We're live with @IATSE members to call on the government to revamp its support of the film and TV industry.
#ableg
ACTRA members are also with us.
We're in a 38,000 square foot production facility that's current empty. But it doesn't have to be that way. All the ingredients for success are here in Alberta. Except a government that understands the needs of the industry.
Albertans understand that diversification is vital. That's where the screen industry can help. Good quality jobs can be built right here in Alberta.
A labour based tax incentive model creates jobs in TV and film in other jurisdictions. Alberta has this model, but they're thinking too small.
67% less in incentives for television and film than the previous government.
And the cap for each fiscal year means the support will be exhausted very quickly and big-budget productions will likely not even consider Alberta.
Without quick action to address television and film incentives, the government risks losing Alberta's professional workforce.
Demand for TV and film productions for online streaming services has never been higher.
Trevor has worked on many tv and film productions. He says the industry needs certainty in order to grow. "We're talking and growth and diversification. Other places are on fire right now to feed the industry's need for streaming content."
"As a designer on Heartland, I can tell you that tourism spinoff is a real big thing."
The new tax credit works, but the cap and the decision making model are disconcerting.
For every dollar spent in Alberta for televison and film, $3.50 are returned to the economy.
"The government has the opportunity to hitch to the hottest wagon on the planet right now and that's content creation."
Damian Petty from IATSE urges the government to take the cap off the new TV and film credit.
"We need to go further. There's about $30 billion of content for on-demand services."
Ontario and BC do not have a cap on the credit and there's unprecedented growth.
That bring us to the end of our news conference with workers from Alberta's screen industry.
There's a huge opportunity for growth. We're hopeful the government will listen and change the current limit for the tax credit and clarify the approval process.
#ableg
Read our report o how we can grow Alberta's screen industry.
#ableg
afl.org/ucp_government…
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