In the movie business, the "art of the deal" is the economic incentive. But the deals and dollars have disappeared from Florida's film industry, and along with it major TV productions like HBO's Ballers, which left Miami, after state lawmakers voted not to renew the Hollywood Handouts. They are the same incentives that brought movies like "The Infiltrator" to the streets of Tampa.
But these days Florida is a C-list actor. The film and entertainment advisory council estimating the state has lost out on more than $650 million in production opportunities, with Georgia now stealing the sunshine state's spotlight.
Movies like Ben Affleck's "Live by Night" recreating Ybor City in Brunswick because the Peach State offered a sweeter deal.
The Hollywood Hustle connected to the Tallahassee war over using tax payer dollars to stimulate the state's economy.
But critics say the movie biz is only good for part time jobs, calling the incentives ineffective because the movie industry is too mobile for Florida to develop any kind of permanent industry.
Speaker Richard Corcoran says, "We'd love to see the film industry thrive in Florida but we are opposed to taxpayer money going to support one industry over another."
Governor Rick Scott, focusing on the fight to keep his economic incentive programs alive reacting to the vote by the House Appropriations Committee to advance the bill to de-fund Enterprise and Visit Florida, saying: “Today’s (Tuesday's) vote by politicians in the Florida house is a job killer."
