by KYW's John Ostapkovich
Although tax credits and historic scenery are part of this region's allure to moviemakers, facilities and services are critical for the industry to take hold here.
Andy Williams, executive producer at "DIVE" (Digital Intermediate Visual Effects), shows off one example of that -- the new projection and color correction room (see related story) in the expanding subsidiary of Shooters Post & Transfer, a decades-old center city Philadelphia media firm:
"So this is the screening room here."
Williams says the work that DIVE does springs directly from Pennsylvania's movie-making tax credits:
"Filmmakers have an obligation, if they're taking advantange of the tax incentives here in the state, to spend 60 percent of their total production budget (in the state). So if you don't have an opportunity to spend post-production dollars in the state, it makes it very difficult to reach that 60 percent."
Two new soundstages are planned in the suburbs, and an old warehouse in South Philly is currently home to much production of The Nail.
Sharon Pinkenson (right) is executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office:
"Production companies and post-production houses that are based here are growing rapidly, and they're providing services for shows that might shoot elsewhere."
In fact, on-screen at DIVE was a scene from a movie shot in Pittsburgh.
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