ARTS, CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

FILM PRODUCTION FLIGHT

WHEREAS, the production of filmed entertainment has been a fundamental part of America's economy; and

WHEREAS, the emergence of new technologies has changed the nature of how motion pictures are made, creating opportunities for new geographic regions of the world to enter the marketplace with workers who have been trained in how to utilize the new technologies available in the production of entertainment content; and

WHEREAS, new technologies create the opportunity for artisans servicing the entertainment industry to easily collaborate on entertainment production by utilizing digitized visual and audio files that can be instantly moved throughout the world, portions of entertainment work that would usually be done domestically are moving to lower cost regions of the world; and

WHEREAS, nations like Canada have noted the above trends and have specifically targeted the motion picture industry and its jobs by enticing producers with tax incentives, funded with tax dollars from Canada's federal and provincial governments; and

WHEREAS, American workers are at an economic disadvantage to foreign workers as America's ability to keep film location shooting domestically is more challenging due to foreign government funded subsidies offered to U.S. productions to take their productions out of the country; and

WHEREAS, municipalities across the country rely on the entertainment industry as an economic development tool, particularly those cities that serve as production centers, employing thousands from the crews behind the camera to those working in the prop houses or equipment rental companies; and

WHEREAS, it is vital that policy makers at every level of government act to preserve the well-being of this industry, and ensure the men and women who comprise its workforce have the tools and ability to ensure its continued growth and contributions to our local economies,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the importance of the entertainment industry and its workforce to the health and prosperity of America's cities; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the United States Congress to recognize the need for action at the federal level and adopt legislation that provides the working men and women of this industry with the tools to compete on a level playing field with their foreign colleagues; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the President to appoint a special liaison within the Department of Commerce, or other appropriate federal agency, to facilitate and advocate on behalf of the motion picture industry at the federal level of government; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the President and Congress to ask the Department of Defense to streamline the procedures and permitting process for filming on closed or designated-for-closure military bases and; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges mayors to closely monitor developments relating to the closure of military bases in their jurisdictions and work with the local reuse authorities to promote and market these facilities for filming; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the efforts of the National Entertainment Alliance to provide a comprehensive voice for the entertainment industry and will work with in partnership with them to stem the tide of runaway production and seek strategies that promotes and retain filmed entertainment in our cities.