thePULSEBy Mary Ouellette
2007 was a banner year for movies filmed in Massachusetts, and a lot of the credit goes to the Massachusetts Film Office (MFO). Established in 1979, MFO’s primary goal is to bring movie and television business to the Bay State. In 2007, Massachusetts saw eight major film productions earning it top accolades in the July issue of Production Update (P3) Magazine. Massachusetts ranked number two on the top five places to film movies, preceded only by New Mexico.
Nicholas Paleologos, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Film Office, credits the best tax credit law, the best locations, and the best crew base as factors that have raised interest and brought filmmakers to Massachusetts. In just one year ~ from 2006 to 2007 ~ the number of films produced in our state quadrupled, and there’s no sign of things slowing down. Films produced in here in 2007 include Miramax Film’s The Great Debaters, Columbia Picture’s Pink Panther Deux and The Weinstein Company’s The Box. MFO points to that revised tax credit as a major factor in this increase. The original tax law took effect in January 2006 but was overhauled and revised with a new effective date of January 2007. It was these revisions ~ 25% credit on all spending in state, no sales tax on production spending, no caps, no limits, and the state guarantees the credit at 90% of value ~ that had filmmakers salivating and rushing to the East Coast to film. While these breaks may sound like Greek to us average Joes, it’s music to filmmakers’ ears ~ and an absolute boon for their budgets.
Merely weeks ago, the Worcester Art Museum was the backdrop for an upcoming film titled The Lonely Maiden, which brought Hollywood heavyweights Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, and William H. Macy to our city. The movie chronicles the comedic escapades of three veteran museum security guards who together scheme to bring back their beloved artwork that was transferred to another museum. The film will be released next fall. Pay close attention and you’ll catch a few Worcester locals ~ including Worcester Art Museum Executive Director James Welu, who was cast in the walk-on role of the assistant curator ~ making their big screen debuts. The one day shoot in Worcester was enough for the crew to get the shots they needed to recreate the museum on set.
Although Paleologos is associated with the bright lights and movies stars, he confesses that his job is not as glamorous as one may think. A typical day for him and his team involves “…being on the phone with producers and studio executives trying to get them to come here, or cutting red tape for the filmmakers who are already here shooting.” As for his biggest challenge, he reveals that “Everything about [my job] is endlessly fascinating, but finding the right locations for each individual script is always a challenge.”
MFO is a full service affair, helping with everything from scouting locations to acting as a liaison between the filmmaker and local crews. They maintain an online production guide on their website (www.mafilm.org) and they also keep local crew lists from past productions which they can tap into as a resource as needed. In a nutshell, they don’t just “introduce” movies to the state, they help make them happen!
Nothing speaks to MFO’s credibility more than repeat business. Disney brought two films to Massachusetts in 2006 and will be back in 2008. Columbia Pictures accounted for two of last year’s pictures and had a great experience each time. According to Paleologos, “Repeat customers are our best advertising!” 2008 could be one of MSO’s most successful years to date, and speaking for the movie buffs of New England, that deserves five stars and two thumbs up!
MSO’s website: WWW.MAFILM.ORG
