Maryland has extended its location filming incentive in a move that should keep high-end TV shows House of Cards and Veep in the state. In addition the film fund has been boosted from USD7.5 million to USD25 million, although this is a short-term measure that will expire after 12 months.
The Governor of New Mexico has approved a larger TV location filming incentive after initially vetoing the bill. On the other side of the US, Maryland could more than triple the annual fund for its own location filming incentive.
Maryland may triple the value of its location filming incentive, but only on a short-term basis. The state is in the spotlight having played host to high-profile political drama House of Cards, which is the first series to be distributed exclusively online via Netflix.
Authorities in Washington, DC, want to attract more filming productions to the US capital, but are keen to crunch the numbers before committing to any kind of incentive. The first step in the process will be to authorise a feasibility study looking at the benefits of an incentive programme.
Maryland’s filming industries are concerned about a delay in plans to extend and improve the state’s filming incentive. The state’s budget is in disarray and local filming professionals are worried delays in updating the incentive will threaten the industry’s future.
Satirical comedy has come to film on location in Maryland. Veep focuses on a senator who becomes Vice-President of the United States. It’s directed by satirist Armando Iannucci. The Maryland economy could make USD25 million from the shoot and it may create more than 2,000 local jobs.