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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings Everyone!
Last month we had a great meeting on Niche Programming. I want to thank our hosts, First Punch Film Production for allowing us into their brand new space and showing us around. We look forward to seeing great things come out of this studio in the future. We had five really terrific guest speakers, each of whom were doing unique and different work. All of our speakers were informative and inspiring, and we thank them all for showing up and letting us know that if your voice is a little different, there is still a place for you.
This month we're looking forward to checking out Bad Dog's new space and hearing all about the Red Camera vs DSLR cameras as we do our annual post NAB wrap up. Technology changes so fast, you'll want to come hear what's new and exciting and what the professionals are doing and how the world is opening up to new voices on the Indie circuit, keeping Missouri on the map and showing how strong our industry really is.
Which brings me to our journey to Jefferson City on April 19 for Legislative Day. My sincere thanks to all of you that made the trip to the Capitol and went door to door to speak personally to our state senators and the house representatives to let them know how important it is to keep our Missouri film office open, and keep our tax credits alive.
I want to personally thank Lorah Steiner and MOMMA (Missouri Motion Media Association) for sponsoring this event and of course, Joni Tackette for all her hard work organizing and Kim Tucci for getting us a bus ride!
The bus left from Chesterfield Mall at 7:45 AM and took us all to Jefferson City and had us back by dinner time. Jeff Brooks, our lobbyist, briefed us when we arrived and we were all given packets of information before we took off in different directions to speak personally with our state representatives. They were all glad to see us because we came bearing gifts- movie candy. On the third floor rotunda, we were popping popcorn and thanking everyone for his or her support of our industry. This was a truly bi partisan effort and our film office has a lot of support on both sides of the aisle. We made a lot of friends that day and I was happy to see people from all over Missouri coming together for Legislative Day. I met new people from Kansas City, Branson and Columbia. Thanks to all who showed up and all who worked hard for this.
In our wrap up meeting, we had house representatives and senators who supported our cause come and speak to us as a group and tell us what we could do as citizens to help keep our film office open. To help clarify our current crisis, let me explain what is going on. Originally, Governor Jay Nixon had zero funded the film office for next year but some champions came to our rescue and put money back in the budget to keep it open. The House has voted to fund the film office at $200 thousand for next year, the senate voted to fund it for $150 thousand. These two will come together and make a compromise soon but it will be no less than $150 thousand. However, when this lands on Governor Nixon's desk, he has the option to line veto it and make it all go away. If this happens, Missouri will be the only state other than North Dakota to not have a film office. We can't afford for this to happen. Our industry has been thriving and we want it to keep thriving. Two years in a row, Oscar caliber features were shot in Missouri and we want to keep them coming back.
Here is what YOU can do. Write Governor Jay Nixon personal letters. We were advised to tell our own personal stories and not send form letters. Send emails. Make phone calls. Leave messages. If we can inundate that office and let him know how the voters feel, we can make the change we seek.
Here is the information you need below, the office address and phone number:
Office of Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-3222
You can also email him at: http://governor.mo.gov/contact/
There is a new facebook group called "Save the Missouri Film Office". Go to it for additional information. And as always, please check the MOMMA website at http://mommaonline.com
Thanks so much for all your support and I look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting!
Vanessa Roman
MCA-i President, St. Louis Chapter | 
