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Catherine Rubey Blog - May 6th/2007It’s the first week of May and I know this because I’ve received several phone calls from vendors of all sorts in LA inquiring about when we’re starting production and are we going to need so and so product from them. Yesterday, a man plucked my film’s listing from the production monthly and called me because his parents were from the same city. As I discussed in previous posts, Illinois has a 20% tax rebate production incentive in place for features once you meet the $100,000 spend requirement to qualify. The idea is that you put Illinois folks to work and spend your production dollars here and thus get 20% of your entire budget kicked back after the fact. A few things don’t go toward that figure: music clearance costs, travel and living, etc. Right now, were going to be cutting things pretty close to meet that threshold to qualify for the incentive. Thus, I must use all local cast, crew, and equipment as much as possible. Which is fine. As I’ve posted previously, we’re second only to LA and NYC in terms of talent and crew pool and facilities. However, only companies from NY or LA (mostly LA) are calling me about using their stuff. Not a lot of Chicago/Illinois companies trolling the trades for business. That does not apply to actors; they’ve found me, but crew…not so much. Catherine writes about the “wait” portion of the “hurry up and wait process.” I’m waiting for word from the LA contingent who is helping me put together a deal to bring a lead and additional monies to pay for him to the project. The “people” have all the info to determine if they want to bring the money, and there’s real interest from the lead, it’s just the “wait portion of the hurry up and wait” process right now. People go out of town, have other projects they’re setting up or working on, etc. Meanwhile, I’m…well, waiting. I have an alternate plan in place now if this plan doesn’t materialize. And nothing’s for sure until everyone signs on the dotted line and the check clears. I’ll keep you all posted. I’m pretty optimistic though. It’s just the “waiting, is the hardest part.” Catherine E. Rubey Cathy@Baggagethefilm.com
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