Latest news with #HB4568
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Matthew McConaughey and other stars testify in House Committee to bring films to Texas
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Actor Matthew McConaughey has become a familiar face at the Texas Capitol. McConaughey previously spoke before state senators to push for film incentive legislation. On Wednesday, McConaughey and other actors brought their support to the House. The Texas House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism discussed a bill that would increase funding to bring film and television projects to the state. McConaughey and others supported the bill as it was considered in the Texas Senate Committee on Finance last month. SB 22 passed in the full Senate last week. HB 4568, the House companion bill authored by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, would invest $500 million every two years to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund. This benefits film and television projects that are based in Texas and employ Texas workers. Matthew McConaughey and other stars push Senate to make Texas next film haven 'Hollywood does not have a trademark on telling good stories. No patent on that,' McConaughey testified today as he sat alongside fellow Texas-based actor Woody Harrelson. 'I know that we Texans take a bit of pride in being able to tell a good story ourselves, so as we all know, a good story well told is worth telling. So why don't we Texas our Texas and tell some ourselves?' McConaughey provided examples of how Texas film productions have yielded strong returns on investment for Texans. In shooting in-state commercials for Salesforce, he and Harrelson provided over 700 days of work for Texans, including 150 hotel nights, 30 truck rentals, 200 rental van car days, 18 trailer rental days, and 30 car service trips, McConaughey told lawmakers. The Texas Film Commission was established in 1971 by the 60th legislature. It expanded to include the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program in 2007 in order to provide performance-based grants to pictures produced in Texas. The program's funding has grown over the years, never exceeding $95 million until 2023, when $200 million was allocated. This bill would more than double the previous appropriation. Adriana Cruz, the executive director of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, discussed the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program's return on investment at today's hearing. So far, the program has generated $2.52 billion of in-state spending, creating more than 189,000 direct jobs and a 469% return on investment. Texas Senate passes bill to infuse $2.5 billion into film incentive program over next decade Other industry stakeholders who testified included Chris Juen, co-owner of Out of Order Studios. Juen was born in El Paso and spent about 20 years in the Los Angeles studio system. He's now based in Fort Worth, serving as executive producer on the television series, The Chosen, which is filmed primarily in Peaster and Midlothian. 'There's not enough sound stages, there's so much media,' Juen said as he discussed how this bill would help Texas invest in long term production infrastructure, which would attract longer-length projects and outside investors. He says this lack of infrastructure and stability almost pushed The Chosen out of Texas. Amy Bailey, actress on The Chosen, backed Juen and McConaughey's sentiments. She said she's lucky to have landed a Texas-based production that allows her to take care of her children and aging parents in her home state. In addition, Mattie Parker, the mayor of Fort Worth, testified on the importance of the film industry to Texas cities. Since 2015, film projects in Fort Worth have generated over $700 million in economic impact and affected more than 30,000 local jobs, according to Parker. 'The show 1883, which was filmed in the Fort Worth stockyards, spent $44.4 million in the Fort Worth area over a 75 day period, and hired more than 1100 Texas-based crew and 800 Texas cast members,' said Parker, adding that she believes that film and television is the next foundational economy for Fort Worth. 'Why are we making Texas films in other states? We got more areas and more places to do movies and films than any other place,' said Hunter. 'And what this is, is an investment. It's a new industry, and by gosh, it's the right thing to do.' After nearly two hours of testmony, the committee went into recess for members to take part in Wednesday's session of the Texas House. Committee members have not yet voted on whether to advance the bill to the House for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Discover Odessa hosts Lone Star Letters initiative to advocate for Texas' creative industries
Apr. 9—Discover Odessa is proud to host Lone Star Letters, a statewide letter-writing campaign advocating for Texas' thriving creative industries, including film, television, gaming, animation, and digital media. The initiative will take place April 9 — April 27 and is open to industry professionals, students, and supporters who want to make their voices heard. Texas is home to a multi-billion-dollar creative economy that fuels jobs, innovation, and small businesses across the state. As the Texas Legislature considers policies (SB 22 and HB 4568) that impact these industries, Lone Star Letters provides an opportunity for local creatives to directly engage with lawmakers by writing personal letters about why their work matters to Texas' economy and culture. "The Lone Star Letters initiative is a great way for our community to support Texas' creative industries. SB 22 and HB 4568 will help bring more film and media projects to our state, creating jobs and boosting local businesses. For Odessa, this means more visitors, more opportunities for our small businesses, and a chance to showcase our city as a great place for film production. Your voice matters—join us in writing a letter and help keep these opportunities right here in Texas," Laura Marts, Director, Discover Odessa, said in a news release. During this initiative, local film makers, creatives, storytellers, and supporters are encouraged to email Discover Odessa or mail in your letter that we will mail to state representatives on April 28. How to submit my letter: >> Letter Drop Offs: Odessa Chamber of Commerce, 700 N Grant Ave #200, Odessa, TX 79761 >> Mail it in to the Capital Office: Brooks Landgraf, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768 >> Email it to us: [email protected] Discover Odessa will be mailing off letters every Monday, the last mail out day will be the 28th, and encourages everyone to get their hand-written letters in as soon as possible. If you'd like to mail off your letter yourself, mail it to our Texas Rep. Brooks Landgraf, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768. Lone Star Letters is a statewide initiative led by the Texas Media Production Alliance (TXMPA) in partnership with industry organizations and film-friendly communities across Texas. Every letter sent is a step toward securing a stronger future for Texas' creative workforce.
