Lights, camera, Maine!

For the sake of growing Maine’s economy it is vital that our legislators support the Maine Attraction Film Incentives plan which Gov. Baldacci strongly supported as part of his supplemental budget, LD 1968.

This plan is a no brainer, for Democrats and Republicans alike. The HBO production of Richard Russo’s “Empire Falls” filmed in Waterville and Skowhegan had an economic impact of more than $34 million. They employed Maine workers, bought Maine food, rented Maine property. But since that 2004 production, not one major film production has chosen Maine. Why? Because we lack tax incentives.

The Maine Film Office estimates that at least $150 million worth of film and TV productions, some written specifically for Maine, went someplace else. Canada has experienced a major boom in their film industry because of incentives and a cheaper Canadian dollar. Now that the Canadian dollar is closing in on the U.S. dollar, we have a huge opportunity to compete.

The Maine Attraction Film Incentives plan will expand the overall economy, create high-paying new jobs and produce more money for the state.

Personally, I enjoy traveling to Africa and China for my work. But I’d much prefer to stay right here in my own beloved Maine.

Richard Kane

Documentary filmmaker

Sedgwick