TucsonStage Blog: October 10th free public forum on forthcoming film production incentives program

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

October 10th free public forum on forthcoming film production incentives program

From: Film Tucson <pcatalanotte@visittucson.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2022 5:47 PM
Subject: News from Film Tucson - August 2022

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Arizona's film communities, we now have statewide incentives taking effect in September 2023 which will give us a competitive edge in the production marketplace.

One year from now is the perfect amount of time for all of us to prepare for the upswing in production this new law will bring.

Here's are some of the strategies Film Tucson already has in the works.

Soundstages

We've been in preliminary discussions with a few companies interested in building soundstages in our region. Once these inquiries transition into concrete plans, Film Tucson will bring in the appropriate City, County, or State offices who can assist with potential workforce development grants, zoning information, and other relevant matters.
Film Tucson has been actively connecting potential investors with soundstage developers seeking partnerships.
We are in the process of creating a committee of stakeholders who can help explore the various options available to bring soundstage facilities to our region. Officials representing the City of Tucson, Pima County, Rio Nuevo, Pima Community College, and the University of Arizona, along with a few private entities, are slated to participate.

Crew

This October, Film Tucson and AZ Film & Digital Media will hold another series of classes (the previous ones took place in the pre-pandemic days) aimed at adding more talented workers to our crew base. Instructors will once again train students to become certified production assistants, grip/lighting personnel, and members of the art department. This program was so successful that some graduates of the previous classes were hired by HBO to be a part of Duster.
Film Tucson has also been discussing training plans with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters for classes aimed specifically at set builders for film productions.
As we did prior to HBO's arrival back in 2021, our office will once again work with our local unions to find ways to streamline the process for Tucson crew to attain membership efficiently and cost-effectively.

City / County / State

Film Tucson will be working with City Attorneys to bring its film permits up to date with the technological needs of the motion picture industry.
We will be introducing representatives from the City of Tucson Economic Initiatives to local film-related businesses looking to expand before the incentives take effect in 2023. We are also in talks with Pima County to provide a similar collaboration through their Economic Development offices.
On Monday, October 10th from 4pm-6pm, Film Fest Tucson will be hosting a free public forum sponsored by Film Tucson and the AZ Film & Digital Media Coalition intended to gather public comments and questions regarding the forthcoming incentives program. The location of this event will be the AC Hotel by Marriott Tucson Downtown (151 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701). Be on the lookout for more info about this forum closer to the event date.

Promotions

Film Tucson will be publicizing the new incentives program at various upcoming high-profile film industry events, including the American Film Market and SXSW, among others.
This past summer, we held a brainstorming session with representatives at the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television on various ways to connect with former Tucsonans and UA graduates now working in Hollywood as a way to pitch information about the new incentives program directly to industry professionals.
We have future plans to create eye-catching digital and/or print advertising (with other state film offices) promoting the forthcoming film incentives program in prominent industry publications and websites.