The anti-runaway movement scored a major victory last weekend. As the legislative session was in its 11th hour on Saturday (5/31), the Illinois Senate passed a bill offering a tax credit to eligible longform and shortform shoots in the state. The thumbs up from the Senate followed passage hours earlier by the Illinois House of Representatives. As earlier reported (SHOOT, 5/23, p. 1), the 25 percent tax credit, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2004, applies to the first $25,000 in wages per worker per production. Workers must be Illinois residents hired for a qualifying feature, TV program, commercial or sponsored content project lensed in the state. Key aspects of the tax credit need to be defined in the coming months by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCEO). Currently, the tax credit must be earned by a company certified to do business in Illinois, a prerequisite that will be defined in detail by the DCEO. Projects for advertising purposes, including commercials and branded entertainment, will qualify for the tax credit as long as each has a minimum of $50,000 in wages being paid to Illinois residents….Alexandra Chamberlain has been promoted from head of production to executive producer at bicoastal Coppos Films. She will work closely with Coppos owner/executive producer Michael Appel and managing director Joanne Ferraro.…Bicoastal 3-D animation/visual effects/design house Hornet has diversified into live action, launching Live Hornet. The new live action division opens with a roster consisting of directors Raphael Mazzucco and Brian Koons. The latter’s reputation is in comedy while Mazzucco is a still photographer known for his work in fashion advertising….John Baldi has been named creative director of Mosaic Music Publishing, Los Angeles. He will work with current writers and recording artists at the company, perform A&R efforts to attract new talent and seek expanded placement of Mosaic’s music catalog assets in all media. Baldi formerly was a partner in Los Angeles-based music marketing firm Natural Energy Lab, where he oversaw the placement of songs in all forms of entertainment and advertising, including national spots for Chrysler, Nissan and Motorola, among others….
Actor Steve Guttenberg Returns To L.A. Neighborhood Now Charred By Devastating Wildfire
Steve Guttenberg awoke Thursday morning to a grim reality: The treacherous wildfire that tore through the Pacific Palisades had left his once-lush neighborhood charred and unrecognizable.
With homes smoldered, streets emptied and friends scattered by evacuation orders, Guttenberg counted himself among the fortunate. His property was miraculously spared. But the actor-producer still struggled to reconcile his relief with the haunting sight of his ravaged, once lavish community.
"Just this morning, I woke up and I was really conscious of my mental state and my mental health, because the last three days, I've seen so much tragedy," said Guttenberg, pacing through the ruins of his neighborhood. He said his home has electricity but no running water.
Guttenberg thanked God that his block was safe, but he said about 20 homes were burned "pretty bad" in his 80-home community after wind-whipped fires tore across Los Angeles, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled as the fires burned uncontained Wednesday. He said the fires are the worst he's ever seen in his 66-years.
The wildfires have burned the homes of several celebrities including Billy Crystal, Carey Elwes and Paris Hilton.
Guttenberg said he never expected all of this to happen.
"It's like when someone dies suddenly," he said. "It's like when someone gets hit by a car. You never expect that to happen. That's how shocking it was."
During Guttenberg's stroll, it was an eerie scene with scorched palm trees, homes reduced to ash and rubble, and the daytime skies casted an ominous twilight over the devastation.
"I've seen people scared, people in wheelchairs, mothers and fathers trying to find their kids, people having anxiety and panic... Read More