Those in the Texas Film Industry are feeling optimistic as they make ready for the new State Legislative session.
The Texas Motion Picture Alliance’s Mindy Raymond believes they have more supporters and nay-sayers in office and are one of Governor Abbott’s Trusted Programs. But she noted, they are still keeping a close eye on the Midterm elections as that will dictate the legislative climate.
Some believe the State’s 32-million dollar Film Incentives Program could disappear, but Raymond doesn’t see that happening. By the Association’s count, for every dollar spent on the incentive program, the film industry spends $5.55 in Texas. To that, Raymond believes the program could even see a boost this session.
Texas’s Film incentives program is a bit different than most, Raymond explained a company first has to spend money in Texas before it can get a dime back. So for every dollar spent, depending on how much, a company would get a percent rebated back into their pocket.
In the last session the program was cut to 22-million dollars but was given a 10-million dollar boost before all was said and done. Raymond said that kept some big pictures in Texas as well as TV series, commercials and helped video game companies continue to produce content.
Right now, Texas schools like Texas A&M, the University of Texas and others are producing high quality film industry talent, but its other states with better incentives programs that are getting the more business, and therfore the talent.
Raymond said, the product that comes from Texas productions are unbeatable but the Texas Film industry is trying to stay in the game, so if the incentive program can see a bit of growth, she’ll call it a win.
(Photo: Fotoluminate LLC)
