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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear ,
A CALL TO ACTION...
The Missouri Film Tax Credit expires at the end of this year, unless it is renewed by the state legislature. Those of you who attended the MOMMA meeting last month are aware of the difficult task.
But even if the tax credit is extended, we need to make sure that it is used. It is now time for everyone who works in film in MO, wants to work in film in MO, or wants to see more movies made in MO to take action.
At least one film has applied for the MO Film Tax Credit this year: "A Fall From Grace." The producers really want to shoot this film in the St. Louis area. The story is set in St. Louis. It's the story of a detective's quest to find a serial killer. The rivers and bridges of the St. Louis play a central part in the story. Unlike many other movies shot here, St. Louis will not be a stand-in for New York, Wisconsin, or some other place. It will not only showcase a lot of the beautiful architecture of the area, as well as many of the usual attractions like the riverfront and the Arch.
This could be a tremendous boon for tourism to the city. "A Fall From Grace" has recently been selected as one of the 200 most anticipated films of 2013. It is being directed by Jennifer Lynch, who has several films under her belt and it the daughter of director David Lynch.
The film has several "name" actors attached: Tim Roth, Vincent D'Onofrio, Daryl Hannah, Paz Vega, and Willow Shields (Brooke Shields daughter, who starred in
"The Hunger Games"). There are some other even big names attached which can't be released publicly yet, one of whom has multiple Oscar nominations and another
who has won an Oscar. The music will be done by Trent Reznor, founding member of Nine Inch Nails, who won the Academy Award for "Best Original Score" in "The Social Network."
A film of this caliber could put MO back on the map as a place to make quality films. We were on that path in 2010, when both "Winter's Bone" and "Up in the Air" shot here. The Missouri Department of Economic Development squelched that, by not approving any more film tax credits -- or by offering film companies a ridiculously low tax credit that was not competitive with what producers could get elsewhere. A recent report on KSDK said that the huge hit movie, "Identity Thief," wanted to shoot in St. Louis, but were turned down for a tax credit. http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/362467/3/Film-highlights-lack-of-movie-making-in-Missouri
We need to make sure that doesn't happen again. We need to take a stand on "A Fall From Grace." The Department of Economic Development is under the governor's office.
If St. Louis loses "A Fall From Grace," the way it lost "Identity Thief," and other movies, in the last two years, it could be the end of the film business in MO. A major feature film shooting in MO this year could give us the impetus to convince the legislature that MO can indeed be a filmmaking mecca -- and to renew the tax credit. This is where we all need to take a strong stand and let the governor know that this film must come here, and they should not try to play games with the producers by making unrealistic, low-ball offers, as they have done with other films.
I'm asking all of you to take a few minutes to send MO governor Jay Nixon a personal, powerful, and polite letter asking him to make sure that MO does not lose this film. Tell him exactly what it means to you and your family to have this film (and others) shooting in Missouri. Go to Jay Nixon's web site on this page, clicking on Economic Development as the subject. http://governor.mo.gov/constituents/
One final note: In the interest of full disclosure, I should let you know that I have signed on as an Associate Producer of the film. I did so, because I thought I could help the producers bring the film to St. Louis. Donny Blake and I have been working hard for the last six months to do that. However, you are the people who can really help make this film a reality. It will provide jobs and opportunities for dozens of people, bring millions of dollars into the local economy, not only immediately but over the years through tourism. It will showcase the city to the world. This could be a turning point in the film industry in MO. This film could be the catalyst to renew the film tax credit for several more years -- and perhaps even increase it.
Please join me in making our case to the governor.
Mike Ketcher
MCA St. Louis President, 2013 | 
