Today, Governor Rick Perry officially recognized that when it comes to filmmaking, cash does indeed rule everything around us. After months of determined effort from the Texas Motion Picture Alliance, the Texas Film Commission, Rep. Dawnna Dukes and Sen. Bob Duell, Perry signed the dotted line on House Bill 1634, freeing up some $20 million in incentives to lure production crews--and the myriad jobs they generate--to the Lone Star State.

The gaming industry also scores a major boost from the bill, along with television shows and commercials. Any movie, tv show, commercial or video game that completes 80% of production in Texas (and can prove that Texas residents make up 70% of its payroll) will now be eligible to receive grants recouping up to 5% of its total in-state spending.

Better late than never, Texas is finally following in the cheddar-lined footsteps of states like Louisiana and Arizona, whose aggressive incentive programs (offering up to 25% rebates) have helped drain Texas of at least 20% of its film production in the past five years. At least 29 films and an estimated $313 million have been lost to incentivized states since 2003, according to the Texas Film Commision.

"Producers were calling, asking if we offered incentives, hearing 'no' and hanging up the phone," explains the Film Commission's Animation and Gaming Industry liaison Katy Daiger. Perhaps more wounding to Texan pride than the massive financial loss is the sorry fact that "Texas" locations were being filmed in New Orleans and...Ontario? Oh no, they didn't.

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Photos by Matt Wright.

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