Film Incentive Keeps Artists & Business Local
Why WA Needs A Competitive Incentive
Michael Ruby opened Michael Ruby Art in 1990, and since then, all he’s dreamt of is having big film projects come back home to Spokane, where his business and family are located. Since the inception of the film incentive in 2007, he’s seen that happen a lot more, and has been able to hire locally.
“It changed my life in the sense that I found a job that appreciated me,” says Terrance Davis, Set Dresser for Michael Ruby Art, in the above video. “I get to use all my skills, all my talents.”
However, Ruby knows that while a lot of film work is leaving Hollywood, productions are drawn to the areas with the most competitive incentives. HB 2542, the bill to increase the funding and extend the sunset date for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP), goes a long way to keeping the WA film industry competitive. The more competitive the incentive, the more dollars directly benefit our local economy and the more jobs we have for WA workers.
CALL TO ACTION:
Share this video with your colleagues.
Send this video to your elected officials and remind them that:
- Since launching the MPCP in 2007, approved projects have brought in an estimated $109 million in direct, in-state spending.
- 50% of the in-state spend on approved productions goes directly to WA State businesses (with the balance going to wages and benefits for WA workers).
- Motion picture production impacts all sectors of the economy and only 5% of the direct spend is with businesses that are unique to film.
Ask your legislators to support the legislation to extend the sunset date and increase the funding for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program during this legislative session.
Act now to Keep Film in WA!
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