Film Industry Training, Deadline Soon

Deadline is April 22 to apply for the film industry training program for Connecticut residents seeking the skills to work in the state’s rapidly emerging media industry.

Classes for the four-week program begin on June 1 at two sites – Middlesex Community College in Middletown and Quinnipiac University in Hamden. The program teaches the basics of feature and episodic television film production. Graduates can pursue entry-level freelance work in the industry and will learn about union membership, which is required to work on most large productions shooting in the state.

Instructors are motion picture professionals who have significant career experience and are active members of the motion picture trade union related to the skills they teach.

Areas of specialization are: assistant directing, location management, production office coordination, script supervision, lighting and grip, camera, sound, props and set dressing, set construction and wardrobe. At the end of the program, graduates will receive a certificate from state’s film division.

Graduates may also receive up to 10 weeks of internship with producers and crew members on a project shooting in-state. Opportunities for internship participation are dependent on the cooperation of producers and on the shooting schedules of participating productions. Internships will take place throughout the year.

For more information or to download an application to enter the Film Industry Training Program, visit www.ctfilmworkforce.com

Applications are only available on the Web site and must be submitted by April 22, 2009.

Film, Digital Media Tax Credit Hearing, Feb. 23

A public hearing on whether the Connecticut Film & Digital Media tax credit will be eliminated is Monday, Feb. 23, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

For the economic importance of the tax credit, see Connecticut Production Coalition (CPC) fact sheet at this link.

The Legislative Office Building is located at 300 Capitol Ave., Hartford. For tips on parking, who to talk with, key points to know and more, see this document.

The state is looking to cut a program that costs $90 million. According to CPC key points, "offsetting tax revenues are generated through direct expenditures and payroll taxes and substantial indirect tax revenues created by the increased economic activity. Over the past two years, Connecticut went from $750,000 to more than $600 million [in film and digital media production], which brought estimated $1.5 billion in economic activity to the state.

"For every dollar of incentive paid, more than $16 of economic activity was generated, translating into significant tax revenues."

To compare other states efforts:

New York: Tax credit generates 19,500 jobs; 7,000 direct production jobs and 12,500 from directly related economic activity. State yields $404 million in tax revenue, at a cost of $215 million in credits. Source: Ernst & Young; January 2009.

New Mexico: Tax credit created total employment of 9,210 jobs. State receives $1.50 in tax revenue for every dollar invested in production tax credits. Source: Ernst & Young; Prepared for the New Mexico State Investment Council; January 2009.

Massachusetts: $545 million spent on film production yields economic impact of $1.36 billion. Cost to state is five cents for every new dollar of economic activity. Source: Massachusetts Film Office; www.mafilm.org; January 2009.