Thank you Gordon for your introduction – and for bringing the same leadership skills and business savvy to the board of the Oregon Film and Video Office that you bring to your work in the private sector.

 

Gordon – you don’t need this job.  I know that.  But that has not stopped you from devoting your time – and considerable talent – to taking one of the smallest offices in state government and turning it into one of our most effective engines for economic growth.  The same is true of your fellow board members:  Ron Mitchell, Cynthia Whitcomb, and Gus Van Sant. 

 

As Gordon mentioned, Ron could not be here today.  But I deeply appreciate the willingness of each of you to take time away from your busy lives to help put Oregon on Hollywood’s A-list of states for shooting movies and television productions.  I also want to thank everyone working in the industry – from actors and crews to lighting companies and studios.  Without you there would be no film, television and commercial production in Oregon.

 

I offer a special thank you to Veronica Rinard for her 13 years service with Oregon Film and Video Office, and her leadership in helping to create Greenlight Oregon, which I’ll talk more about shortly.

 

Finally, I thank the Oregon Film and Video Office staff for all your hard work.  Sue, Bob, Aaron, and Shawn – and Kayla our Los Angeles rep:  You’re shorthanded – and working with a lean budget.  Yet you’ve maintained the Film Office’s reputation for being among the best in giving producers and directors the on-site help they need – when they need it.

 

What we haven’t been able to give in recent years is financial assistance to attract more – and larger – productions to Oregon.  But to all the skeptics who say:  “Oregon – you used to be big as a location for shooting films,” we can now give an answer similar to the one Norma Desmond gives in the movie Sunset Boulevard:  “We’re still big – it’s the difference between our incentives and our competitors that got small.”  In other words, we’re back in the game because – like Canada and many other states – we’re now putting real money on the table.

 

Oregon had long been a Hollywood favorite because of our great locations, first rate crews, and problem-solving film office.  But as you know, in recent years we have been losing out because the first question every producer asks is:  What are your incentives?  Two years ago, we didn’t have an answer to that question.  Today we do.  In 2003, we created the Oregon Production Investment Fund – which makes up to 250-thousand dollars available to productions that spend at least 1-million in Oregon.  This program has been so successful that the tax credits that were sold to raise money for the Production Investment Fund were snapped up by investors in just five weeks. 

And now that money is being put to good use.  Four shows have applied and been approved to receive rebates on their productions.  The total spending for these four productions will be around 12-million dollars.  Two of the shows have been shot and are in post-production.  The other two – one in Portland and one in Central Oregon – will begin shooting soon.

 

This year we completed Greenlight Oregon – which is made up of two rebates.  The first is a 10-percent rebate on goods and services by vendors who voluntarily participate in the program.  One of this year’s Film Advocate Award winners was instrumental in creating the vendor rebate.

The second part of Greenlight Oregon is the labor rebate.  This required legislation – which passed this year with overwhelming bipartisan support.  I thank all of the legislators who helped create the Greenlight Oregon labor rebate.  Under this new law, companies that spend at least 1-million in Oregon on a production will receive a 6.2-percent rebate of their qualified labor expenses.  As I said – we’re back in the game.  The labor rebate already has its first applicant.  The company is Laika, and it is producing an animated film called Coraline.  The show will employ, during peak production, 270 full-time – and well-paid – workers for two years, and will bring over 30-million dollars into the state. 

 

Here’s the best news:  Laika is an Oregon company.  Laika was the first company to take advantage of the labor rebate.  But others soon will join them.  The Film Office already has inquiries from two other companies looking to participate in Greenlight.

 

Before I introduce this year’s award winners, I want to repeat what I have said many times in the past:  I think growing the film, television and commercial industry is absolutely critical to Oregon’s economy.  As an industry, you pay good wages.  You generate additional economic activity from the sale of goods and services.  You’re non-polluting.  And you help brand Oregon as a beautiful and bountiful place to live, work and visit.  So even though we now have a real incentive program, I want you to know that I have every intention of staying involved with your industry because when you succeed – Oregon does too.

 

Now it is my honor to present this year’s Governor’s Advocate Awards.   The first goes to someone I have known and admired for many years.  Steve Janik is a top graduate from both Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School.  And today he is widely recognized as one of Oregon’s outstanding real estate attorneys.  He is also one of our great public citizens – serving on numerous civic boards, including major art institutions.  And to his many contributions to our state, we can now add Greenlight Oregon. 

 

The vendor rebate sounds simple.  But to make the program successful we needed a contract between the state and participating vendors setting out the rights and responsibilities of both parties.  If you think this shouldn’t require much detail – I invite you take a close look at your next car rental agreement. 

Steve Janik drafted the vendor rebate contract pro bono – at no cost.  And for that it is my great pleasure to award Steve Janik a 2005 Governor’s Film Advocate Award.  Steve . . .

The second 2005 Governor’s Film Advocate Award goes not to a single person – but to the Oregon Department of Transportation for the critical assistance they provide to the Film Office and the film industry in Oregon.  Two years ago when I went to Hollywood to talk to studio executives, many told me that quality state services are just as important as financial incentives from the state.

 

Producers and directors need permits.  They need traffic control.  They need security.  They need scenic highways.  And they often need a single point of contact to troubleshoot problems.  These are the kind of services that ODOT has long provided to filmmakers and companies making commercials.  So ODOT has been an indispensable partner of the Office of Film and Video. 

Today I am pleased to recognize the critical role ODOT has played in making Oregon a location where producers and directors find what they need – and look forward to coming back for their next film or commercial. 

 

In a moment I’m going to give special certificates to four ODOT employees.   But first I want to give the Governor’s Film Advocate Award to the entire department.  To accept the award on behalf of all of his colleagues at ODOT – Patrick Cooney, the Department’s Director of Communications is here.  Patrick . . .
 
And now, as I mentioned, I want to present Industry Leader certificates to four outstanding employees of the Oregon Department of Transportation.  These employees were chosen based on the testimonials of location managers and other production staff who had the privilege – and good fortune – to work with them.  These testimonials can be summed up this way:   Craig Dean, Darin Weaver, Pat Smith and Lili Gordon are all outstanding public servants who perform their ODOT responsibilities with the highest professionalism – and also understand the importance of the film industry to Oregon’s economy.  Whether the need is for a quick permit – or a long day of shooting at multiple stops along one of Oregon’s rural highways – these great employees get the job done.

 

I can’t resist quoting one testimonial:  “Long before we had a Governor who understood and supported the film industry the way we do now, they seemed to understand the value of the film business to the state and have done their best to support our endeavors.”  Craig, Darin, Pat and Lili – please come up and accept your certificates. 

 

Now I’m going to turn the program back over to Gordon.  Thank you.