Save Massachusetts Film Jobs

My name is Seacia Pavao, and I am from Cambridge, MA. I have worked as a Local 600 still photographer in Massachusetts since 2010 and, before that, on smaller projects since I graduated from New England School of Photography in 2006. I went to NESOP as a change of career with the goal of wanting to shoot on films when I finished my studies. The film tax incentive not only allowed me to fulfill that goal right here at home by having a flourishing film community, but it is vital to my being able to remain living in my lifelong home with my family. If the film tax incentive leaves, I will have to leave as well — there will be no work for me here and I will have to leave the city and state and people I love. My uncle, former State Representative and Sargent-at-Arms Kevin W. Fitzgerald was very supportive of my working in film here in Massachusetts, and I hope that all his colleagues and people he mentored will remember that when they vote.

My name is Claire, and I am a still photographer. My first film was in 1995, before there was a tax incentive. Working on films was sort of a hobby then, and I pretty much figured it would stay a hobby for me. If I wanted to be serious, I would have to move to NY or LA.  When a big film came to Boston, I sent my resume in, but I never got a callback. I had nothing in my portfolio that let me compete with the LA guys, and it was common practice to bring in people from LA or NY to do my job.

Then something happened. The Massachusetts Film Tax Credit.

Suddenly, more movies were coming here — movies of every budget and size. And a lot of us started to have more opportunities to gain experience and build a career. And suddenly, there were far fewer people coming in from LA for these jobs. There is now a formidable crew of skilled people here who make a full-time living.

Last year, I worked on three studio films, one independent film, and one reality show. I worked full-time, just like a lot of other people. The only difference is that I worked for four companies, not one. Freelance film jobs have built a workforce of full-time workers for Massachusetts.

My name is Dana, and I am a stills photographer. Coming out of photography school, I knew that film production was where I wanted to go, but I never even dreamed that it was a possibility without an expensive move to LA or NYC. But thanks to the Massachusetts film tax incentive, which draws numerous films to the state — gigantic, teeny tiny, and everything in between — I found and responded to an ad in the paper for a local indie film that was looking for production assistants. I set up an interview, met with the producer, and the rest is history. I have now worked with her on eight of her films over the past four years, seven of which were filmed entirely in Massachusetts.

In addition, I have had the opportunity to work as a production assistant on a reality TV show and a handful of larger films as well — all within driving distance from my house on a farm in a tiny town in rural central Massachusetts. Being responsible for errands, runs, lunch pickups, office/set snacks (crafty), etc. as a production assistant, I can say with confidence that these productions pump quite a bit of money into the local economy — much more than people may realize.

From dozens and dozens of lunch orders per day, to big shopping lists of snacks and supplies for the office or set, to renting office and warehouse space in general (as well as locations for filming), and all of the local shopping that happens for the props, art, and costume departments — right down to things as small as dry cleaning and daily coffee runs — there are examples of money spent locally, boosting the local economy.

And thanks to the film tax incentive drawing these projects to Massachusetts, I’ve been working more and more steadily as I continue to strive to make a name for myself. In the past year, I have joined the camera union, bought a new car, and will be moving into a new apartment just outside Boston in a few short weeks, amidst working on a TV pilot for HBO. I am working my ass off, living my childhood dream, at only 22-years-old, and without even having to leave Massachusetts. And it wouldn’t be happening without the film tax incentive.