The Original Website of Screen Actors Guild
Utah 2011:12
FROM THE UTAH FILM COMMISSION
Dear Utah Film Industry,
After a long, slow summer of film production, the winter production schedule is beginning to take shape. Most of you will agree that if not for an abundance of commercial production including spots from Dodge, Canon, Audi, Breitling and Amway, along with the LDS Motion Picture Studio producing The New Testament, this summer would have been a complete wash.
The encouraging news is that we are poised for the future with an “up-to-25-percent” fully refundable tax credit or cash rebate that has available funds exceeding $14 million. This means that we are fully capable of attracting a network television series, multiple studio features and many indie features, as well as other types of projects that meet the criteria.
Currently, there are many projects on the board including seven indie features, three studio features, two network TV series, and two docu-series projects; some of these projects are here already and some are still to come.
The newly revised Motion Picture Incentive Program (MPIP), created by HB 99, encourages the hiring of local cast and crew by requiring at least 85 percent of those hired to be Utah residents.
Various individuals and groups worked very hard to improve the film incentive program. One of those groups was the Motion Picture Association of Utah (MPAU), led by Don Schain.
As you might already know, Don has resigned his position as president of the MPAU. I would like to express my personal appreciation and gratitude to Don for the six years of service that he rendered on behalf of the entire film industry during his tenure. Don’s leadership, passion and tireless efforts have provided the Utah Film Industry with a solid incentive program that will benefit Utah residents for many years to come.
I would also like to welcome Jeff Miller as the new president of the MPAU. Our office is looking forward to working with him and the other MPAU Board members to continue with the efforts to keep Utah and the MPIP competitive.
It has been a busy summer for the Utah Film Commission, as we continued to sponsor many events and festivals, including Utah in Hollywood, Movie Under The Stars, the 9th Annual Spot On Commercial Contest, The Salt Lake City Film Festival, and the Sundance Artist Labs held at the resort this summer. These events and sponsorships, along with our presence at the AFCI Locations Tradeshow and Produced By Conference, allowed us to be seen and heard by more than 1,000 producers and filmmakers.
In conclusion, I would like to announce that in order to serve you and the industry better, the Utah Film Commission will be launching a brand new website in December. Moreover, below are the new Motion Picture Incentive Program policies.
Sincerely,
Marshall Moore
Director
Utah Film Commission
The above article is reprinted by permission from Out Takes, the Motion Picture Industry View of Utah, published by the Utah Film Commission, September 2011. Utah SAG members are invited to register in the online Resource Directory hosted by the Film Commission. Registering will enable you to receive special e-blasts and timely news about industry events and productions shooting in our state. Click here for more information.
ABOUT UTAH’S MOTION PICTURE INCENTIVES
1. In order for films with Utah budgets that are $1 million or greater to be eligible to receive up to an additional 5 percent to the baseline incentive of 20 percent, for a total incentive of 25 percent, a film production company must:
Meet the definition of "significant percentage of cast and crew from Utah," which shall be no less than 85 percent of the total in-state hires of cast and crew, excluding extras, five principal cast members, two creative/executive producers, and director from the sum total of all cast and crew hires.
2. In order for films, whose Utah budgets are between $200,000 and $999,999 to be eligible to receive an incentive of 15 percent, a film production company must:
Meet the definition of "significant percentage of cast and crew from Utah," which shall be no less than 85 percent of the total in-state hires of cast and crew, excluding extras, from the sum total of all the cast and crew hires.
3. In order for films, whose Utah budgets are $1 million dollars or greater to be eligible to receive up to an additional 5 percent to the baseline incentive of 20 percent, for a total incentive of 25 percent, when such films will not meet the 85-percent cast and crew requirement, a film production company must:
a. Verify $7.5 million or more of expenditures were made in state of Utah; and
b. Meet the definition of "significant percentage of cast and crew from Utah," which shall be no less than 70 percent of the total in-state hires of cast and crew, excluding extras, five principle cast members, two creative / executive producers, and a director from the sum total of all the cast and crew hires; or
c. Verify no less than 51 percent of the project dollars left in Utah were spent in rural areas of the state; or
d. Provide a significant promotional opportunity or opportunities for the state of Utah as agreed to by the Governors Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the motion picture company such as:
- Including a "Filmed on Location in Utah" featurette in the DVD or Blu-ray, highlighting the Utah portion of the production; or
- Hosting a premier or including participation of GOED in a premiere; or
- Identifying Utah as the state location in the story of the script.
GOT NEWS TO SHARE?
Utah’s Reel Report is the official e-newsletter of the Utah Branch. It is published quarterly, and it is designed to keep our Utah members informed of news and upcoming events. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please send them to Utah Branch Executive Director Don Livesay at dlivesay@sag.org.
National Director’s Report
Utah President Paul Mulder and I attended the national Screen Actors Guild Plenary Board Meeting in October. The regional Branches had a meeting as well. We discussed the importance of organizing plans. Many of the "right-to-work" Branches have the same issues, burdens and lack of local union work. Also, the states with the most work have the most competitive film incentives. This is something to think about during our own Utah legislative session.
In the national boardroom, we had an update of G1, a joint group of AFTRA and SAG members detailing how a successor union would work. I am sure you received an email about that from SAG President Ken Howard. A great deal of work is going into this merger effort. No stone is being left unturned, as it were. This is what makes this go round at merger different from previous attempts. It is encouraging. In January, the various G1 committees will meet collectively again to gather all the information and ideas. Of course, we don’t have specific information for you now because G1 is still in the investigating stages.
Another important event was the launching of Creative America, a new grassroots organization that gives the members of the entertainment community a powerful, unified voice in the fight for stronger laws and policies to protect American jobs and creativity. Screen Actors Guild has partnered with other entertainment organizations through Creative America to fight content theft, a practice that has had a major impact upon residuals, and that in turn negatively affects our pension and health plans ($5 billion worth of lost income). When you see friends or family illegally taking properties, remind them they are stealing from you. Be bold! (See Creative America Releases Documentary in this issue)
This upcoming year of 2012 is an important milestone for Utah SAG. It is our 30th anniversary as a Branch. We will be planning various events and will keep you informed, and hope you will attend. It is a time to reach out, especially to those who bravely initiated the formation of this Branch. It is important that we meet face to face to discuss the future of this union. We welcome you to join us. If there is anyone who would like to contribute a story about our history or someone you know we should honor, please contact me through our exec at dlivesay@sag.org.
The marketplace is a changing one.
Happy Holidays!
Anne Sward
Utah National Board Director
Photo taken from last year’s Filmmakers/Actors Forum, held at Jeff Johnson Casting
Get Ready for the Utah Filmmakers/Actors Forum
When: Saturday, January 21, 2012
Time: To be announced.
Where: The Leonardo, 209 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Sponsored by SAGIndie and the Utah Branch of Screen Actors Guild, the 9th Annual Utah Filmmakers/Actors Forum, a networking favorite, will once again be packed with late-breaking news and critical information for the Utah filmmaking community.
We are excited that the The Leonardo has opened its doors to us. The purpose of this innovative museum is “to inspire creativity and innovation through a fusion of art, science and technology.” And, as you can tell by this stated vision, The Leonardo reflects within its walls the very same elements of our filmmaking craft.
Join us on this special day at this special place. More information will follow. Find out more about The Leonardo.
SAG Foundation is There for You
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY
Founded in 1985, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is an educational, humanitarian and philanthropic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is to enhance the lives of actors by investing in programs which help them in their professional endeavors and the communities in which they live. Its programs reflect the concerns and interests of SAG members, as well as their desire to "give back" to their communities. The SAG Foundation offers substantive services to Guild members, free of charge. For more information on SAG Foundation programs, click here.
Are you hearing about all the exciting opportunities and events the Screen Actors Guild Foundation offers you? If you're not receiving emails from the SAG Foundation, sign up today on the SAG Foundation website to receive its e-newsletters about the free programs offered to SAG members.
Those who have had a chance to attend a SAG Foundation event in person or via live streaming know that the Foundation offers quality programming for SAG, AFTRA and Equity members, as well as the community at large.
Union dues do not support the SAG Foundation. As a nonprofit completely separate from Screen Actors Guild, the SAG Foundation is funded by grants and donations. Contributions are tax-deductible. We encourage you to get to know the SAG Foundation. They can help you, and you can help them continue their mission of support. Find out more here.
Sign up today on the SAG Foundation website to receive event notifications and begin participating, volunteering and contributing to a cause that celebrates actors and the lives they lead!
Dales Scholarship Apps Available
The Screen Actors Guild Foundation is once again happy to announce availability of applications for the John L. Dales Scholarship.
Just one of the nonprofit foundation’s many free programs offered to assist, educate and inspire Guild members in their careers, lives and communities, the John L. Dales Scholarship Fund has helped qualified Guild members and their children reach their educational potential by providing more than $6 million in scholarships for study at accredited institutions of higher learning.
Two types of scholarships are available. Standard scholarships benefit eligible members and children of eligible members for college education. Transitional scholarships are designed to assist SAG members seeking further education to change careers.
Dales Scholarships are awarded specifically toward education at accredited and licensed universities, colleges, junior colleges, adult specialty schools or trade/vocational schools. Printable applications, as well as further details including eligibility guidelines, are currently available by clicking here. Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2012, to qualify.
Union Plus Scholarship
The 2012 Union Plus Scholarship application is now entirely online, allowing students to complete their application over time and save their responses.
Over the past 19 years, more than $3.2 million has been awarded to students of more than 2,100 working families. Start your application today! Deadline is January 31, 2012. Apply here.
The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by the Guild of any organization or of the information, material, products or services provided. The Guild makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.
Make Your Vote Count for the SAG Awards
The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be here soon, and SAG members will choose the honorees. But in order to vote, be sure your November dues are paid by Friday. If they are, you will be eligible to register at SagAwardsRSVP.org for Screen Actors Guild Awards updates and screening invitations. Final ballot information will be mailed on December 30. Vote online (or request a paper ballot by January 16) and help decide who gets The Actor®. Nominees were announced Wednesday. Click here to view the list.
The SAG Awards will be simulcast on TNT and TBS on January 29, 2012, and will air live on both coasts simultaneously at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific; that’s 6 p.m. our time. Follow SAG Awards on Facebook and on Twitter.
Creative America Releases Documentary
Learn more about content theft through the new short documentary, Content Theft: The Big Picture. National experts show how it happens and who makes money off it. Hear colleagues and peers tell you how it hurts, and then share this important video with others. Watch the documentary here and on the website. And make your voice heard in support of the legislation by sending a letter to your representative here. Thank you!
Production Center Open for Business
The online SAG Production Center at SAG.org — your 24/7 resource for rates, contracts, forms and more! Click below:
Opt for Paperless Dues Billing
Screen Actors Guild now offers free, paperless billing of your membership dues via your preferred e-mail account.
It’s yet another way we’re more efficiently serving you – cutting costs (not to mention clutter in your home), making your billing instantaneous, and, as part of our ongoing green initiative, doing our small part to save the environment.
Click the banner above for more information, and you’re on your way to receiving an electronic facsimile of your dues bill online, accessible at any time for downloading (and printing should you ever need to). You can also pay your dues online with a click of your mouse. No paper. No stamps. And as a benefit for paperless billing subscribers, each new bill will be stored in our system to reference at your convenience.
SAG members must be registered on SAG.org to take advantage of this member benefit. Once enrolled in paperless billing, you will be notified by email when your new dues bill is available for viewing. Of course, you can always revert back to U.S. Mail at any time.
Breathe easier with free paperless dues billing from Screen Actors Guild.
