Showtime
June 8th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Perry signed the film incentive bill today. He and Dennis Quaid, among others, were on hand, looking Texas tough out by the lake.
It’s just a backdrop. You know, like a movie. Hey, look, there’s Austin Democrat Rep. Dawnna Dukes. Perry had nothing but gushing, warm words for her as sponsor of this $22 million set of incentives. That should put Burnt Orange Report in a chipper mood.
Further pulling back the curtain we see the hangar out at Austin Studio, where the press conference took place. There were all kinds of strange props hanging behind the governor and crew in the hangar: a drawing of the head of the Statue of Liberty, a couple Huntsville highway signs, etc. Even though the wind kicked up and briefly blew the bill and a table cloth (not pictured) off the table, and even though the governor’s folding chair broke when he sat down, the bill was signed to a standing ovation by a crowd filling a dozen rows of chairs. So, yeah, it was an odd press conference.
All this to provide “filmmakers with grants equal to 5 percent of what they spend in Texas. To qualify, they must spend at least $1 million in Texas, shoot at least 80 percent of the project within state borders, and hire at least 70 percent of actors, crew and extras in Texas.”
The reason: “Since implementing a film incentive program in 2003, Louisiana has seen film production spending increase 30 times. Likewise, New Mexico has experienced a fifty-fold increase in economic activity related to film production following the creation of film incentives.”
But the governor opted several times to deflect questions from reporters about the bill’s provision to revoke incentives if the film/video game/commercial/etc. portrays the state in a negative light. It didn’t do anyone any good to “split hairs” about that clause at this time, Perry said, and then assured us censorship would not be an issue.
Dukes explained: the provision resulted from a movie filmed in South Carolina in which the character played by 12-year-old star Dakota Fanning is raped by an African-American young man. Even though the movie, Hounddog, is set in the 1950s and is “about motherlessness, the cycle of abuse, the triumph of this girl’s spirit, and the power of female sexuality,” according to the filmmaker, this scene supposedly negatively portrayed the entire state of South Carolina. (The movie in question was also privately funded.)
One sure hopes that public backing, or a lack thereof, wouldn’t be used to discourage any production dealing with material the state finds disagreeable — under the guise of our reputation. But we have the governor’s assurances. So let’s not split hairs.
June 9th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Hot damn! I can finally finish polishin’ up my movie script for Ricky. I’ve already bought him a wide variety of almost first rate hair care products at the local Sally Beauty Supply. They’re sure to impress him almost as much as my guaranteed hit movie writin’. It’s kinda sorta like a Shrek type character is on an all nighter in Boystown in Ciudad Acuna with Stephen King, Dr. Seuss and Jerry Falwell when they happen upon George W’s old stash with his missing military records!
Go figure:
OLEB and the Curse of George W
Rearward deception?
Exploiting a most devious perception?
Vacating the sacred principles of the Fourth Estate?
Offered a bribe by EVOR the Great?
Lie upon lie about J. H. the Truth Teller?
Slandering and libeling the unfortunate book seller?
Exhorting with his personal power and fame?
Taken aback by his eventual disgrace and shame?
Exiled now to the lair of fellow Liar of NASUS?
Perpetual his misery for the lies he did so wilingly produce?
I’m a hand washin’ my Levi’s denim tux and even line dryin’ it so it’ll ready for my Academy Award speechin’. Stand back Al Gore!