The Irish Film Industry
Oct. 14th, 2003 10:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lostcarparkIn Ireland we have had a scheme for some years that allowed film makers to claim back their costs against tax. Many countries have similar schemes. It's allowed a lot of successful moves to be filmed here, and led to the development of a thriving support industry for all the things that film makers need to support them.
But in last year's budget it was announced that the scheme would be scrapped. This makes no sense, as the majority of films will just not get made here, and rather than getting no tax on films that are made here, the exchequer will get no tax on films that aren't made here. The cost of the scheme is very low, but the indirect benefits are substantial.
Now normally I think email/web petitions are worth the paper that aren't printed on, but someone has come up with a clever system that you enter your details and it will produce a PDF you can print out and mail to the relevant politicians. There is also an option to email the letters to them, but that obviously has a lot less impact. I've printed out my letters and addressed envelopes and will be buying stamps at lunch-time.
I don't know if letters from outside Ireland will mean much (who means the majority of my friends list), but I'd encourage anyone in Ireland, or who has lived in Ireland, or has just seen movies they liked that were made here to have a look at the cut text below and make your own decision.
Hmmm, I think this is my first political post.
YOU can help save Ireland's Film Industry
Dear Member,
As you may be aware the Section 481 tax incentive for the Film Industry, which has led to films like 'Veronica Guerin', 'Laws of Attraction', 'King Arthur' and 'Asylum' being filmed in Ireland, is currently under threat. This incentive has been shown to be positive for Ireland's economy. Also, films produced under this scheme are an international showcase for Ireland's culture.
It is calculated that if the the tax incentive is removed, 80% of international film production in Ireland will cease. This will mean a potential loss of 4,300 permanent jobs in the industry. Not only will it mean that these jobs are lost, but from your perspective, you will not have the opportunity to be an extra in the big films.
We, and many of our colleagues who work full time in the film industry, would greatly appreciate your support for the campaign to retain these tax incentives which are essential for the continued existence and development of movies in Ireland.
To lend your support to the campaign, go to www.MovieExtras.ie and sign the e-mail petition to your local TD. To make a greater impact, you can print letters from the site and post them to your TD.
This petition is being coordinated between MovieExtras.ie, Screen Producers Ireland and Equity Ireland (SIPTU).
It is important that you act today, as the 2004 budget will be finalised by 21st October. Visit the Web-Site link below to let your TDs know how you feel now.
http://s481.movieextras.ie
Thank you for your support. It's greatly appreciated.
Best wishes,
Derek Quinn & Kevin Gill
http://s481.MovieExtras.ie
PS: If any of your friends or family would add their voice to this important campaign, please forward this mail. Remember, they don't need to be extras. They just need to be interested in supporting the Irish Film Industry.
But in last year's budget it was announced that the scheme would be scrapped. This makes no sense, as the majority of films will just not get made here, and rather than getting no tax on films that are made here, the exchequer will get no tax on films that aren't made here. The cost of the scheme is very low, but the indirect benefits are substantial.
Now normally I think email/web petitions are worth the paper that aren't printed on, but someone has come up with a clever system that you enter your details and it will produce a PDF you can print out and mail to the relevant politicians. There is also an option to email the letters to them, but that obviously has a lot less impact. I've printed out my letters and addressed envelopes and will be buying stamps at lunch-time.
I don't know if letters from outside Ireland will mean much (who means the majority of my friends list), but I'd encourage anyone in Ireland, or who has lived in Ireland, or has just seen movies they liked that were made here to have a look at the cut text below and make your own decision.
Hmmm, I think this is my first political post.
YOU can help save Ireland's Film Industry
Dear Member,
As you may be aware the Section 481 tax incentive for the Film Industry, which has led to films like 'Veronica Guerin', 'Laws of Attraction', 'King Arthur' and 'Asylum' being filmed in Ireland, is currently under threat. This incentive has been shown to be positive for Ireland's economy. Also, films produced under this scheme are an international showcase for Ireland's culture.
It is calculated that if the the tax incentive is removed, 80% of international film production in Ireland will cease. This will mean a potential loss of 4,300 permanent jobs in the industry. Not only will it mean that these jobs are lost, but from your perspective, you will not have the opportunity to be an extra in the big films.
We, and many of our colleagues who work full time in the film industry, would greatly appreciate your support for the campaign to retain these tax incentives which are essential for the continued existence and development of movies in Ireland.
To lend your support to the campaign, go to www.MovieExtras.ie and sign the e-mail petition to your local TD. To make a greater impact, you can print letters from the site and post them to your TD.
This petition is being coordinated between MovieExtras.ie, Screen Producers Ireland and Equity Ireland (SIPTU).
It is important that you act today, as the 2004 budget will be finalised by 21st October. Visit the Web-Site link below to let your TDs know how you feel now.
http://s481.movieextras.ie
Thank you for your support. It's greatly appreciated.
Best wishes,
Derek Quinn & Kevin Gill
http://s481.MovieExtras.ie
PS: If any of your friends or family would add their voice to this important campaign, please forward this mail. Remember, they don't need to be extras. They just need to be interested in supporting the Irish Film Industry.
