With the SAG in a stalemate with the majors over its feature-primetime contract, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists have opted for a six-month extension of their commercials contract until March 31. SAG and AFTRA, which plan to negotiate jointly on the ad deal, made the disclosure Wednesday [...]

Here’s an excellent article on state film incentives from Indy.com In Texas we are HOPING to get the legislature to increase our incentive from the current dead in the water 5% to a comparatively modest 15%. We are hoping that the existing infrastructure will make 15% more competitive. So far, 15% hasn’t primed the pump [...]

You Friday Night Lights fans might find this TV Guide article of interest. I’m wondering how this will work out as well. And will the DirecTV run count as first run and the NBC network run a rerun, or vice versa? Whatever the case, it’s just another example of the changing landscape for film and [...]

The following productions has approached SAG about shooting under a SAG signatory agreement. Not all of these projects will necessarily end up going SAG, so ‘buyer’ beware: American Cartel – Ultra Low Budget Agave Productions, LLC Location: San Antonio, TX Start Date: August 24, 2008 Devil’s Thumb – Low Budget Modified Ranch Studios Location: Austin, [...]

Given the paucity of film work in the state due to lack of a competitive tax incentive package, the start of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, Season 3 is a most welcome event. That is even more true this year since PRISON BREAK has fled Texas to hide out in the Los Angeles area, leaving FNL as [...]

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 [...]

The following columm appears in The Dallas Morning News Online 08:49 AM CDT on Friday, July 25, 2008 By JOE O’CONNELL / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News  filmnewsbyjoe at yahoo.com Don Stokes skipped junior- high classes to watch Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway succumb to a spray of bullets as Bonnie and Clyde. [...]

SAG recently sent a signatory film production list for Texas and Louisiana to the membership. Texas has 13 productions on the list: 7 ultra low budget contracts, 3 low budget contracts, 1 TV series and 2 projects working under the standard theatrical agreement. Louisiana has 7 projects on the list: 3 low budget contracts, 0 [...]

KICK THE CAN, which folded in Austin just days before shooting was to begin a few weeks back, has resurfaced. According to an email blast to SAG members, the quirky film based on Jim Lehrer’s book is slated to begin production in Houston on June 16th. At least the new location isn’t Shreveport, LA or [...]

First let me dispel a few myths. “Auditions are about finding the best actor for the job.” Get that out of your head. And conversely, “I didn’t get the job, so I must not have been good.” Very, very wrong-get that out of your head immediately! So begins Actor Markus Flanagan’s book, ONE LESS BITTER [...]