A Tennessee film group says it will work to lure production companies to the Volunteer State, even if some pro-Hollywood legislation in the state legislature fails.
The Association for the Future of Film and Television in Tennessee (AFFT) is supporting two bills presented by Sen. Mark Norris and Rep. Steve McManus. Under their legislation, a production shot in Tennessee would be eligible for tax credits equal to 20 percent of its expenses if the company making it spends a minimum of $500,000.
Juanell Walker is President-Elect of Tennessee's AFFT division; she lives in East Tennessee. She said the state has lost multiple films to border states like Georgia who offer better tax incentives. She also said it hurts to see films based in Tennessee like "Get Low" or "The Blind Side" be shot in other states.
According to Walker, more than 200 film jobs in Tennessee have recently been lost because of the state's low incentive program.
"It's just not good economics to look at it and say, 'Hey, we're not making any money from this.'"
One person who has voiced concern with film incentive legislation is Governor Bill Haslam. He told reporters in Nashville Tuesday night he does not like the current legislation.
"So far, I haven't seen a film incentive proposal that competes with some of the aggressive states that I think makes sense for our taxpayers."
Walker said it's important for politicians to look at the financial impact an incentive program would have in a different light. She said film production results in local hires and money being placed into local pockets.
She said if current legislation does not pass, AFFT, and other groups like it, might look to see if they can get film incentives from local towns and cities across the state. Walker said the city of Memphis has been a leader in that regard.
"All of us need to do that, even if we have a state film commission, because it just supports our community," she said.