THE MIL...

More Films May Shoot in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - In the last 18 months, our state has lost $100 million to film industries in rival states. That could soon change, and with the cameras and crews will come lots of cash. It’s cash that Wisconsin has been missing out on for years.

This all comes to light as Lou Diamond Phillips is in town this week filming the new NBC pilot "The Watch." Phillips hopes that the network picks up the show. "The Watch" is a drama set in Milwaukee.

In recent years, TV shows and motion pictures have not been shot in Wisconsin because other states offer such financially attractive incentives. Many of our legislators have bickered about tax Wisconsin incentives for the film industry. They are incentives that could have brought a lot of money to Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

As some of our lawmakers argued, neighboring states, like Illinois and Minnesota, passed measures and grabbed Wisconsin’s chunk of the economic pie. Industry insiders say Kevin Costner wanted to film "The Guardian" here a few years ago, but Costner said it didn't make economic sense. That could soon change.

Major Wisconsin film incentives go into effect in early 2008.

"We will go virtually from worst to first in the nation in film friendliness," David Fantle of Visit Wisconsin said.

"We're seeing a real influx of scouts for new projects and we really believe that's going to bear fruit for 2008," Scott Robbe of Film Wisconsin said.


Robbe believes in 2008 and 2009 several high profile projects could end up filming in Wisconsin.

It's about much more than recovering the millions of lost dollars in state and income taxes. It's about giving our actors, sound technicians, and other professionals who live right here in Milwaukee the chance to do real work.


Jennifer Berg owns one of the states largest talent agencies. Her company, Jennifer’s Talent Unlimited, is the only Screen Actor’s Guild accredited agency in Wisconsin.


“We have so many talented people here. Not just actors, but also film crews and lighting people. There's just a lot of talent in this area," Berg told us.


That talent will soon get their chance to shine. It's just a shame that it took so long.


Film industry leaders say with the lake, and historic downtown, Milwaukee could become the "Toronto of the Midwest."

courtesy: todaystmj4