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Regina production highlights need for sustainable film tax credit (regina.ctvnews.ca)

REGINA —  The lack of film tax credit in Saskatchewan is driving industry members out of the province, according to the director of a feature length film shooting in Regina.

“The problem that we face is the fact that you have to fly in a lot of the talent, because there is not a lot here anymore,” said ‘Donkeyhead’ director Agam Darshi. “A lot of people who take this job seriously, whether they are in-front or behind the camera, have gone to other places, like Toronto.”

The film tax credit was pulled in 2012. ‘Donkeyhead’ is accessing grants through Creative Saskatchewan, but only $2M is available for all applicants in feature film and TV production each year.

“There’s a cap to it, so there’s only so many projects that the province can support for film and TV production in the province,” ‘Donkeyhead’ producer Kelly Balon said.

By: Colton Wiens

Continue Reading at regina.ctvnews.ca

Budget 2021: Entertainment industry disappointed as government provides no relief (yourstory.com)

For most parts of 2020, the outdoor entertainment industry — movie theatres, amusement parks, and cinema halls — had to shut down to curb the spread of COVID-19. While the digital entertainment industry and OTT thrived, traditional players had their most challenging year. 

Thus, it is no surprise that players in the entertainment industry had high expectations from the Budget. As earlier reported by YourStory, the industry expected tax relief, increased credit tops and faster rollout of 5G, and internet for all. 

By: Debolina Biswas

Continue Reading at yourstory.com

Great Point Investments to float £200m film and TV financing trust (investmentweek.co.uk)

Great Point Entertainment Income Trust (GPEIT) will create a portfolio of senior loans used to finance content makers and commissioners in the global television and film production industry, secured against…

By: David Brenchley

Continue Reading at investmentweek.co.uk

Georgia film industry bouncing back nicely from COVID-19 hiatus (northwestgeorgianews.com)

ATLANTA — Georgia’s film industry has recovered from the coronavirus pandemic and then some.

Film and TV producers currently are working on 37 projects in the Peach State, up from 23 at this time last year, Lee Thomas, the state Department of Economic Development’s deputy commissioner for film, music and digital entertainment, told members of a Georgia House committee Monday, Feb. 1.

“In spite of all that’s happened, we’re up considerably now from where we were last year,” she said.

COVID-19 shut down production in Georgia for two months last spring. As a result, the film industry’s economic impact in the state declined during the last fiscal year for the first time since the General Assembly enacted a generous film tax credit in 2008, from $2.9 billion fiscal 2019 to $2.2 billion in fiscal 2020.

By: Dave Willams

Continue Reading at northwestgeorgianews.com

How COVID is affecting TV, movie storylines (thefamuanonline.com)

Not only has COVID-19 changed the way we interact in our daily lives, it also has changed the entertainment we rely on for escape.

 With the pandemic showing little sign of slowing down, TV and movies have in part shifted their focus onto something that has affected everyone worldwide. It has forced the dynamics of Hollywood to be possibly changed forever.

As we see a rise in COVID-19 plots throughout film and television, viewers are bound to have opinions surrounding America’s favorite past-time. Is this new change in media for better or worse?

Essential and health care workers have been slammed since the start of the virus, and for most people going home and being able to escape the troubles of reality has been a relief, especially for those who are reminded daily of the lives lost. For Lakirstan Hooks, a University of Mobile nursing major, the use of COVID-19 storylines seems a bit unrealistic at times but also can shine the light on some real-life irregularities or misconceptions about the virus.

“I don’t want to be reminded of it every day more than I have to and being in the health care field I feel like I get a triple dose of overwhelming emotion. I would rather have a show that disconnects me from this horrible time we’re going through, but I also understand how it would benefit people who watch who don’t believe in the seriousness of the virus. It’s cool to see sometimes on screen even when it can be a tad unrealistic, but if people get to see a ‘better’ view of the madness maybe it’ll caution viewers to get on board with public heath safety,” Hooks said.

By: Deiana Abdel-Gadir

Continue Reading at thefamuanonline.com