Kate Dean, Line Producer for Winter's Bone and Jerry Jones, MO Film Office on set

It is sad news for the production community in Missouri. It has been my great pleasure to work as the assistant director for the last six years. I am very proud to have been a part of the many movies, TV segments, and commercials shot in our beautiful state. Especially close to my heart are the two Missouri-made movies that received Oscar nominations the last two years, Up in the Air and Winter’s Bone.

The above note was sent by Andrea Sporcic, Assistant Director of the office that was headed by Jerry Jones since its inception. Thank you for your efforts Jerry and Andrea and good luck.

We have contact info for both individuals if you would like to stay in touch with them but did not receive the email. Use our contact form to reach us.

Jack & Edie Robinette with Jason Grill (KC)

What: 3rd Annual Missouri Legislative Day
When: Tuesday April 19, 2011
Where: State Capitol
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Who should attend: All MOMMA members and anyone who works in the Missouri motion media production community.
We need production community members from all regions in Missouri to attend.
 


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

When Governor Jay Nixon presented his fiscal year 2012 budget in mid-January there was zero funding recommended for the film office. There is also a movement for tax credit reform that includes eliminating the existing $4.5 million film tax incentive that Missouri currently offers.

IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW UP AND MEET LEGISLATORS WHO WILL BE VOTING ON THE BUDGET THIS SESSION AND LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY.
 If Missouri closes the film office, that would make us only the second state in the nation (along with North Dakota) to not have a film office.

St. Louis recently lost the feature film “Fun Size” after Paramount Pictures / Viacom applied for the $4.5 million advertised film tax incentive but were only offered $1 million. “Fun Size” producer Michael Buegg said Paramount wanted to return to Missouri due to the great experience they had here while filming “Up In the Air” in 2009. “Fun Size” will most likely film in Michigan or Louisiana.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE as of March 17th
– By Mary Anne McCollum

Before legislators headed out for their spring break March 18th, the House Budget Committee wrapped up work on the 13 appropriations bills. Good news: The current version of House Committee Substitute HB 7 (Economic Development – Film Office) now has $200,000 as a line item for the Film Office. (The original budget proposed by the Governor contained zero funding).

When they return to work March 28, the bills will begin to be debated on the House floor. This next week presents a great opportunity for you to reach out to your state representative and meet with them in person to discuss why they should vote to keep funding in HCS HB 7 for the Film Office. If you cannot meet with them in person, please call and let them know of your support for the Film Office.

Please remember: Contact only your state representative since the full House will be voting on the budget bills when they return to Jefferson City next week. (Film tax credits are another issue and not part of this discussion.)

If you need to look up your state representative, please see the link listed in step 2 below.

Once the House has completed their work on the budget in early April, the process begins again in the Senate. Work on the budget must be completed no later than Friday, May 6. PLEASE JOIN US ON APRIL 19TH

If you plan to attend, please follow these steps:
Step 1 – RSVP to: Joni Tackette at Jtackette@aol.com
Step 2 – When you RSVP, it is very important to include the name of your state representative & state senator in your email. You can find this information at http://www.mo.gov, click “My Government,” then “Elected Officials.” You will need to know your zip+4 to use the mo.gov site.
(Don’t know your zip+4? Go to: http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/ to find it.)

If you can provide a demonstration (show animation/show CGI, etc), please contact Joni Tackette (jtackette@aol.com). We are also interested in all other jobs in the industry. (Space is limited, please reply asap to request a table). It’s important to get to the Capitol building early to set up as you will need to unload near the garage entrance and it gets very crowded later in the day. Those with tables should arrive around 8:30am.

Tentative Agenda

8:30 a.m. – Exhibitors arrive to set-up. We will provide a diagram. We’re asking everyone who can, to come and have a table to showcase what they do. Very interested in those who do: sound editing, digital editing, animation, 3-D, CGI/fx as these fit in with the new media tie to film.

10:00 a.m. – Attendees will assemble and receive a legislative briefing by MOMMA lobbyist Jeff Brooks. There will be an overview of day & instructions. Donuts, juice and coffee available.

11:00 – Noon – Visits with legislators. Exhibitors should be at their tables during this time.

Noon – 1:00 – Legislators view exhibits and eat lunch in our exhibit area. MOMMA members should be there to mingle. Important for exhibitors to be at their tables during this time. Lunch provided by MOMMA.

1:00 – 2:00 – Continue visits with legislators – Exhibitors stay at tables – other members make calls.

2:00 – 3:00 – Update from legislative leaders.

If you plan to drive to the event, here is a link to a map for the capitol: http://ht.ly/3CMHo

We will send out specific room assignments for all events to everyone who signs up.

The House Appropriations Committee – Transportation and Economic Development, held an informational hearing on the DED budget last week. There was also a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. (Governor recommended zero funding for the Film Office, and this committee can either go with that recommendation or add $ to keep the office.) This is just the first step and more information will be sent as the budget moves thru the process, including action alerts. (As you may recall, tax credits are not subject to the appropriations process.)

We’ll be announcing a new date for visiting the Legislature soon. I hope you will consider joining us as we work to educate them about the very positive economic impact that filmmaking has in Missouri. In the meantime, make your voice heard by contacting your representative. Here are the steps:
1. Determine your 9 digit zip code.
2. Determine who your Legislative Representatives are by using your 9 digit zip code
3. Bookmark that page and then visit the Representative and Senator’s page and use the contact information available there to introduce yourself and offer your personal story.

If you want to refer to background information on the Economic Impact of Winter’s Bone, click on that link.

The most important part? Your personal contact with your reasons why you believe a $4.5 million tax credit created a positive economic impact, enhanced the quality of life for this region or created interest and visitors in this region. Whatever it might be, share it. Now.

Please share this with your friends, family, anyone who has an interest in films and the business opportunity it generates. Use the Share button below this story.

Lauren Sweetser (Missouri State) at AFI

“It was a fantastic experience. There are things in Missouri that you can’t find anywhere else yet are indispensible: a neighbor with a tractor at 2 a.m. when your truck gets stuck; sprawling unspoiled landscapes; a surprising pool of talent and staff. However, the best part of Missouri by far has been the people. We will miss the community that welcomed us. We look forward to returning.”

– writer/director Debra Granik and writer/producer Anne Rosselini

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) did a nationally-recognized study on the Motion Media industry in Missouri just 2 1/2 years ago. The results?

Missouri Motion Media: A Wide Reach with Rich Rewards

Missouri’s popularity with the film industry is on the increase; more than half of the movies shot in Missouri were filmed in just the past 10 years. Already in the first years of this new century, 122 movies have been filmed here. This translates into big business. Missouri’s Motion Media industry employs more than 7,600 workers at above state average wages and adds several billion dollars to our economy each year.

What about WINTER’S BONE? The film had the following impact locally:
· 35 full-time local crew
· 18 of 25 credited cast members were locals
· $800,000 direct expenditures in Southwest Missouri
· $1.5 million economic impact
· $10 million+ ad value equivalencies to date with more to come

From the MERIC report

The primary goal of Missouri Motion Media Industry: We Ought to be in Pictures was to establish the legitimacy of the industry by showcasing its overall presence and impact in Missouri; and display the importance of targeting this industry in economic development. The report broadens the current concept of the film industry, gives support to the work of the Missouri Film Commission, and explores the impact of the Missouri Film Tax credit. The study wishes to show that the film industry goes far beyond the celluloid product seen on movie screens. There are skill sets and logistical demands that are shared by a much broader range of businesses. This includes internet broadcasting, television programming production, film production, and advertising. The database resulting from this work contains detailed information on college and university programs, production and post-production companies, film equipment rental establishments, occupations, resources, and film history.

The numbers above related to WINTER’S BONE bear out the reports findings. The Crew List, which can be seen here points to a talented crew of film/video professionals in this region who benefited from the work done on the film in many ways. The majority of them bring the skills learned on this professional production to the needs of businesses here in the Ozarks. Not all of them have stayed in this area however as business levels do not match the number of graduates coming out of Missouri State, Drury (DU Uncut anybody?), Evangel and OTC annually.

Think of the largest employers in the region. Each has video production capabilities in-house, for traditional media opportunities and more importantly, the web. Look no further than the Springfield News-Leader who have announced a new design with the specific intent of adding more multimedia content Stoeffler: News-Leader to upgrade digital content.

That is what the market demands and they, along with Bass Pro’s TV productions, Assembly of God’s Cardone Media Center and AGTV with over 30 channels of content, are delivering it.

We are creating the skilled, quality workforce we need locally to compete regionally and nationally. Work that is not easily outsourced and utilizes the latest technology to help communicate the message of your business, your product, your vision – to your employees, customers and other fans.

What is the bottom line? WINTER’S BONE is a marvelous piece of story-telling, with a strong female heroine who accepts her responsibilities with typical Ozark stoicism and moves forward. It is being recognized internationally for the quality of the story, the acting and the moving picture that was created by a largely LOCAL crew. What is that international recognition worth to this region?

It would not have happened locally without the help of the Missouri Film Office and the tax credits involved. Director Debra Granik is from New York. Upstate New York is as beautiful as the Ozarks and this film would have been possible in the Finger Lakes area. Would the story have been told as well as it was here? Debra tells us no in the opening quote to this post.

If you agree, grab a couple of postcards and take 15 minutes to make your voice heard.
1. Determine your zip+4. Go to http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/ to find it.
2. Identify your state representative & state senator. You can find this information at http://www.mo.gov, click “My Government,” then “Elected Officials.” This is where you use your zip+4.
3. Send them a simple note. I support the Missouri Film Office and believe the Film Tax Credit is an effective economic tool or words to that effect.

Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes, Winter's Bone (2010)

Like Ree Dolly in WINTER’S BONE, we are doing our part but we need a Teardrop on our side as well. Is that you?

To view the complete Missouri Motion Media Industry: We Ought to be in Pictures click here!

Once you’ve seen the film, see what the critics are saying:

““Winter’s Bone” is what we’ve been waiting for: a work of art that grabs hold and won’t let go.”
– The New Yorker (http://tinyurl.com/39hnxj5)

“Grade A! One of the most true-blooded epics of Americana you’re ever likely to see”
– Entertainment Weekly (http://tinyurl.com/38hgugz)

“Spectacular! A classic.”
– The Wall Street Journal (http://tinyurl.com/afgeo5)

“Incredibly powerful! The year’s most stirring film.”
– New York Magazine (http://tinyurl.com/2eq87pz)

For a complete list of reviews, visit www.WintersBoneMovie.com

MOMMA Legislative Day, 2010

All MOMMA members and anyone who works in the Missouri motion media production community are invited to attend this event.
 
We need production community members from all regions in Missouri to attend.
 
Our primary goal is to sustain the current Film ProductionTax Incentive of 4.5 million, and not have it transferred to another industry as recently recommended by the Governor’s Tax Incentive Task Force.



IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW UP AND MEET LEGISLATORS WHO WILL TAKE UP THE TAX INCENTIVE DEBATE IN THE 2011 SESSION.
 Springfield Car Pool interest? Contact us!

If you plan to attend, please follow these steps:
Step 1 – RSVP to: filmMOMMA@gmail.com
Step 2 – When you RSVP, it is very important to include the name of your state representative & state senator in your email. You can find this information at http://www.mo.gov, click “My Government,” then “Elected Officials.” You will need to know your zip+4 to use the mo.gov site.
(Don’t know your zip+4? Go to: http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/ to find it.)

If you can provide a demonstration (show animation/show CGI, etc), please contact Joni Tackette (jtackette@aol.com). We are also interested in all other jobs in the industry. (Space is limited, please reply asap to request a table.) It’s important to get to the Capitol building early to set up as you will need to unload near the garage entrance and it gets very crowded later in the day. Those with tables should arrive around 8:30am. Below is a tentative agenda.

Schedule:
8:30 a.m. – Exhibitors arrive to set-up. We will provide a diagram. We’re asking everyone who can, to come and have a table to showcase what they do. Very interested in those who do: sound editing, digital editing, animation, 3-D, CGI/fx as these fit in with the new media tie to film.

10:00 – Legislative attendees should assemble in House Hearing Room 4 (basement level). Briefing by MOMMA lobbyist Jeff Brooks. Overview of day & instructions. …. .. Donuts, juice and coffee available.

11:00 – Noon – Visits with legislators. Exhibitors should be at their tables during this time.

Noon – 1:00 – Legislators view exhibits and eat lunch in our exhibit area. MOMMA members should be there to mingle (3rd Floor Rotunda and Senate Alcove). Important for exhibitors to be at their tables during this time. Lunch provided by MOMMA.

1:00 – 2:00 – Continue visits with legislators – Exhibitors stay at tables – other members make calls.

2:00 – 3:00 – Thomas Hart Benton room (3rd Floor-House side) – Update from legislative leaders.

If you plan to drive to the event, here is a link to a map for the capitol: http://ht.ly/3CMHo

Andrea Sporcic
Assistant Director
Missouri Film Office

*NOTE NEW CONTACT INFO*
573-751-6573
301 W. High Street, Suite 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102

2009 Legislative Day

Dear Missouri Motion Media Professional!

In his State of the State address on Jan. 19th, Governor Nixon recommended a zero funding level for the Missouri Film Office combined with reducing the staff by 2 full time positions. As the Film Office has only 2 full time positions, this would effectively close the Film Office.

This is a recommendation only, which will now go before the House and Senate for consideration during the appropriations process. The budget process is very lengthy and the budget will not be finalized until early May.

Your voice is needed in Jefferson City now more than ever. We cannot sit silently by as an industry and allow the Film Office to close. This would be monumentally detrimental to our industry in the state of Missouri.

Mark your calendars for February 1st and make plans now to attend MOMMA’s Legislative Day at the Capitol. Please talk to others in our industry and encourage them to attend as well. Your presence CAN make a difference. Many voices speaking together will get the legislators’ attention.

MOMMA lobbyist Jeff Brooks will be providing Legislative co-chairs Mary Ann McCollum and Cheryl Dozier updates which will be communicated to the membership on an ongoing basis.

The Governor’s speech is outlined in the St Louis Post. Here is a link to the article.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_069cbe9f-81a3-571f-a969-d71c399c1622.html

IF YOU CAN ATTEND LEGISLATIVE DAY PLEASE RSVP TO filmMOMMA@gmail.com TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Not a member? Send an email to MOMMAeblast@gmail.com with “Member” in the subject line and include your name, mailing address, phone number and company name or the type of work you do. We will send you an invoice.

Momma Website – www.MOMMAonline.com
Momma on Facebook – “MOmotionMediaAssoc”

WHAT: Financing for Filmmakers
WHEN: July 22, 2010 from 5-10 p.m.
WHERE: Whitfield Center at Avila University
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
(800) 462-8452

Registration information

Registration (ends 1 day before event):
IIFF Member … $35
Non-member … $45
On-site registration (at the door):
IIFF Member … $45
Non-member … $55

From the IIFF website: The Lower Midwest Chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is launching its presence in Kansas/Missouri with an extravaganza at the junction of film & finance, the first-ever Film Financing Townhall in Kansas! We are pleased to be collaborating with Avila University, located in the heart of the city.

This grassroots community get-together has been carefully designed to foster & inform productive relationships between attending professionals and to provide unbiased insight & education about the business of film (and film financing in particular). The event features a powerful roster of highly topical speakers from the filmmaking and financial industries. We are delighted to welcome real-world financiers among our guests for the evening!

Featured Moderator:
The event will be moderated by BEN MEADE (LinkedIn profile | full bio | brief bio), who is a Professor of Film and Digital Media in the School of Visual and Communication Arts. Dr. Meade is also a highly respected and acclaimed filmmaker and producer in the Kansas City area, having had his shorts and features played worldwide in festivals including IDFA (The International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam, The Sundance Film Festival, The Zagreb International Film Festival (Croatia), The Mostra Valencia Film Festival (Spain), Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival, International Film festival of Copenhagen (Denmark), The Tribeca Film Festival, The Boston Underground Film Festival, The Sidewalk Festival, The Denver International Film Festival, and The Santa Fe Film Festival. Dr. Meade received his Bachelor of Science in Communication from Central Missouri State University in 1977, his Masters Degree in History from Baker University in 1994, and a Ph.D. in Theatre and Film from the University of Kansas in 1999.

6:00 PM … Kick-Off & Welcome
6:00-7:00 PM … Four Featured Presentations with Q&A; (4x 15 mins)
7:00-7:15 PM … Networking Break I (15 mins)
7:15-8:00 PM … Three Featured Presentations with Q&A; (3x 15 mins)
8:00-8:15 PM … Networking Break II (15 mins)
8:15-9:00 PM … Moderated Panel Discussion with Q&A; (45 mins)
9:00-9:15 PM … Networking Break III (15 mins)
9:15-10:00 PM … Moderated Panel Discussion with Q&A; (45 mins)
10:00+ PM … Community Time at Area Restaurant

Kate Dean, Line Producer for Winter's Bone and Jerry Jones, MO Film Office on set

Thursday January 21st
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Park Central Library, on The Square
Springfield, MO

In addition, President Steve Olson will provide an update on the Missouri Motion Media Association which is holding a Legislative Day on Wednesday February 2nd in Jefferson City. The objective is to show support for the Film Office and the need for increases in funding and tax credits to bring additional productions to Missouri.

Jerry is pictured with Kate Dean, Line Producer for Winter’s Bone, during shooting in March 2009. The film’s World Premiere is Saturday January 23rd at Sundance.

UPDATE – MFAS will be giving away 10 passes to Hollywood Theaters downtown as door prizes for members!

Allen Marsh

Did Incredible Pizza photo shoot backfire?

A Springfield entertainment company’s attempt to better market itself may be backfiring.

America’s Incredible Pizza Co. is seeking models to pose in marketing photos for the company “to depict business professionals hosting team building, business meeting and other corporate events at our locations,” according to its Craig’s List post where interested models can respond.

However, one Springfield actor is laughing off the company’s talent search.

Allen Marsh, a self-described professional actor living in Springfield, might have been interested in the work, but then he read this line:

“Compensation will be in the way of free buffet passes and game cards.”

Marsh sent me an e-mail to express his displeasure with the treatment of local talent.

“This exemplifies perfectly my exasperation with corporate Springfield’s clueless attitude toward talent,” writes Marsh, who has been in films “Ragman,” “Apollo” and “Nine Grounds,” according to The Internet Movie Database.

Check out the rest of the article here. For members of the media motion industry, consider joining the MFAS Google Groups list where Allen posted his original letter.

If the film does well at Sundance, it could boost tourism in Missouri, help pique interest in filming in the Show-Me State and provide opportunities for local actors and musicians, say experts.

“Winter’s Bone” has a slew of area connections. First, it’s based on the novel by West Plains writer Daniel Woodrell. About a dozen local actors were cast in the film . Musicians from southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas are featured on the soundtrack.

What isn’t covered are the behind the scenes roles played by dozens from this region. MFAS will provide an update on that story very soon, in the meantime, consider the results obtained by the other film shot in Missouri this year – Up in the Air

A new film by Paramount Pictures is Missouri’s latest investment in the state’s growing film industry. This film from Jason Reitman, the Oscar® nominated director of “Juno,” is a dramatic comedy starring Oscar® winner George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams. 

The state’s aggressive increase in the annual film tax credit cap to just over $4 million grabbed Hollywood’s attention and allowed this highly visible, critically acclaimed motion picture to be shot in and around the St. Louis area.

Missouri can boast exceptional benefits from this venture. Film production crews infused nearly $12 million into a diverse range of Missouri businesses. The resulting increase to Gross State Product (GSP) is 2.68 times the state investment of $4 million. In addition, the project employed an annual full time equivalent of 226 people;
providing a welcome boost to personal incomes in the region by more than $5.3 million in an area hard hit by the recession.

Industries benefitting from the nearly $12 million dollar infusion from Up in the Air included film production services, retail, rental/leasing, accommodation, transportation, food service, and professional technical services such as accounting/payroll, legal, and banking services.

The information above was compiled by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, which concluded that for every dollar in tax credits provided to the film, there was a resultant 2.68x return in monies spent in the region. That is just based upon the film production and does not include future benefits from tourism and related spending.

Read the entire 4 page report from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center website!