Maine Media staff and film faculty traveled to Augusta, Maine June 7 to join members of the growing Maine film community in support two of industry bills being considered by the State Legislature.
Maine Film Office staff, members of the Maine Film Commission and Maine Film & Video Association, and staff from Maine Public Broadcasting were joined by productions companies and independent filmmakers meeting with legislators to discuss the importance of passing industry-friendly legislation as a means to encourage filmmaking in the State.
A key bill, LD 1069, which was on the floor June 7 and subsequently passed to be enacted, provides financial support to Maine producers for the creation and development of projects that are shot in Maine, employing Maine people. The current seed capital is $5,000 and Rep. Linda Valentino in concert with the Maine Film Office is working on increasing that to $500,000.
A second bill, LD384, is aimed at attracting producers looking to shoot major films in Maine. The bill provides for cash rebates for productions spending more than $50,000 and has a $2million cap. LD384 has been referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development to be considered in the next legislative session beginning early January 2012.
Along with the classic Peyton Place, more recent films produced in Maine include In the Bedroom, Message in a Bottle, and Empire Falls.