April 11, 2021

Australia Extends Production Incentives to Help Local Industry

(variety.com)

The Australian federal government has extended two key film and funding initiatives. These are expected to help the country’s screen production sector remain active and continue to recover from the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

“The highly effective A$50 million ($38 million) Temporary Interruption Fund will be extended for a further six months, to provide coverage for productions that commence principal photography prior to 31 December 2021,” said Paul Fletcher, federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, on Sunday.

In a second move, Fletcher said: “The Morrison Government will also retain at 40% the Producer Offset rate for feature films with a theatrical release. In addition, as announced last year, the Government will raise the Producer Offset rate from 20% to 30% for other eligible formats such as drama and documentary content for television and streaming platforms.”

By: Patrick Frater

Continue Reading at variety.com

Is Oklahoma the next Hollywood? How the state’s film industry has thrived despite COVID-19

(oklahoman.com)

EDMOND — On a spring day inside Wantland Stadium, football players are running through drills while coaches bark instructions and critiques. 

Instead of the University of Central Oklahoma’s bronze and blue, through, the players are decked out in green and gold, to match the vintage Green Bay banners flapping in the frisky Oklahoma wind.

And the player on the sidelines washing out of training is none other than “Shazam!” star Zachary Levi, who is portraying a hall of fame quarterback in the Oklahoma-made movie “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.”  

“So this is Green Bay Packers training camp, and most of this will be visual effects,” producer Kevin Downes said in a March interview on the set of the biopic, which recently wrapped filming in the Oklahoma City metro area. “For me, it’s been a long five months, but here we go. We’re at the finish line.”

Even as COVID-19 has been keeping many movie theaters closed, Oklahoma’s film and television industry continues to show promising growth even amid the lingering pandemic, which has slowed or stopped production in other parts of the country. As the state marks the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma Film Rebate Program, show business is burgeoning in the Sooner State. 

By: Brandy McDonnell

Continue Reading at oklahoman.com