Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

bandito143 t1_iy2kua6 wrote

Reply to comment by ToBeColonizedBy in Netflix’s Wednesday set in Vermont? by SocialistMoms

This is incredibly, unequivocally true. I lived in NC and when they ditched the film tax breaks, I watched most of the productions move to Georgia. They moved Sleepy Hollow to Vancouver from Wilmington, NC after having already done a season, having locations established, etc. Tax policy is what decides what gets shot where.

5

ToBeColonizedBy t1_iy37ify wrote

Wilmington was “Hollywood East” for so long. My first on-set experience was Dawson’s Creek down there. Amazing town.

But, yep, it’s all about the money. And the nature of VT is too anti-business and growth to see the big picture.

If I borrow 500k from a financier to make a movie, I have to recoup them regardless if my movie makes $500m or $500.

If I film in GA right now, I get all the money I spend in GA back come tax season, regardless of box office because I created jobs and stimulated the local economy - which pays back my financier and stops me from going bankrupt or getting sued.

In VT, I get nothing back. Regardless of whatever boost the production gives to the economy. So I’m taking 100% financial risk with no safety net below me by filming here.

And it makes sense. There’s no financial benefit for the state government other than bragging rights and civil pride that “that was filmed here.” Skiing stimulates VT economy, not Marvel like it does GA. It’s a money pit to the tax payer.

So, sure, filming a legit Hollywood film (vs the local stuff with no distribution outlet or Hollywood representation) at the Burlington Waterfront or Nectar’s or wherever would be amazing, but I’ll take any waterfront or bar in Quebec or upstate NY first and save my bank account.

5