Idaho film task force to meet in Sun Valley – Other States push tax breaks in hope of luring movie business

Idaho wants a piece of the action.

The newly formed Idaho Film Industry Task Force will meet Monday in Sun Valley and continue efforts to develop an incentive package to attract more film and television projects to the state.

The public meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dollar Mountain Lodge on Elkhorn Road, Idaho Commerce and Labor said.

Agenda items include reports on: incentive packages being offered in other states; potential income and costs to Idaho if incentives are made available; Idaho’s film industry work force development issues and opportunities; and development of legislation to increase Idaho’s incentives.

By The Times-News

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2005/07/22/news_business/business.4.txt

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States push tax breaks in hope of luring movie business

Jim Gelarden has been able to make a living working in an industry he loves, designing movie sets and helping plan television productions around the nation.

Seeing an established movie industry in his home state — and a chance to work in his native city — would make his job a lot sweeter. But for now, Gelarden must trade hometown dreams for good-paying gigs to the south.

"Film trucks have wheels so they can go anywhere, and right now they’re going where the best deals are," said Gelarden, a production designer from Cleveland whose resume includes the movie "Seabiscuit" and commercials for Pizza Hut and Nike. "And the best deals right now are in Louisiana."

By The Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2005/07/22/news_business/business.3.txt