~Hot On Our Boot Heel: Hawkeye Edition
We’ve got chile, they’ve got corn & we all want movies! It’s the recession succession version of WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!
The hearty film industry that is New Mexico’s is so oft referenced in posts and articles where other states are clamoring for a stake, if I had a dubloom for every time – I could buy all y’all a steak!
In one of today’s heads-up blog posts, crafty Christine of Iowa paints (or needlepoints) the sad truth about films on wheels, which is the reverse of Meals on Wheels in that it is where the tax incentives lie that the film industry will follow taking their meals, their dogooding & their jobs with!
Tough lessons, easily foretold and sadly playing out for Jeff and Janelle Smith of Iowa via Omaha.com.
The Iowa Film, Television, and Video Project Promotion Program was created in 2007 – the now defunct Income Tax Credit structure saw a rapid influx of productions yielding the kind of jobs we’re all/none too familiar with here in New Mexico.
The program was suspended in 2009 after unscrupulous practices by some who “took advantage” of the incentives while the administration failed to cite and correct egregious errors in the system.
With the loss of the industry and the trickle down of revenue and collateral support systems drying-up many Iowans like the Smiths may face tough decisions about whether to weather out the tough economy or follow the industry they’ve ensconced themselves in wherever it may land.
The Smith’s made themselves assets to the industry as crew and vendor service providers, Jeff as a lighting grip and Janelle in craft service – with the programs suspended the Smith’s are out of work and are now considering a move to NM.
Like Jeff who is now unemployed, Los Angeles industry transplant Chris Bevauns, a film costume and set designer, earned $60,000.00 in 2009, working steadily on nine productions to working as a “handyman” for $20,000.00 this year.
The faithful in Iowa a.k.a. the Iowa Motion Picture Association will be championing efforts to bring the program back leading up to their state’s own legislative session.
Here‘s the full AP article.
p.s. I’m not poking fun at Christine or craftiness. AND J & J you’re always welcome in New Mexico…in fact join us at a camp out in January where we may need to set-up house in front of the Roundhouse to make sure NM stays in the game, because we ARE the game! Numero Uno Nuevo Mexico – Woot!
You tug, we’ll tug – not that way cochino, that’s the old Hollywood way…
