Letter from Bob Hudgins, Texas Film Commission

A MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PRODUCTION COMMUNITY

Folks, the legislative season is upon us. Long before the session begins in January, much work has already been done — and there’s a great deal yet to be done — toward making Texas’ incentive program more competitive, and regaining some of the ground that Texas has lost. The only way to revise the system is through legislative action, and if it doesn’t happen this session, it will be two years before we have another chance.

If you work in any capacity on films of any stripe; television; commercials; corporate videos; music videos; animation; or video games, you need to help us make these changes happen. You may wonder what these different production types have in common. First, they all create visual content. Secondly, they’re portable industries, with no need for factories or big infrastructure to create their products, and that’s why this industry can be so severely impacted by incentives offered in other states. If you offer a competitive incentive, they will come. That’s been solidly proven elsewhere, at Texas’ expense.

Changes will not happen without the involvement of those who work in this industry. And unfortunately, most of you have not been involved: you haven’t yet joined the Texas Motion Picture Alliance.

Quite frankly, we don’t have the luxury of any more time for people to think that others will take care of participating in the process. It is up to you, and you can do it right now. Join the TXMPA, participate in its calls to action, and maybe you won’t have to take a job in Louisiana ever again. If you can’t be bothered to help your own cause, believe me, the legislature won’t bother either.

Bob Hudgins
Texas Film Commission

TXMPA is a statewide all volunteer not-for-profit advocacy group for the moving image industry in Texas.

TXMPA is the industry advocate before legislative, regulatory and judicial bodies, representing a robust community of professionals seeking economic and creative incentives for media work in Texas.

To join or learn more about how TXMPA is bringing business to Texas, go to:
www.txmpa.org