There was a lot of activity in the Mels 2 and 3 studios on Monday in Montreal, during the visit of the Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe, who wanted to see the preliminary impact of the increase in credit tax for film production services (CSPC), which increased from 20 to 25% in the latest Quebec budget.
Currently, several Hollywood projects are filming in the metropolis, including the action film Mayday starring actors Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, as well as the AppleTV+ series The Last Frontierwith Jason Clarke and Dominic Cooper, which could lead to long-term economic benefits in La Belle Province if it extends over several seasons.
The President of Mels, Patrick Jutras, the Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe, and the President and CEO of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau were able to discuss, on Monday, during a visit to the Mels studios, to Montreal.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
At the Quebec Cinema and Television Bureau, CEO Christine Maestracci told the QMI Agency that we will have to wait a few more months to measure the concrete effects of the improved tax credit.
“There is a decision-making cycle which can last up to 12 months. But the increase in the tax credit is an extraordinary tool,” said Ms. Maestracci, who does a lot of commercial canvassing in the United States.
Montreal, it must be emphasized, is jostling with Toronto to find its place.
“The studios are in a cautious mode and it takes a little more time to make decisions,” she added, saying that the additional 5% can make a difference with Ontario, whose tax credit remains at 21.5% for eligible production expenses.
Bernard Larivière of AQTIS 514 IATSE), the president and CEO of Quebecor Pierre Karl Péladeau, the Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe, the president and general director of the Quebec Cinema and Television Bureau (BCTQ ) Christine Maestracci, Vice-President Institutional Affairs of Quebecor Jad Barsoum and President of Mels Patrick Jutras.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Patrick Jutras, who runs Mels studios, was in Los Angeles last week to explain the ins and outs of the tax credit increased to 25%. He visited eight studios on this occasion.
“The phone has been ringing more since the announcement, but nothing has been confirmed, we have no firm reservations for the fall, for the simple reason that there are huge contractions in Hollywood, and there there is a potential strike of stage technicians after the strike of writers and actors last year. Discussions are very advanced for the fall, and if they are confirmed, we will be almost at capacity.”
Minister Lacombe, who toured the facilities with the president and CEO of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau, recognized that at the same time as his government increased the credit for film production services (CSPC), it reduced the aid allocated to special effects and animation (VFX). He happened to see the wall of LED screens measuring 65 feet wide and 20 feet high in the state-of-the-art virtual production studio.
The Minister of Culture, Mathieu Lacombe.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
He said the reduction in aid for special effects and animation was a “question of choice”.
“I know that people are perhaps less happy,” said the minister, adding in the same breath that “the discussions are not over.”
Pierre Karl Péladeau and Mathieu Lacombe also visited the set ofIndefensiblewhile the team began filming the 3rd season of the judicial daily this Monday.
“We are happy to see that the Quebec government is listening to the industry and working to improve our positions with tax credits. […] It’s money that comes from outside, so it’s good for the trade balance and, economically speaking, it’s extremely advantageous for Quebec,” said the businessman.
Note that the film set Karate Kid 4 – Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are in town – is installed at Grandé Studio and the 4th season of the series Ghost should be filmed this summer in Montreal, just like the series Obsession from Prime Video.
