Indiana Jones Boosts Hawaii’s Film Profits
January 21st, 2008Hollywood producers last year spent a record $200 million filming television shows and films in Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Film Office, with Ben Stiller’s ‘Tropic Thunder’, hit TV series ‘Lost’ and the upcoming ‘Indiana Jones’ sequel among the productions filmed in the state in 2007.
The $200 million haul beat the previous record of $164 million, which film producer’s spent in 2004. "It was pretty phenomenal last year," said Donne Dawson, the state’s film commissioner. In light of the current and ongoing writer’s strike, state officials are not sure whether 2008 will yield as much spending, with "Lost" having stopped production, and other projects delayed. "They’re in a holding pattern right now,” Dawson confirmed. "How that’s going to offset the numbers for the coming year remains to be seen." Hawaii is an attractive state to create movie and television productions, particularly after lawmakers boosted tax incentives two years ago to entice producers, who can now get up to a 20 percent rebate on production costs. The movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ and the ABC television show ‘Lost’ were among the productions that filed for state tax credits last year worth almost $26 million. Critics of the tax credits say the state does not need to boost the television and film industry at a time when Hawaii’s economy is growing, claiming that companies that would choose Hawaii regardless of the tax credits are getting an unnecessary bonus. However, supporters say the loss to the state is more than made up for by the economic activity and publicity productions bring to Hawaii, with movie and television productions creating more than 5,400 jobs in 2007. Next Truth: Nigerian Rebels Call On George Clooney Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. 
