Friday, May 18 was a landmark day. Gov. John Hickenlooper, a card-carrying member of the Denver Local of SAG-AFTRA, signed House Bill 1286. The courtyard at High Noon Entertainment was packed for the signing ceremony. The crowd included numerous members of SAG-AFTRA. After signing the bill, Hickenlooper posed for photos with the members present. In his remarks before signing the bill, Hickenlooper proudly proclaimed his union membership.
Also speaking before the signing was Colorado Film Commissioner Donald Zuckerman. Zuckerman was key in crafting and guiding the legislation through the process. He acknowledged the help members from SAG-AFTRA had given in getting the bill passed.
The bill will go into effect in July and its impact could be felt shortly thereafter. There are reportedly a couple of projects already in the works that have been waiting for the incentive legislation to go into effect.
The incentive package is geared for independent productions in the $5-million to $10-million range, though the incentives can be used for lower-cost productions, episodic television and commercials (details of the new program follow this article).
The film and television community in Colorado has waited a long time for this and now it is finally here and the production drought may at last be over.
As Ron Henderson always says in opening the Denver Film Festival, “Let the movies begin!”
In solidarity,
Denis Berkfeldt, National Board Member
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