What about the Children?
September 23, 2009
So, I am (was, who knows!) casting a film that is supposed to shoot in Iowa on October 19th . However, the Governor of Iowa has suspended the tax credit program to films being shoot in Iowa:
“Last week, allegations of misconduct emerged surrounding the tax credits. Those allegations include the purchase of luxury vehicles that were not associated with film production; filmmakers claiming payments for themselves for multiple jobs; poor record keeping; contracts that were changed to increase tax credits sought after they had already gone through an approval process; and reliance on vendors from outside Iowa.
The allegations have led to resignations from the top two officials at the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the firing of Wheeler, who was running the tax credit program almost single-handedly. Culver also suspended the tax credits while an investigation takes place.” (http://iowaindependent.com/20038/with-or-without-abuse-value-of-iowa-film-incentives-difficult-to-measure)
The suspension of the tax credits is still in effect, keeping in limbo several productions from starting pre-production. In our case, actors have been offered roles and are negotiating to be in the films. Week’s worth of casting work is now in jeopardy and the livelihoods of hundreds of potential crew in Iowa is in limbo.
Insert me…wanting a cocktail right about now…
Last night I saw Annette Bening in “Medea” at UCLA/Live. I really, really, really wanted to be enthralled and engaged in her performance. I have seen Diana Rigg and Fiona Shaw in this role in the past and it truly is one of the great roles in the theater for any actress to play. The audience appreciated the production with a standing ovation at the end and I think that if you have never seen “Medea,” this version would be interesting to experience. Ms. Bening has certainly become the “Grande Dame” of the Los Angeles theater scene, which is great, because L.A certainly needs a theater diva, and after all, it lights a fire of excitement in L.A to have someone like her getting audiences to go to the theater. I hope she continues to inspire more productions…we do have some great actors in L.A!
