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Roku job listing suggests big plans for original movies and TV shows (theverge.com)

Roku is looking to create its own original “episodic and feature productions,” according to a recent (and now closed) job listing posted by the company (via Protocol). The job listing mentions Roku’s “expanding slate of original content.”

Roku currently doesn’t have any in-house content of its own. It now owns Quibi’s lineup of shows, which it acquired from the defunct streaming company, and it also offers The Roku Channel, an ad-supported service that lets users watch a wide range of TV shows, movies, live news, and more — but we haven’t yet seen any shows that are made by Roku itself.

The job listing, however, indicates that Roku is looking to get into the content production business — something its hardware competitors like Amazon and Apple have already done. Providing its own shows could give its users a reason to spend more time on their Roku devices, which in turn could help further boost the company’s ad revenue, even if users aren’t watching its shows specifically.

By: Mitchell Clark

Continue Reading at theverge.com

Should Utah pony up more money to bring shows like ‘Yellowstone’ back to Beehive State? (deseret.com)

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would more than double subsidies for films that shoot in the Beehive State sparked a passionate debate Tuesday about the popular television series “Yellowstone” and whether the entertainment industry deserves special incentives.

SB167 would increase the maximum tax credit the Governor’s Office of Economic Development can award to a motion picture during a year from $6.7 million to $15 million. The bill would cost $8.2 million in ongoing funding from the education fund.

Bill sponsor Sen. Ronald Winterton, R-Roosevelt, told the Senate he looked into running the bill when the Paramount Network series starring Kevin Costner stopped filming in Utah last year and moved to Montana due to tax incentives.

“This is money that left our state and went to Montana,” Winterton said.

He said the first two seasons’ filming brought $35 million and $40 million per year in local spending to his district in rural Duchesne County and surrounding areas.

The owner of the primary ranch location for the show said it brought “immediate and significant support” to ranching operations in the area, according to Winterton.

By: Ashley Imlay

Continue Reading at deseret.com

As Some Groups Dial Up Opposition To Avondale Film Studio, Others Say Latest Fields Development Will Benefit Neighborhood (blockclubchicago.org)

AVONDALE — A plan to redevelop part of The Fields campus on the Logan Square and Avondale border has won the support of some neighbors, but others are moving to block a key city vote on the project this week.

New York-based developer Knickpoint Ventures wants to bring a film production studio and a 50-foot-tall building to The Fields, a cluster of old Marshall Field’s warehouses at 4000 W. Diversey Ave. The developer already has clearance for the film studio but the city’s Plan Commission is scheduled to review the proposal for the building Thursday.

Some neighbors are thrilled the project is moving forward because it would be an economic boost to the neighborhood as the city’s business landscape struggles through the coronavirus pandemic.

Others, feeling shut out of the process, launched an online petition last week demanding that Ald. Felix Cardona Jr. (31st) defer the Plan Commission vote and that Knickpoint Ventures sign a community benefits agreement.

By: Mina Bloom

Continue Reading at blockclubchicago.org

The next Hollywood? New bill could attract movies, shows to Florida (fox35orlando.com)

ORLANDO, Fla. – A bill that would attract filmmakers to Florida was approved during a Florida Senate committee meeting with lawmakers on Monday.

Film advocates say it could bring back thousands of jobs to Florida during the pandemic.

If you’re watching more entertainment at home, whether you’re channel surfing or using streaming services, you’re not alone. Executive Director of Film Florida John Lux says the demand is greater than ever.

“The more content we can produce here in the State of Florida, the more money we’re going to get into the economy,” Lux said.

By: Valerie Boey

Continue Reading at fox35orlando.com

Montana aiming to be the next big film production destination (wset.com)

WASHINGTON (SBG) — Montana is building upon its longtime history as a destination for film producers with a new tax credit.

The incentive ends up knocking about one-third off the budget of a TV or film production.

Based on that tax credit, Montana is attracting films such as “Murder at Emigrant Gulch” and “Please, Baby, Please.” Both were filming during my recent visit to Montana.

Montana’s history with film started with Thomas Edison, who filmed tourists at Yellowstone National park way back in 1897.

It was the scene of cowboy movies in the 1910s and 1920s such as “The Devil Horse.”

There was a host of movies in the 1970s starring big names likeClint Eastwood.

In 1991 came “A River Runs Through It.” In 1998: The Horse Whisperer. And in 2019, a film set in Scotland, “Robert the Bruce,” was actually filmed primarily in Montana.

By: Sharyl Attkisson

Continue Reading at wset.com