A group that promotes the production of movies in Wisconsin is eyeing 2011 as a year to bring back film tax credits. The tax credits were heralded as a bi-partisan victory in the legislature which, among other things, brought production of the blockbuster “Public Enemies” to Wisconsin.
But Governor Jim Doyle was not happy after the producers left the state with $4.5 million in tax breaks. Doyle replaced the film credits in the current budget with $500,000 of yearly grants for each production.
David Fantle, Board Chair for Film Wisconsin, says it’s a common misnomer that all the money went back to Hollywood.
Dave Fantle (:12)
Additionally tourism in related attractions from the movie went up during a down economy, Fantle says, and the programs help spur creative industry jobs in the Wisconsin.
Fantle is eyeing the upcoming elections as a way to bring back those TV and film production incentives. He and other Film Wisconsin board members will begin asking the gubernatorial candidates about their stance on the issue after the September primaries.
