Can an incentive boost and a flurry of new soundstages keep Texas production economy from flagging?
By Randee Dawn March 25, 2009, 09:20 PM ET It has got vast open spaces, sprawling urban cities, enormous cattle ranches and residents with outsized, outspoken opinions. Yep, size really does matter in Texas. Except when it comes to production incentives. “Bless its heart, Austin is amazing, but they don’t have a tax incentive. Well, 5% — that’s very small,” says “Whip It!” co-producer Kelli Konop, referring to the state’s base production incentive. The Drew Barrymore-helmed indie was written by an Austinite (Shauna Cross), and tells the tale of a girl who discovers her dreams on a Texas-based roller derby circuit. But, other than a few days in Austin, “Whip It!” filmed in Michigan. The Great Lakes State hardly seems a likely substitute for Texas, but the spackle of movie magic goes a long way when dollars and cents drive production (like Michigan’s 40%-42% refundable tax credit). Thanks to the incentive whirlwind that swept across the U.S. in recent years, Texas — whose legislature m
