Made in Connecticut

Connecticut had catapulted from Hollywood obscurity to Hollywood’s hottest ticket. The State is now dubbed Hollywood East.

Immediately following the passage of the digital media and motion pictures tax credits, three feature projects spread throughout the towns. Two more followed, and hundreds thereafter.

Fueled by the unequivocal success of the legislation, Connecticut sought to shore up its new stronghold in the entertainment industry by augmenting the program. The expanded legislation, effective July 1, 2007, places greater focus on helping to develop local crew base, support services, vendors and facilities.

Among some of the more significant changes are funding for workforce development, a tiered infrastructure tax credit, an expanded pool of buyers for the credits and multiple transfers of the credit. The legislation also gradually phases out outside vendors from being eligible for expenses.

The payoff is double-sided. Studio and independent feature film production interest is at a record high, and it is thought to generate economic activity equivalent to three times the production company’s expenditures.

In a climate where tax incentives and rebates have become an essential part of filmmaking, the expanded tax credit legislation serves to strengthen Connecticut’s position as one of the top five U.S. destinations in which to budget a film.

We’re sure that the production companies for the following films recently made in Connecticut would agree:

“Righteous Kill” starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, directed by Jon Avnet

“The Six Wives of Henry Lefay” starring Tim Allen, directed by Howard Michael Gould

“Old Dogs” starring John Travolta and Robin Williams, directed by Walt Becker

“Made for Each Other” starring George Seagul, directed by Daryl Goldberg

“Company Retreat” starring Hart Bochner, directed by Campbell Scott

“College Road Trip” starring Martin Lawrence and Raven, directed by Roger Kumble

“For One More Day” starring Michael Imperioli, directed by Lloyd Kramer

“Revolutionary Road” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, directed by Sam Mendes

“The Other Side of the Tracks” starring Chad Lindberg, directed by Alex Calvo

“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” starring America Ferrera, directed by Sanaa Hamri

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” starring Harrison Ford, directed by Steven Spielberg

“Camp Hope” starring Dana Delany, directed by George VanBuskirk

“Laws of Motion” starring Matthew Perry and Hiliary Swank, directed by Craig Lucus

“What Just Happened?” starring Robert DeNiro and Bruce Willis, directed by Barry Levinson

“Pistol Whipped” starring Steven Seagal, directed by Roel Reiné

“Friends with Benefits” starring Margaret Laney, directed by Gorman Bechard

“The Accidental Husband” starring Uma Thurman, directed by Griffen Dunne

“Factory Girl” starring Sienna Miller and Guy Pearce, directed by George Hickenlooper

“Reservation Road” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly, directed by Terry George

“The Bronx is Burning” starring John Turturro and Oliver Platt, directed by Jeremiah Chechik

“In Bloom” starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood, directed by Vadim Perelman