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INDUSTRY EVENTS

THE TEXAS MOTION PICTURE ALLIANCE

More than 150 state-wide representatives in areas of film, television, commercials, animation, sound, talent, labor, video games and interactive digital media have joined forces to create the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA). The purpose of the nonprofit group is to create legislation that will provide competitive economic incentives and attract investment benefiting all Texans by providing jobs and economic growth for the state economy. The potential gains to be realized in establishing such incentives will amount to hundreds of millions of dollars and their impact will touch virtually every sector of business.

Texas has an impressive film, television, and video legacy and TXMPA is working to keep it growing. (The first Academy Award® for Best Film honored the silent movie “Wings,” shot in San Antonio in 1927.) However, the state’s previously healthy industry has been radically eroded due to competitive states luring production companies with financial incentives.

According to the Texas Film Commission, in the last three years alone Texas’ film industry has lost $500 million in film productions, a huge economic blow. Neighboring states Louisiana and New Mexico have been particularly aggressive with incentives. A production company, whether producing films, commercials, corporate videos or video games, will take its business (and dollars) where it can get the most for the money. Conservative estimates project that in the first year of a competitive incentive program, Texas could realize an increase in production revenue of $300 million, with total production-related revenue to $1 BILLION over a two-year period.

Since the historic formation of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance at the capitol on June 16, a 21-member board of directors has been elected and Town Hall industry meetings are being held throughout the state’s seven representative regions. These meetings will help unify the diverse industry and develop plans for incentives to be presented to the Texas Legislature in 2007.

Hector Garcia, the newly-elected president of TXMPA who is both an actor and respected Dallas businessman, is optimistic of the organization’s future and what can be accomplished. “TXMPA creates a nexus. Previously diffused organizations and individuals now intersect and connect with a powerful center. It has galvanized and energized our industry for the next legislative session. We will speak forcefully with one voice,” says Garcia. “TXMPA's work will benefit all Texans by providing jobs and economic growth for the state economy. Film incentives, to entice productions to the Lone Star State, will assist the industry in retaining and attracting jobs to Texas.”

“Furthermore,” Garcia adds, “the incentives will bolster the infrastructure already in place and will allow us to compete against other states and against foreign countries. In a very short period, these proposed incentives will attract investment to Texas benefiting communities large and small across the state.”

Elected TXMPA regional and industry organization members represent the interest of their constituency by providing a voice for their concerns and needs. Membership in the organization is free.

Bob Hudgins, Executive Director of the Texas Film Commission, believes the goals of TXMPA are visionary. “The best outcome would be to have growth that is far beyond my ability to assess it. Ultimately, TXMPA should also achieve and provide well-deserved recognition for creative people in these industries. Their work plays a great role in the economy of Texas.”

THE TEXAS MOTION PICTURE ALLIANCE-TXMPA, a 501-C-6 trade organization registered with the State of Texas and approved by the IRS, is an all-volunteer group of professionals from across the state working to help pass production incentives during the current legislative session. Get on board with TXMPA so that we can achieve our common goal, bringing more production to Texas. Visit http://www.txmpa.org for further information and to register your support.