Film Tax Incentives: Take 1

Generous tax breaks that took effect on January 1 are already attracting attention from movie and television companies looking to film in Wisconsin.

Recently, Universal Studios committed to Wisconsin as the place to film major parts of Public Enemies, a depression-era gangster movie starring Johnny Depp (squeal!) as the infamous bank robber John Dillinger.

Director Michael Mann, a University of Wisconsin graduate, and his executives have been eyeing several locations around the state for filming. They toured downtown Milwaukee’s Germania Building (152 W. Wells St.) as a possible site. According to the news, the building’s marble grand foyer would serve as a bank lobby in the film. Mann’s staff is also evaluating five other sites around Milwaukee for banks, prisons, and street scenes; other locations are reported to include Madison and Chicago.

The movie is a screen adaptation of Bryan Burrough’s book Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-1934. (I’m definitely prompted to buy a copy.) The story unravels the Midwest crime sprees of Dillinger, Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd and Lester “Baby Face Nelson” Gillis that lead up to Dillinger’s death in Chicago in 1934.

I’m thrilled about this movie – I love gangster flicks – and the opportunity it brings to Milwaukee, not to mention the extra perk of having a mega celebrity like Johnny Depp parading around our city.

This is the first major production to come to Wisconsin since the tax incentives went into effect. These inducements have been described as among the best in the nation and they’ve put Wisconsin on competitive footing with California and New York – it sounds a bit surreal, doesn’t it?

Under the law, a production company qualifies for a tax credit of 25% of the wages paid to employees to produce a film, video, electronic game, broadcast advertisement, or TV program in Wisconsin. Also included are credits for sales tax, construction, wardrobe, clothing and visual effects.

Incentives and the projects they attract will undoubtedly create high-paying, high-tech jobs and probably will have an economic ripple effect starting in local communities where filming is done. I think this will definitely increase tourism, but perhaps the new job industry will open doors for the younger generation that tends to flee the city for flourishing jobs elsewhere.

For instance, camera rental and sales companies like Fletcher Camera are already planning to open in Milwaukee and Third Ward Records is currently building a recording studio thanks to the 15% income tax credits that the incentives give to related businesses.

Besides Public Enemies, Milwaukee has already been chosen for another film, Blue World, a thriller set to begin shooting soon. Plus, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or St. Norbert College will be the scene for the $1 million motion picture The Violinist, which will be filmed entirely in Packers country.

Filming for Public Enemies will begin in early March and continue through the end of June. Scenes in Milwaukee are rumored to start in April, if city permits are issued.

Just within the first month, the ratified tax incentives have created buzz about Wisconsin and have peeked interest from film makers. Can you imagine what this will do for Milwaukee in the coming years?

Comments

[Nick]

Do you think more students will study film at, say, UWM or something? Maybe UWM will become more popular because it's located in a city where the film industry reaps benefits. Just a thought.

[Erin]

Are you telling me that Johnny Depp is going to be shooting film scenes in WISCONSIN?

[Mandy]

The scouts have been in Oshkosh a few times and are looking at banks and the theater where my boyfriend works. We're all excited up here!

[Karen]

Yes, Johnny Depp and his wild sex appeal will be in Wisconsin!

I'm pretty excited about the movie and that it's being filmed mainly in WI (and that it will draw amazing actors to our area – Christian Bale is also rumored to be in negotiations with the director).

Erin, we'll have to take out our cameras and folding chairs for the filming in April.

And how cool would it be if some of the scenes were shot at the bank where your bf works, Mandy? Oh, it'd be cool!

I think this is pretty huge for our state, and for Milwaukee!

[alan]

I don't know if this is significant at all, but I'm a film student at UWM and I'm really stoked about the film tax incentive and the prospect of seeing great directors and actors come to Milwaukee.

[Mandy]

Theater he works at, not bank. The Grand Opera House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin's oldest operating theater, so it's kind of historic and that makes it even more cool. I'm not quite sure what a theater scene is needed for, but that's pretty cool that they might need it. They've been back there a few times to take photos and they've been in downtown Oshkosh to talk to business owners about altering storefronts.

Maybe my boyfriend can get me a date with Mr. Depp. Kidding.

[Karen]

I have selective "reading"

[Lex]

I'm sure you can't HAVE selective READING!

[Karen]

I guess I should have checked my facts before making that silly *joke*

[Juliea]

This is a nice site. I like its content. Its content is very helpful.

[Austin Video Production, Austin Film Production]

This is realy interesting to read and infact as per i think it would be more interesting to watch.

[FYI]

The Johnny Depp film "Public Enemies" is looking for a few good extras. Auditions for non-speaking roles in the film are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. THIS Friday, March 7 at the Italian Conference Center (631 E. Chicago St.)

Men should be no taller than 6'1", and women no taller than 5'8" and no larger than a size 12.

Good luck!