LMGI COMPASS
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Summer 2021
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17
One South Church building
zootopia of rattlesnakes, gila monsters and kangaroo rats enticed
the producers of Tiny Creatures, now airing on Netfl ix. Zara Kids
and Rika Magazine verr-rry carefully framed up their models
against our numerous chollas and ocotillos cactus. Kenworth
trucks, Monster energy drinks, Samsung, the BBC, HGTV and
rapper Moha La Squale have also fi lmed of late.
Of course, nothing says the Old West like Tucson and we still
have three standing movie sets: the original Old Tucson Studios,
created by Columbia in 1940 for the movie Arizona; Mescal
Movie Set, built in the early 1970s for Monte Walsh; and nearby
Gammon's Gulch Movie Set, which has been in continual operation
since 1995. Old Tucson closed its doors last summer—a victim
of COVID—and Pima County is looking for someone to take over
the lease. It remains an outstanding Western set. Mescal was
just purchased and renovation is underway where the likes of
Eastwood, McQueen and Newman once trod.
Stevie: DOES ARIZONA OFFER ANY INCENTIVES TO HOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS?
JC:
Short answer: no. Arizona does not offer tax credits, rebates or
grants to fi lmmakers. They do offer what they call a "private sector/
public sector discount and rebate program" called Reel Savings.
This can include no-fee permits, discounts from businesses, and
rebates from production vendors with no caps, audits or local hire
requirements.
