Hollywood East’s Less-Than Red Carpet Arrival

By Andrea Shea
Dec 15, 2009, 5:36 AM
42 Comments

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As an actor, Chuck Slavin, 30, is hoping one of the several film studios proposed for Massachusetts will come to Weymouth, where he lives, on the site of the town’s old Naval Base. (Andrea Shea/WBUR)

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — The promise of transforming Massachusetts into “Hollywood East” has been in the spotlight for years. Just recently Plymouth Rock Studios — one of at least three film studios proposed for the state — suffered a major financial setback, calling into question the idea of what it actually means to be “Hollywood East,” and whether it makes sense to have film studios here at all.

It’s difficult to answer that question on purely economic grounds because the film industry as a whole has always been based on pitches and promises — just like in Robert Altman’s 1992 film, “The Player.”

This story is also difficult because it’s tough to determine the real economic impact of a fledgling film industry on any state. Add in the fact that the entire movie business is in dramatic transition and you can end up really confused. One of the questions that is up for debate is whether states should build sound stages at all.

“In my experience that isn’t what brings people here,” said Jan Egelson, an independent film director in Boston for 30 years. “I’ve never known a production where I’ve tried to bring them here and the folks producing it have looked around and said, ‘OK, well that city has got the best sound stages in the world. Oh Boston, let’s go there.’ ”

“I don’t think that happens,” Egelson said. “The best sound stages in the world are in LA.”

Slideshow: Movies set in the city

In Egelson’s view, movie productions come here for the locations. But one Hollywood producer said sound stages might make a difference. Jeff Waxman recently produced “The Fighter,” which shot on location in Lowell.

He pointed out that some movies don’t need real-world locations, only indoor sound stages. One example is “Dawn of War,” the $100 million film he’s working on right now in Canada.

“We’re up in Montreal now,” Waxman said, “and the reason we’re shooting here is the movie I’m doing now is a complete visual effects movie — all green screen — and I needed stages, believe it or not.”

Waxman also needed Canada’s generous film tax credit. It’s 25 percent, same as in Massachusetts. Waxman said tax incentives top his shopping list when he’s looking to locate a film. Adding a skilled crew base is critical, too.

Joe Maella heads the Massachusetts Production Coalition, which represents union workers and all sorts of film professionals. He said building studios with sound stages makes sense because it brings jobs. “Producers, line producers, directors, editors, writers, lighting directors, makeup, sound, set design,” he ticked off.

And don’t forget the actors. Thirty-year-old Chuck Slavin is drooling over the prospect of a film studio in Massachusetts.

“This is a huge opportunity for myself,” Slavin said. “You know, that’s me as an actor being greedy because I’d love to be able to, you know, have a place where I could just say, ‘Hey, I’m going to work on a movie and here’s where I’m at,’ and not have to bounce around from place to place.”

Slavin hopes one of the studio projects will be built in Weymouth, where he lives. It’s on the site of the town’s old Naval Base. A group of producers want to transform its huge, empty airplane hangers into sound stages.

But even without any film studio development, Nick Paleologos of the Massachusetts Film Office said this state has come very far, very fast since adopting the 25 percent film tax credit three years ago. “We’ve gone literally from getting a movie once a year to almost an average of a movie every month,” he said. “And we could probably continue along at that pace if nothing happened.”

Paleologos spends his days wooing Hollywood producers to the state. Tax credits are his main selling point, he said, noting that if producers need sound stages, they often use empty warehouses. Paleologos also wants to make it clear that the various film studio proposals that are currently on the table are private ventures and receive no funding from the state.

“I mean, I don’t want to gild the lily, I do think that it would be a shame if, you know, one of them wasn’t able to get a shovel in the ground, but it’s not going to impact the level of production we have enjoyed up to this point,” he said. “It’s just going to prevent us from going to the next level.”

That “next level” could put Massachusetts on equal footing to compete with states that do have state-of-the-art film studios, such as New Mexico, Connecticut and Louisiana.

But the plot thickens: Even those states report varying levels of success since building sound stages — and it seems until this fledgling film industry evolves further, the numbers regarding impact will continue to be somewhat mysterious.

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http://www.mdfieldonline.com Michael Field

I’m a filmmaker from CT and I’ve been hearing about this proposed studio coming to our area for two-three years. I’m even involved with one of them (in the manner of setting up a shingle), but simply building a studio isn’t going to make the film and television industry a mainstay in CT or MA. There needs to be a film structure in order for everything to work. We need to see what made Hollywood the way it is today by looking back and learning from their beginnings. A big reason, huge reason, it works out West is because they control distribution. They have the means to get the product out there. With the internet becoming a huge tool in the indepedent filmmaker belt, states like CT and MA need to focus their efforts on the digital market at the outset. Find a way to control the distribution and you will see a film industry grow. But like everything, these things take time.

The tax rebates are a great start, but it’s only the beginning which seems to be missed by many of the politicians. We almost lost the rebate in CT a few months ago and Michigan (42% rebate) is in danger as well. Everyone keeps talking about building studios. How about developing product and creating a need and want for more product in the area. First you have to conquer the local area before you go after Hollywood.

At least, that’s an opinion from a filmmaker trying to make it work with what I got.
Elie Baghdady

One of the charms or should I say draws of filming in Boston is its historic and diverse locations. As an actor working on the movie “The Town”, Ben Affleck’s latest directorial venture, was the fact that we were able to film in a diverse number of locals and neighborhoods. To me this lends to the richness of what the Boston area offers and ultimately the rich texture that end product will offer when it reaches the big screen.
Oh sure, there was need for sound stage and green screen facilities for this film. Those needs were achieved by utilizing a number of the many already existing abandoned or struggling warehousing facilities throughout Boston and local cities and towns. This in my opinion was a good shot in the arm for this state’s struggling economy without the major expenditure that would be incurred if Hollywood East came to fruition.
http://www.perfectseasonmovie.com Matthew Valentinas

The more studios the better. I’d love to see some of the universities like MIT or Harvard get involved with creating some of these stages. They have the money, and the land. Not to mention the tax breaks.

Also, I agree digital distribution is where the New England area can compete the most with companies like Brightcove helping to pave the way. I’m all for the studios being built as well. I just hope that legislators can help developers more and not hinder them. Things can take way too long to happen in Massachusetts.
paul coggins

where ever the “Hollywood East” studio happens to be don’t you think it’s about time that it actually happened.
By that i mean there has been Soooooo much talk about a studio in Boston for some time now. It should be under construction now.
Tired of the talk need more lights,camera and lot’s of ACTION
Jerry Maestas

Having moved from Los Angeles, I am finding that getting to know people, for networking is difficult, as no one knows me, and no one in the area, is wanting to help, as I know that work is difficult to find now… I am a cinematographer, and have esperience in pre/post prodution as well… I am interested if netowrking, and wanting to find out how to break into the film industy here in the east coast,as I relocated to Massachussetts as my wife relocated to be closer to her family, and relatives.. With respect, to any one who can help me find networking, and help break into the film industry here… Jerry
Daniel Carlin

As a 30-year veteran of the industry, I am not confident that there will be any short-term success in creating a large studio operation anywhere outside of southern California or Manhattan. What was proven in northern California, where George Lucas built post-production facilities, is that after directors, producers, and editors are on location filming, they want to go home for post-production, where they can be with their families and also network for their next gig. So, even if you build it, they will not come. That isn’t to say it shouldn’t be built–it’s just that we will need to build up a local pool of talent representing all of the various crafts involved in the pre-production, production, and post-production of films and television. We will need homegrown workers who are not eager to “get back to the coast.” It can happen, but not overnight.
Bob Monty

There should be a small studio at the very least, where they can film and edit the trials of all of Massachusetts’ corrupt politicians. As far as the editing part, they can apply makeup to the solons to make them look older so that we’ll know what they look like after being in prison for 15 years… in case we might ever care what they look like.
http://povertiproductions.net Kate

I haven’t read all the comments, but if you know your history, all the major studios used to be in New York. When they ‘discovered’ LA, it was the nice weather that convinced many of them to move over there.

Personally, I have an Oscar-winning epic I need to do right here in Boston. So let’s push those tax credits and keep making great movies. Ah forget the Oscar, it’s gonna make oodles!
http://www.hssw.info Scott Anderson

Massachusetts has been involved in film and film finance from the beginning. Massachusetts leads the national in public television production and is active in producing shows for many cable TV networks. Feature film production is a fickle business in LA and outside of LA it’s even more so. Massachusetts has just come thru a boom time – but production has slowed and doesn’t look like it’ll pick up any time soon so we’re stuck with the tried and true production that was already here.

And as a historical note film companies fled west to avoid the Edison trust (and their Pinkerton men) – not to avoid New England weather.
http://reelgroovyfilms.com John Hartman

Well, folks in New England could always go to Hollywood…

I think the charm of filming in New England is that we get to be in New England! The less Hollywood there is in New England, the more I want to film there. This view may be perceived as radical or unrealistic? It depends on what you’re looking for. As a starving artist, the struggles to create films — with what we currently have — makes me stronger and “less is more.”

Eye wish U all luck with what U R looking 4! =)
Brendan Burchill

Does anybody know what the next film to shoot here is?
Carol Marie Pendergast Kimball

A 25% tax credit is a great incentive for anyone interested in making movies in Massachusetts with the development of a large film company for production is great! People worked hard for that tax break to attract the film industry AND to support the existing film industry. Other businesses benifit with tax breaks. The film industry is an art industry and Massachusetts talks about supporting the arts but falls short in many ways. Either Hollywood comes to Massachusetts or Massachusetts businesses support the talent here and financially support EastFilm – why call it HollywoodEast if the “Hollywood industry” isn’t part of the plan? The Weymouth air base is a great place for film making, Plymouth is a great place for film making and YES money would make it happen. The state of Massachusetts need not build sound stages – the business, the industry needs to build sound stages. Hollywood will appreciate the Massachusetts location, change of seasons, the space, the the tax break, the rich American history BUT Hollywood isn’t A person or A company. Hollywood didn’t start over night. Hollywood is a mix bag of people with different concepts on making money and they don’t always do it right but they work together to get things done. Massachusetts needs to get together and get things done. Make the film industry happen in Massachusetts today – lay down the dollar and start.
Brendan Burchill

Does anyone know how many sound stages Canada has?
http://www.wbur.org/people/ashea Andrea Shea

Hello everyone! Andrea Shea here. I’m happy to see this on-going dialogue about the film industry in Massachusetts. Thanks for submitting your comments.

I plan to cover the industry more closely in 2010, so please feel free to contact me with news, ideas or questions you’d like to see explored.

To answer one question posted here, by Brendan Burchill, I can say the people behind an indie film titled “The Born Saleman” just announced plans to shoot in the state this coming summer. Massachusetts native Keith Dorrington wrote the script and will be co-producing. He also wrote “The Fighter,” which finished shooting in Lowell this fall and is now in post-production.

“The Born Saleman” is set in Massachusetts during the real estate boom of the 1980s, according to Dorrington, and is a character-driven tale about the cut-throat nature of the industry. In an e-mail Dorrington said it will begin pre-production in early 2010. And, to quote, he also said, “We are raising the last portion of the fund currently but either way the film will be made or we will cut where we need to without affecting the intergrity of the film.”

Dorrington added that “you have to be more creative and innovative in raising capital” for filmmaking during economic hard times.

So there’s one film that will shot here in Mass. Things will pick up as Spring approaches, according to Nick Paeleologos at the Mass Film Office. The filmmaking season, he said, is pretty much April through November. So stay tuned! And please keep in touch. A.
Scott Mitchell

GO HOLLYWOOD EAST! We need jobs in this state bad!
http://RHODYWOOD.com Anthony Demings

I have often wondered why one would put a full sound studio in Plymouth MA. It’s not close to any major interstate highway, major city or major hotels to accomidate a full staff/crew etc.

A prime location for the sound stage in MA would have been in the Foxboroo, Attleboro area. These locations are tied directly to interstate highways and close to several major cities.
Steve Lennon Jr.

This is a great article! It looks like Jeff Waxman could have stayed here had we had a studio in time. Our local economy really could have used that $100 million that “Dawn of War” could have brought here. Let the studio race begin. Get those shovels in the ground! It’s time for these Studio Executives to Sh*t or get off the pot!
BTW Anyone know what “gild the lily” means?
Jonathan

There’s always that Osgood Landing in Andover that’s ripe for a studio to be built there. 1.5 million usable square feet that the owner is desperate to sell.

Too bad Chuck thinks it’s too far away, since it’s north of Quincy. But it wasn’t too far away for Touchstone Pictures to film Surrogates there, not to mention a couple of other big name films were shot there.

How do I know he’s not even considering that location? Email me and I’ll email you the conversation he and I had a while back.
Jonathan

Addendum: my email is jmill713@hotmail.com
Scott Mitchell

Jonathan, I don’t think Chuck is building the studios, but I could be wrong? I thought the article states Chuck is an Actor. You should contact LNR I think they are involved with the building of the Weymouth studio, and David Kirkpatrick in Plymouth.
http://www.engine-east.com Michael Durwin

It’s not the sounds stages. What’s a sound stage but a wired box? You can have that anywhere. The pull is infrastructure, talent, unique or flexible location proximity, tax incentives.
Unfortunately there is a talented but limited infrastructure and talent base in Boston. I do motion graphics and titles for shows and commercials but is a production shot in Boston going to use me or the guys that did Iron Man in LA? How about sound? Don’t get me started on the idiots in the unions around here. Boston has significantly less acting talent as well. We have some fantastic actors here but it’s not exactly a magnet for that type of talent.
As far as locations, LA and Canada have been used as Boston and NY a ton. But, Boston looks like Boston. Even shows set in Boston like Fringe shot in NY then moved to Canada. It’s not hard to fake a Boston backdrop but it’s hard to make Boston look like anything else.
This brings us to tax incentives. Sure the same tax break exists, but the other costs here are exorbitant.
I’m sure I speak for a lot of Bostonians who would be THRILLED to see more movies in Boston and a thriving film industry, but it’s going to take more than a new sound studio.
John Garrett

Michael Darwin said “How about sound? Don’t get me started on the idiots in the unions around here.”

What the hell is your problem, buster? As a location sound mixer for thirty years and member of two trade unions (it’s madatory to get the work) casting aspersions on an industry and individuals you obviously know little about is not going to get you far.
Producers must be lining up to hire you.
G. John Garrett, CAS
Jonathan

To Scott: Chuck Slavin has rallied for getting the state to vote for getting the two studios built (in which he obviously succeeded), started the Filmmaker’s Shindig networking party in Quincy to connect us all together, effectively raised awareness in just about everything that has to do with filming in the state of MA so that we cast/crew stay in the loop, not to mention advised us on who to vote for in the upcoming Representatives election.

He’s practically a lobbyist for filming in the state of MA. In order words, he’s the voice of all of us in film, a voice that’s been listened to plenty of times.

Only so much can be gleaned from just reading an article, a lot more can be learned from correspondence with the man himself.

All I’m saying is, if he wanted to have a studio built in Andover, he could draw enough support to have it done, but it’s too far away from where he lives.
http://www.fccfilmscouting.com Gary.W

It’s all talk, Lets do what they did in the early days in LA. Thats what we are doing……Jan 2010
Thomas

Now that was an excellent article Chuck, told it like it is and brought out all of the factors involved in creating a true “Hollywood East” I thought!In other words, its right on man!

What it comes down to is this, and I like the one guy’s comments, so true, to have another Hollywood, you need to see what made Hollywood what it is.

To create Hollywood East, you need ALL of the following,

1.] Tax Incentives,

2.] Infrastructure, studios, sound stages,

3.] Great film crew and technical base,

4.] Real Producers and screen writers to originate film projects,

5.] A distribution network for the created films.

Once this is accomplished, you have created a new Hollywood!

But its the points 4 and 5 that are really important in the long run. As long as you just depend on the L.A crowd to bring their projects out to film, you will only get a limted amount of work. I just read the other day that production in L.A. has gone up 16% since the new California incentives have been implemented. It looks like most of my fellow Californians are awakening out of their stupor and realizing that their business base is blowing away, which means they are going down the toilet unless they do something, and something drastic and effective,……. and quick!

So, New England, get on the stick and get busy if you want your share of the film business!

Florida has a lot of film industry infrastructure, but does not have the tax incentives, but they are “getting it” now, and when they pass competitive incentives, look out. Film makers like that sunny climate, like California, so get busy guys and girls!
Thomas

Oh, can I be a little long winded?

“But the plot thickens: Even those states report varying levels of success since building sound stages — and it seems until this fledgling film industry evolves further, the numbers regarding impact will continue to be somewhat mysterious.”

Reality is, the states that have invested in infrastructure, like sound stages, and studios, here in the East, most film crew people I know are having to go to those locations to get work, like Louisiana for instance. The same goes for New Mexico, its working for them.

As for mystery, its no secret, most producers will fly around like butterflies, from one flower to another, which ever one has the most tax incentives at the moment.

So its important once you have the studios and sound stages in place to make the incentives as permanent as possible, show that your in for the long haul.

California was a super film friendly place for decades, that anchored the industry [ and the weather helped more then you can imagine don't forget,]and it has taken a number of years for the film un-friendliness to start driving the industry away. These are all important facts to remember in your quest to establish an East Coast Hollywood.
Thomas

“I have often wondered why one would put a full sound studio in Plymouth MA. It’s not close to any major interstate highway, major city or major hotels to accomidate a full staff/crew etc.”

Sounds like another Wilmington, NC! Just more high tech, modern and bigger, but stuck out in an out of the way backwash.

A studio was built in a hillbilly backwash in Western North Carolina many years ago, they did the studio work for THE ABYSS there, then the work dried up, and it sits pretty well empty today. A grim lesson to consider!
Reesa Guerra

I am honestly sickened by this entire thing. I was so excited and hopeful for more work in New England. I am a union actress and screenplay writer. The studio was the main reason why i didnt go to LA and stayed here waiting. So many people I know moved from both LA and NY to come here. Even a few new casting agency’s opened-which is great considering Agents cant even exist here legally-which is an entire other issue.
http://www.unicovia.org Ahura Z.

I personally, am glad that anything that is titled “hollywood east” did’nt take flight, (no pun intended). I mean. Did it ever dawn on anyonr that Hollywood is corrupt and would only corrupt anything else that it touched?

Geez! Enough with the hollywood east crap. What New England need is NEW ideas, new movies, a NEW NAME!!

Hopfully a name that is borne of creativity, and not mimicry. If you all just want to be like hollywood when you grow up, why not just pack your bags and move to California, and stand in line waiting to be the next great piece of furniture, and work as hard as you can to become a STAR along with the other twenty or thirty million sheeple that want to be just like hollywood only to be completely crushed when someone gets a part in a film, when you, and everyone else knows that the person did not have one tenth the talent that you did, and got the part only just because of the color of their skin.

Or maybe you all like the fact that someone from hollywood can totally insult the intelligence of women,
by glorifying rape, and promoting the special feeling that comes from being called names that not even an animal should have to endure. Oh! Oh! Perhaps you like when holywood sees it fit to have someone in history, or ledgend that is obviously greek portrayed by someone with an austrailian, or english accent, and I quote..

THIS IS SPAHTAH!!!

NO! I say that until the actors of the east start seeing that calling anything a branch of hollywood is a mistake we are doomed to be ever reaching for a brass ring that is really made of plastic. But then what do I know, I’m just someone that understands hollywood for what it is, and want NO part of it. I will create my own film empire, and will challenge anyone with a creative mind and strong will to do the same. Perhaps if we stop thinking about the tax breaks, rebates, and money, and start thinking about the art, the reputation, and buildings will come. I have news for the person that wants to be hollywood east. You are only giving your power to a beast that sees you only as a thread in the red carpet, and will be happy to walk all over you.

Peace. Ahura Z.
Laura Bianca Cipolla

Hollywood is Hollywood.
New England will never even come close.
It hasn’t already happened & never will.
Plymouth is in the middle of nowhere, it sounds lame!
Susan Sullivan

I think this is the first article that has looked at Mass. Movie Studios objectively. It’s great to see all the stars in town, and all the money it brings. I hope a studio is built, but I won’t believe it until I see it! It would be nice to have movies here year round.
Vic Clay

Well, well, well, this is very interesting to read. Some of it is rather disturbing but I would really need to have those parts confirmed by other sources before I got upset. I believe there is one area that has not been touched on and yet is crucial to recognize.
In this area, filmmaking stops on Thanksgiving, unless a film has a lot of wintery scenes, but, tv goes all year round.I may be misinformed but I heard that Plymouth was already accepting letters of intent from tv shows, mostly talk shows, to use the stages. If that happened, the stages would be making money year round and become a cash cow for the studio. That, in turn, would mean it would be necessary to have a lot of full time employees with specialized industry skills working there. And that in turn would make year round filmmaking there more attractive. Someone here mentioned something about location accessability and domiciling too. Plymouth is right on a major highway, albeit one that is frequently congested and part of the plan did include a hotel and campus. That said, it is all pretty much moot right now because no matter what we think or write, it is up to the big money people to fund this and that will come down to the bottom line. I say they should build the hotel first and have that as a cash cow to get started. Maybe even keep at least part of the gold course operating too. Then build at least one stage and make the hotel a boutique type niche ultra lux place, with 4 star restaurants, spas, helipad and etc., where the hook is that the customers will be rubbing elbows with movie stars. I would guess that a hotel style building in Plymouth would have at least on the higher floors some great ocean views too. Not knowing exactly where in the town the land is, I can only speculate but it would be great if it was a place that had some shore rights too so boating or rather yachting could be part of the package. Of course all amenities of these types would be attractive to the movie stars and rich directors and producers and also help to solidify the location. To recap, while we can not influence the people who would build a studio, we might be able to get the studio interested in thinking a bit differently to get started as I outlined or as anyone else who has a way to expedite things can offer. We need more creative thinking here if this is going to happen and I hope that PRS realizes that. That’s my 2 cents.
Lisa Cooke

I think this article is dead on. We need to start showcasing the local talent. It may be hard to hear, but we need more local actors in these movies. Chuck Slavin may be greedy, but we need more like him. As soon as the public sees more actors from Boston they will start seeing these incentives are working.
Jean-Paul Ouellette

The question of Hollywood Studios in Massachusetts has been a enigma for three decades. But you have to remember what a studio means. It means you have a place with controlled sound and the ability to work from home. It means you can get up in your own bed and kiss the spouse and kids goodbye. It means you can have a business meeting at lunch. It means that you can wrap the day at a decent time, get in your car, stop by your accountant’s office and have drinks with your friends before you head home to a comfortable night with your family. For a Hollywood studio it means you use what you already own, your studio lot. It means cost savings. If you live in LA what is the point of a studio in Massachusetts? None, really. And if you start making Hollywood films in Massachusetts studios, the cost of bringing “home” to Massachusetts would outstrip the benefits.

The second question is that even in Los Angeles, the Studios and their producers sometimes skip their own studios (while cheaper than renting someone else’s studio, they are still costly) and run to Long Beach and set up temporary studios in the shipyard warehouses or warehouse centers in Santa Clarita Valley or City of Industry. And they can still get home for dinner.

Thirdly, for the local film industry in Massachusetts? Well, we need to do what L.A. does so well: show we can have both a steady union production slate and thriving, but financially successful, non-union industry co-existing here. I’ve worked in L.A. and a lot of great union talent came from the non-union industry there and many of the learning came from union members working on non-union shows to fill time and extra money. It is a process with keeps people working, fresh blood circulating through the business, and balances needs of the audience through a financially stable industry. Until we can show this for Massachusetts, it is unlikely we need big studios here.

If anything, we could use a couple of studios, situated near high class food and lodging (and not self-contained like the proposed PRS), within sight of a major airport, as cover sets for Hollywood films which shoot here when the weather is unreasonable for shooting. And these would still not get a lot of use. For the moment, there is no great need from Hollywood for us to have studios and little need for our independent film industry to have much more than we already have through facilities like Kramer and High Output. What we need to do is show we have the film product to support studios when Hollywood is not using them, and we haven’t really done that to date. Hopefully we will.
Mimi

The industry has changed to such an extent that the stages in LA are not working as much as they need to, the focus for movie execs is presently on how films are to be distributed since that’s where the profit is and NOBODY KNOWS yet what the answer to distribution is. In my opinion, Massachusetts does need a stage simply to deal with providing cover for year round work, but it’s not the answer to building a solid film business. There are many factors as everyone who has contributed to this dialogue has attested. My basic question is: Why ape Hollywood? It has over 100 years’ head start on Boston. Second question: Why not define another area of expertise as Boston own???
Mimi
http://www.chuckslavin.com Chuck Slavin “DotCom”

I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for reading this article, and commenting. I really think Andrea did a fantastic job of being “fair and balanced” on this issue. I think this is a healthy discussion and I know deep down how important it is for us New England Filmmakers to keep these Film Tax Incentives in place and eventually have a multi-sound stage movie studio here in Massachusetts. It is essential to obtain the goal of having Film/TV projects here year round. I know there is a lot of support for film behind the scenes and hope each of you will take a moment to contact your legislators and please tell them you appreciate their efforts. Please if anyone has a questions or feedback for me; follow the link attached to my name (click on my name in blue below), and find the contact form on my website. See you on set, Chuck Slavin “DotCom”

Please Call or Email and Thank your Local Massachusetts Legislators for supporting Film.
House Clerk: 617 722 2356
Senate Clerk: 617 722 1276
Ask for your local Representative or Senator, and thank them. We need to show them we support their efforts in Film!!!
Hollywood Hyde

I first would like to ask “Where are all the Boston Actors” Matt Damon,Ben Aff,Steve,Mark Wal,and the rest of the crew who always pay omage to Boston. These guys can’t get put there money together to get this done. This is an historical moment in our lives that a studio will be huge for our state and for movies in the east coast all together.
Rudder Holdemberg

I hope this comes through, not only for Mr. Slavin, but, for the rest of the East side film, actors, and entertainment people who would reap the benefits of working at this facility. It would be great for the local economy. I think we would need to add about 3 lanes in each direction to Route 18 though. Go WeymouthWood!
Dan Toland

I am a resident of Weymouth and would love to see an influx of movies. It would be a huge boost to the local economy.
Peter M. McSwiggin

Wow, Some lenthly statements here. Lot’s of good points.
I would just like to know, While were waiting and hoping for the studios to be built,What happened to all the films that were coming our way. We had a great 5 year run and now all of a sudden, there isn’t even a rumor of whats in the pipeline for us here for 2010. Everything has come to a total halt. At this point I would be more concerned about what films are coming in and when. They can build the studios later.
Peter McSwiggin.
“The SagAlong’s”
http://keramica.ucoz.com/ Roman

I think it’s not so important to transfer this hollywood? but it’s very difficult proces.In my site I have many films made in this studio. But money, which will be spent on this transfer can be put to another important things
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