The Wilmywood Daily 05/29/2015 Rumors from the Lot

Now it’s time for RUMORS FROM THE LOT! So last week we had some scouts in the area, and rumor has it, one group of folks were scouting for a $35 million feature. But don’t get too excited yet because from what I hear these folks are waiting to see what our legislators do before choosing to come to Wilmywood.

The House has put in for $40M beginning on July 1st for this fiscal year and next. Now we wait to see what the Senate will do. So, it is not a definite 40 yet.

Right now the cap for a feature film is at $5 million. If that feature was shot entirely in NC, 25% would be $8.75M, so I am hoping the Senate will raise the cap.  So far, no one in the NCGA has made any changes to the language of the film grant which REALLY needs to be done.

The other scenario of course is that they would only shoot a portion of it here in North Carolina.  If that’s the case, they would possibly get their full 25%.  Now with all that being said, they were merely scouting, so we shall see what happens.  From what I heard there was more than one production scouting, but I can’t tell you who the others were.

Right now, we are losing around 40 crew members per month to other states due lack of work, so we need to get this ball rolling badly!

@CBS Under the Dome 2015

Another rumor from the lot that popped up was regarding Under the Dome. From what I am hearing Under the Dome is looking good. Like really good. So good that they are already looking at a season 4. But will it stay in Wilmywood?  Rumor has it that they are looking into how much it would cost to move it.  Don’t be too alarmed though. This is pretty much standard. They did it last year as well. It’s business.

(BTW click on the pic above, there’s a link to Dread Central BTS pics with a lot of Wilmywood folks in them!  Woop!)

Finally, I know I brought this up on the radio side when I first heard about this a few weeks ago, but I don’t think I actually blogged it. From what I am hearing it looks like Dirty Dancing is suspended indefinitely. They were holding onto 40% of the $10M grant money. So, now what? Does it just get wasted? They had other projects that applied, but this flick sucked it up first. I am still looking in to this.  May I please reiterate the 40 crew members per month we are losing…

Oh and just for fun, the 40th Anniversary of Jaws is here!  And as the Hollywood Reported stated, Jaws is ready to attack once again. It revisits theaters Sunday, June 21, and Wednesday, June 24, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time in theaters around the country. That includes Wilmington! Yay!

That’s all I got for now.  I will keep you posted!

JUNE 13th – Insight School of Acting – New Workshop

INSIGHT SCHOOL OF ACTING ANNOUNCES NEW WORKSHOP!
ACTING FOR FILM – MEISNER BASICS
NEXT SESSION: SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015

WHERE: INSIGHT SCHOOL OF ACTING
1826 SIR TYLER DRIVE, SUITE 260, WILMINGTON, NC 28405

WHEN: SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015 (ALL DAY)
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
1:00-4:00 p.m.
6:00-8:00 p.m.
There will be breaks for lunch and dinner (on your own – several area restaurants)

COST: $175 per person
Open to students age 18 and up. Spaces are limited.

CONTACT: BETH BECKA – bbeckaisa@gmail.com or 910.232.5599

This workshop will focus on the basics of the Meisner Technique. Students will develop a comprehensive set of “acting tools” to draw upon when approaching a role or a scene. We will explore trust, relaxation, focus, collaboration and imagination through the Meisner lens. From the foundational repetition work, to learning how to work off of your scene partner, through the extreme emotion of relationship and physical activity, this class will teach you how to be PRESENT and IN each moment.

GET MORE DETAILS NOW

TESTIMONIES for Insight School of Acting:

“I came to Wilmington to work on the show Sleepy Hollow. Since I’ve been here, I have needed to put many auditions on tape to send down to LA. I’ve had nothing but fantastic experiences with Insight School of Acting; Beth has been very helpful, the studio has a warm, inviting energy, and the tapes always look great! I recommend Insight to all of my colleagues, and anyone who is looking for a place to get coaching or taping.” ~ Lyndie Greenwood (Sleepy Hollow, Nikita)

MORE TESTIMONIES

NC House gives final approval for budget.

According to the Associated Press,  The NC House has given final approval to its two-year state government spending plan with a rare showing of broad bipartisan support for a budget.

The House chamber voted 93-23 this morning for the measure that would spend over $22 billion in the year starting July 1.

As it stands, the NC House has the NC Film Grant at $40M per fiscal year for the next 2 years with no change in the language of the grant. Now, it’s off to the NC Senate.  They will have a budget of their own next month.

 

NC House drops NCFilm Grant to $40M

A few hours ago, I got word that the initial proposal for $60M for the film grant has dropped to $40M in the latest version of the state’s two-year budget.   This is what we anticipated. What I can tell you is that it could have been worse.  Our concern at this point is what the Senate will do.  They are a much tougher sell, than the House, just like last session.  Best case scenario, they leave it alone and we get a $40M grant for a two year period.  But from what I am hearing, that is unlikely.  Still, I am hoping for the best. However, even with $40M the money won’t be enough for us to be as productive as we were in 2014, but it will put a lot of our crew members back to work.

SEE THE LATEST DRAFT NOW

 

NCFILM UPDATE: $60M for film for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017

The 1st draft of the NC House budget for 2015-2016 has come out.  And of course I went straight to film (page 162). I am not sure how this makes any sense what so ever. If you look at the numbers column you will see $0 for 2015-2016, but $60M for 2016-2017. HOWEVER, the verbage says otherwise:

Provides funds to the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund established NR in G.S. 143B-437.02A, to encourage the production of motion pictures, television shows, and commercials and to develop the filmmaking industry within the State. In addition to the $60 million appropriated for FY 2016-17, another $60 million is earmarked and appropriated to the Fund from the FY 2014-15, bringing the total amount available for grants to $120 million.

UPDATE: This is going to sound quite confusing but I’m just telling you what was told to me.  The reason why there is no $60M for the 2015-2016 fical year in this budget is because it is coming from the “Unreserved Fund Balance.” From what I’ve been told, that is part of the $400M surplus we had.

So, it looks as though $60M for two consecutive years is a decent starting point. Now, this is not a final budget; it’s just a starting point.  We shall see how it all plays out.  Honestly, it wont be shocking to see that number go down to $30-40M when the NC House is all done with it.  Remember, it still has to go through the Senate too. I will keep you posted!

 

 

 

NC FILM UPDATE: House Budget to be released.

NCFILM UPDATE:
According to Representative Chuck McGrady, a complete draft budget will go on-line at some point today. Then…

“When the budget is approved by the full Appropriations Committee, most likely on Tuesday, a new version of the budget will be available on-line. It will be that version that the House is expected to take up on Wednesday and Thursday (and hopefully not Friday).”  SEE MORE NOW

Then it’s off to the Senate.

I don’t know if we will get the $60+ million that was in the original bill from the House and Senate. We will see what the House comes up with. A few folks are also saying the Senate won’t be as tough on film as they were last session. Hopefully we will see some good numbers so we can get our crew back from other states, from unemployment and generate some cash-flow into our small businesses.

I’ll keep you posted!

UPCOMING EVENT: In The Actor’s Studio w/ Orlando Jones

Actor Orlando Jones will be on stage sharing, chatting, making you laugh and answering questions as our very own Sheila Brothers serves as commentator for this unique and intimate event.

There will also be a Q & A so the audience can get a chance to speak with him up close and personal. This is every actress’s and actor’s dream, to get the inside track on the industry and fine tune their craft.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Orlando’s “Foolish Desperado Fund”.
Red Barn Theater
1122 South 3rd St Wilmington, NC 28403
Showtime: 7pm
General Seating
Tickets: $65
Tickets Available @: http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/8317004/the-actors-studio-with-orlando-jones-and-commentator-sheila-brothers-wilmington-red-barn-studio-theatre

Seating is EXTREMELY limited so get your tickets now!

GO TO FACEBOOK EVENT NOW

NC FILM INCENTIVES – Open letter from Rosin IATSE Local 491

Dear Film Friends:

Our mission remains the same: Do all we can to return the healthy film industry to North Carolina.

During this legislative session, while the exodus of our friends and jobs accelerates, the North Carolina House of Representatives has passed several economic development bills that could be used to address the harm done to the film industry. The Senate has not acted on a single one, and seems uninterested in economic development, even as Volvo, another auto plant, announces it is opening a new facility in South Carolina.

The news in the last few days has reported a total state coffer surplus of $1.1 billion. This reflects $400 million more in collections and roughly $70 million in existing reserves. So the argument that “tough times” is why we cannot return the film industry to a competitive national level simply will NOT fly this year. We should also ask, why does JONES STREET have a surplus, but MAIN STEET does not?

During the “Ironman” season, $84 million was granted as incentives for that banner year. As a result, our industry grew by leaps and bounds! Small business start-ups took root in Charlotte, Wilmington, Asheville and across the state. This year, legislation to increase the feeble $10 million grant amount has been introduced in both chambers, as well as a bi-partisan economic development bill which has been introduced in the House with the old film program included. But the fact is, at this late stage in the game, it’s all about a “grant.”

Representatives Ted Davis, Frank Iler, and Susi Hamilton continue to fight for our industry. The House has never been the challenge. Last year Representative Davis, with help from Frank and Susi, passed legislation that would have basically returned us to the film credit system we have long enjoyed, only to see that proposal die in the Senate.

Your House delegation is fighting hard for you, and I feel certain they will in the short term be able to increase the amount of the grant significantly when the House budget is rolled out soon.

We need to thank them and support them.

Whatever they are able to cobble together, and it will not be easy, we must demand that the Senate add a like amount to the fund. Please be clear on what I am saying: for every $100 the House puts in, the Senate needs to add a $100, or $200 total. Otherwise the Senate has not done anything!

Jason Rosin
IATSE Local 491
“Concerned for the Future of Film and TV in NC!”

To contact your legislatures:
NC HOUSE CONTACTS 
NC SENATE CONTACTS

‘Sleepy Hollow’ has a new night on FOX.

Courtesy of FOX

Sleepy Hollow is following Under the Dome‘s footsteps and moving to Thursday nights. The third season of Sleepy Hollow will air at 9 p.m.  The Fox show which is no longer an NC Film production is getting a showrunner change for season 3 as well.

Last week, the announcement was made regarding Sleepy Hollow heading to Conyers, GA which brings the area about 300 local jobs.  They will be injecting $4 million into the town.  What really made me wanna pull my hair out was when CREDC’s film production liaison Gina Hartsell said this: “We stole them away from North Carolina.”

It made me so angry simply because it’s true. Argh!  I am getting really tired of Georgia and South Carolina taking everything from us! From film to manufacturing. So now we wait as the NCGA takes their sweet time getting to the House and Senate bill that requested $66 million be added to the NC Film Grant. It could happen tomorrow or in June, there’s no time table yet. Everyday that goes by is another day we lose yet another production. I’ll keep you posted on that front.

Meanwhile last week, McCrory mentioned we had a $400 million surplus. Hey, I may have an idea what to do with some of it!

( SOURCE)

May the 4th be with you Wilmywood!

Today is the one year anniversary on the NC Film Rally which was held downtown Wilmington.  With over 1,000 people in attendance, we chanted, we cheered, we pleaded with our leaders, but it fell on deaf ears.

Now as we wait for the General Assembly to decide whether to add funds to the pathetic film grant we now have, perhaps we should remind them that We, the People, are just as passionate about keeping film jobs in North Carolina.

Today let’s honor our fight by reliving the NC Film Rally last year.  Post your photos and videos on ALL social media outlets from the rally and use the hashtags:

#NCFilm #SaveNCFilm #NCGA  #MayThe4thBeWithYou