Indiana Film Industry Benched After Hot Streak
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Dubois County community of Huntingburg has been referred to as the “Hollywood of the Midwest.” But lately, the city and the rest of the state might not be living up to that title. Indiana Media Production Alliance President Glenn Pratt believes the state missed out on a huge opportunity with the summer box office hit “The Fault in Our Stars.” The movie is set in Indianapolis, but was filmed more than 300 miles away in Pennsylvania, a state that offers tax credits to filmmakers. Pratt and Office of Tourism Development Executive Director Mark Newman discussed the issue on a special edition of Inside INdiana Business Television. Pratt says Pennsylvania offers tax credits to the film industry; Indiana doesn’t, so shooting a film in Pittsburgh frees up 10 to 15 percent of the budget for other needs.
In the 1990s, “A League of Their Own,” “Hard Rain” and HBO movie Soul of the Game were each filmed in Indiana, but something happened…as the 90s faded, the movie business in Indiana did too.
Advocates say there are three reasons why the state gets overlooked as a shooting location: no tax incentives, no studio space and no filming equipment to rent.
Office of Tourism Development Executive Director Mark Newman says Indiana is a diverse state for shooting films. He says there are great differences between the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes region.
Newman also says Indiana has wonderful assets to show off in movies–both natural and man-made.
Neighboring states such as Ohio and Illinois are big players in the film industry, but some Hoosiers hope to change that by convincing lawmakers to pass tax incentives to make Indiana more competitive.
Source: Inside INdiana Business Television