New law encourages filmmaking in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Lights -- camera -- action. <br/><br/>New laws passed by the Legislature this year are expected to encourage Hollywood filmmakers to film more of their productions in Oklahoma. <br/><br/>Governor

Sunday, June 12th 2005, 11:52 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Lights -- camera -- action.

New laws passed by the Legislature this year are expected to encourage Hollywood filmmakers to film more of their productions in Oklahoma.

Governor Henry has signed three bills that offer production companies rebates, sales tax exemptions and income tax breaks if they film in the state.

Chief among the measures is one that provides funding to the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program. It awards a 15 percent rebate to companies that film in Oklahoma. Oklahoma established the program in 2001 to compete with filmmaking in Canada.

Not everyone is happy about the incentives. Kevin Brodie, a producer in a Tulsa studio project, says caps should be lifted from the state's rebate program.