March 9, 2022

W.Va. Senator Worries Film Tax Credit Could Aid Bette Midler

(apnews.com)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia senators passed a bill Wednesday that would reinstate the state’s film tax credit after one Republican lawmaker spoke against the legislation, saying it benefits Hollywood while “the people of West Virginia are left hanging out to dry.”

“I have a problem that Bette Midler qualifies for millions of dollars in tax credits,” said Republican Sen. Robert Karnes, the only senator to vote against the bill. Karnes said more resources should instead go to support regular people in the state.

“Gavin Newsom’s people are getting a little bit of almost heaven with this bill, but God’s people are basically told to go to hell,” he said.

Using the proposed tax credit, filmmakers could recoup up to 27% of spending on movies and television shows in West Virginia that cost at least $50,000 to make. The state would have no limit on the amount of film tax incentives it can give out in a year, according to the version of the legislation passed by the Senate on Wednesday.

The original version passed by the House would put a $10 million cap on tax credits each fiscal year, which starts in July. That bill said the office could give out more credits for any feature-length films produced with “West Virginia” in the title or if the subject of the film is “clearly identified as West Virginia.”

By: Leah Willingham

Continue Reading at apnews.com

Canada’s Biggest Film And TV Studio To Be Built In Metro Vancouver

(forbes.com)

Soon to be the largest film and TV studio in Canada, construction is set to begin late this year on a new purpose-built facility in Burnaby within the metro Vancouver area.

The facility is set to be built on a 19-acre site with over 1 million sq ft of total floor area. There are 21 sound stages planned to reach 340,000 sq ft, a significant 330,000 sq ft in space for wardrobe, production design and construction areas, and 150,000 sq ft in production office space. 1.6 km of parking space will be available for film trucks plus parking for 1000 vehicles.

Bird Construction was awarded the contract – reportedly worth over $200 million – to construct the facility. The studio is planned to be ready for production in 2025.

Teri McKibbon, president and CEO of Bird Construction, said on the project, “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to deliver another important project for this client, as well as contribute to the growth and prosperity of the community,”

“This large-scale project leverages our team’s demonstrated execution experience and contributes to the continued expansion of our project portfolio in the BC market, as well as continues to build our relationship with this client for whom we have executed a number of projects across Canada.”

By: Josh Wilson

Continue Reading at forbes.com