The Original Website of Screen Actors Guild
Film Incentive Legislation
Proposed Bills: Motion Picture Competitiveness Program bills to follow - HB1554 and SB5539
Key Changes:
- Extend program until 2017
- Expand program to cover video on demand, internet, and viewing on computer based systems which respond to users’ actions or interactive media.
- Expands funding assistance to provide 35% of the WA production budget for episodic series with a 6 episode minimum.
- Provide the board with the discretion to approve up to 15% on wages and benefits for previously approved non-state labor working in Washington.
- Create a new fund within the program to set aside no more than 20% of the total program amount for filmmakers who are Washington Residents, new forms of production and emerging technologies.
- Add a board member who will represent interactive media or emerging motion picture industry.
Dear Members,
We are at a crucial point in reinstating the Washington State Film Incentive in the State Legislature. This Incentive will keep us competitive with the vast Incentives across the Country, and allow our film (and Television, and New Media) Industry to grow. We have some strong supporters in both the House and Senate, but it is vital that the voice of our professional talent be heard! In the coming weeks we will need your support in Olympia, either at hearings, or a Film Day that you will be hearing about soon. The following links will let you know what the Incentive is all about, as well as links to members of the House and Senate. I urge you to write your representative, and let them know how important this Incentive is to you and your career; It is all about the creation of jobs for our wonderful Talent. If you have questions, please contact me, or our Seattle SAG Executive Director (and Media Inc. Cover-Girl) Dena Beatty dbeatty@sag.org.Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Abby Dylan
SAG National Board
Board Member, WAshingtonFilmWorks
