face-to-face -- and at times getting in their face.  It'll mean winning the local politicians and and civic leaders to our cause.  They can help us carry our message to Jeff City.
 
The sad fact is that the film industry and the film tax credit are off the radar of most state and local politicians.  We have to find ways to put it on their radar.  We have to show them that, by putting together the right tax incentives, we can create a major new industry in MO, just as several other states have done -- and without costing the taxpayers a nickel.  We have to show them that there are a lot of voters out there that want a bigger, better film industry in Missouri.
 
All the good arguments are on our side.  And it won't take a huge number of people to get the ball rolling.  Wisconsin's grassroots movement started with just 35 people.  They built it into one of the most successful film tax incentive programs in the country within just two years.  If we start working on it now, within two years, we can build Missouri into a major player in the film industry.
 
For some specific ideas on grassroots activism, again, see Sandra Olmsted's article below.

 

Mike Ketcher                                

HOW TO DIRECT PROFESSIONAL & NON-PROFESSIONAL TALENT

An Insider's Guide from Picking the Right Cast to Pulling Out the Best Performances

You might think the term "talent" refers to gifted actors -- and many times it does.  But in the world of media production -- whether you're doing commercials, industrials, documentaries, or feature films -- "talent" refers to anyone who steps in front of the lens.

Whether your subject is your boss or a Hollywood star with a slew of impressive credits and a SAG card, people will rely on you to make sure they look good. Your talent must be a natural, communicative, and easy to relate to element of your production.  And although you want your talent to look natural, it won't happen by chance.   You'll need to help them put forth the performances you want.

The process is called directing.  At this meeting you'll learn from a panel of St. Louis' leading directors on:

-- How to choose the cast that's right for your project and budget.

-- What you need to know about conducting auditions.

-- Working with corporate officers, children, amateurs, and others who aren't accustomed to working in front of a camera.  How to get them to relax and appear natural.

-- How the crew you choose affects your talent.

-- Ear prompter, TelePrompTer, improvised or memorized scripts ... which will work best for your project?

-- Secrets to getting a great interview -- what budding and experienced documentarians, broadcasters, and corporate producers need to know.

-- How to know if you should cue your interview subjects, and how to get them to say what you want without appearing rehearsed.

-- How to handle Hollywood actors -- or others with big egos and bad attitudes.

-- How to find Hollywood actors for your feature film or other projects.

-- and much, much more!!

At this meeting, we'll have a panel of some of the top directors in St. Louis who'll share their insights with you on helping talent to deliver your message or tell the story you want to tell.  Actors will also want to attend this meeting to learn about what it's like being on the other side of the camera.

Philip Keeler, one of St. Louis's top talents -- and a director of hundreds of television commercials and industrials -- will emcee the panel.  Philip currently works for the multiple-award-winning St. Louis production firm, Reel Impact.

Kim Marie Swanson, a St. Louis-based casting director and member of the prestigious Casting Society of America, Kim has cast feature films, including the 2000 film, "The Treatment" and the Sci-Fi Channel's  "Alien vs. Alien," as well as dozens of national and regional television commercials, industrials, music videos, voiceovers, and print ads.

Jim Nesthus, has been a producer with Edward Jones for 12 years and coaches talent in the corporate environment on a daily basis - some are seasoned professionals, but most are non-professional talent and some have never stepped foot in front of a camera.  He has the task to make everyone feel at ease and come across natural in a very unnatural setting.

Bob Miller, has almost 30 years experience writing, producing and directing. From CNN and A.G. Edwards, to Ameren and Webster University, he's written and directed for everyone from CEOs to kids and animals.

Patrick Murphy, has worked on-air in St. Louis radio and television for thirty-two years.  As an independent producer he has created commercials, corporate videos and broadcast documentaries.  For the past seven years he has been the Vice President of Production for KETC, where he has won four Emmys for his work.  He's been the "voice" of Channel Nine since 1981, and you can see him Monday and Tuesday evenings at seven o'clock on Living St. Louis.

At this meeting, you'll also get an inside look at one of St. Louis' top production studios, Avatar Studios, which is hosting the meeting.  Tours of the facility will be available after the main meeting.

DATE: Wednesday, April 9th

TIME:  Networking at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:00pm

COST:

MCA members = free

non-members = $10

students = $5

LOCATION:

Avatar Studios

2675 Scott Ave

St Louis, MO 63103

DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 40 Take Jefferson South, less than half a mile...Turn right at S Jefferson Ave...Turn right at Scott Ave., turn right into the industrial park and come all the way in.  Avatar's building faces Hwy 40.  You could also take 44 to Grand, and Grand to Hwy 40 and then follow the directions from Hwy 40.

At our March meeting, the State of the Missouri Film Industry Town Hall Meeting, the speakers and audience made it clear that political activism is necessary in order to make Missouri competitive with other states, to attract more and bigger-budget films here, and to expand opportunities for Missouri filmmakers.

Realizing that many, if not most, of the filmmakers in Missouri have day jobs, in addition to making films, asking them now to organize and to become politically active may be more than most can handle; however, there are ways to make this work. While all the ideas contributed at the meeting - and the private discussions that followed -- had merit, some are easier to implement than others. Doing any of the items listed below, regardless of how easy or difficult, is taking a proactive stand for the Missouri film Industry.

Individuals:
 
-- Join MOMMA at www.mommaonline.com, the new statewide organization for the film industry.
 
-- Tell the Film Office about your productions -- films, commercials, and music videos. If the legislature and other officials know how much production takes place in Missouri, they might be more supportive. At best, most are only aware of the big Hollywood movies that come here.
 
-- Write letters to elected officials.

-- Get family and friends involved; ask them to write letters, and use them to network in support of the Missouri film industry.
 
-- Invite local and state officials to screenings and sets.
 
-- If you're a member of any film-related or business organizations, get that organization's members involved in supporting and promoting the Missouri film industry.
 
-- Talk to your local politicians, state employees, and representatives, including Regional Commerce and Growth Association (RCGA) and Department of Economic Development (DED) employees.
 
-- Talk to politicians, etc. who come to your workplace for media services. If, for example, you're working on a commercial for a local politician, and you have the opportunity, talk to him or her about the importance of a new film tax credit to your industry.

-- Lobby your Alderman to pass a resolution supporting the Missouri film industry.
 
-- Volunteer to do leg work required to get the Missouri film industry's agenda known to politicians.
 
-- Lobby the state officials for the needed additional funds so that the film office can better serve the needs of the Missouri film industry.

Organizations:
 
-- Have a letter writing party; provide information on representatives, stationery, and postage.  (You can find local legislators at the following link: http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx)

 -- Pass a resolution recognizing the economic and cultural contributions of the Missouri film industry.
 
-- Work with other film, arts, and business-related organizations to accomplish larger goals.
 
-- Charter a bus, or form a caravan, of local film people to go to Jefferson City for hearings and other special events and meetings with the legislators.

-- Lobby state officials for the needed additional funds so that the film office can better serve the needs of the Missouri film industry and for the needed changes to state laws to increase tax credits and to provide more assistance to Missouri filmmakers.

-- Produce a PSA promoting support of the Missouri film industry and educating the public about the industry's economic and cultural contribution to Missouri.
 
-- Develop a system of corporate support through product placement of locally-headquartered companies.
 
-- Raise funds for costly projects and goals, possibly through corporate support.

-- Revitalize the St. Louis and Kansas City film offices -- the two largest metropolitan areas in the country without a local film commission.

 -- Hire a full-time lobbyist.

-- Develop business meetings for politicians to showcase the Industry in St. Louis, Kansas City, and other parts of the state. This would also be an excellent way to provide an organized presentation for visiting filmmakers considering shooting in Missouri.

-- Work on developing and organizing a digital database and DVD of locations, crew, talent, and production facilities for your local industry and make these available to the Missouri Film Office as a sales tool for visiting filmmakers and a promotional tool to politicians. Contact Sandra Olmsted wryteralways@earthlink.net) if interested.

-- Form a non-profit filmmaking cooperative, such as the Bay Area Video Coalition in San Francisco, which would provide studio space, editing suites, classes, equipment, and so forth at reduced rates, as well as grants and fiscal sponsorship.