I just read a letter posted to the STL Media Wire Group on Google written by our colleague Mike Ketcher and felt I must stop my Sundance activities for a moment and post it for you all to read. What he says is painfully real and shows that we must stand up and act NOW to save our industry in Missouri. Please read the letter below and take some type of action. I know that I will be sending E-mails and attending the Missouri Motion Media Association's Legislative Day on February 1. I encourage you all to do the same.
You all know I love Missouri and I'm willing to fight to save production in our Great State. I would always much rather work on projects from home, than have to travel in order to find work. Do I love the travel and the ability to see the world while working on film projects? Of course I do. But I would always rather do work in the state I was born and raised in. The state I call home. The state I truly believe, if we all work together and help the industry grow, could be one of the most versatile for Film, Television and Video production. Here is Mike's letter and PLEASE take action NOW and defend our industry in Missouri! Thank you!
Also, PLEASE copy, repost, resend or forward the information below to any and everyone you think should know it. The more of us who stand up and support our industry, the better chance we have of saving it.
GOV. NIXON BENT ON DESTROYING FILM INDUSTRY IN MISSOURI
Here are two disturbing articles from today's St. Louis Business Journal. Gov. Nixon has betrayed the film and video industry workers and small businesses. He's shown his true hand here by offering Paramount a low-ball deal -- a deal he knew they would not accept -- that will likely send a major film to New Orleans, instead of St. Louis. The action by the governor will mean a loss of millions, if not tens of millions, of dollars to the St. Louis economy this year -- and it's not just the film workers that will suffer. It's the hotels, rental cars, restaurants, bars, dry cleaners, and many other businesses that will lose out.
He's also shown himself to be a two-faced liar; having said just two years ago how much he supported the film industry and the film tax credit in the state.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2011/01/21/nixon-holds-up-tax-credit-for-st.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2011/01/21/final-act-for-missouri-film-credit.html
What's more: The governor, in his January 19 State of the State address recommended a ZERO funding level for the Missouri Film Office. No state -- even economic basket cases like Illinois -- is making such drastic cuts in its support for the film industry. Out of the 40 states that offer film tax incentives, Missouri has the lowest-capped tax incentive there is at $4.5 million.
The industry, in fact, needs a higher cap to compete and draw more business. Jay Nixon is out to destroy an entire industry in the state, only two years after two multi-Oscar nominated films were shot here.
TAKE ACTION...
If you're unhappy about this, here's how you can contact the governor's office and let him know what you think, either electronically, by phone, or by e-mail.
Office of Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-3222
Media Inquiries
Phone: (573) 751-0290
Email: media@mo.gov
You can also make sure to attend the Motion Media Industry's Legislative Day in Jefferson City on Tuesday, February 1. Here are the details, including signing up for the bus that will be going:
http://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=0eedb70f917638cf51197d6b4&id=5a76de3195&e=625f410f5e
