NewEnglandFilm.com

Political puns aside, a strong coalition of Massachusetts film, television, and media producers along with labor unions and others actively involved in the industry have formed an official body to attract not only more projects and work to the Bay State, but also to provide a forum for a variety of production concerns, issues, and opportunities.

The Massachusetts Production Coalition (MPC) "is the result of several months of discussions and planning to develop more unity within the production community and to effectively and equitably represent the broad interests of its members," according to a press release. MPC Founding Members include principals at Moody Street Pictures, Neoscape, Picture Park, Boston Camera Rental Company, Finish Editorial, High Output, Rule Broadcast Systems, CrewStar Red Tree Productions, and Boston Casting, as well as IATSE Local 481 and AFTRA & SAG (see the full list of MPC Founding Members at the end of this article). These key players in Massachusetts media production recently issued a mission statement, which announces its raison d’être: "To help maintain, promote, increase and expedite the development, creation and production of film, video and new media content in the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts."

Over the last three months the MPC has been building initiatives and putting the word out. These efforts culminated in two important events for not only the MPC, but also the Bay State’s future as a host of film and media productions.

The first event took place on May 3rd at the American Repertory’s Zero Arrow Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge. At the inaugural meeting of the MPC, more than 300 industry folks turned out to learn what the MPC’s role in film and media production will be. More importantly, there was an overwhelmingly positive response for the MPC’s support of the O’Brien Bill (House 3823) — a comprehensive production incentive package that is now moving through committee hearings.

Many states have legislation in place designed to encourage film and media production within their borders. Tax incentives and breaks play a major role in luring media projects to these states. More productions mean more work for local media personnel and this means more business for everyone around them. Currently, Massachusetts has no such legislation on the books. An ally of the MPC’s mission is Massachusetts State Representative Thomas O’Brien. His eponymous bill hopes to put in place laws that will attract not only more studio films such as "Mystic River" and "Good Will Hunting," but also independent productions and other media projects that often do not grace the limelight.

"We polled the group at the end of our meeting," remarked John Rule, President of Rule Broadcast and presenter for the MPC Membership Committee. "We asked two questions: How many of you will support the MPC, and how many of you will support the O’Brien legislation? In each instance, the response was amazing. Virtually everyone in the audience raised their hands in a tremendous sign of unity and commitment to the future of our production community."

"The attendance and energy was unprecedented," remarked Don Packer, COO of Finish Editorial. "Our community has anxiously awaited this opportunity to meet and have their voice heard."

The MPC’s kickoff meeting provided much needed momentum for the O’Brien Bill’s hearing on May 10th at the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill. Famed actor Chris Cooper, whose wife Marianne Leone Cooper is from Kingston, Mass., was in attendance to provide some high-profile support for the proposed legislation. An Associated Press story on the hearing noted that the recent production of "Fever Pitch" was, in reality, largely shot in Toronto. Under the provisions of the O’Brien Bill, such productions would think twice before fleeing the state; in fact, they’d be more than willing to film entirely in the Commonwealth.

The AP article quotes Don Stirling, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission: where film productions are concerned Stirling said, "Massachusetts doesn’t have a business leg to stand on. We can talk all day long about how incredible Massachusetts looks on film. Until it looks better on paper, we can’t compete."

Joe Maiella, Sr. VP at CrewStar and President of the MPC, looks forward to swift movement on the O’Brien Bill. "We expect the bill to be reported out of the revenue committee favorably," he states. "Then to Ways & Means, to the House and the Senate, and ultimately to the Governor’s desk. The best case on the timeline for enactment is mid-summer."

Maiella goes on to explain the MPC’s future status. Maiella states, "the MPC will function as a 501(c)6 trade association. It will be governed by a Board of Directors. All officers and board members are volunteers. The coalition will utilize a committee structure to address tasks as determined by the needs of and input from the production community." Enrollment protocols for the MPC have been put in place and a dues schedule established. Dues will go towards supporting MPC initiatives. There will be multiple tiers (and dues levels) of participation in the MPC — recognizing the many segments of the production community. MPC meetings will be held quarterly.

Maiella foresees a bright, influential future for the MPC — beyond passage of the O’Brien Bill. "The issues affecting our industry don’t end with the successful passage of production incentive legislation," he explains. "There are many opportunities for us to coalesce the production community so that our resources are easier to find and use. We are in the early stage of developing an MPC website that will become a valuable centerpiece for information, collaborating on an economic impact study, and working with the MSEC in promoting Massachusetts as a desirable locale for film and media productions. The MPC will be an ongoing presence in Massachusetts to help promote our community, allow members to network, share ideas, and bring compelling issues to light."

Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." It seems the MPC has this apothegm in mind as it draws the best and the brightest in Massachusetts’s media into its ranks to provide a strong and stable organization that can represent and promote the Bay State’s potential in the realm of entertainment.