The cable TV series “TURN” will be back in Virginia for another season. Producers of the historic drama about spies during the American Revolution will get about $6 million in tax dollars from the state.
In Richmond, debate continues over the wisdom of giving incentives to makers of films and TV shows.
Critics say taxpayers should not be bankrolling Hollywood, but Andy Edmund, who heads the film office, disagrees.
“It is not money for Hollywood. It’s about a job for Holly Smith I like to say. Holly Smith could be a single mom working on the make-up and wardrobe department on a movie. In fact, when they come into an area, it’s like they bring a helicopter full of money, and they touch all parts of the economy – everything from buying paper clips to actually renting helicopters.”
The state offers no more than $6.5 million in cash incentives each year, but often allows producers to shoot on public land or in government buildings at no charge. Edmund says we’re often outbid by states like New York and Georgia, which put no limits on what they’ll spend to attract TV shows and movies.
“Hollywood has basically moved to Atlanta, Georgia right now. I think 120 feature films were filmed in Georgia last year, and it’s because of the no cap tax credit – no question about it.”
Unless the legislature comes up with more cash, Edmund says Virginia’s tax incentives dollars are spoken for through July of 2016.
