To the Editor:
I was elated to hear that the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted unanimously to make the state’s film and television tax incentive permanent. As a professional actor with deep roots in Massachusetts, I know that this is exactly the kind of support our local film industry needs to bring in exponential growth.
Over the past 15 years, my family has benefited from the steady increase in film and television work here in Massachusetts. For me personally, the flexibility of film work helped me to be able to balance my career with raising my children. A lot has been made of “full-time equivalent” jobs, and many of my coworkers on set work 40 hours a week or more. But I like being able to make a full-time salary on part-time hours. It gave me the ability to volunteer in my kids’ school and chaperone field trips around my work days.
As a union actor, when I work I am paid a living wage with pension and health credits, and as a principal performer (“speaking role”) I receive residual payments for my work long after my initial days on set are complete. During the pandemic, when everything was completely shut down, I continued to receive residual checks. My husband works in the hotel industry, and the increase in productions booking rooms and tourists coming to see where films were made has been a benefit to him, too.
I’m writing to say “thank you for your support” to Rep. Joan Meschino and especially Sen. Patrick O’Connor (who is serving on the Conference Committee) for being champions of the film and television tax Incentive. Senator O’Connor, your tireless efforts on behalf of our industry continue to create many jobs for those of us living in your district and beyond. Please keep these film jobs coming by supporting the House version of the budget regarding the film and television tax Incentive.
Michele Proude
