Montana Film Office Unveils New Incentive Program

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Studio 406 was created to show that Montana has many added benefits few other states can match

Helena, Montana (PRWEB) June 18, 2009

The Montana Film Office is proud to announce the creation of Studio 406, a bundling of all the incentives Montana offers into one convenient package. The new package reaches beyond direct tax incentives to include all the state has to offer, from free location scouting to free office furniture and traffic control signage.

"We wanted to show filmmakers that Montana is an affordable and accessible location option for their next production," said Sten Iversen, Montana Film Office Manager. "Our state offers anything filmmakers could want, spectacular scenery, unspoiled wilderness, experienced crew and the friendliest, most helpful group of people willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. This incentive package highlights what is great about filming in Montana."

This incentive package is aimed not only at large-scale, big budget pictures, but will benefit the smaller, independent projects and commercial shoots as well. It will allow Montana to remain competitive with other states' film incentive programs as well as saving producers time and money.

"Montana is offering filmmakers something other states don't, a solid cash incentive backed up with an entire list of extra incentives that save the production significant money and make their entire shoot enjoyable," said Iversen. "Where else could you drive to the set at 75 miles per hour, past traffic control signage provided by the film commission, and go fly-fishing between takes?"

Studio 406 incentives includes:

• 14% refundable tax credit based on hired Montana labor with no cap and no minimum spend.
• 9% refundable tax credit for all production related expenditures made with Montana businesses, production service providers, and subcontractors.
• No sales tax.
• The Film Office will provide productions with free production office furniture.
• The Film Office will provide productions with free traffic control signage needs.
• Free or low cost location fees.
• Easier filing process to receive tax credits than other states.
• Free professional script breakdowns.
• Free professional location scouting.
• Lodging tax is reimbursed after 30 consecutive days.
• Free police service in select cities and towns.
• Montana is two-deep in crew and has an excellent state university film school full of potential production assistants.
• Goods and services are less expensive in Montana, from food to gas to lodging.
• Montana is easily accessible - Montana is home to five major airports with direct flights from Los Angeles, Salt Lake, Seattle, Minneapolis and Denver.
• Due to the large size of the state, there are thousands of different looks, from period to modern, and it is truly easy to find a nice, quiet place to shoot.

"Studio 406 was created to show that Montana has many added benefits few other states can match," said Iversen. "For example, we have extraordinarily long days in the summer, which extends our golden hour from one hour into three, giving crews much longer shooting hours. You can get 14 or more hours in a day. There are very few other places that can offer an added benefit like that."

Montana has a long history of luring filmmakers. Most recently, Glacier National Park served as the backdrop for the film My Sister's Keeper starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin. My Sister's Keeper is set to premier in June 2009. Montana has played host to such productions as A River Runs Through It, Horse Whisperer and Forrest Gump.

http://montanafilm.com/

Contact:
Amanda Woolley
Partners Creative Inc.
406 5412263

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