By India McCarty
Texas legislators are considering increasing their production incentives after many high-profile projects have decided to work in the Lone Star State.
“With a state that’s as proud as Texas is, we want to make sure we’re the ones telling our stories,” Fred Poston, executive director of the Texas Media Production Alliance (TXMPA), told Variety.
The state is currently considering Senate Bill 22, which proposes a $500 million program that would automatically renew every two years, for 10 years total. This would mean long-term productions shooting in Texas wouldn’t have to worry about their incentives potentially disappearing each year.
“We all want this business to be here,” Paul Jensen, executive director of TXMPA, told Variety in a separate interview. “We have a really strong crew base that wants to work hard and get the job done. And, while we’re enjoying the success of an enhanced incentive program that’s fully funded, we’re starting to see some real changes in the infrastructure to accommodate big productions.”
Texas’ recent moves to draw Hollywood productions to the state are paying off in a big way. Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 just wrapped production in the state, which Austin film commissioner Brian Gannon called “amazing.”
“They shot so much here, and then watching the actual show, it’s great to see Austin play so many different places,” he added.
Other shows that have been taking advantage of Texas’ incentives? Comedian Tom Segura’s new Netflix show BAD IDEAS, as well as Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s new project BROTHERS for Apple TV+.
It makes sense McConaughey and Harrelson would be taking part in Texas’ incentive program. Both actors were vocal supporters of these incentives, even taking part in a PSA to drive productions to the state. The PSA included fellow Texans Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton and Renée Zellweger.
“Why should Texas movies be made anywhere but Texas?” Quaid captioned a post about the incentive program. “Let’s keep the cameras rolling and the economy growing — because everything’s bigger (and better) in Texas!”
Related: Hollywood Stars Want to Make Texas the New Tinseltown
McConaughey and Harrelson also lobbied Texas lawmakers in support of SB 22, with McConaughey saying, “If we pass this bill in Texas, we are immediately at the bargaining table for showing more films and television and commercials in our state immediately.”
The vote on SB 22 has not yet taken place, but many workers in the movie and TV industry are hopeful that Texas will increase their incentives and bring more work to the state.
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