Officials in Maine in the north-east corner of the US are to push for a sweetened filming incentive programme. The state offers a limited series of small filming rebates and tax credits for productions that spend at least USD75,000 locally, but the programme lacks a competitive edge.
New Hampshire in the north-east US is considering launching a filming incentive to attract middle-budgeted movies. Authorities are concerned they are missing out on direct production spending and tourism dollars as one of only a handful of US states that lack filming incentives.
Illinois in the northern US may amend its filming incentive to offer a rebate on star salaries. The state offers a base 30% filming tax credit, but the amendment would mean that star actors shooting in Illinois could get a tax credit on a salary of up to a million dollars.
New Zealand’s move to keep filming rebates static at 15% is causing concern for Auckland’s production industry. The government has reduced spending thresholds on its filming grants rather than increasing the rebates, prompting fears that shows of the calibre of Spartacus will go elsewhere.
The UK and Morocco have signed a co-production filming treaty that the UK government says is designed to “strengthen ties within the film industry, encourage the sharing of knowledge and ideas, and drive economic growth through film production.” Morocco has long been a favourite location for historical dramas like Gladiator.
North Carolina faces a long-term production challenge as it is set to cancel its generous 25% filming incentive on 1st January 2015. The state has recently hosted high-profile productions like Under the Dome, but lawmakers want to redirect funds to boost other parts of the economy.
New York has seen a 25% increase in post-production work in the year since the state’s tax credit got a big boost. In July 2012 the post-production incentive was tripled to 30% for work done in and around New York City, and increased to 35% for work done in upstate regions like Buffalo.
Filming incentives in Detroit helped secure new TV drama Low Winter Sun for Michigan, the show’s executive producer has revealed. The series received an incentive payment of USD7.5 million to chart a story of police corruption in the city.