ARIZONA FILM INSIDER - OCTOBER 2024

INSIDE THE AZ LEGISLATURE

Majority Up for Grabs

Arizona's upcoming general election in November could reshape the political landscape. With the primary election over, Arizona’s stage is set for a battle for majority control. Currently, Republicans hold majority in both the House and Senate and the Democrats hold power in the Executive (the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General).

It is a slim Republican majority and with an election sure to have big turnout from both parties, anything could happen.

In the Senate, Republicans hold 16 of 30 seats and in the House, they have 31 of 60. In order to flip either chamber, Democrats need to win two seats currently held by Republicans without losing any seats held by Democrats. The Senate has the most likely chance of an upset with five legislative districts with a potential to tip the scales.

The last time Democrats held both the House and Senate was before 1966!

Politicos are contemplating the possibility of a 15-15 split in the Senate.  A unique dynamic that hasn’t been seen in 23 years.

Leadership Races

Having majority control at the legislature doesn’t just mean having the votes to pass policy. It determines leadership positions, committee appointments and chairmanships, staffing decisions and a host of other things that can make your time at the legislature a lot more enjoyable- and effective!

Now, let’s assume the Republican majority stands in both the House and Senate. While the public focuses on the general election, a private contest is underway within the Republican party: the race for leadership.

In the House, three legislators have thrown their hat in the ring for Speaker:

1.   Representative Leo Biasucci (LD 30- Lake Havasu City)

2.   Representative Steve Montenegro (LD 29- Surprise)

3.   Representative Joseph Chaplik (LD 3- Scottsdale)

In the Senate, here are the contenders for President:

1.   Senator Warren Petersen (LD 14- Gilbert)

2.   Senator David Gowan (LD  19- Cochise)

Of note to the film community, Senator Gowan campioned the film incentive. These positions are officially voted on by the full chamber, but in practice the majority party will get together a few days after the election and decide in a private vote. If the majority flips for the Democrats in either chamber, there will be a scramble to fill that power vacuum.

INSIDE FILM TUCSON

A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts recently brought us a short film which he’s hoping to eventually turn into a feature next year.

We recently assisted a still photography shoot from Born Shoes which shot at various Tucson locations.

We’re sponsoring travel costs for several directors and producers who are making appearances at several upcoming Tucson film festivals. These visits by industry professionals provide our local film community with opportunities to network with filmmakers from Los Angeles, NYC, and Europe, while also giving Film Tucson ‘face time’ to promote our region as a filming destination.

INSIDE THE PHOENIX FILM OFFICE

Over the summer months, the Phoenix Film Office has been busy reimagining how the office operates and interacts with filmmakers. While still pending council approval, we expect to be instituting a new permitting application in Q1 of 2025. The product is commonly used in many film production hubs around the world and will allow the Producer (or designee) to manage their own permit and follow the approval process in real time. 

Additionally, the Phoenix Film Office is seeking council approval to adjust the Phoenix Film and Digital Media Permit fees, which have not changed since 1995 (29 years!). If approved, the adjustment would take effect on January 1, 2025. Please see the proposed fee schedule for more detail on the proposed adjustments or, to view the official posted notification, please visit www.phoenix.gov/fees.

On the production front, we have started to see the anticipated increase in production now that the summer months are behind us. Phoenix is proud to welcome back The Great Christmas Light Fight for their 13th season who have selected two homes this season in Phoenix. The long-running home remodel show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has been revived for a third time (for ABC) and shot for several weeks in Mesa. The subject family resided in the Alhambra Village in Phoenix, and we worked with the Producers on the “Braveheart” intro scene with 100+ volunteers marching through a neighborhood. Other projects the Phoenix Film Office coordinated with recently include (but not limited to): Peloton, Grand Canyon University, MiTek Speakers, and Airport Lost & Found.

INSIDE INDUSTRY TIDBITS

Film and TV production in Greater L.A. plunged almost 20% in 2023, a new report from FilmLA finds. FilmLA President Paul Audley is demanding a “vast expansion” of the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program, as a way of boosting local investment. Gov. Gavin Newsom has rebuffed industry efforts to sweeten the state’s tax incentive program.

ARIZONA PRODUCTION UPDATE

At least two independent films are now in the final phases of the incentive process. This is good news for Arizona, once a film has collected a rebate other producers will be more likely to bring their projects to Arizona.