Is Minneapolis Big In Film? (Viking: employment, theatre, tax)

[wth110]

Well I'm hoping to become a film major, and I'm from the Southern CA, so we have all this film productions around us such as Hollywood, Dreamworks, etc. I'm just wondering if I can get a film job around the Minneapolis area. I heard the society is really fantastic around there, and So Cal is sometimes hot for me and I prefer cold than hot, so what do you guys think?

[Shince]

There are a good number of indies and student films produced every year but usually with minimal funding - actors don't usually get paid. . Also recently a number of features but I don'
think they hire locals for tech. So lots of artistic opportunity but I doubt you can make a living at it here. Just not enough money.

[wth110]

Is this around Minneapolis or just in general in Minnesota?

[uptown_urbanist]

Minneapolis has a pretty thriving advertising industry here, so there may be jobs in the commercial world. It's nothing like LA, though.

[QuantumIguana]

Live theatre is very active here though.

[Sonata36]

We are no Hollywood, but I know a lot of stuff is shot here. Like others have said, I don't know if they hire locals or not, though. You might have to ask someone people "from the industry" to find that out.

Here is a tidbit, though, which may or may not be helpful whatsoever:

I dated a gal whose sister worked for the film industry here in Minneapolis. She (the sister) lived here, and whenever a film crew came into town to do their stuff, she was the one who organized a number of things, drove the kids of famous actors around, and other random stuff.

She had/has enough work that she lives quite an up-scale lifestyle; she only does a film or two every few years, but it pays her enough to waste money in any way she wants. I don't know too much else about her, though, as I couldn't stand the sister (or the gal I dated).

[audadvnc]

The Minnesota film industry was effectively killed by Gov. Pawlenty, by jiggering the tax incentives for Minnesota production companies that former Governor Ventura put in place. When Jesse was on the job we got "Mighty Ducks", "Grumpy Old Men" and plenty more, with enough jobs to support a local feature filmmaking employment market. Alas, it is all gone to Canada now - but we've got a Twins Stadium, a Metrodome, and soon a Vikings stadium - 3 redundant bread and circuses machines that I never wanted.

Thanks for nothing, Mr. "9-Iron"...

[wiseguymn]

Originally Posted by audadvnc

The Minnesota film industry was effectively killed by Gov. Pawlenty, by jiggering the tax incentives for Minnesota production companies that former Governor Ventura put in place. When Jesse was on the job we got "Mighty Ducks", "Grumpy Old Men" and plenty more, with enough jobs to support a local feature filmmaking employment market. Alas, it is all gone to Canada now - but we've got a Twins Stadium, a Metrodome, and soon a Vikings stadium - 3 redundant bread and circuses machines that I never wanted.

Thanks for nothing, Mr. "9-Iron"...

All of those Movies you mention were long before Jesse

[gweilo845]

audadvnc is basically right though. The film industry here has dwindled to pretty much nothing because the state offers no tax breaks or other incentives for companies to shoot films here. A couple of recent bigger movies that were set to film here were Gran Torino and Juno but ultimately they went to other areas because it was cheaper.

[wth110]

so do you think it would be a smart decision to move to Minneapolis