Thursday, March 20th, 2008...8:26 am

what a waste

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For those keen on news for the new Justice League movie i have the following link.

Australia F**ks Up Justice Shoot

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  • llengib
    March 21st, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    “A few years ago that close-minded cowardice saw two young Aussie filmmakers have to go to the U.S. to get their little indie film “Saw” made - and in the process losing out on one of the most profitable (albeit not particularly prestigious) film franchises in recent history. Today came another blow as the George Miller-directed $200 million “Justice League” movie looks like it will have to be shot overseas (probably Canada or Eastern Europe) after it was refused the Federal Government’s new film production rebate.”

    If SAW had been made in Australia it would not have been profitable, it would not have gotten international attention. The only reason it was profitable was because it had American/Studio backing for a publicity blitz that is required for any big film these days.

    “Under the new system, films deemed “significantly Australian” are eligible for a 40% rebate. At present ‘League’ is under a 15% rebate deal - but with the American dollar falling so quickly on the market, the Australian dollar has become so strong that a 15% rebate is worth practically nothing. Because almost all of the cast and crew involved in the film’s making are Australian, the production hoped to get that 40% rebate - until it was turned down this week.”

    It is sad that in order to attract creative jobs, countries have to essentially bid on them with the taxpayers dollar. Subsidies suck, big time. They lead to corruption, inefficiencies, arbitrary decisions and inherent unfairness. Instead of the best person for the job, it becomes the best funded person as productions are all about the bottom line (and I am not arguing it should be different). If our creative talent don’t learn business skills and are forever reliant on the government wallet, then our film industry will do what it has always done: have short sharp bursts of activity followed by years of nothing. The culture of subsidies only enhances this effect. The industry itself need to have a production house/studio financing, not from government but from the private sector, because making money ensures future movies.

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