Robb hopes bill will bring films to Missouri
Published March 20, 2007
Earlier this month, Columbians gave a standing ovation to the True/False Film Festival's "hometown preview," a movie called "American Shopper." The documentary was filmed in Columbia and featured some of its residents.
Now for the third consecutive year, Rep. Ed Robb, R-Columbia, has introduced legislation geared to entice more filmmakers to come to Missouri.
"I introduced it last year and the year before, and the reason is because of some studies — one that I did, others that I've seen — regarding the impact of film production, which is very, very large," Robb said.
If passed, the new legislation would increase the ceiling on the Missouri tax credit for film production from $1.5 million to $10.5 million. According to the bill's summary, "The credit will be equal to 50 percent of the qualifying expenses for the project not including wages for highly compensated individuals."
The House Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously to pass the bill.
Proponents of the bill, including members of the Missouri Film Commission and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, testified for the bill in the House before the committee and urged for its passing because of the revenue it would provide for the film industry.
The committee claimed Missouri's location and diversity of landscape, along with the provision of labor and temporary services from local unions and residents, show that the state would be an ideal location for an increase in film production.
The economic benefits of the bill are the biggest features touted by supporters. Robb said he hopes the bill will aid the Missouri Film Commission, which is housed at MU.
"They have an annual cap of $1.5 million, and they have already turned down over 50 million in film projects this year alone because the film companies won't come to Missouri unless there's some tax credit," Robb said.
Among the bill's proponents in Missouri is Missouri Film Commission Director Jerry Jones.
"This is something Missouri needs if we want to stay competitive in attracting motion picture and television production," Jones said.
Jones said even though Missouri was one of the first states to offer financial incentives for film producers back in 1999, more than 40 states now offer highly competitive incentives.
"Right now, we get approximately three to four features a year that come to Missouri, and they are all because of the tax credit the state has," Jones said. "The Film Commission recruits not just feature films but also commercials, television programs, documentaries, music videos, and for all of that we probably see about $20 million spent in Missouri in production revenue."
Jones said in comparison to Missouri, Louisiana introduced a "substantial" financial incentive in 2002, and as a result, last year their production revenue totaled $700 million.