Greetings...
Talk is cheap. I'm taking action and I'm taking it now. I hope you're with me.
I am going to make a petition letter, stating that we Iowans in the film industry, those who will allow me to use their names on a petition-style letter, would like incoming Governor Branstad to fix the film office and ask for his stamp of approval of allocating $500,000 for the Iowa Film Office budget. I will mention the loss of the Iowa Production Guide and state that many of our best film family talent is leaving and has already left Iowa. Maybe throw in that we've waited over fifteen months, without work, and we can't afford to wait much longer for things to get back on track.
I will personally deliver this letter to the gubernatorial transition office possibly as early as next week and know that it will be put into the hands of Mr. Branstad, who I know is supportive of our mission.
Please write back if I may use your name. Include you name, home town, and email with phone number. If you know someone else who like to do this, please pass this along to him or her.
Thanks!
Gene L. Hamilton
p.s. be sure to delete the names on the "to" list in case your response would go to them somehow....
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Help From Wendol Jarvis
Hi Everyone,
I apologize that I owe many, many of you return emails and phone calls. I have been working to resolve some of the many problems facing you from the Iowa Film Office debacle. I am starting to return emails and phone calls now and if I do not reach you tonight I will contact you tomorrow. Thank you all for your warm wishes and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Since the Iowa Production Guide has been deleted from the Iowa Film Office website, I have set up a page on Facebook as a temporary resource for Iowa’s crew and talent.
FILM Iowa showcases the skills and abilities of Iowa's gifted crew and talent, attracts film production and creates good paying jobs. There is no membership fee or cost to be listed on FILM Iowa’s Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/FILMIowa/177729688934448?v=wall
Special thanks to Don Gallagher for expediting this process from wireless laptop while sunning himself on one of the sandy Florida beaches.
Please share this information with all of our friends in Iowa’s production community.
Thank you.
Wendol Jarvis
filmiowa@gmail.com
816-529-3335
I apologize that I owe many, many of you return emails and phone calls. I have been working to resolve some of the many problems facing you from the Iowa Film Office debacle. I am starting to return emails and phone calls now and if I do not reach you tonight I will contact you tomorrow. Thank you all for your warm wishes and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Since the Iowa Production Guide has been deleted from the Iowa Film Office website, I have set up a page on Facebook as a temporary resource for Iowa’s crew and talent.
FILM Iowa showcases the skills and abilities of Iowa's gifted crew and talent, attracts film production and creates good paying jobs. There is no membership fee or cost to be listed on FILM Iowa’s Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/FILMIowa/177729688934448?v=wall
Special thanks to Don Gallagher for expediting this process from wireless laptop while sunning himself on one of the sandy Florida beaches.
Please share this information with all of our friends in Iowa’s production community.
Thank you.
Wendol Jarvis
filmiowa@gmail.com
816-529-3335
The Lights Might Be Turned Off
I called the Iowa Film Office just now and the ringing just stopped and there was silence. I have a call in to Jessica Montana at the Iowa Department of Economic Development and am still waiting for a call back.
The Iowa Production Guide is gone, and I wonder if other resource information is also missing.
We in the Iowa Film Family have suffered for fifteen months. We didn't do anything wrong and don't deserve to wait even longer. You and you and you must now join in a concerted effort to get things back on track. Join my Facebook group, IACT (Iowa Actors and Crew Together and Producers, Too) so I can have a list of film family members and activists who can be called to action when necessary.
Iowa Film Office - Iowa Life Changing
Film Production. Iowa Film Office. ... Iowa Department of Economic Development Iowa Film
Office 200 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309 515.725.3100 film@iowa.gov ...
www.iowalifechanging.com/film/ - 16k - Cached
pictured with me is fellow actor and film activist Jay Villwock
gino, mad as hell and not going to take it any longer
Iowa's 1st Film Office Director Issues Important Note
This is from Wendol Jarvis, Iowa's first film office director, and one of our most supportive friends:
Dear Friends,
Someone in the current Administration has deleted your Iowa Production Guide from the Film Office website, the Film Office phones have been shut down and the Department of Economic Development has removed all information from its website relating to filming in Iowa and bringing new film industry jobs. It is believed that valuable files may have been destroyed.
Governor Branstad’s first day in the Governor’s office will be January 18th. Each minute that the Film Office is off line, the likelihood increases that producers will no longer consider Iowa as a film location.
Each of you has suffered deep financial losses brought about by the mismanagement of the Iowa Film Office. The Film Office debacle was caused by the Film Office staff, and you do not deserve this treatment.
Please share this information with all of our friends in Iowa. I am devoting all my efforts to resolve this problem for you.
More to follow.
Wendol Jarvis
816-529-3335
filmiowa@gmail.com
Dear Friends,
Someone in the current Administration has deleted your Iowa Production Guide from the Film Office website, the Film Office phones have been shut down and the Department of Economic Development has removed all information from its website relating to filming in Iowa and bringing new film industry jobs. It is believed that valuable files may have been destroyed.
Governor Branstad’s first day in the Governor’s office will be January 18th. Each minute that the Film Office is off line, the likelihood increases that producers will no longer consider Iowa as a film location.
Each of you has suffered deep financial losses brought about by the mismanagement of the Iowa Film Office. The Film Office debacle was caused by the Film Office staff, and you do not deserve this treatment.
Please share this information with all of our friends in Iowa. I am devoting all my efforts to resolve this problem for you.
More to follow.
Wendol Jarvis
816-529-3335
filmiowa@gmail.com
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Picture from TV-13 of Des Moines
Yesterday, January 8th... The Film Alliance of Iowa held its first open meeting and close to a hundred from the Iowa Film Family (all caps because I love them all) attended. Pictured from R to L are: Me, Dave Thrasher, Jay Villwock, Kim Busbee, and John Busbee. At center right background is Kent Newman.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Film Alliance of Iowa Meeting Today
Film Alliance of Iowa Open Meeting, With Guest, Iowa Senator Bill Dotzler, Jr.
January 8, 2011
About one hundred members of the Iowa Film Family attended a meeting organized by the new Iowa film organization, the Film Alliance of Iowa. The meeting was held in a meeting room in the Iowa Historical Building in downtown Des Moines.
Panel members included Senator Bill Dotzler, Jr., who is the staunchest supporter of filmmakers in Iowa. Others were Suzie Gorrell, Film SE Iowa; Becky Gruening, Des Moines Film Commission; and Doug Miller, Quad Cites Film Coalition.
Des Moines TV coverage of this meeting may be available on their web sites: WHOTV-13 (NBC), and KCCI TV-8 (CBS).
Those attending this important meeting included actors, make-up and hair artists, transportation crew, producers, union leaders, casting directors, craft services providers, and more. It was like being on a movie set again as friends were reunited, with hugs and smiles in great abundance. A film family reunion that warmed many hearts, including my own.
Senator Dotzler began the meeting by saying, “A good idea is a good idea all of the time”, meaning the Iowa film program that enjoyed huge public support at the beginning and then suffered when Iowa's outgoing Governor Culver axed the film program when abuses of the tax incentives surfaced.
The senator said his fellow legislators became inclined to avoid any involvement with the movie program, owing to the widespread media coverage of abuses and upcoming trials of those moviemakers who took unfair advantage of the tax incentive program. He said the majority of Iowa lawmakers didn't even want to talk about the situation.
Senator Dotzler said film production here keeps creative Iowans from leaving the state, and that having creative thinkers is important for Iowa's culture. He said the Film Alliance of Iowa is a good vehicle to help re-invent the resumption of film production here.
He said it is essential that Iowa legislators be convinced that there will be a good return for the taxpayers' investment in the tax incentive program. The senator also said although lots of legislators are presently against it, with good planning and with a concerted effort they could be convinced to change their minds. He believes we can learn from the failure of the film tax incentive program and bounce back to make a model film bill. He said we would not get a film bill this year, and that it'll be a two year process, meaning 2012 and not later than 2013.
The senator said we must have an Iowa film office set-up this year. Presently, there is no film office and all film matters are clogged with delayed trials of a few moviemakers who didn't fairly report their film-related expenses, and also the delayed trial of former Iowa Film Office director, Tom Wheeler.
Incoming governor Terry Branstad wants to dismantle the IDED and put film matters into the Iowa Cultural Affairs Department, somehow using a combination of private and public entities to manage filmmaking here.
Becky Gruening told the crowd that the Iowa Film Office had been underfunded. She suggested dedicating a budget of $500,000 per year for the Iowa Film Office for two years, and then allow it to be self-sufficient. A staff of three personnel would be needed and a positive public relations campaign would be essential to bring movie producers back to Iowa.
IMPA President, Kent Newman asked Senator Dotzler about the present status of court cases related to movies made here and wondered where things stand. The senator said he only knew what he saw in the press, and that the Iowa Attorney General has been tight-lipped about these cases and that all cases are moving slowly, but not just film-related cases, but all cases.
Becky Gruening told the crowd that although at one point the Iowa Attorney General said there were 100 film projects still coming, the fact is that every single one is dead. An information sheet was shared with everyone detailed this. She also said that despite allegations that Iowa faces a one hundred fifty million dollar tax liability related to films, there is nothing... the moviemakers are gone.
Make-up and hair stylist Andrea Politte spoke-up, and suggested that an entertainment lawyer be added to the film office staff. She said it will come down to marketing to help get things back on track. We're the laughing stock in Hollywood and need to become knowledgeable and competitive. She said people loved having movies made here and that we need to stick together as a united group, and that there is power in numbers.
Senator Dotzler agreed with Andrea and said legislators legislate by the polls, then design a campaign to fit those public opinion polls. He said public opinion is vitally important and that they drive legislation.
Kim Busbee spoke, saying she knows of seventy-two movie industry personnel who have moved out of Iowa and that we must counteract the smear campaign regarding our filmmakers' problems by use of solid facts. She said people were supportive of filmmakers here and that filmmaking is big business, and that we can learn from the mistakes made in film offices of other states who have experienced problems of their own.
Senator Dotlzer said there are thirty new faces in the Iowa legislature and that the film bill is a bipartisan one, meaning there could be no finger pointing regarding any of the bill's problems.
Susie said Florida had a film tax credit program, then it didn't, but now they're back with lots of big shots behind it all.
Kent said the IMPA has an on-line Film Production Guide. When the Iowa Film Office was alive, it was the keeper of this guide.
Teamsters Union representative Matt Ballard told the panel that pass-through companies pulled in workers from others states and that we need to use Iowans instead. He said there are ten thousand Teamster members in Iowa. Susie said the IFA would ensure that Iowans are indeed used first.
Jay Villwock said everyone in the room should talk to people, get involved, meet with state legislators. Doug said a petition should be created with all present at the meeting signing it and more, and then presenting this petition to key legislators. He also said we need to speak with a single voice.
Andrew Erickson (hope this is the correct spelling..) said someone needs to be on site when movies are made, an auditor with film expertise who is certified to oversee the daily activities of a film.. This way, questions regarding any problems could be answered on site and not delayed, such as waiting to take matters to the film office.
Senator Dotzler said the Iowa Film Office exists under a bill and that something can still be done with it. He reiterated that tax dollars appropriated to filmmakers need to show a good bang for the buck. He said we need to maintain strong checks and balances and portray Iowa appropriately.
Gene L. Hamilton
January 8, 2011
About one hundred members of the Iowa Film Family attended a meeting organized by the new Iowa film organization, the Film Alliance of Iowa. The meeting was held in a meeting room in the Iowa Historical Building in downtown Des Moines.
Panel members included Senator Bill Dotzler, Jr., who is the staunchest supporter of filmmakers in Iowa. Others were Suzie Gorrell, Film SE Iowa; Becky Gruening, Des Moines Film Commission; and Doug Miller, Quad Cites Film Coalition.
Des Moines TV coverage of this meeting may be available on their web sites: WHOTV-13 (NBC), and KCCI TV-8 (CBS).
Those attending this important meeting included actors, make-up and hair artists, transportation crew, producers, union leaders, casting directors, craft services providers, and more. It was like being on a movie set again as friends were reunited, with hugs and smiles in great abundance. A film family reunion that warmed many hearts, including my own.
Senator Dotzler began the meeting by saying, “A good idea is a good idea all of the time”, meaning the Iowa film program that enjoyed huge public support at the beginning and then suffered when Iowa's outgoing Governor Culver axed the film program when abuses of the tax incentives surfaced.
The senator said his fellow legislators became inclined to avoid any involvement with the movie program, owing to the widespread media coverage of abuses and upcoming trials of those moviemakers who took unfair advantage of the tax incentive program. He said the majority of Iowa lawmakers didn't even want to talk about the situation.
Senator Dotzler said film production here keeps creative Iowans from leaving the state, and that having creative thinkers is important for Iowa's culture. He said the Film Alliance of Iowa is a good vehicle to help re-invent the resumption of film production here.
He said it is essential that Iowa legislators be convinced that there will be a good return for the taxpayers' investment in the tax incentive program. The senator also said although lots of legislators are presently against it, with good planning and with a concerted effort they could be convinced to change their minds. He believes we can learn from the failure of the film tax incentive program and bounce back to make a model film bill. He said we would not get a film bill this year, and that it'll be a two year process, meaning 2012 and not later than 2013.
The senator said we must have an Iowa film office set-up this year. Presently, there is no film office and all film matters are clogged with delayed trials of a few moviemakers who didn't fairly report their film-related expenses, and also the delayed trial of former Iowa Film Office director, Tom Wheeler.
Incoming governor Terry Branstad wants to dismantle the IDED and put film matters into the Iowa Cultural Affairs Department, somehow using a combination of private and public entities to manage filmmaking here.
Becky Gruening told the crowd that the Iowa Film Office had been underfunded. She suggested dedicating a budget of $500,000 per year for the Iowa Film Office for two years, and then allow it to be self-sufficient. A staff of three personnel would be needed and a positive public relations campaign would be essential to bring movie producers back to Iowa.
IMPA President, Kent Newman asked Senator Dotzler about the present status of court cases related to movies made here and wondered where things stand. The senator said he only knew what he saw in the press, and that the Iowa Attorney General has been tight-lipped about these cases and that all cases are moving slowly, but not just film-related cases, but all cases.
Becky Gruening told the crowd that although at one point the Iowa Attorney General said there were 100 film projects still coming, the fact is that every single one is dead. An information sheet was shared with everyone detailed this. She also said that despite allegations that Iowa faces a one hundred fifty million dollar tax liability related to films, there is nothing... the moviemakers are gone.
Make-up and hair stylist Andrea Politte spoke-up, and suggested that an entertainment lawyer be added to the film office staff. She said it will come down to marketing to help get things back on track. We're the laughing stock in Hollywood and need to become knowledgeable and competitive. She said people loved having movies made here and that we need to stick together as a united group, and that there is power in numbers.
Senator Dotzler agreed with Andrea and said legislators legislate by the polls, then design a campaign to fit those public opinion polls. He said public opinion is vitally important and that they drive legislation.
Kim Busbee spoke, saying she knows of seventy-two movie industry personnel who have moved out of Iowa and that we must counteract the smear campaign regarding our filmmakers' problems by use of solid facts. She said people were supportive of filmmakers here and that filmmaking is big business, and that we can learn from the mistakes made in film offices of other states who have experienced problems of their own.
Senator Dotlzer said there are thirty new faces in the Iowa legislature and that the film bill is a bipartisan one, meaning there could be no finger pointing regarding any of the bill's problems.
Susie said Florida had a film tax credit program, then it didn't, but now they're back with lots of big shots behind it all.
Kent said the IMPA has an on-line Film Production Guide. When the Iowa Film Office was alive, it was the keeper of this guide.
Teamsters Union representative Matt Ballard told the panel that pass-through companies pulled in workers from others states and that we need to use Iowans instead. He said there are ten thousand Teamster members in Iowa. Susie said the IFA would ensure that Iowans are indeed used first.
Jay Villwock said everyone in the room should talk to people, get involved, meet with state legislators. Doug said a petition should be created with all present at the meeting signing it and more, and then presenting this petition to key legislators. He also said we need to speak with a single voice.
Andrew Erickson (hope this is the correct spelling..) said someone needs to be on site when movies are made, an auditor with film expertise who is certified to oversee the daily activities of a film.. This way, questions regarding any problems could be answered on site and not delayed, such as waiting to take matters to the film office.
Senator Dotzler said the Iowa Film Office exists under a bill and that something can still be done with it. He reiterated that tax dollars appropriated to filmmakers need to show a good bang for the buck. He said we need to maintain strong checks and balances and portray Iowa appropriately.
Gene L. Hamilton
From The Tundra Drums.Com
Legislators want to extend film industry tax credits for 10 years
Published on January 7th, 2011 10:03 am
By ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF
Today, Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, and Reps. Bob Herron, D-Bethel, and Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, pre-filed legislation to extend the tax credits that have played a major role in the early success of Alaska's burgeoning film industry, a press release said.
"The recent film industry boom in Alaska has benefited Alaskans and local businesses across the state, and it could grow much more," said Senator Ellis. "Extending these incentives shows film producers Alaska is serious about building this industry for the long run."
In addition to hiring hundreds of Alaskans as cast and crew, film productions such as Everybody Loves Whales hire a wide variety of local businesses for services from rental vehicles, catering and security to construction, plumbing and engineering. Crew members stay in local hotels, eat and drink at local establishments and spend their days off taking in Alaska's many tourism experiences.
"It's very good economically to see more film productions coming to Alaska. Film industry business continues to be a growing part of our business. It's very important to support a growing industry that is a perfect fit for Alaska," said Brian Williams, CEO of Sixth Avenue Outfitters in Anchorage, whose company provides cold weather gear for film production crews.
"As a new small business owner I was thrilled with the opportunity to work with the Ghost Vision film project. It kept me working during a normally quiet business period. I look forward to more opportunities to offer my services to the film industry," said Kylee Hickok, owner of Perks Espresso Catering Company.
According to the Alaska Film Office, film productions applying for the Alaska tax incentives since its inception in 2008 could add over $100 million to Alaska's economy when they are all completed.
"These tax credits encourage the industry to hire Alaskans and set up productions around the state," said Rep. Herron. "This industry provides an opportunity to leverage all that Alaska has to offer, both urban and rural, cultural and scenic, to create jobs and bring investment into the state.
"Filming in Alaska can lead to more business and job opportunities for Alaskans," said Rep. Tuck. "The benefits of this new industry to Alaskans are just beginning, and it's a step toward a more diverse economy for the state."
In 2008 Senator Ellis sponsored and worked with a broad coalition of Alaska businesses to support the passage of Senate Bill 230 to re-establish the Alaska Film Office and create the Alaska Film Production Incentive Program. The new legislation proposes extending the incentives for 10 years past their existing sunset date of July 1, 2013 and continuing the funding level of $100 million in incentive funding for each 5 year period.
Published on January 7th, 2011 10:03 am
By ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF
Today, Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, and Reps. Bob Herron, D-Bethel, and Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, pre-filed legislation to extend the tax credits that have played a major role in the early success of Alaska's burgeoning film industry, a press release said.
"The recent film industry boom in Alaska has benefited Alaskans and local businesses across the state, and it could grow much more," said Senator Ellis. "Extending these incentives shows film producers Alaska is serious about building this industry for the long run."
In addition to hiring hundreds of Alaskans as cast and crew, film productions such as Everybody Loves Whales hire a wide variety of local businesses for services from rental vehicles, catering and security to construction, plumbing and engineering. Crew members stay in local hotels, eat and drink at local establishments and spend their days off taking in Alaska's many tourism experiences.
"It's very good economically to see more film productions coming to Alaska. Film industry business continues to be a growing part of our business. It's very important to support a growing industry that is a perfect fit for Alaska," said Brian Williams, CEO of Sixth Avenue Outfitters in Anchorage, whose company provides cold weather gear for film production crews.
"As a new small business owner I was thrilled with the opportunity to work with the Ghost Vision film project. It kept me working during a normally quiet business period. I look forward to more opportunities to offer my services to the film industry," said Kylee Hickok, owner of Perks Espresso Catering Company.
According to the Alaska Film Office, film productions applying for the Alaska tax incentives since its inception in 2008 could add over $100 million to Alaska's economy when they are all completed.
"These tax credits encourage the industry to hire Alaskans and set up productions around the state," said Rep. Herron. "This industry provides an opportunity to leverage all that Alaska has to offer, both urban and rural, cultural and scenic, to create jobs and bring investment into the state.
"Filming in Alaska can lead to more business and job opportunities for Alaskans," said Rep. Tuck. "The benefits of this new industry to Alaskans are just beginning, and it's a step toward a more diverse economy for the state."
In 2008 Senator Ellis sponsored and worked with a broad coalition of Alaska businesses to support the passage of Senate Bill 230 to re-establish the Alaska Film Office and create the Alaska Film Production Incentive Program. The new legislation proposes extending the incentives for 10 years past their existing sunset date of July 1, 2013 and continuing the funding level of $100 million in incentive funding for each 5 year period.
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