Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Runaway Production Committee, Meryl Marshall Daniels, Chairman of the Board/CEO of ATAS:
As a member of the Alliance, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is heartened by the bipartisan support which has resulted in the introduction of the wage credit bill. The members of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences are grateful to Senator Lincoln and the cosponsors of the Bill for their commitment to legislation which combats runaway production and will restore jobs to the artists and craftspeople of the entertainment community.
American Film Marketing Association President Jean Prewitt:
This bill is the product of a vigorous effort by all of the stakeholders in the independent film community and our allies in Congress. This is a crucial measure if the U. S. is to retain its world leadership in the production of independent films.
Directors Guild of America President Jack Shea:
The DGA and the Industry Alliance are deeply grateful to Senator Lincoln and her co-sponsors for seeking to help the American motion picture industry compete in the international marketplace on a level playing field.
Entertainment Industry Development Corporation President Cody G. Cluff:
This legislation can be a significant step towards leveling the playing field and helping some productions stay home. We need to remember that this industry, particularly in Los Angeles, employs thousands of men and women behind the cameras and thousands more who work in prop houses or lumber yards, florists or dry cleaners, even the caterers who bring soda and chips to the set. Every project we keep at home translates into paychecks that are spent at home.
Film U.S. Chair Dawn Keezer:
We applaud this tangible piece of legislation that can make a positive difference in the lives of our working men and women. This industry, like this nation, was built on sweat and hard work. We're an industry of talented people who made, and still make, the best in filmed entertainment. We can compete with anyone; all we want is a fair playing field. How can we just sit back and watch out national industry exported in the name of foreign subsidized wages?
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, President Tom Short:
The IATSE understands that there may be creative reasons to film at locations outside the United States; this is part of the process of making movies. With this understanding, the IATSE, in concert with the other members of the Alliance, supports the co-sponsors of the wage credit bill that will promote a level playing field.
Production Equipment Rental Association President/Executive Director Ed Clare:
The US members of PERA wish to thank Senator Lincoln for sponsoring this legislation. Our US members are all small businesses, who's revenues and profitability have been negatively affected by the migration of work outside our borders. This Incentive Act of 2001 is a necessary step towards restoring the competitive balance in the global marketplace and will certainly help lead to increased production work in the US.
Producers Guild of America President Kathleen Kennedy:
The Producer's job is to maximize creative expression while managing the costs of production. Foreign governments have recognized the value of attracting American productions to their countries and responded by establishing attractive tax incentives. The U.S. government must help producers keep valuable film and television production in the U.S. by proactively establishing its own tax incentives--and a wage-based tax credit is a good start.
Recording Musicians Association President Phil Ayling:
The musical community supports these wage based initiatives as the proper response to runaway productions. Musicians employed for TV and Film post production use that employment not only for their livelihoods but it creates the infrastructure which promotes operas, ballets, and school concerts. Some of the money generated by soundtrack albums sales is diverted to "The Music Performance Trust Fund" which underwrites free school and park concerts in every Congressional District in the country.
Screen Actors Guild President Bill Daniels:
On behalf of the 100,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild, we wholeheartedly support Senator Lincoln's effort to address the most pressing legislative issue facing the entertainment industry.
Southern California Chapter Imaging Technology and Sound, Robert Solomon, Chairman of Government Affairs:
We are pleased that the Federal government is taking action to encourage domestic production of entertainment product and support an important American industry. The U.S. postproduction industry is committed to supporting domestic production by continuing to innovate and enhance the technical processes that enhances America's ability to tell stories to the world.
