Film Tax Credits Keep Pittsburgh “Crazy Busy”

This morning the Washington Post has an article about Pittsburgh’s economic turn-around after half its population fled in the 1980’s. Film tax credits are cited as one cause for the recovery.

Residents today are more likely to spot a Hollywood movie star than a functioning steel mill. Pittsburgh played a role in 12 feature films in 2008, partly the result of a change in the city’s tax laws three years ago. A TV program called “Three Rivers,” which will debut next month, is also set here.

“We’re crazy busy,” said Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office. “Russell Crowe is coming to shoot downtown in October. Tony Scott’s directing a film starring Denzel Washington. Jake Gyllenhaal’s in town.”

The Tax Foundation actually debated the cons and cons of film tax credits in Pittsburg last April. While the city’s Film Office may be crazy busy, it’s unlikely many more Pittsburg residents feel so engaged with the movie industry.