Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael McGinn
August 16, 2004 480-664-3456
ARIZONA FILM & MEDIA COALITION
TO LOBBY FOR FILM INDUSTRY
Phoenix, Arizona-- The Arizona Film and Media Coalition, Inc. (AFMC)
has been established to organize industry professionals and enhance
the economic vitality of the Arizona film and media communities
through legislation, education and public relations. This roundtable
group includes members of the local unions, production personnel,
industry associations, educators and talent agency representatives.
Michael McGinn, President of AFMC explains, "The goal of our
group is to influence public policy to make us competitive with
other states." He added, "Arizona has been at a
competitive disadvantage with other states in attracting motion
picture and media productions. It is our intent to study the
practices of other states and develop a plan to level the playing
field. The AFMC hopes to bring the facts to lawmakers and make the
tax incentives more accessible to incoming producers."
Newly elected officers are: Michael McGinn, President; Duncan
Harvey, Vice President; Ray Padilla, Treasurer and Paula Rogers,
Secretary. Affiliated coalition organizations and associations
include: American Federation of Musicians, American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists, Arizona agents, Arizona Entertainment
Alliance, Arizona Production Association, Arizona State University,
International Alliance Theatrical Stage Employees, Media
Communications Association International, Screen Actors Guild and
Teamsters.
The Arizona motion picture industry has the potential to be a
major contributor to the economy by touching not only production
entities, but also the entire community.
"The motion picture and media industry bring revenue to our
local communities, businesses, and our government through taxes. It
is a business that provides many high paying jobs to our
economy." McGinn related.
###
From
the Business Journal Arizona:
INDUSTRY WRAPUPS
From the September 10, 2004 print edition
Marketing & Media
New industry coalition to lobby for local films
Ruben Hernandez
The Business Journal
Add another advocacy organization to those determined to revive
Arizona's film industry.
The Arizona Film and Media Coalition was created in mid-August
to help organize industry professionals and give the film sector a
boost through advocating for legislation and education.
This group includes members of production personnel, industry
associations, talent agencies, union representatives and
educators.
"The goal of our group is to influence public policy to
make us competitive with other states," said Michael McGinn,
AFMC president.
"Arizona has been at a competitive disadvantage with other
states in attracting motion picture and media productions. It's
our intent to study the practices of other states and develop a
plan to level the playing field. The AFMC hopes to bring the facts
to lawmakers and make the tax incentives more accessible to
incoming producers," he said.
Board officers include Duncan Harvey, vice president; Ray
Padilla, treasurer; and Paula Rogers, secretary.
Affiliated organizations are the American Federation of
Musicians, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists,
Arizona Entertainment Alliance, Arizona Production Association,
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Media
Communications Association International, Screen Actors Guild,
Arizona State University, the Teamsters union and Arizona agents.
For more: 480-664-3456.
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