Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Task force seeks to improve Idaho's fledgling film industry


By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Co-chairs of the Idaho Film Task Force met with other members on Monday in Sun Valley. From left, state Reps. Jana Kemp and Ben Shedd are joined by actress Dawn Wells. Express photo by Dana DuGan

Just as on a movie set, the sound of duct tape being pulled punched the background noise. Ben Shedd, an Academy Award-winning documentary director was taping, not scrims, but huge sheets of meeting minutes onto the windows at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge in Sun Valley. On Monday, July 25, the Idaho Film Industry Task Force was holding its second official meeting, and Shedd was performing the work of the gaffer, production assistant and director all at once.

His partner in producing the event was state Rep. Jana Kemp, R-Garden City/Boise.

Though not present on Monday, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, is a task force member, as is Chuck Webb of Crisman Films in Sun Valley, who was present.

The task force hopes to convince the Legislature and the public that improving the state's climate for film and media work can create sustainable employment, bring money to communities and build on education opportunities.

Essentially, the task force members, with an audience of Idaho film industry professionals, professors and writers, heard and discussed "reports from sub-committees (to) reach an agreement on how to move forward with research and legislative package drafting," according to a meeting timeline handout.

In order to present a package to the Legislature in 2006, the task force, which includes directors, producers, legislators, lobbyists and the Idaho Arts Commission among others, have been working diligently in subcommittees to finalize the most pressing issues regarding this topic.

The task force feels that if Idaho is to attract filmmakers to the state, it will need to offer incentives such as tax credits, as other states have done with great success. Filmmakers also need to know there is a surplus of experienced workers, equipment and lodging and that those items are easily accessible. However, without funding and education, not all of these aspects are currently at hand in the state.

The only incentive the Idaho Film Bureau reports is an exemption from sales and lodging taxes if production personnel stay 30 days or more in Idaho lodging facilities.

Other than that, there is no coherent or state-funded commission in place to attract and promote Idaho to filmmakers. Consider that in 2004, the average cost to make a movie was almost $64 million, plus many more millions in marketing. In Idaho, only $37 million has been spent since 1987 in movie money, according to the Department of Commerce and Labor.

"We see this as a very usable future for Idaho," Kemp said. "It's tangible, it's durable, sustainable and retainable."

Actress Dawn Wells agreed. "This is virgin territory. We have an opportunity to build something from scratch."

The task force feels education and mentoring are significant to the future success of a vibrant film and media industry in the state. As proof, Mike and Darci Clair, owners of the Western States College in Gooding, discussed the progress made at their campus to date. Two of their recent student-made films have been accepted to the prestigious Sundance and the Telluride film festivals.

Another discussion point at the gathering was "What is the vision for Idaho?"

A brand identity is considered a vital aspect for which Idaho should aim. Just as New Mexico is considered the "land of enchantment" by filmmakers, so too Idaho must have a catchy motto that can express the sum of the parts.

"Idaho is the new West," said Pat Sullivan, a movie lobbyist from Boise. "Film is good business and Idaho is a good place to do business. It's sexy. This just beats the hell out of workers' comp, if we package it right and market it."

Ketchum resident and filmmaker Kevin Swigert said he had been trying more than a "number of years to get productions to come here. It all comes down to cost."

"This is an incredible opportunity for the economic vitality of the state and therefore the residents," said Kent Tingey, vice president of university advancement at Idaho State University.

Fortunately, a handful of film festivals help bring attention to the state: the Spud Fest, in Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Driggs, Aug. 17 through 20; in Boise the Idaho International Film Festival Sept. 29 through Oct. 2; and the True West Film Festival, Aug. 25 through 28. Earlier this spring the I 48 Festival was held in Boise.

However, no attention can equal what happened in little Preston, Idaho, when a local son and his wife made the film "Napoleon Dynamite" in 2004. It became a hit and fostered an infusion of money into the town of only 500 when people began trekking there and a festival sprang up, attracting thousands.

The Idaho Arts Commission is aiding the task force by offering an online survey for people who have any professional or personal interest in seeing a burgeoning film industry in Idaho. Anyone who wishes to fill this out can do so at www.arts.idaho.gov.

The results will be compiled in time for the next meeting of the task force, Sept. 29 in Boise. The task force has already planned a Capitol Film Day for Feb. 14 in Boise to celebrate the conclusion of their work.

For more information, go to cl.idaho.gov/portal.




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