Film Industry Tax Credit Reduction

[Hehe]

Originally Posted by Manic!

So did they need a tax credit?

If the only reason they are filming here is because of a tax credit then we have a problem.

Second this. If the only way we can attract film industry is by giving massive incentive, we might as well give it to other industries that would bring long term job creation like tech or light manufacturing.

Those are more likely to have a lasting effect. Filming industry is something they can move overnight with little consideration.

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by underscore

You seem to have forgotten this little flick called Deadpool was filmed in Vancouver, and it set the measly record of being the highest grossing R rated film of all time.

Which shut down the Georgia/Dunsmuir Viaduct for what, 4 days? How much of that money actually went to the local economy (i.e. not to the parent company) net of the costs spent to put on that gong show?

Oh and the vast majority of filming in the city isn't of Deadpool caliber, more likely low-budget shows aforementioned.

Thanks

[Spoon]

Originally Posted by meme405

Why is it that the film industry deserves tax credit over other industries in BC?

You say that the film industry pumps millions back into the tourism, hospitality and food and beverage industry. You think that heavy industry such as forestry, and mining doesn't?

Resource based industries have been the backbone of BC for 100 years, and right now they are not doing well, where is the tax breaks for saw mill operators so that they don't have to lay off half their workforces, or shut down their plants?

I keep seeing the people boasting about this 2 billion dollars brought to BC's because of film, you know what forestry brought to BC last year? 12.4 BILLION, and they did all 12 billion of that without a 30% tax break.

Resources and infrastructure are stuck to the ground. They have no other option than to be where the resource is located. Where as the movie industry is for the most part mobile. If shooting in Destination X will reduce costs by a significant amount of money compared to Vancouver, they're going there. It's all about bargaining position.

[radioman]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Which shut down the Georgia/Dunsmuir Viaduct for what, 4 days? How much of that money actually went to the local economy (i.e. not to the parent company) net of the costs spent to put on that gong show?

Oh and the vast majority of filming in the city isn't of Deadpool caliber, more likely low-budget shows aforementioned.

Thanks

I'm downtown every day. In the past 4 years I have only had to change my route once for filming (deadpool). The bridge was open during peak hours after 3pm I just chose not to head that way. The lengthy closures were on weekends.

I think you're blowing it out of proportion in terms of shutting down the city....

[meme405]

Originally Posted by Spoon

Resources and infrastructure are stuck to the ground. They have no other option than to be where the resource is located. Where as the movie industry is for the most part mobile. If shooting in Destination X will reduce costs by a significant amount of money compared to Vancouver, they're going there. It's all about bargaining position.

This is true, but I wouldn't say they have "No option".

Companies are doing much less of the work here, and shipping much of it overseas to do, we see it in forestry with raw logs, and we see it in mining with concentrate being shipped overseas instead of actually refining and smelting the copper or precious metals here.

You have to look at it from a larger perspective, if you can keep one saw mill open for 40 years with a tax credit, is that better or worse than bringing in one TV show production for 9 months?

[Hehe]

Originally Posted by Spoon

Resources and infrastructure are stuck to the ground. They have no other option than to be where the resource is located. Where as the movie industry is for the most part mobile. If shooting in Destination X will reduce costs by a significant amount of money compared to Vancouver, they're going there. It's all about bargaining position.

But in the end, we are still concerned about what the industry leaves us at the end.

I am not arguing for natural resources either as the environmental impact outweighs the benefits IMHO. However, we could totally offer similar credit to high tech companies and I believe they would bring a much profound impact than filming industry.

To give credit where it dues, BC does offer incentive for tech industry, but it's no where near the film industry:
Tech:
Trade and Invest BC - Invest BC Canada | Tax Incentives | Trade and Invest BC

Film:
Trade and Invest BC - Invest in Canada | BC Film & TV | Trade and Invest BC

[Mancini]

I dump almost all of my money into the local economy. Can I get a tax credit?