Moviemakers will get a 25 percent rebate on many of their production expenses in North Carolina under a bill signed into law by Gov. Beverly Perdue Thursday.
The bill, which increases the existing 15 percent rebate, was described as critical to cultivating the state's film industry, which includes a Screen Gems studio in Wilmington. Various states have engaged in something of a bidding war as they fatten their handouts to Hollywood. Georgia, which recently snatched a Miley Cyrus movie from North Carolina, raised its rebate to 20 percent.
"This is a business," Perdue said during a signing ceremony at the capitol. "They go to where the money is, where they save the money."
A study of film incentives commissioned by North Carolina's film office shows the incentives lose money in their first two years, but state officials say those are conservative estimates that don't consider indirect spending that the films generate.
Under the rebate, a film maker totals up what they spent on salaries, hotel rooms, renting land and buildings, supplies, food and assorted other expenses. The following year, they submit those totals to the state and get a rebate worth 25 percent.
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Do Angry Conservatives not even have to work?
I get it. I read stuff, so I'm a paid hack.
WTH is wrong with you people. Go buy groceries or make love or just get a job already.
Now tell me I'm a hack again to make you feel more manly.