Pa. Budget Impasse Forces Shyamalan to Move New Movie From Pa.

For those readers not from Pennsylvania, like myself, you probably don’t know that there is a state budget impasse.  The budget is required by law to be passed by June 30 every year.  Lawmakers in Harrisburg could not agree on a budget by the deadline, creating havoc for state agencies and state workers.  The budget continues to be in limbo nearly two months later.  The Pa budget crisis has also affected the new M. Night Shyamalan movie to move out of state.  His latest flick,  Devil, has moved production from Philadelphia to Toronto due to the impasse.

Shyamalan is a native of nearby Malvern and has a history of filming close to home.  Eight of his nine films have been filmed in the region, including “the Sixth Sense” with Bruce Willis and “The Happening.”  He is even doing post-production on “The Last Airbender” there.  The movie is the first in the three part “Night Chronicles,” a series of thrillers that Shyamalan has agreed to produce.  It is based on an original idea from Shyamalan and will be directed by the Dowdle brothers, who wrote and produced Quarantine.  The idea behind the Chronicles is that Shyamalan will come up with an original idea then send it off to suitable writers and directors to turn it into a full length feature film. If anyone was wondering what the storyline of the new movie is, don’t expect too much.  It is being held closely protected.  I can tell you that people close to the film are shooting for a PG-13 rating.

Shyamalan and company pulled out of Philadelphia at the 11th hour because of the uncertainty about whether Pennsylvania’s film tax credit will be approved once a budget is passed.  Film companies currently receive a 20% tax credit for production as long as they spend at least 60% of their budget in the state. In addition to that incentive, the companies were also eligible for up to $2 million in grants for production expenses.  Philadelphia officials hope the budget is passed soon so that Pennsylvania’s film industry can continue to grow. According to the Philly Inquirer, Shyamalan’s films have an economic impact in the Philadelphia region to the tune of an estimated $375 million for the eight films shot there.

Without the guarantee of tax credits, there is no longer an incentive to bring film-making to Pennsylvania.  Production is now being moved to locations like Toronto, Georgia and Louisiana because those states have guaranteed tax credits.  The loss of production in the area also means that those who are employed in the film industry in Pennsylvania may have a tough road ahead of them.

For those agents that represent people within the film industry who reside in and around Philadelphia or have a client looking to make a movie in the state, the budget crisis in Harrisburg is something to keep an eye on.  You may have a tough time accomplishing your client’s goals.