Jobs, Camera, Action...

This was the title of the Massachusetts Film Office's event held on January 24 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston. Boston University's Film School was a sponsor, and I attended on its behalf.

Over the course of the day, panelists spoke to some 700 attendees who were eager to participate in the state's filmmaking boom. Judging by the turnout, it was hard to tell we're in a recession and that the Massachusetts state budget is in the hole to the tune of a few billion dollars: the energy, enthusiasm, and determination the crowd generated seemed to prove the old adage true- the movie business really is recession proof.

The most interesting panel of the day was one given on the proposed studios in South Boston and Plymouth (as well as mention given to the third proposed studio in Weymouth). Each plan is ambitious and if they come to pass could truly turn Massachusetts into the "Hollywood East" of the nation.

What does this mean for screenwriters in Massachusetts and New England? It's hard to tell. In the short term, probably not much. While these studios are in their construction phase, the jobs generated will be for builders, crew, and production personnel. Even in the long term, my guess is that the creative material these studios produce -or have a hand in producing- will still be developed outside the area. So if you are a local screenwriter don't expect these studios will be accepting script submissions- though one of course never knows.

However, any time there is an increased level of filmmaking activity, the opportunities for anyone who wants to get involved in the business increases. The more filmmaking there is here, the better the chances for screenwriters and other creative talent. As another old saying goes, 100% of nothing is nothing. So even if there's just a 10% chance of increased opportunities for screenwriters because of the new studios in Massachusetts, it's better than what we've had before.

The Script Sages will keep an eye on the progress of all these projects and report back regularly.

-Randy