RUNAWAY PRODUCTION:
DGA Interview with
Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln
Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln
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Historically speaking, public perception has been that runaway production is mainly a California issue. So tell people why a senator from Arkansas is sponsoring legislation aimed at curbing this problem.
This is an issue for the entire nation. Over the past decade, productions of American films have just fled our borders. Those of us in rural states really benefit more than anybody when a production comes in because it's the locals who gain. It's the restaurants, the hotels and motels, the electricians, the contractors, the investment in the infrastructure that a film company would make. It's a tremendous boost to a small community in a rural area when productions come in, but they're not coming to rural America anymore. They're going to countries that provide them with a tax incentive to come there, countries like Canada, Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Mexico — it's a long list. Basically anywhere you name, that country is going to provide an incentive for the film industry to go there. If they can make it more cost-effective for a production company to go someplace other than America, we're losing out in this country. This is an industry that we need to bring back into our communities because it bolsters the local economy. There needs to be an incentive to keep those productions in this country.
Why do you think Canada and other countries have formulated tax policies specifically aimed at luring U.S. film and television production to their shores?
Because it bolsters their local economies and their small towns. It's a good clean industry, it's not like something that could be controversial coming in that you've got to worry about air emissions or water emissions or something like that. It's an industry that's going to come in and invest in the community, invest in the economy. Granted, it's not going to be there forever, but if you're smart at working to provide the kind of workforce that is needed, and the kind of areas to solicit the film industry, it's a good industry that comes in and bolsters the economy. The productions create a tremendous ripple effect in revenues and jobs that are generated. And these jobs oftentimes are "work for hire" or seasonal, such as electricians, contractors, restaurants and hotels, where you can boost them. It's like a tourism trade: there are highs and lows and those industries are used to dealing with those peaks and valleys. When they get a high point, it's a huge boost for them and for that whole community. It's only right that we would want a level playing field in our country to keep those industries here within our borders.
S. 1278 is a wage and tax credit bill. Why did you decide on this particular approach?
The whole issue is keeping business in this country so they keep jobs in this country. So if it's based on wages, then that's exactly what we're focusing on.
Looking at the list of co-sponsors of S. 1278, there seems to be a strong element of bi-partisan support for this legislation. Why do you think this is?
Because these senators realize that if we're going to do the kind of industry development and the growing of our own economy, we have to level the playing field and we have to be competitive. Otherwise, we're going to lose the film industry and other industries to other countries that are willing to get out there and fight for their business.
The co-sponsors of your bill are also very geographically diverse. Does this underscore the importance of film and TV production to the entire country?
Absolutely. As I said, this is absolutely not just a California issue. If you look at where Arkansas has been a host to productions, it's meant a lot to those communities. They've gotten a real shot in the arm from productions coming in, and we'd love to host more of that. But we can't be competitive if these other countries are going to be offering so much of an incentive that producers don't even look at us. And that's what's happening now. The film industry isn't even looking at rural America anymore.
| This is absolutely not just a California issue. If you look at where Arkansas has been a host to productions, it's meant a lot to those communities. They've gotten a real shot in the arm from productions coming in, and we'd love to host more of that. But we can't be competitive if these other countries are going to be offering so much of an incentive that producers don't even look at us. |
What's the next step in moving S. 1278?
We're going to keep working toward more co-sponsors. Hopefully we'll be able to find a vehicle to put the bill on in the Finance Committee — that's what we really need. But again, I think it's important to show that it's something that levels the playing field, that helps rural America. It's an issue of whether we want to reinvest in American workers and give them the same fighting opportunity that these other countries are giving them.
What difficulties, if any, do you foresee?
It's just a matter of paying for it. Like everything else, it comes down to cost. As my granddaddy used to say when he'd take me to the Dairy Queen, he'd say, "The sky's the limit, honey, but you can only spend a nickel!" We've got to make it all fit here in Washington. There are those of us that feel that these are the kinds of ways we can help grow the economies in rural America and put some jobs back into those places.
How important is it that those of us who are fighting against runaway production are united behind one legislative approach in Washington?
The more support you have behind one piece of legislation, obviously the less diluted people's efforts are. And that is important because the more force you get behind one piece, the better off you're going to be. If it gets diluted, and you've only got ten or 12 co-sponsors here, ten or 12 co-sponsors on the other one, then the majority of the Senate sees you as being divided and more than likely people don't want to deal with it. Without a doubt, the more unified the industry can be in the approach it wants to take to prevent runaway production, the better off we'll be.
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If you have questions or need information about Runaway Production please call the DGA Runaway Production Hotline: 310-289-2073
or email: runaway@dga.org
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