Let the cameras roll, no more Atlanta posing as KC

With the city council offering tax credits, Midtown could be more appealing to those making movies, television shows and commercials.

With the city council offering tax credits, Midtown could be more appealing to those making movies, television shows and commercials.

The city council on Thursday passed a measure that can give tax credits to movie, television and commercial productions that shoot in Kansas City.

Those will work with high speed Google Fiber, low local production costs and plenty of local talent to attract the cameras, officials said.

More and more, experts say, productions are shopping for such tax credits before choosing sites.

Councilman Scott Taylor told a sad tale of how people had to send things like local newspaper dispenser boxes, Boulevard beer and Stroud’s chicken boxes to Atlanta.

A screenwriter involved in “American Sniper” liked Kansas City and his next movie involves a veteran in Kansas City, but it will be shot in Atlanta.

That is because Georgia offers hefty tax credits on productions shot in that state.

Director John Hillcoat recently told the Kansas City Star that he will do his next production in Atlanta although the script is set in Los Angeles.

“Atlanta is like a Hollywood backlot,” he said. “Everyone is shooting there though their films are set in another city.”

Missouri used to offer such tax credits but state legislators ended them.

Mayor Sly James said Thursday that the city can take action this way and also encourage the state to pass new tax credits.

He and Taylor said the city credits mesh with ongoing efforts to enhance and grow the arts in Kansas City.

 

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