There is a potpourri of items in today's column folks. The time has finally arrived where we have taken our "Communicator" to the electronic side. This is our launch of The Communicator as an E- Newsletter. We are looking forward to many new opportunities with the advent of this electronic version of our vaunted newsletter.

Regarding the legislation for tax incentives, SB1347. Right now we're looking pretty good. However, there are members of the house who are not exercising good judgement. The sticking point for a few members is the hit (as they see it) the state treasury takes when an incentive is put in place.

Example: when a film company comes to Arizona and spends say ten million dollars, and meets the requirements for receiving a tax incentive, they go home, apply for the incentive, and instead of paying taxes on the ten million they have already paid through purchases of goods and services in Arizona, the production company gets a rebate in the form of a check from the state treasury. Some members of the house say this is a direct hit to the treasury, which if you keep up at all with Arizona politics, is already under stress. They are partly correct for one half of the equation. What is forgotten by a few members, perhaps conveniently for political reasons is that ten million spent by the production company was a direct hit to the bottom line of the Arizona economy in the zip codes where the production spent its money!

You may also have read where the house is going to push legislation to reduce corporate taxes? Or eliminate them entirely. Geez, if they understand that incentive, why some of them can't see this one is a bit strange. Perhaps by the time you have read this we will have the bill passed. Again, I urge you to write letters to your representatives and to send a donation to the Arizona Film and Media Coalition at our clearing house: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, 1616 East Indian School Road, Suite #330, Phoenix AZ 85016, Attn: Roxanne Chaisson.

On our web site later this month we will have additional information on forthcoming industry information, and charity events.

Finally, from me we will have a special surprise event at the April meeting. You don't want to miss it! But wait there's more, honestly!

    Duncan

Phoenix area aspiring actors of all ages will gain unique insights into show business and learn how to avoid entertainment industry scams at "Lights, Camera, Action!" on Saturday, April 23rd at the ASU Downtown Center at 502 E. Monroe in Phoenix.

This full day film and television expo is being sponsored by the American Federation of TV & Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Arizona Entertainment Alliance (AEA). Admission is $25 per person*. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arizona Film and Entertainment Coalition.

Attendees can choose from 12 informative workshops, presented by experienced, knowledgeable, working entertainment industry professionals. Learn how to get into the business, what it takes to pursue a career in film and television, and meet Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and AFTRA talent agents, casting directors, voice and acting coaches, stage parents and working actors, and much more. There will be a wealth of useful data presented at the workshops and at the Information Showcase booths. For further information, call (480) 423-8722.

*One adult free with each paid child under age 16.

Volunteerism is dead. After all, all of us have to earn a living. We have only 168 hours in a week, and inside these hours we have an income to generate, home life, shopping for groceries and gas, associations including church and synagogue activities, staying fit, taking care of the kids in academics, music and sports. The question is how on earth would we have time for volunteering on top of all these responsibilities? Volunteerism saps time, energy, and it's not profitable to the bottom line.

Or is it?

Let me challenge that thought. Through MCA-I, not only have I made friendships with people who I would otherwise not have met, I have developed a list of professionals who are qualified, who I feel comfortable putting on projects under our company name, and who I'm confident will get the job done.

Volunteerism gives me a good picture of who is reliable, dependable, on time and on task.

Here are three examples: each year, Heidi Capriotti coordinates the PSA project and almost 40 members get involved. I generally volunteer on a PSA project, and it gives me the opportunity to see who shows up on time, who responds to email requests, who has the best ideas.

When we form a committee (like the revenue generation committee with Ginny Temple and Jason Wolf) and we have an assignment to finish before a deadline, I see firsthand who accepts the challenge and completes it.

At every monthly meeting, the impact depends on several people to volunteer their time to arrange the venue, purchase the food, create the PowerPoint, run the video and audio: Scott Preston writes and distributes the PR announcement to local publications. Stephanie Smith keeps our membership list current with new and renewed members. Jason Wolf keeps track of income and expenses for the chapter. Ray Palmer and his team from SRP have volunteered the audio and video set up. Karen LoDoen volunteers to coordinate and edit the e- Communicator. Nathan Greene and Steve Shepple volunteer their time to keep the web site current.

Skip Neeley volunteers his time to coordinate the judging of the Wisconsin's MCA-I chapter productions along with 6-8 member volunteers who judge and become inspired by peer productions. Stevan Pope volunteered to coordinate a recent Producer panel meeting.

It's all done through unpaid work. Or is it unpaid? Volunteerism is dead. Or is it? I guess you have to look at 'payment' in a different form. Is making a friendship payment? Is finding reliable people payment? Is giving to the community payment?

Is there a cash reward in volunteerism? Will I see the return on the investment from my volunteerism? If you're volunteering to help others, to benefit the organization and the community, to build relationships and a team of people who you can depend on - you get back what you put in. Volunteerism is definitely not dead, but alive and well.

David Haneke is Producer for Opening Moments Media, LLC, producing motivational and training media for businesses and organizations. Contact him at dhaneke@openingmoments.com.

The Arizona Department of Commerce Film Office works with most of the professional Location Managers and Scouts around the state. Most of the time we assist in negotiating and preparing state filming permits. Whether they need access to State Trust Land or ADOT highways most location professionals find it useful to be armed with relevant data about the prospective location.

ADOC Film Office, ADOT and the Arizona State Land Department offer GIS mapping systems. These web based systems can be accessed through the Arizona Department of Commerce website. These maps will help you identify Mileposts, Land Ownership, Highways, Distances, and Jurisdictions. Never used GIS technology before? No problem, just click on the tutorial link and learn how. Visit the Arizona Department of Commerce website for links and more information.

The Arizona Department of Commerce Film Office welcomes your questions and is available to help with your production needs, call us for more information - 602-771-1116!

These sponsors are vital to our organization and we appreciate their support for our chapter's activities. Please keep them in mind for your next production!