France...offers tax incentives to Hollywood filmmakers! Cultural Minister Frédéric Mitterrand pitches exotic locales!

Exotic locales on Riviera a lure!



French Culture Minister  Frédéric Mitterrand swallowed a little pride and trotted in to Hollywood to meet with industry execs in recent days in a ballsy effort to boost the ailing film business overseas.

In order to achieve that ambitious goal, Mitterrand (who is the nephew of the former French Prime Minister François Mitterrand ) was inclined to converse in a language that spoke volumes in the corridors of power in Tinsel Town.

After all - when it comes to cost-cutting, tax breaks, and inviting financial perks - the suits at the major studios are inclined to be all ears - and likewise - open-minded when it comes to keeping budgets in line.

Consequently, the well-heeled European “took lunch” with movers-and-shakers like Bob Iger (Walt Disney Company) and Barry Meyer (Warner Brothers) to enlighten filmmakers about the advantages of shooting their multi-million-dollar projects in exotic breathtaking locales in France.

For starters, the French Government has introduced fresh incentives which guarantee foreign movie-makers a 20% tax rebate toward film production costs (with a maximum of $5.6 million per project or 4 million Euros).

There are a couple of hitches, though.

Most non-sports and news programming on French Television Networks must be French-based or European in origin in accordance with applicable laws.

But, any wheeler-dealer in a shark-skin suit should be able to jump the hurdles, when it comes to tricky film shoots.

For example, to qualify for the feature film rebate, scriptwriters are required to promote France by showcasing its rich cultural heritage in the storyline.

To accomplish this end, French officials launched a program to provide grants to screenwriters so they may tour France for free - and thus - familiarize themselves with the country’s historical background with the express aim of meeting the criteria.

More than a dozen filmmakers from the U.S. have taken advantage of the tax incentives to date, and it is expected that with a turn-around in the economy on the horizon, business overseas may start booming in the French film industry.

Meanwhile, a posse of producers in California are fighting – too – to prevent run-away production, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that Hollywood remains the film capitol of the world!

Fists across the water?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

French filmmakers renowned the world-over!





Gas...hits staggering $4.09 a gallon at Mobile; time to cut excise tax! Comparison shop for fuel!

Incentives to buy gas at Independent gas stations...


Well, I wolfed down my breakfast, and headed out the door in the wee hours of dawn.

The gizmo that regulates gas consumption on the dash noted that there were 8 miles left to drive before I would crawl to a stop on "empty".

So, I wheeled into the nearest Gas Station nearby.

Whoa Nellie!

For 87 regular, the pump screamed out at me: $4.09 a gallon!

Could I do better?

I revved up the engine, and roared out of the stall on up the street.

Ah, at Union 76 the price was lower at $3.69.

After the driver in front of me counted out five bucks in nickels and dimes to the cashier (heh dude, times are tough!) I plopped down my credit card and said,

"Fill 'er up, please."

I mean, who knows what the prices will skyrocket to tomorrow, eh?

I guess for those who can commute to work on public transport, Metro Rail is lookin' mighty good.

So, why the escalating prices, and the disparity between the two gas outlets a hop-and-a-skip away from each other, in the same neighborhood?

Unlike other States in the Union, California has a reformulated gas program with stricter regulations than Federally-mandated fuel.

Also, there is the question of hefty taxes...18.4 percent per gallon for Federal excise tax and 18 pennies per gallon for a State excise fee which combine to push up the prices considerably.

Makes 'ya wonder, though.

If the Government - in particular Bush (who appeared to be shocked at the idea of $4.00 a gallon when it was brought to his attention recently) - are so concerned about the hardships that consumers are facing right now, why don't they "cut" the gas tax immediately?

Notwithstanding the foregoing, pump-ready gas is often boosted in price due to the expense of crude oil and refinery costs, market and distrubution expenses, and retail business overhead at the local gas stations.

Odd, that there needs to be that much marketing, though. After all, you can lead a few horses to gas, and they will drink, alright.

You don't need any clever promos to accomplish that.

Of course, costs pertaining to staffing, up-keep, and stocking goods are difficult to avoid; part 'n parcel of doing business, I guess.

But why are the prices all over the map around town?

There is no ceiling on pricing, so owners can charge what they choose. Fortunately for the consumer, proprietors are inclined to price in a competitive range to stay in the game; but, in the future, who knows?

Conversely, some states have mark-up laws that prevent business owners from charging too little. The laws are in place to protect independent gas station owners, so they don't go out of business, due to heavyweights in the industry encroaching on their territory across the nation.

Something tells me bankrupt gas station proprietors are a long way off.

Even if they don't offer up incentives, like smoked ham, to loyal customers.

To prevent unemployment, laws in Oregon require that attendants pump gas...