April 29, 2021

No Mandatory Vaccines In Film & TV Industry’s Updated Return-To-Work Protocols

(deadline.com)

EXCLUSIVE: Covid-19 vaccinations of casts and crews will not be mandatory on film and TV productions under the industry’s newly renegotiated return-to-work protocols, which now extend to June 30. “To mandate at this point may be premature,” a source told Deadline. “That subject has been skirted.”

The source noted, however, that cast and crew members still should get vaccinated, “but nothing is mandatory.” The new agreement, is a “pretty much a straightforward extension” of those that were set to expire on Friday, the source said.

The original return-to-work agreement was reached between management’s Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers and Hollywood’s unions agreement with Hollywood’s unions – SAG-AFTRA, the DGA, IATSE, the Teamsters and the Basic Crafts – on September 21, nearly three months before the first Covid-19 vaccine was administered in the U.S. Even though vaccines now are widely available, they won’t be mandatory on film and TV sets until at least June 30, when the current extension expires.

By: David Robb

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Worcester Chamber: State film tax credit is integral to Commonwealth’s economy

(spectrumnews1.com)

WORCESTER, Mass. – The state tax credit which has caused many television and movies to be produced in Massachusetts is one step closer to becoming permanent.

Earlier this week, the state’s House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass a budget amendment to make the Massachusetts Film Tax Credit permanent. The program gives production companies the ability to get a tax credit for a percentage of what they spend in the Commonwealth. 

Alex Guardiola, Vice President of Government and Public Policy of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, says the economic benefit of this program has been a key keeping such industries such as hotels, restaurants and catering afloat during the pandemic. And by having many movies and television programs filmed in the state,  adds to the vibrancy and tourism industry of Massachusetts.

Guardiola said, ​”The tax credit for these films and movies is an integral part of our economic development. So the money that is made from these tax credits is astronomical compared to what we’re spending on the tax credit. These films that are being filmed in different parts of the state, specifically in cities like Worcester, where you have a big robust hospitality industry, it helps them completely get to the other side​.”

Earlier this month, George Clooney filmed scenes from the upcoming movie “The Tender Bar” on Walnut Street in Worcester. The current Tax Credit Program was set to expire in 2022. It now moves to the state senate for debate.

By: Spectrum News Staff

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