TT film company coming

In an address by Fred Thornhill, chairman of the committee at the recent launch of the movie Backlash, he revealed that Government recognised that TT must aggressively develop and expand its share of the global industry and take advantage of its growth.

"The Prime Minister’s standing committee on business development, which serves as an advisory committee to Cabinet, identified the film industry as one of seven industries in the non-energy sector which will take priority in the Government’s diversification effort," Thornhill said.

In January, the film industry team submitted its report which Cabinet has accepted and measures are now being put in place to implement the recommendations.

The film industry team identified a number of strategies which are vital to the development of the sector. These include:

• The establishment of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company

• A comprehensive programme of facilitation policies

• Production activities to attract run-away film productions

• Marketing

• A supporting fiscal and incentives policy for producers and broadcasters

• Specialised education and training

• Public awareness and related measures.

A Film Desk now exists as a unit within the Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (TIDCO). It assists foreign crews filming in Trinidad and Tobago from the initial contact to the close of production.

The film industry team recommended that the film desk be expanded to become the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFCo) where its primary function would be to encourage and promote film and television-related activities by making it as simple and efficient as possible for local and international film and television production companies to operate in TT.

The TTFCo will:

• Facilitate the development of the local film industry and generate revenue and employment within the sector.

• Promote TT as a premier location for international productions.

• Be a one-stop-shop that facilitates the operations of approved film and television productions.

It will also offer a telephone hotline service for international crews on location in Trinidad and Tobago from the initial contact to the close of production.

• Facilitate and administer incentive programmes because we recognise that we must have that incentive programme if we are to attract international film productions.

• Administer the script development and Production Assistance Programme.

• Assist producers in accessing funding for the production and the distribution of the product.

• Facilitate duty-free concessions, visa waivers and work permit exemptions.

• Facilitate the importation of equipment for short periods while filming is being done in the absence of the Carnet Agreement.

• Be responsible for the overall marketing and promotion of TT film industry within the international market place

• Take any necessary steps for the development of a vibrant film industry.

Dan Springer of Orlando, the line producer of Backlash, lauded Government’s initiative and added if the TTFCo has a warehouse, and a truck with film gear, this would attract people faster than having to bring a truck in on a cargo ship.

He stated that equipment in TT will be a great resource and a great tool to attract people.

A studio facility with air-condition would also help to attract producers because the more things they don’t have to import, coupled with more support from the TT community to offset those items, the easier the shooting becomes. Springer also suggested an incentive programme, such as a matching funds programme, would be a wonderful incentive to bring producers to TT.

He explained by stating that if the country in which films are shot match the initial budget of the film, there would be double the money for the production, and more sites of the country could be showcased.

Tidco’s film unit, headed by Carla Foderingham, has facilitated 100-plus crews over the last five years that generated over TT$11 million in revenue for the country.

The cost of the present production of Backlash is approximately US$400,000.