By: John Rokosz

Actor, writer, and producer Jean Zarzour was the energetic speaker for a fun evening at Cioppino’s on Sunday, April 17. Besides having an extensive resume in film, TV and print, Jean serves as an instructor for theatrical improv and voice acting. Her customized sketch and improv comedy group, Lipschtick, provides informative seminars that are geared towards improving communication and teamwork among actors and non-actors alike. In addition, Find Your Voice! is Jean’s voice over training institute that teaches students of all ages to use their voice with more control and confidence.

For the captive audience on Sunday evening, Jean’s expertise translated into an entertaining yet educational seminar on improvisation for actors, and confident pitching for producers. With four exercises that encouraged crowd participation, Jean demonstrated the importance of active listening when pitching and improvising, and the need to step out of one’s comfort zone in order to make an impression. The group dynamic quickly energized with Jean’s supportive encouragement, as several members of the crowd “came out of their shells” to stand in front of the audience and pitch improvised film ideas; debate with each other about an improvised topic, then completely switching viewpoints in an instant; and use physical action to mime creative scenes and images. It was an exciting evening that promoted teamwork and interaction with a great group of actors, producers, writers, and PaFIA corporate members—a strong and growing network that PaFIA is proud to foster at each of these events.

Jean’s bio and portfolio are available on IMDb, with more information on her website at www.jeanzarzour.com. Please also visit www.lipschtick.com and www.findyourvoice-voiceactinginstitute.blogspot.com for more opportunities to learn about improvisation and voice acting. A big thank you to Jean, and to Cioppino’s for hosting another successful PaFIA event!

To see photos from this great event, click here!

Budget Overview
Last month, Governor Wolf allowed the $6 billion GOP-crafted supplemental budget bill (HB 1801) to become law without his signature. At the time, Wolf insisted the spending plan remained out of balance and said he cannot put his name on a plan that spends more dollars than exist. This action set the final state spending for the current budget year at slightly more than $30 billion with $200 million new dollars for public schools. It also allowed critical dollars to flow to schools and other services, while pushing this year’s revenue discussions to the 2016-17 fiscal year, which starts July 1. Wolf warned that the next fiscal year, which already has a $2 billion deficit, will now begin with an extra $300 million deficit.

And just as there was a certain sense of relief, the Governor vetoed the Fiscal Code bill (HB 1327), which is important companion legislation to the state budget. The Fiscal Code is the roadmap for how state budget dollars are spent, ranging from the distribution of education dollars to the allocation of payments to Pennsylvania’s County Fairs.

As recently as last week, legislative votes on a revised fiscal code bill (HB1589) emerged with veto-proof majorities (2/3 approval). It was an ominous sign for Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf. Democrat lawmakers are beginning to see that their unswerving loyalty to Wolf last year brought them little more than a nine-month budget impasse, school districts running out of money and human services agencies stretched to the max. If Wolf persists, he could become the first governor in recent history to have a veto overridden. It’s more significant potentially as a message to Wolf on the 2016-17 budget. Work on it will get under way in earnest after the April 26 primary. After last year’s fiasco, lawmakers of both parties are hopeful for a timely, if not early, budget.

Film Tax Credit
As we are all painfully aware, allocation to the Film Tax Credit program requires annual approval as part of the budget. As such, budget delays, especially for significant periods of time, directly impacts the approval of film tax credit applications. And unfortunately, decisions are sometimes made to shoot elsewhere because of the budget uncertainty.

So PaFIA’s efforts are two-fold: increasing the $60 million annual allocation to the program AND advocating for a timely budget so delays won’t negatively impact the program. The obvious question – what does “increasing the annual allocation” mean? PaFIA’s position is simple, the greater the number allocated to the film tax credit, the more jobs  created and additional investment into our communities. At the very least, PaFIA believes that moving the program BACK to $75 million (the original allocation under Rendell). A 50% increase (to $90 million) or beyond will allow for the industry to grow, bring more projects, and not require the state to pick winners and losers because of a limited pool of credits that the Department of Community & Economic Development can approve.

So, What’s Next?
The Pennsylvania primary is Tuesday, April 26. The House of Representatives will return to session on Monday, May 2. The Senate of Pennsylvania will return to session on Monday, May 9. 2016/2017 budget negotiations will “heat up” as the month goes on, bringing us to June, which is historically the busiest month of the year with the budget. With a budget deadline of June 30th, the Governor, Senate, and House will all try to resolve past differences and have a budget approved by the end of June. With 2016 being an election year, legislators will TRY and give voters a reason to re-elect incumbents. BUT, with that being said, a vote to increase any taxes (income or sales) or to create new taxes, is a very risky political move and could have serious consequences to those trying to REMAIN in office.

Oh the joys of an election year.

Jim Davis
PaFIA Lobbyist

By: Dave Ferrier

The latest Film & Theatre Artist’s Exchange event that took place on Wednesday night at Dave & Busters was another huge success. Hosted by John Mitchel, Kenneth McGregor and Renee Carrillo, hundreds of actors, filmmakers, producers and more crowded the red carpet, heard informative presentations and watched previews of some amazing local films.

“This is about getting work, a community looking after one another, supporting one another, learning from each other, and talking to one another,” McGregor said at the start of the event. “There are producers here who are getting it done!”

The Pennsylvania Film Industry Association (PaFIA) table was abuzz with Maria Breyman talking with prospective members about the benefits of joining. There were a lot of aspiring actors and filmmakers, looking for guidance in the industry and eager to get in front of the right people. They were impressed by how many famous professionals presented at PaFIA events, such as Edward Saxon – Producer of Silence of the Lambs, and George Parra – Producer of Silver Linings Playbook. During Maria’s stage presentation she said “Our goal is to turn your dream into your full-time job!”

By: Jalia Moody

Tap and Kitchen hosted PaFIA’s lively producer’s panel March 29 in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. The panel consisted of Philadelphia’s own George Roach (producer/photojournalist at Fox News, WTXF), Robert Drake (Producer of Kids Corner, XPN), Jason Loftus (independent film producer and partner of Heery-Loftus Casting), and Chayne Gregg (producer/co-founder of FreshFly). The producer’s panel had 70 in attendance including 8 new members and 3 renewals and was hosted by Assistant Director and Producer, John Rusk.

Old and new members feasted on Tap and Kitchen’s fried pickles, fried calamari and buffalo wings with a spread of shredded carrots and celery. The panel discussion quickly commenced with Diane Heery taking the microphone and emphasizing one of PaFIA’s main goals: “… to fill the film industry in Pennsylvania.” Diane explained that PaFIA’s continuous goal is to grow its membership. She further explained PaFIA’s instrumental presence in rewriting the child labor laws in the state of Pennsylvania. PaFIA focuses on other issues besides the film tax credit.  Diane added that PaFIA is an organization that brings together the film production crew and people in the industry.

The panel of producers started the conversation with an overview of their current projects and role in the industry. The next line of questioning: managerial vs. creative, a producer’s role on projects.  Every producer on the panel represented his own medium of the industry: Roach (TV); Drake (radio); Loftus and Greg (film). Each producer later explained how his role changed and where each saw his role in the future.

John Rusk opened the floor to questions and answers. Though one question represented what many people want to know: how do you successfully get funding for a film? The questions ranged from finding a foundation that match the topic of your story to try cold calling a key number of money people to the well-said “be honest” and make investors believe in you and your project. One producer explained to make your deal one-sided when speaking with an investor: only the investor will be profiting from the investment. It’s in your deal that no one gets in front of the investors.

Facebook posts confirmed how PaFIA events like this one reunited Philadelphia’s own local talent of crew members. Moments of dialogue among film production crew and people in the industry are needed. As Diane mentioned, Hollywood shops and we must maintain the best deal to do production work in the state Pennsylvania. Why? We are state with cities like no other—from Philadelphia to Harrisburg— that contain stories of history, character, and noteworthy landmarks that attract tourists. We have to make it a priority for productions to be excited and honored to film in a state like ours!

To see photos from this event, click here!

By: John Rokosz

The ongoing effort of protecting the film industry in Pennsylvania is championed by hardworking people that love their city. James Mahathey, now a proud PaFIA board member, is one of those people. A longstanding career in Pittsburgh film became both the reason and the method through which James is contributing to that cause today.

James Mahathey, born in Penn Hills, has become a hometown success story in Pittsburgh film.  He currently acts as a Location Manager, and has worked in the industry for 20 years. His department is responsible for location scouting, permit and contract acquisition, and the coordination of space for cars, trucks, trailers, and catering. Some of his larger projects include Desperate Measures, Wonderboys, The Mothman Prophecies, Kill Point, She’s Out of My League, Unstoppable, and The Dark Knight Rises. Today, he lives in the North Hills, married with children, and serves as a PaFIA board member on their membership committee.

Looking at his experience, James seems destined to make a difference in Pittsburgh film. He attended the Pittsburgh Filmmakers school and graduated from Point Park University, where he earned an internship with the Pittsburgh Film Office. His primary task was maintaining location folders, which organize anything from scouting pics, to paperwork, to the plans for assembling film sets. During his senior year, he took over a night location shoot when a problem with the location photos threatened to delay set building. Working all night, James saved the project to meet the producers’ demands. More and more gigs quickly began to pop up, through which James was able to prove himself and his craft. Immediately after senior year, he was offered his first official gig on Desperate Measures, with Michael Keaton and Andy Garcia.

As the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia film industries matured, PaFIA was formed to provide a state-wide conversation about what it meant to keep film projects coming to PA. James joined the cause when PaFIA first started, and was clear about his reasoning: “It’s a good way to let the government know we have a strong workforce. Over the past five years, we’ve seen an encouraging increase of crew in the city.” As a contributor to the membership committee, James is focused on increasing the global awareness of PaFIA, which includes membership from film crew, students, and even corporate vendors that service the film industry.

His efforts on the set and on the PaFIA board have certainly been worth it. The film tax credit has once again been renewed, which is the key to keeping work here in the state. With a steady career in film, James was able to pay off his bills, and bought his own house in January, 2009.  Proud to be working in the city he calls home, he remarked: “Now that I’m married with kids, I want to stay in town as long as I can. It’s the tax credit that makes that possible.” More and more film crew are following James’ lead; digging their feet into the region, getting involved in PaFIA, and ensuring the industry’s continued success. It’s exciting to see more and more of these hometown heroes paving the way for generations to come.

The Milken Institute, the nonprofit think tank known for data driven studies offering solutions to policy initiatives, has turned it’s eyes on Pittsburgh’s film and media scene in the hopes of determining what makes Pittsburgh home to what is called “a thriving cluster of media related jobs.”  Their report calls for the Pittsburgh Film Office to develop and advocate three main objectives for the stakeholders in order to compete with cities such as Atlanta, New Orleans, Toronto and New York.  According to the report, it will be vital to invest in entertainment infrastructure, create and retain a skilled entertainment workforce and ensure political support and long-term commitment to film incentives if the region wishes to keep it’s advantage.

To view report, click here.

Ben and Oliver Samuels are producing brothers shooting in their native Bucks County. Ben attended Tufts University and made a microbudget horror film, entitled Watch Me, immediately after graduation. The film starred then unknown actor Nick Jandl, who is now breaking hearts as Dr. Caleb Ryan on Nashville.

Shot in Buckingham and Central PA, DreadCentral just reviewed Watch Me, noting its “…interesting twists and turns towards the movie’s conclusion…” that made it a “…certified indie hair-raiser.”

After Watch Me, Ben booked a gig directing the Gothic thriller Kantemir, starring horror icon Robert Englund, known for his role as Freddy Krueger in The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The film is being released domestically in Summer 2015. At Ben’s suggestion, the LA producers moved the filming location from Massachusetts to Pittsburgh, taking advantage of the phenomenal crew and infrastructure that Pennsylvania has to offer.

Oliver attended the University of Vermont and defined himself on the rugby pitch. A proud Doylestown Dragon and natural leader, he joined UVM’s Varsity Team as a freshman and coached the b-side as a junior and senior. After Kantemir, the Samuels brothers decided to blaze their own trail as filmmakers.

In March 2015, Ben and Oliver completed the innovative survival thriller 6:15 in Bucks County. With a state tax credit, the production employed nearly 40 local cast and crewmembers, bringing a burst of business to the area’s restaurants, shops, and, yes, even golf courses.

Since picking up their first VHS camera to make birthday movies in elementary school, the Samuels Brothers have been filmmakers. All the wildly embarrassing childhood films were shot in neighbors’ backyards and running through town in ridiculous costumes. The area’s support (and patience) fostered the boys’ imagination, empowering them to follow their dream in a difficult industry.

Bringing 6:15 home to Bucks County was one of the most important parts of the project. Pennsylvania has given so much to Ben and Oliver; making films here is one way they’re giving back. More than that, however, it’s an incredible place to be from and an incredible place to shoot. Pennsylvania’s star is rising, with more and more superb cast and crew calling the Keystone State home, waiting for local projects to rally behind. The tireless work by groups like PAFiA, especially in Harrisburg, ensures that filmmakers from Pennsylvania who are committed to growing the state’s industry have a bright future ahead.

LINKS: www.bensamuels.com

http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/108246/watch-me-2015/

Click here to download a PDF of this article

PaFIA Members and Friends,

Over the past weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported that the North Carolina legislature had voted to end the state’s film incentive program. Lawmakers were quoted expressing a desire to cut one of the oldest and most successful film programs in the country and instead provide incentives for other industries in North Carolina. The Motion Picture Association of America has warned the state that it will lose thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in spending on film productions. The state’s Commerce Secretary is lobbying legislative leaders to keep a portion of the program intact, to no avail.

Our concern is that some members of the Pennsylvania film and television industry may have become complacent over the last several years because of our success in Harrisburg. In 2009, the PA Film Tax Credit was threatened with extinction. It was regarded as a pet project of the Governor and welfare for Hollywood. Through hard work, the PA Film Industry Association reversed these negative mindsets. The tax credit program is now viewed by members of the legislature from both parties as an effective economic development tool that is providing jobs and support for Pennsylvania’s small business community. The debate this spring was not about whether to have a film tax credit program, but how to make it more effective. Some leaders felt that the program should be uncapped to realize its full potential for economic growth. All of the change in attitude toward the film program occurred during very difficult budget years for the Commonwealth; despite the reduction of many other programs statewide, the current film incentive program remained intact. Early reports on revenue for this fiscal year suggest that the Commonwealth’s economy is still struggling-our work is not done in Pennsylvania.

As a result of PaFIA’s work over the last several years, thousands of communications have occurred between members of the film industry and legislators. Regular meetings have occurred between PaFIA’s officers and the Governor’s office as well as the Department of Community and Economic Development. This work is consuming, tedious and difficult but it has certainly paid off. The big difference between the film programs in North Carolina and Pennsylvania is PaFIA. North Carolina does not have a strong organization that speaks on behalf of companies and residents in the state who depend on the film and television industry for their livelihood. There is no voice of the industry speaking to North Carolina legislators about the industry’s jobs and the citizens who hold them.

Opponents of our program in Pennsylvania are currently being held at bay in Harrisburg. The intensity of PaFIA’s campaign cannot lag or else our investment in the film tax credit program could come under the same threat that the North Carolina film and television Industry now faces. In order to meet our common goal of improving and expanding the tax credit program, the administration must continue to hear from PaFIA members whose daily lives are positively impacted by it. We have seen many successes, but there is no time to rest. Support for PaFIA has never been more critical. If you are not a member, join. We need your support now more than ever.

Sincerely,

The Pennsylvania Film Industry Association Board of Directors: David Haddad, Ray Carballada, Diane Heery, Kevin McQuillan, Dave Bowers, David Raynor, Chelsea Danley, Brian Hartman, John Horell, Jeannee Josefczyk, Mike McCann, Helen McNutt, Nancy Moser, Missy Moyer, John Rusk, Katie Scott, Andrew Sliben, Heather Tassoni, Paul Williams, Justin Wineburgh