Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and directed by Michael Mann

MADISON — Governor Jim Doyle Tuesday announced that Universal Pictures has committed to shoot portions of its upcoming film “Public Enemies,” directed and produced by UW alumnus Michael Mann and starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, in Wisconsin. The company reached agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce on tax credits from the new Film Production Services Tax Credit Program.

“Welcoming the film industry to Wisconsin gives us an opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of our great state — its landscapes, its people, and its culture,” Doyle said. “Movies create a sense of place that stays in the minds and hearts of moviegoers long after the credits roll.”

“Public Enemies,” the story of America’s criminal folk hero John Dillinger (Depp), whose wave of bank robberies and the subsequent FBI manhunt — commanded by J. Edgar Hoover and run by Special Agent Melvin Purvis (Bale) — fascinated the nation in the 1930s.Mann, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin — Madison, in his capacity as a producer, director and writer, has been associated with such successful films as “Heat,” “Ali,” “The Aviator” and “Miami Vice.”

First in state

This film will be the first major production to come to Wisconsin after new tax incentives for the film industry took effect on Jan. 1. By producing in Wisconsin, the company could earn approximately $3.9 million in tax credits. The company expects to spend nearly $20 million in the state by conducting a portion of the filming in Wisconsin. Individual community locations have not yet been determined.

In choosing Wisconsin, Mann cited the high-quality historic building stock in many Wisconsin communities that will lend authenticity to the action-thriller.

It is estimated that about 50 percent of money spent on a film production stays in the local community where filming takes place. Other states that have enacted credits, such as New Mexico and New York, have seen revenues jump anywhere from $125 to $600 million in their first year, due to incentives.

“It is a coup to have Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Michael Mann headline the first film, but these incentives have just begun to work,” Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton said. “They will continue to attract both blockbuster and smaller budget films to Wisconsin as more producers hear what a great place Wisconsin is to do business. Wisconsin is now a major player in attracting creative industries.”

Film Wisconsin

Film Wisconsin (www.filmwisconsin.net), the state-wide organization charged with marketing the state to the film, television and video gaming industry played an important role in working with the production team and the Department of Commerce to bring this project to Wisconsin.

“It’s exciting to grow this new creative industry for the state, and what a better way to start then with this big Hollywood blockbuster,” said Scott Robbe, executive director of Film Wisconsin. “Even before the cameras have started rolling, a number of Wisconsin residents have been working on this film project in various crew capacities. The idea behind the tax incentive initiative and the reason it received widespread bi-partisan support is that this will create jobs by building an experienced crew base throughout Wisconsin to meet the anticipated demand from producers that will want to shoot their projects in the state.”

Feature films of this magnitude have the potential to build the tourism economy for the state, added Robbe. “Just think of what ‘Field of Dreams’ and ‘Bridges of Madison County’ did for Iowa. The Wisconsin locations for ‘Public Enemies’ could potentially reap the same tourism expenditure benefits.”

As this announcement is being made, a “clean-up” bill is being introduced in the State Legislature to “fine-tune” the legislation and make it more competitive to win a larger share of this $60 billion annual business.

Source: Dunn Connect