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Is It Possible

It is certainly obvious...that there are so many talented people in the state of Arizona...could it be the place to stay and recreate the serious actors of old and make this Hollywood?

I am a believer, the only thing that is not the same as Hollywood is the money. So how do you make that happen. I know that all things are possible, can some of you share your ideas on this subject...of recreating what already exists, but bring it back to its original form.

How about a challenge....who has money....no fear...and would love to make this a great story of how one State brought back the industry to where is once started.
Kimber Leigh

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Permalink Reply by im1star4u on March 15, 2008 at 9:21pm: Great thought Kimber! We couldn't agree with you more! We'd certainly relocate to AZ in a heartbeat! Not all of the craziness of CA!! I've never thought it was right that all the money to be made in this industry seems to lie in CA. I find that sad as that living in CA is like living in the fast lane literally!!!---Fast lanes of traffic, partying/drugs/rehab, very high cost of living, too many fires, more dangerous, more shallow people, and tons of drama!!

I do know that at a modeling/acting convention a few yrs ago, some of the big agents from CA & NY said that they are actually trying to change things a bit and even them out. They are offering tax incentives to many states. They even mentioned that alot of film work is being done in Canada right now because of tax incentives. I know so many writers/producers trying to get their work out there, but just need the funding.

I truly hope a solution will be found, short of boycotting Hollywood! LOL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dave on March 15, 2008 at 10:42pm: Kimber
You certainly bring to light a subject that is very relavant. Over the years alot of movies have been filmed in AZ...especially westerns...the main reason I believe that the film industry has not made a move to AZ is climate...southern CA has alot to offer location wise and they don't have brutally hot summers. Now in alot of ways it is cheaper easier to make a movies here in AZ so there will be more movies made here in the futuure.One thing I do see happening are the movies themselves, main stream movies very formula oriented.....it's hard to make a movie that is different because of the finacial risk involved...investors don't like losing money and it hard to sell a different movie so I do see a demand for different movies...there is alot of talent right here in AZ so definitely it is possible
take care
dave; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kimber Leigh on March 18, 2008 at 5:53pm: It seems like money is an issue in everyday life...Thank you for responding...I still believe that someone who has money and has no fear attached to it, will find some of the unique and drama free talent here in Arizona and let us do our stuff!! I call you when it happens.
Kimber Leigh; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dave on March 18, 2008 at 6:15pm: I believe .......I know really great talented people and we're going to make some good movies together.....and you're invited
dave; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kimber Leigh on March 18, 2008 at 5:51pm: Just tell me where to go and I will be there...I did not even know that I could do that....so whatever info you have, I thank you for it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Norman Graves on March 21, 2008 at 12:32am: I agree mostly with Claudia. I graduated w/ a theater degree 3 yrs. ago and I still cant find Paying Acting work here. I am trying to save up to move to LA by August. I am tired of waiting for some Film to be made here. I have only gotten to be an extra in one movie filmed last year (only used me for one day). I cant live on one day of extra work for 3 years. I am going to move and will have to live in my van in LA. but Its still a better chance than waiting for some paying work to arive and save the day here in tucson. I would love to stay here as I was raised here and been here since the 80's but there just isnt anything (Paying film wise) here. goodby, so long. aufwidersine, fair well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Parked at the gas pump on March 18, 2008 at 5:45pm: Kimber,

I don't have any answers about financing films in Arizona, however Arizona does have a lot going for it. For example, Westerns are struggling to make a comeback and where better to make Westerns than Arizona? America loves Westerns it's only New York City publishers and Hollywood movie moguls who don't like Westerns.

Hopefully the film business in Arizona will be an improvement over Hollywood, and not just become, Hollywood in the Desert.

Maybe the Arizona film community needs an attractive female to represent them and to approach the Arizona Film Commission and investors.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kimber Leigh on March 18, 2008 at 5:56pm: Hopefully, Arizona is not being type cast as a state...LOL But I did not know that I could be representative of this subject, I will do what you suggest if someone could tell me...where, who and what time!

I love a good challenge....because....I have my ways...lol

Kimber Leigh; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jon Bonnell on March 19, 2008 at 8:32am: Wow, what a conversation.

Well, its more than just money, but that's a huge factor, but this is two pronged:

1) Money for Hollywood
2) Money for Independents

1) For Hollywood its not about money as much as incentives. New Mexico has incredible incentives and plenty of crew. We have very little of both. The tax incentives are ok, but there's nothing like a 10 million dollar interest free loan to open a production office and that's what our neighbor is offering ON TOP of tax incentives. As far as crew goes, the estimate by the union is that we have about enough crew state wide to outfit 1 and a half films. Now, I think that's higher, but most of those folks work abroad (out of CA) and belong to a different local.

2) For independents, yes, its a money thing. It's always a money thing. I'd love to work on something, an event or anything, that brings together local acredited investors and angels that want to work in film. It would ultimately be up to the film maker to petition them (not HOUND THEM) but definately would be nice to have access to those folks that the reward outweighs the risk. Of course if such a group existed I think we'd see a feeding frenzy from people that didn't maintain professionalism and run them screaming into the night...

AZ used to be a hot bed, and I'm not talking back in the western days. I used to work here through 1990 and there wasn't a day went by that I couldn't pick up the phone and be working somewhere in town if I wanted to. Those days left this state while I was neck deep in family and a "real job" and I'm not sure why. Partly it was the Canadian dollar, partly it was the savings and loan scandal, partly it was a stupid govenor (someone that rhymes with IM PEECH-EM).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kimber Leigh on March 19, 2008 at 10:07am: John,
Thank you for your feedback, I am amazed at the number of people that did respond. I am about change and not about complaining about it, and there has been alot of information here that I can use. Read the comment below. Thank you for caring about his community and about moving forward!

Kimber Leigh; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Parked at the gas pump on March 19, 2008 at 9:40am: Kimber,

I've never been involved in making a film and admittedly don't know what I'm talking about. However, if you are going to make a film you might want to consider forming a Not For Profit corporation. Here in Florida it's less than $200 to set one up. By being a Not For Profit all donations are tax deductible, thus it is easier to get corporations and individuals to contribute. Next, you could assemble a production team - you, the writer, a lawyer, etc. Then decide on a project, and line up as much talent and crew as possible. Then make a list of successful corporations in Arizona, and make an appointment with the highest ranked person that you can get in to see by telling the secretary that it concerns a business venture. Know your proposed project in detail, and infect the CEO with your enthusiasm. Let him know that the project is ON and that you are offering him an opportunity for product placement, a tax deduction, and being listed in the end credits. Appeal to state patriotism and mention "the arts". You are in the vanguard of people who are bringing movie production back to Arizona. Because of your appeal you could make this work.

im1star4u is right. You could also appeal to the Arizona State Legislature for tax incentives. I'm sure they would listen to you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jon Bonnell on March 19, 2008 at 9:54am: The State legislature has been lobbied for the last five or more years for tax incentives. We have what we have. The legislature and our specifically those people that are our supporters have asked that we back off for a while as we've been hitting them hard for incentives and they need to wait and see them pay off.

It's not like the community in this state is not doing something, its the state that still needs to step it up.; ▶ Reply to This