Scripts pour in as state raises tax credit

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- People looking to shoot movies, TV shows or commercials in Missouri are flooding the state Film Commission with applications in anticipation of next year's expansion of a tax credit for film productions.

Jerry Jones, the commission's director, said he already has received 12 applications for income tax credits and inquiries from another dozen producers interested in applying.

"Two months out and we've already got a lot to pick from," said Jones, who typically reads the scripts to help determine if the projects are viable. "It's above and beyond what we've had in the past, at least 50 percent more. We'll probably see three dozen [requests] this year."

Beginning Jan. 1, the total annual cap for the state film income tax credit rises from $1.5 million to $4.5 million. The legislation also lowered the qualifying in-state budget minimum for productions longer than 30 minutes from $300,000 to $100,000 and less than 30 minutes to $50,000.

It also provides credits worth up to 35 percent of the production's Missouri expenditures, down from 50 percent.

The changes were part of an economic development package Gov. Matt Blunt signed into law in September.

Jones said the expansion means his office will be able to approve credits for far more than the seven productions that received them in 2007, which included two documentaries and five feature films. Depending on availability of film crews, he said the state could support 15 to 20 productions per year.

Also, because the changes eliminated a $1 million credit cap for each production, he said the state may be able to attract larger productions.

"I would expect the revenues would jump with the higher tax credit," Jones said, estimating the seven productions this year, including two beginning shooting next month, will generate up to $5 million in ancillary spending.

In preparation for those larger films, industry officials say they need to expand and deepen the pool of Missouri workers trained in lighting, sound and other technical areas of film production. The current group, they said, is still small and would have trouble staffing more than a couple of large productions at once.

Gary Hansen, business agent for Local 493 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees in St. Louis, said he has about 80 members in his group and generally gains new ones with each production.

"As movies get bigger, we'll get more construction people, special effects people, the kinds of things that people in small movies simply can't do," he said, adding that that would also encourage the creation of a permanent film production infrastructure in the state.

"We're hoping ... when they get quite the buzz going and the tax credits going, we'll see people who fled the area to go to film school coming back to work in their home area," he said.

Hansen and Jones also said they hope to approach area community colleges and vocational technical centers to begin teaching some of those skills, although they said that would hinge on how quickly Hollywood embraces the new tax credits.

"It's the old chicken and the egg syndrome," Hansen said. "I'm not sure any one thing makes the other happen. It's microsteps that cumulatively will move things to the next level."