30 June 2006

NEW TAX CREDIT INCENTIVE IN PLACE

by Nicole Shiner

This summer, PA lawmakers passed legislation and the Governor signed into law Act 55 of 2007, the (new) $75 million Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit Program. Effective July 1, 2007, Pennsylvania provides a 25% Film Production Tax Credit for film production expenses incurred in the Commonwealth. The transferable tax credit is available for feature films, TV shows and series, and commercials intended for a national audience. In order to qualify for the tax credit, 60 percent of the total production expenses must be incurred in Pennsylvania. No more than $75 million per year can be awarded. A qualified PA expense is production expense that is subject to PA taxes. There is no per project cap. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. Please review the guidelines and application below for more information on the Tax Credit. Appendix D and Appendix E of the guidelines will be available shortly. The PA Film Office will continue to accept applications for productions scheduled in the coming fiscal year. If you have such plans, we encourage you to complete the online application listed below within 120 days of your start date of principal and ongoing photography in PA. This will secure your spot on the queue going forward. Download the Creativity in Focus Application To view the Creativity in Focus application, you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader if it is not installed on your computer. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Filmmakers interested in taking advantage of the tax credit program should contact us and the PA Film Office with details as soon as possible so that we can put you in the queue. For more information, please contact: PA Film Office Jane Saul, PA Film Commissioner Tel: 717-783-3456 or 215-965-4603 Email: http://www.FilminPA.com THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED IN OUR LOBBYING EFFORTS!!!!

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17 April 2007

PhillyPitch!

by Joan Bressler

Pitcher Dan Kalinowski: "PhillyPitch on Saturday was a completely rewarding experience that went beyond all expectations. Hearing producers of that caliber respond to each writer's pitch provided innumerable lessons on how to hone my own stories as well as my selling style. Two or three elements of my own pitch changed THAT DAY, as a result of what I was witnessing, and being able to present my own work and be challenged in that way was invigorating."

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27 March 2007

Thanks from a Filmmaker!

by Joan Bressler

Greater Philadelphia Film Office: Thank you for your help with the parking permits and everything else you do behind the scenes that we filmmakers may or may not be unaware of. We had a great shoot during the past weekend for the 48 Hour Film Project and I think we created a really special piece of work. More information at: http://www.libertybellfilms.com/48HFP.html Thanks again, Mark Kochanowicz

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28 December 2006

Registration Fee Scam

by Joan Bressler

From an actor: On Dec. 25, I saw a posting for a film called Stupid Boy Friend, which had auditions in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Manhattan. I submitted my head shot and resume by e-mail and got a call the morning of the 26th. We set up an appointment for the 28th at a studio on Castor Avenue. Then the woman told me there was a "registration fee" of $35. At this point, I told her it sounded like a scam and that I was no longer interested. I then notified GPFO, who agreed with my assessment that a fee for auditioning just wasn't right. GPFO pulled the posting for Stupid Boy Friend off its site. There are a lot of hungry actors out there, and I'm one of them. But I hope I NEVER get so hungry that I'll pay for the privilege of auditioning. Jerry Carrier

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18 December 2006

Supporting The New Breed of Philly Filmmaking & Filmmakers

by Joan Bressler

"I no longer live in Philly but grew up in Kensington and (if the stars align) hope to be shooting in and around my hometown this coming summer. It's reassuring to know that there are entities like the Greater Philadelphia Film Office that support genuine Philly flavored artists and stories through unique endeavors like the Greater Philadelphia Film Festival and the Set in Philadelphia Screenplay competition. Some of us know there is so much more creativity and dramatic potential to our city than the punch drunk palooka "Yo Adrian!" persona so often unfairly forced upon the movie going public. With the continued support of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, soon the world will know that, too. Thanks again." Joe Nienalt, Screenwriter

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26 October 2006

An Opportunity to Thank You

by Nicole Shiner

Dear Ms. Pinkenson, Every project I have ever had the opportunity to work on was because of what you do everyday -- in fact, I just wrapped production on an indy film last night! Without your hard work, Philadelphia may not be attracting as many films as it has. Not only do you support local filmmakers, but you have brought so many big productions to the area. As a fellow Temple alum, I appreciate and admire all of your hard work. Again, I thank you and I hope to continue finding work through the efforts of your office. Sincerely, Abraham O. Adegbesokun Jr.

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09 October 2006

Conversation Piece

by Nicole Ross

My uncle loved the ["Philadelphia In the Movies" Film] Tour and talked about it for a good part of the afternoon. He said that when he passes the sites in the future, he will now know what happened at each. Thanks again! Madeline Vanskiver

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05 October 2006

You Have A Winner!

by Nicole Ross

My daughter and I thank you for a splendid "Philadelphia In The Movies" Film Tour on Sunday, September 24th. We were very impressed with your delightful talk and the coordination of the film clips with the specific sites at each stop. Thank David, the driver, who was excellent. I wish you every success for the future. I believe you have a winner! Again, many thanks, Gilda Verstein

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04 October 2006

More Praise for our Film Financing Event…

by Nicole Shiner

The discussion Panel on Financing your Film was EXCELLENT. Thank you so much for sharing the information about the event with me. The venue was wonderful, the breakfast was satisfying and the networking was amazing. It's great to see that the Greater Philadelphia Film Office supports Philadelphia filmmakers. I can't wait to accredit all my success to this wonderful office. Sincerely, Ernestine Johnson Director's & Stylist Representative

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28 September 2006

Kudos on our Film Finance Program

by Nicole Shiner

"I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to this morning's wonderful Film Financing program. The panelists were excellent and the presentation was super professional. I am very excited about my film projects and today's program underscored the good feeling I have about the real possibilities of making movies in Philadelphia... Congratulations on a great program and keep up the fabulous work." Sincerely, Terry Lee Barrett Screenwriter

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12 September 2006

Local Filmmaker Praises Philadelphia and the Film Office

by Erin Jackson

"I'm a native of Chicago, but I spent most of my life in New Orleans and coming to Philadelphia by way of New York, I must say that I love Philadelphia. It's the 'All or Nothing' attitude of Philly that I love so much. I admit, two years ago I was ready to go back to New York, because I'm a 'Lets do it Right Now' type of person. To me Philadelphia wasn't ready for local filmmakers to express themselves on a competitive level, but that was before I met you guys. I must say, you have a great staff, and that is an indication of the leader, the founder and architect of the Pennsylvania Film Movement. That's you. Not the filmmakers, you have paved the way for us to do what we do here. It's easier for LA or NY to come hear and shoot, but you have made it easier for those that want this to be there base. I thank you, and your staff!" Curtis Nichouls, Filmmaker

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31 August 2006

It is much nicer filming in Philly than Washington!

by Nicole Shiner

"Thank you for helping out with our shoot last weekend, it went well and we got everything we needed. No one seemed to mind where we were parked so we did not get a ticket that has to be sorted out! Thanks again for your help. It is much nicer filming in Philly than Washington!" James Reid, Granada Media

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28 August 2006

GPFO Testimonials

by Nicole Shiner

We welcome your comments, suggestions and especially your compliments in this NEW section of http://www.film.org ! Please let us know what is on your mind.

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26 July 2006

Keeping Friendly Locations Friendly

by Joan Gerstle

A major problem for filmmakers is finding a location that welcomes them and invites them back for future shoots.  We know that, by the law of averages, people won’t always welcome you with open arms, but you can make that pendulum swing in your direction with a few simple rules.

First and foremost, let everyone who has a business or residence that will be affected by your production know you are coming.  Let them know that you appreciate their cooperation, but also that you will do whatever is necessary to make the shoot as unobtrusive as possible, and maybe even fun.  Let them know that, even though you need them to move their vehicle, you won’t prevent them from going to work or receiving deliveries.  If there will be night shoots with lights shining into their bedrooms, some foreknowledge will give them an opportunity to block that light before going to bed instead of being awakened at 3:00 AM and shouting at you from their window.

The Film Office has compiled a “Code of Conduct” with some suggestions for location shooting, and also some hard-and-fast rules to help all production, large and small, to keep friendly locations friendly.  This can be found in the Film Office section our production guide, or call and we’ll be glad to put a copy in the mail.

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30 June 2006

WHAT’S UP WITH THE DISCONNECT

by Christopher Brooks

When I first moved to Philly 5 years ago I made an instant discovery… there was a extreme disconnect amongst the local minority filmmakers, which was very confusing to me because of large number of minority filmmakers that introduced themselves to me. The local minority filmmakers were making productions just in pockets and DIDN’T KNOW ONE ANOTHER. Deep. Realizing this gave me the concept for the networking event many of you may already know about called “The Set”. Since the launch of this event series, lots of local filmmakers have been working together and producing. But we have a long way to go. Please help me understand why this disconnect continues to exist and what we can do to eliminate it.

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30 June 2006

Our Thoughts About SIP

by Joan Bressler

The “Set In Philadelphia” Screenwriting Competition offers the obvious benefits of great prizes and recognition for our winners, but our strategy is to increase its impact by hitchhiking on the buzz and creating opportunities for a larger audience. We do our best to foster relationships between our finalists and the judges that like their work in the hope of bringing these Philadelphia stories into production. Also, each year we have increased the workshops and events and, with the help of our loyal sponsors, we are able to offer it all free and open to the public. We are interested in how you think we could increase the impact even further.

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30 June 2006

Tips from our “Film Tour” Trip

by Nicole Ross

Have you ever noticed that Lilly Rush (Actor: Kathryn Morris), Philadelphia homicide squad's lone female detective in the televsion series Cold Case is always wearing the same clothes and always has her hair in the same style? That's because CBS actually films the series in Los Angeles and visits Philadelphia four times a year to shoot certain exterior scenes. Learn more about this and other neat Philadelphia Film Facts on the official GPFO "Philadelphia In The Movies" Film Tour. Click on "Film Tour" for more details and booking information.

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