Other States Wrestle with Film Incentives

A timely story in the Los Angeles Timessays Iowa isn't the only state having second thoughts about incentives for filmmakers.

That includes one of our neighbors:

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle in effect quashed his state's tax program this summer after a report by the state Department of Commerce raised questions about money the state paid for "Public Enemies," the Universal Pictures gangster movie starring Johnny Depp...

...The state Department of Commerce, which manages the program, concluded that the crew for "Public Enemies" was in Wisconsin for 32 days, The movie, about the life of the bank robber John Dillinger, was filmed in Oshkosh, Columbus and Madison. It received about $4.6 million in taxpayer money, including payments that offset part of the $5,625.16 paid to Depp's hairstylist, $16,490 for his makeup artist and $38,771.40 for two chauffeurs, according to documents obtained by The Times.

The study said the production contributed about $5 million to the Wisconsin economy and about $270,000 in taxes, figures that are disputed by a film advocacy group that placed the movie's economic impact at $7.4 million.

That's the big question here. It's cool to attract film and TV projects, but what's in it for the state and its taxpayers?

Maybe you can't put a price on the promotional/cultural value of a "Field of Dreams," but how much money do we have to spend in tight times to find that diamond in the rough?

And why does Johnny Depp need $5,600 worth of hairstyling? John Edwards' stylist must still be getting work.

I expect when the dust settles, we'll have a smaller program focused on Iowa-based filmmakers who are creating a more lasting economic impact.

The story notes that Iowa's incentives are among the nation's most generous. I think that will change, now that we've figured out that generosity without oversight equals scandal.