Its B.O. fortunes notwithstanding, Kevin Costner's "The Postman" "definitely delivered good news to our home state," according to Arizona Film Commissioner Linda Peterson Warren.
Memorabilia from the pic and an original script, along with stamps, a cellular phone, pager and news publications were sealed in a time capsule at Old Tucson Studios recently to celebrate the film's Christmas Day release by Warner Bros.
"Our state benefited with a vast infusion of new capital into our economy, in addition to 244 local crew hires, 800 extras plus two months of total production in southern Arizona," Warren noted.
Green Valley was the location site for portions of "The Postman," adapted from David Brin's futuristic novel, which the Oscar-winning Costner ("Dances With Wolves") starred in and directed.
IF THE AYES HAVE IT, Minnesota's film coffers will be increased by a $5 million revolving loan fund. Gov. Arne H. Carlson announced he will include the one-time request in his budget proposal for fiscal 1999.
The fund, which will be operated by the Minnesota Film Board in conjunction with the Dept. of Trade & Economic Development, will create investment support to bolster the state's $250-million-a-year film industry.
"The revolving loan fund has been in our discussions in Minnesota and Los Angeles for the past three years. We have a unique opportunity to build an exciting new industry in this state for the long haul," Carlson said.
Fund approval by the legislature would allow producers of feature films, TV movies and series to apply for matching funds of $50,000-$500,000 per project. Loans will account for 10%-50% of a project's overall production budget. In addition to repaying the loan, the producer must spend 120% of the loan amount shooting in Minnesota. The program is expected to add to the 55 feature films that have been shot in the state since 1990. Eight national cable TV series currently are produced in Minnesota.
Incentive programs have helped push Minnesota's film industry into the country's top 10. The film jobs fund, which offers a 5% rebate to feature film producers, lured six films to the state, including Paramount's "A Simple Plan," currently filming in the Twin Cities. Minnesota's independent film fund, the nation's only development fund for indie films, provides financial assistance for indie talent. Fund recipient Garret Williams' indie pic "Spark" premieres at the Sundance Film Festival this week.
Minnesota's economy enjoyed a bountiful decade, thanks to the filming of the Academy Award-winning pic "Fargo," plus "Grumpy Old Men" and "The Mighty Ducks." New revenues amounted to $90 million, with $8 million in state and local taxes, 500 year-round jobs and 200,000 hotel room rentals.
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