Showing posts with label Tom Hanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tom Hanks. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces New Virginia Film Industry Workforce Development program

English: Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer outside of...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~ Virginia Community College Workforce Initiative to provide training opportunities for film workers~ 

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced a ground-breaking new initiative created to train Virginia workers for jobs in the state’s film industry.  The Film Industry Training (FIT) is a pilot program created by the Virginia Film Office and the Community College Workforce Alliance designed to prepare workers for film, television and commercial projects in Virginia.  Numerous projects have been filmed in Virginia recently: the AMC spy series TURN; Ithaca,produced by Tom Hanks and directed by Meg Ryan;  Big Stone Gap from Virginia author Adriana Trigiani featuring Patrick Wilson; and David Baldacci’s Wish You Well; Point of Honor, an ABC television pilot created for Amazon Prime's streaming video platform; Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln; Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks; and Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy, both for the National Geographic Channel.  

 “My recent Executive Order 23 is an initiative dedicated to equipping Virginia workers with the skills, training and education our workforce will need to sustain the New Virginia Economy,” Governor McAuliffe said.  “The success of the Virginia Film Office in efficiently utilizing our comparatively modest film incentive program has created a significant demand for workers.  This program will help to fill that demand. I commend this ground-breaking initiative as an exceptional example of the kinds of programs Virginia will need to continue to be the best."

“I am proud to be a part of the Governor’s New Virginia Economy Workforce Initiative, which is designed to increase postsecondary education and workforce credentials, secure employment for veterans, align education with the needs of business and diversify the economy,” added Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade and Chief Workforce Development Advisor Maurice Jones. “The FIT Program is a pioneering new initiative led by the Community College Workforce Alliance and the Virginia Film Office to help the Commonwealth create a world-class workforce and keep Virginia competitive.”

Virginia Film Office Director Andy Edmunds stated, “This industry creates high-wage jobs, and a positive economic impact in almost all sectors of our economy. The demand for content worldwide is on the rise and these jobs are essentially “content manufacturing jobs”. Virginia already possesses natural advantages in terms of providing a perfect palette of locations for filmmakers. If we seize the opportunity now with a competitive incentive program combined with a camera-ready workforce, Virginia can become a major destination of choice for this highly sought after industry.”

Louis (Mac) McGinty, Vice President of the Community College Workforce Alliance, stated “Twenty years of providing workforce services for Virginia’s Community Colleges has shown me that the ongoing training of our workforce is a critical element to bringing business and a positive return on investment.  We welcome the opportunity to work with this important Virginia industry.

The Film Industry Training course will be taught by Gary Romolo Fiorelli, an accomplished Assistant Director for film and television projects which include the television series Sons of Anarchy and ABC’s current drama Mistresses. His film credits include Pirates of the Caribbean, Blades of Glory and the Virginia-based Lifetime movie Unanswered Prayers. He is currently in Virginia working on the pilot for Point of Honor, a television series produced by ABC for Amazon.  In addition to working in film and television, Fiorelli has created the Production Assistant Training seminar, a course to provide training for people seeking entry level positions within the film industry. 

The two-day seminar will be held October 4 and 5 at the Workforce Development and Conference Center, 1651 Parham Road, Richmond (on the Parham campus of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.)  The cost is $125, with discounts for students, veterans and members of the Virginia Production Alliance.  For more information, visit the Community College Workforce Alliance website, www.ccwatraining.org/film

In 2012, the economic impact of the film and television industry in Virginia totaled $328.4 million and provided 3,061 jobs with $50.5 million in tax revenue.


Friday, June 27, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia as the Location of a Meg Ryan Film Produced by Tom Hanks

English: Meg Ryan at the Cannes film festival
English: Meg Ryan at the Cannes film festival (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ryan will direct and star in an adaptation of William Saroyan novel

 Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Ithaca will be filmed in Virginia this June and July.  Actress Meg Ryan will direct and play a role in the movie along with Sam Shepard and Ms. Ryan’s son, Jack QuaidTom Hanks and his production company Playtone will be executive producers on the film set during WW II and based on William Saroyan’s 1942 book The Human Comedy.  One of Saroyan’s most popular novels, this coming-of-age story is a poignant and tender chronicle of the challenges of growing up during wartime. 
“We couldn’t be happier that Meg Ryan has chosen Virginia as the location for her directorial debut,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Ithaca is a heart-warming story, and we are proud that it will be shot in the Commonwealth.  We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks on this film about an important time in American history.”
Meg Ryan commented, “The welcome we've received from Governor McAuliffe and the Commonwealth of Virginia has been lovely. We're happily surprised by the cinemagraphic opportunities, the talent of the filmmaking community and the variety of resources at our disposal. We couldn't be more delighted to be here.”
Virginia Film Office Director Andy Edmunds noted, “Ithaca supports our mission of bringing jobs to the Commonwealth and expanding our workforce in television and film production.  It will provide exceptional opportunities for our crew and actors, as well as for Virginia businesses that provide goods and services for films.”
Ithaca will begin filming in July - August in the Richmond - Petersburg area, and will be eligible to receive a Virginia Film Tax Credit and Grant.  The exact amount will be based on Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased and deliverables including Virginia Tourism promotion.  In 2012 the total economic impact of the film and television industry in Virginia totaled $328.4 million and provided 3,061 jobs and $50.5 million in tax revenue.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Governor McDonnell Announces 15.7 Percent Increase in Film Industry Employment in Virginia

Tom Hanks
Cover of Tom Hanks
New Report Finds For Every Dollar Invested in Bringing Productions to Commonwealth, $11.80 Returned to State Economy
Total Economic Impact of 11 Recent Projects in State: $139.1 Million

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced a 15.7% increase in employment in the Virginia film industry. The data comes from the release of the Economic Impact of Major Film and Television Productions Shot in Virginia Between 2011 and 2013 report by Magnum EconomicsThe report details the impact of the state’s film incentive program, enhanced in 2010 to attract film and television productions to the Commonwealth. Virginia’s program uniquely combines a commonly used film tax credit with the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. By combining these tools, the state effort has created jobs, added revenue and delivered international advertising for Virginia.

            The report concludes that eleven projects received $11.8 million in incentives and spent $66.4 million in the state – generating a total economic impact of $139.1 million. The projects included Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, the documentary dramas Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy for the National Geographic ChannelCaptain Phillips starring Tom Hanks for Sony Pictures and television pilots Company Town for CBS and Turn for AMC, among others.  The report further concludes the benefit/cost ratio of the incentive investment was 11.8 to 1; meaning for every incentive dollar provided, $11.80 was returned to Virginia’s economy.  

            Governor McDonnell commented, “Our administration has been committed to helping the private sector create new jobs in the Commonwealth, and the film industry is a success story in this effort.  Since we increased funding in the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund and enacted tax credit legislation, employment in the Virginia film industry has increased 15.7 percent, after a previous decline of 9.5 percent.  These numbers demonstrate the kind of positive results a targeted film incentive program can have for Virginia.”

            Film Office Director Andy Edmunds noted, “11.8 to 1 is a superb value for Virginians, but that does not even tell the whole story. Added-value we have uniquely incorporated into our incentive program is buying advertising for Virginia as a tourism destination. Killing Lincoln for example produced and broadcast a commercial promoting the Commonwealth that was seen in over 170 countries.”

            The study further reports significant collateral contributions made by the film industry in Virginia. The industry significantly benefits small businesses having an average of seven employees.  Film jobs provide some of the highest wages in the state with an average weekly salary of $1,277.00, which is 23 percent above the average weekly wage for all other industries.  There are currently 32 public and private colleges and universities in Virginia providing film-related education.  The growth in the state’s film industry provides graduates from these programs with the opportunity to stay in the state and work, rather than relocating to other more active areas.  Finally, a healthy and thriving film industry has a strong positive impact on travel and tourism, as has been demonstrated in Virginia with such popular film and television projects as Lincoln, Killing Lincolnand HBO’s John Adams.

            The film industry in Virginia plays a significant role in the state’s economy. In 2011, total economic impact of the film and television industry in Virginia was $394.4 million, a 14.5 percent increase over 2010.  In addition, 3,817 jobs were attributed to the film industry in 2011, up from 2,651 jobs in 2010. 

            For more information about Virginia’s film industry, visit the Virginia Film Office website at FilmVirginia.org.
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