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"Big Screen" a big concern in Minnesota
Ten years ago, you could have called Minnesota the Hollywood of the Midwest. In 1995 alone, nine feature films were shot here. "We just had talented people here that wrote screenplays for Minnesota, and it made sense to come here and film it," said Anne Healy, a location scout for 17 years. But not anymore. Even films set in Minnesota like 2005's North Country are now mostly shot in other states: those that offer big incentives to production companies. "They went to New Mexico and made it look like the Iron Range because New Mexico gave them $3 million," Healy said. While Minnesota was the first state to offer incentives in the mid 1990s, it's now barely in the business: The state's program called Snowbate gives a 15% tax credit, but by comparison, Michigan gives 40%. Minnesota's annual incentive budget: $650,000. Pennsylvania's is $75 million. "It's really all driven by the dollar," said Lucinda Winter, Executive Director of the Minnesota Film Board. Minnesota was never scouted for the Johnny Depp movie now being filmed in Wisconsin. "They'll go to Illinois, they'll go to New Jersey, they'll go to Connecticut before they come here," Healy said. That's why the Minnesota Film Board is now pushing a bill to raise incentives, one that would offer a 20% tax credit. Supporters say it's the only way the state will get the attention of moviemakers, and with it, the film industry Minnesota hopes again to have. "The lengths to which a production company will go for a rebate or a tax credit is pretty amazing," Winter said. Click here for more on Minnesota's Production Incentive Click here for details on Senate bill Click here for details on MN House bill
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