Please call Montgomery today to help save our growing film industry!
URGENT UPDATE (3:45 pm)
The House Ways and Means Education Committee adjourned today without a vote on HB 554. However, a vote is anticipated tomorrow. Now is the time to defeat the bill, before it leaves committee. If it reaches the House floor for a full vote, advocacy becomes much, much more difficult.
Please call every member of the Jefferson County delegation serving on Ways and Means (listed below) urging them to oppose HB554!
It’s critically important that our representatives hear from their constituents that this bill will negatively impact our economy and workforce opportunities. Film production is good for our economy, good for our image, good for job growth opportunities. Local progress requires local action.
The House convenes tomorrow morning at 9:30 am, so pick up the phone and place those calls now!
Late yesterday, a legislative bill that would effectively kill a growing creative industries employment sector was introduced by Representative Phil Williams of Huntsville. House Bill 554 is a repeal of the Alabama Film Incentive Package. If passed, the legislation would almost certainly halt all growth of our nascent film industry in the Greater Birmingham area (and the entire State). The bill is now under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee.
Please call the Ways and Means Education Committee and register your opposition to HB554.
Phil Williams – 334-242-7704
Here are just a few interesting talking points about the impact of the film industry on Alabama’s and Birmingham’s economy that you might not know:
- Approximately 60% of a film’s total production budget is left in the local community
- For smaller, independent films, approximately $35,000 is spent per day of location shooting.
- According to AL Department of Commerce estimates, for every $1 that the State pays out in the form of incentive rebate, $7 is received in return spending
You also might not be aware that in Greater Birmingham alone three feature films and one documentary were shot in 2016. We have one independent feature currently in production and another scheduled for August. And we’re just getting started!
Even smaller films typically hire dozens of local crew members, from camera operators to art department to lighting to transportation and much more. Vehicles, equipment and lodging are rented. Local caterers and restaurants benefit. A repeal of the Alabama Film Incentive Package will likely have a ripple effect across other segments of our creative industry ecosystem, and we’ll never know what might have been if the incentives had been given enough time to take root.
Please call TODAY! Share this with your social networks! Support the City and State’s vibrant creative industries.