The buzz around Memphis recently has been about the Oscar nominations of Terrence Howard for "Hustle and Flow", and Joaquin Phoenix for "Walk the Line." However, some are unaware that Memphis might have been considered as a location for many other films if only we had better tax incentives.
Brigitte Billeaudeaux, a graduate student at The University of Memphis, said the films bring people to the city even if it's only for a short time and that it would impact the economy.
"The nomination of Terrence Howard puts a lot of hype around the city," Billeaudeaux said.
Jay Reynolds, a sophomore recording technology major, agreed that it would boost our economy, but said she likes the attention that the city is getting.
"The films attract more attention to the artistic aspects of the city," Reynolds said. "Tax incentives will help bring out new undiscovered talent.
She said she feels that if we don't use tax incentives, then films will definitely go elsewhere.
"I'm excited about the Oscar buzz and I feel that we've lost a lot of things in the past because of the lack of incentives, but now we will be able to draw more people here," Reynolds said.
The impact can only be positive, she said.
"This city has a lot of potential, and besides, I'll be working more," Reynolds said.
David Appleby, a professor of communications at The U of M, said incentives would make Memphis a more appealing place to shoot a film.
"Just because someone is doing a film on Memphis, that doesn't mean they have to shoot here," Appleby said. "Location scouts and art designers do a very good job at disguising locations."
He said we should give incentives to filmmakers the way they are given to vendors wanting use of venues such as the FedExForum.
"Speaking selfishly as a U of M professor who teaches film production, these films are wonderful places for our students to work," Appleby said.
He said it is harder on the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission to compete if we don't have good incentives to "sweeten the pot."
"As far as I know, (Memphian and "Hustle and Flow" writer and director) Craig Brewer shot here because he wanted to shoot here, but most film producers won't say, 'this is the place I absolutely have to shoot,'" Appleby said.
For the most part people, like Reynolds, seem to be positive about films coming to Memphis.
"I love to see Memphis on film," she said.
