Film Makers: Don't Mess With Texas

[Bob]

Damn, I would think in Texas our lawmakers would have better use of their time.   


May 15, 2007, 2:40AM
Senators want film funds to hinge on portrayal of state
Measure would deny funding for movies if state is portrayed in negative fashion


By PEGGY FIKAC
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — Don't mess with Texas' image — at least, not if you're a filmmaker seeking money from the Lone Star State.

That's the message from Senate budget writers who approved a film-incentive measure Monday, but only after specifying that a grant may be denied for "inappropriate content or content that portrays Texas or Texans in a negative fashion."

So, would a losing season for the Cowboys be a forbidden topic under the bill OK'd by the Senate Finance Committee, as one observer speculated?

Such judgments would be up to the film commission, which is under Gov. Rick Perry's office, said Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, Senate sponsor of House Bill 1634 by Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin.

"They'll make the detailed decisions. We didn't specify any particulars, other than it can't be disparaging to Texas or Texans or (contain) objectionable material," Deuell said.

Asked about the Cowboys example, Deuell said, "I think as long as it's factual," it would be permitted.

Several senators wanted the provision, he said, noting: "Somebody mentioned that movie about the basketball team from El Paso that won the national championship, and how they depicted a game that was played over at East Texas State as being — they treated 'em badly, and that never happened. That type of thing."

Glory Road — a film about the Texas Western Miners, the first college basketball champion with an all-black starting lineup — prompted a call for an apology from Texas A&M-Commerce, which during the era in the film was known as East Texas State University.

The House version of the state budget includes $20 million for film incentive grants, contingent on the comptroller's certification that money generated by filmmaking will make up for the expenditure.

The Senate's proposed budget doesn't fund a similar program, although it includes $10 million for the effort in its unfunded wish list. Negotiators are working on differences.

Perry has urged funding for the program, which "would have tremendously positive impact on Texas' ability to attract entertainment jobs," said Perry spokesman Ted Royer.

pfikac@express-news.net

[kodiakthejuggler]

That crap will never fly in the liberal hot-bed that is Austin, Texas.

[Nunyerbiz]

Damn, I would think in Texas our lawmakers would have better use of their time.   

I dunno, makes perfect sense to me. I don't see an issue with introducing a grant to encourage movie production in the state. It makes good economic sense. The majority of the tax money given to the movie makers, I would have to assume, would remain in the state to pay for the production. I don't see how this is a waste of time.

If I'm approving tax dollars for a grant, I'm going to want some kind of overview process to make sure my constituents money that is set aside for the Texas Entertainment Developement Grant or whatever doesn't give a few million bucks to the production of "Go F@#$ Yourself Texas!".

Don't get me wrong, I'm no big fan of politicians wasting their time... but this isn't much of an example. Put some money aside for economic development, cover your ass so your voters don't go apeshit over where the money goes.... where's the issue?

[GregMcduck]

Anti-Idaho films still OK

[Tyrant]

  It's wonderful if grants are being introduced for film production there, but I don't hold to the conditions being presented. I think it's kind of silly to limit the creative process to only include the positive aspects of the state and culture but to completely ban anything that might be negative (and maybe more realistic. Texas culture can be very dramatic). It's like buying a kid a 100+ count box of crayons but telling him he can only use half the colors.

 Just my opinion (as a Texan).

[Bob]

I can just see these governmental meetings now......

"Well Steve, this film had 4 negative things about Texas in it, 2 of them are true, 1 of them is mostly true, the other one is only true for native born texans, so how much should we bill the movie company for?"

"Gee Tom, let me assemble a team and build a spreadsheet with cost allocations and a nice Visio Slide Deck"

[Nunyerbiz]

 It's wonderful if grants are being introduced for film production there, but I don't hold to the conditions being presented. I think it's kind of silly to limit the creative process to only include the positive aspects of the state and culture but to completely ban anything that might be negative (and maybe more realistic. Texas culture can be very dramatic). It's like buying a kid a 100+ count box of crayons but telling him he can only use half the colors.

 Just my opinion (as a Texan).

Who is limiting any creative process? Who has the power to completely ban anything? Are we reading the same article?

It's a free country, filmmakers can make any movie they want to make and the Texas legislature has no power to do a damn thing about it. They just get to make the decision as to which projects they help subsidize with taxpayer funds. Again, where is the issue?

[MarkAndrew]

That crap will never fly in the liberal hot-bed that is Austin, Texas.

Yeah, feel free to make fun of Austin-ites all you want. 

Dirty, stoned hippies...
;-)

[Bob]

This thread was posted to point out wasting time by committees on "is texas being insulted?" instead of spending time on more important issues.   

[Nunyerbiz]

Once more... are we reading the same article?

It was specifically stated that the legislature would NOT be reviewing anything to see if "texas is being insulted.". That would be handled by the state film commision which is under the governor's office.

The legislative branch writing policy on how executive branch entities perform their duties and spend tax payer money?!? What were they thinking?!? Damn time wasting slackers... it's only $20 million... drop in the bucket.

I realize people love to break their backs bending over backwards to say "LOL GOVERNMENT!"... but goodness....