The sad truth is that the new tax breaks agreed to by the California Legislature this week will just be used by the Hollywood studios to play one state off another since now lawmakers in 40 states have enacted some kind of filming incentives. This is driven home by today’s incredibly arrogant press release issued by their trade group, the Motion Picture Association Of America, and timed to the Oscars with the sole purpose of boasting about runaway production. Read it and weep.

ANOTHER BIG WINNER ON OSCAR’S® NIGHT:
THE AMERICAN WORKER
Nominated Films Brought Jobs, Revenue to States

Washington, DC – What do Brad Pitt, Anne Hathaway and Mickey Rourke have in common? Yes, they are all nominated for one of Hollywood’s biggest awards – an Oscar®. But, all three of these actors were also a part of an “on location” film production that helped bring jobs and revenue to several states not necessarily known for red carpet events.

On Sunday night, Americans all across the country will settle into their living rooms to find out who will be going home with the coveted Academy Award®. But, beyond the glitz and glamour, some of the biggest winners already are the workers and small businesses in states where several of the nominated flicks were filmed – from Connecticut to Louisiana and New Jersey to Hawaii.

In the category of “on location” productions, an estimated $225,000 per day is added to the local economy where film production occurs. In Illinois alone, Batman was a hero for Chicago when production of The Dark Knight injected $35 million in jobs, taxes and other revenue into the local economy in about two months.

A sample of some of the other winners in this category are:

· Louisiana (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
· New Jersey and Pennsylvania (The Wrestler)
· Connecticut (Revolutionary Road and Rachel Getting Married)
· Hawaii (Tropic Thunder)
· Nevada (Iron Man)

The Red Carpet is just not big enough for the nearly 1.5 million people that comprise the motion picture industry. These workers range from truck drivers to set designers and caterers to animators. They earn more than $30 billion in wages each year. No wonder more than 40 states have enacted incentives to lure these “Hollywood” productions to their cities and towns. So, as you watch Sunday night’s awards show, keep in mind that there are more winners than those who take home a golden statuette.

Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.