Exciting news! The Film incentive legislation passed in the Massachusetts Senate yesterday and is heading for the governors office. Once this bill comes in to play, it will greatly benefit all the actors in New England by bringing in more job opportunities for paid higher profile gigs. Normally actors in the area would eventually have to head to LA or NYC if they wanted to go to the next level. Rhode Island passed a similar bill and that state has already had some cool high profile gigs come their way. Show Time is filming a TV series there called ‘Brotherhood’ starring Jason Isaacs. Also Mario Van Peebles is shooting a feature lengh film called ‘Hard Luck’. It is rumored that Disney is looking into Rhode Island as a location for a future film as well.

Below is the latest from the SAG/AFTRA office.

Film/TV Tax Incentive Legislation Passes Senate

We are very happy to report that yesterday, November 16th, the Massachusetts Senate passed the Film & TV Tax Incentive bill that we have been working to get enacted. There was no roll call vote. From the Senate Gallery we were able to hear Senator Jim Timilty and Senator Cynthia Creem, the principal sponsors of the bill in the Senate, present the bill in yesterday’s session - citing the direct and immediate impact the legislation will have in creating jobs for the workers and businesses in our production community. This is a comprehensive bill with a sales, employment, and production tax credit that is very competitive with similar laws in other states.

As we previously reported, the bill has already passed the House. It will now go to the Governor for signature. All indications are that he will sign the bill into law. Once signed, the bill will take effective January 1, 2006 . We will continue to monitor the situation and if calls need to be made to the Governor’s office to insure that, we will let you know.

We urge you to call your Senators to thank them for supporting this important piece of legislation. This is especially true if your Senator is either James Timilty or Cynthia Creem, both of whom gave impassioned speeches on the Senate floor yesterday on the importance of the bill and our industry. Even if you do not live in their jurisdiction, calling Senators Timilty and Creem and thanking them for their support would be greatly appreciated. Phone numbers for individual Senators can be found at:

Our thanks to all of you who have helped to move this important bill through the legislative process with your calls and emails. Your support has been and will continue to be important to ensure our success. http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenus.htm