The man continues to be an asset for the state.

I thought Stephen King had his own production company called Castle Rock Productions?

Guess the fear was all in my mind.

When I think about the top flight money backing movie producers who wanted to put me in movies when I was young I think; 'oye vey!"

That's my Mantra.

Everyone has a movie script to pitch these days.

Below is a posting I just had published in the New York Times.

Happy days!

50. March 2, 2009

3:39 pm

Link

I haven’t watched television for years.

I got the coupons for the converter boxes but their time for redemption has expired.

I get everything I want on the regular net, and I’ve since written 8 completed stage/movie scripts with five to finish.

Show business has been so bad for years that I don’t miss it at all.

As a matter of fact, I have so much fun writing and reading my own stuff that it seems like someone else has written them.

Like an old time movie star who sits in a darkened room watching their old movies over and over, I might just spend the rest of my life rereading my own scripts.

— Perley J. Thibodeau

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

The script I'm working on right now has a baptismal scene set in front of St. John's Catholic Church on York Street.

When the priest finds out that all the guests have been divorced and married again he asks if anyone is still with their original marriage mates.

Kay, who has been widowed 5 times and is of a certain age replies dryly;

"If they are then they are all lying side by side in Mount Pleasant and Mount Hope Cemeteries."

I figured that no one from away would know that Mount Pleasant used to be called Birch Hill.

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

New York, New York.

NYT City Room.

March 3, 2009

1:29 am

Can we talk?

The Bangor Daily News has a front page feature on their internet site right now that tells of two film makers who have an appointment with Maine Governor John Baldacci today to try to get twenty million dollars from the state of Maine to film a Stephen King book in a, quote, “remote section of Maine.”

Like, Stephen King who now lives in Bangor can’t afford to finance his own book filming ventures?

I mean, there are only one million people living in the entire state

A remote section of Maine doesn’t look any different than upstate New York, Upstate Georgia or any other state in the union if it’s going to be filmed indoors in tight close ups.

Being from Bangor originally and still being well known in the area I wrote to the message board under the article and said I have ten scripts that the first of which takes place in Bangor, the following nine go back and forth between that small city and Manhattan.

Even though I was born in Bangor and, I’ve politicked with John and known his family from the time they got off the boat, I’m sure I wouldn’t stand a chance at getting financing for my films..

That said, ignoring the fact that as I have stated previously I had the financial backer of all of the Elia Kazan films willing to finance my movie career when I was young but, I didn’t choose that route.

Instead, I made the theatrical rounds in the early sixties until all the movie and tv shows moved their filming to the west coast, and I finally went back to Bangor.

I hate to watch a movie supposedly set in New York or Maine only to read the final credit crawl and see that they were really filmed in Toronto, or Nova Scotia.

The BDN claims that half the twenty million dollars will be coming back to Maine through in state production costs, just as the city of New York claims also, but how much of the tourist trade will be attracted to either place when all that is finally depicted on the screen is an ordinary looking store front or a pine tree outside of a living room window?

— Perley J. Thibodeau

So you mean to say that in order for them to make a movie here in maine we the state have to pay these film makers. That doesn't make any sense to me . Can Mainelyme explain that if you have any info about it. Seems as though they should be paying us not the other way around......................

Ready2Roll

It's supposed to be an incentive to bring film crews into different areas of the country and depict on film the natural scenery or the lifestyle of the area that is putting up the financial backing.

What little actual technical work that will be done within that territory is minute compared to the fact that all the daily rushes will be sent back to Hollywood ,California for processing, film cutting, and assembly splicing.

The publicity for the film and all work after the final product is completed will be done by professionals in both New York and California, with no work being farmed out to local ad agencies.

This also includes costumers, make artists, electricians, sound mixers, or all of the myriad of people who belong to extremely tight knit theatrical unions and are the only ones allowed to work on these productions will be allowed to do.

Local caterers who supply the meals to the actors, a few hotel rooms, and some cheap meals in local restaurants are about all that will benefit, and that is a small amount compared to the money that will be going to the technicians from out of state.

If the state of Maine wants to promote itself it should be financing films with outdoor shots of the landscape, and the many local landmarks that dot the cities across the local terrain.

My script management company told me that they won't have any trouble selling my first script because there are a lot of outdooor scenes with Bangor, and the coast of Maine as the colorful and exciting backdrop.

These two people are just plain carpet baggers who are in the state to get some free cash to promote themselves and their product, and to hell with the people who are footing the bill.

Show business has always been run on other people's cash.

To paraphrase what I said in the New York Times, "If author Stephen King thought there was money to be made then his own production company called Castle Rock Productions would be paying the bills, and reaping all the profits.

Unless of course, these two guys are really secret representatives in the employ of Mr. King who is just seeking a free twenty million dolllars from a likely sucker that will increase his profits by that much more!

Perley J. Thibodeau

New York, New York

Mainlyme that was a great explanation Thank You. It all makes more sense to me now. I am now wondering does Maine have a budget just for paying people to make movies here or would they take a little from here and a little from there. I bet your scripts are really good and I hope that you get to turn them into movies someday soon. And if they take the money from the state budget how come the tax payers don't ever get asked if that is how they want to spend the states money. Seems silly to put such a price on advertizing. I would hope Steven King wouldn't do something like that to rip off the state in which he lives. We appear to be at the mercy of all that is around us and what can we do to stop it...............................................................

Stephen King has been given a wonderful gift for writing and he has contributed immensely in this great state. However, I hope he wouldn't stoop so low as to do take tax payer money to make a movie here in Maine. Perhaps he himself can explain.... Stephen King... where are you?

Mainlyme in NYC - Castle Rock is the fictitious town in Maine that Stephen King has used in many books. Rob Reiner worked with Steve on a project and later named his company Castle Rock Entertainment (1987). Reiner and his partners sold the company to Turner Broadcasting in 1993. Except for screen writing and adaptation fees, Mr. King has never drawn a paycheck from Castle Rock.

I think you would also agree that Mr. King has nothing to do with the negotiations with the State of Maine. As usual he is trying to promote the state and I am sure he has asked the governor to assist the production company.

Tax incentives are part of the movie business. Look at the productions that take place in Vancouver. Tax breaks and union concessions bring movies in. Without the breaks, most films would be produced in other countries. Tommy Knockers, a Stephen King book made into a movie, was filmed in New Zealand because of the incentives.

I would submit that if the state waived all its taxes on this film, the production company would have more funds to spend in Maine. Catering, hotels, construction, hiring extras, vehicles, etc......all money going to the people of Maine - directly. Isn't that what most people here squawk about on a daily basis?

The filming of Langoliers at the Bangor Airport was a nice shot in the arm for the local economy. A lot of the filming was done at night and the airport got to keep the some of the production pieces (murals and plant mainly). Isn't this the type of user friendly stimulus we need?

You people are slightly wacky. No one is talking about giving money to the movie makers, just not taking money from them. Tax breaks for business to increase the amount of jobs in Maine as well as having the filmmakers spend some of that twenty million in the state, just not directly to the state. In this economy driving business away is not what we need. And Perley, keep counting your pennies!

Thanks PJ! I took slightly too long to post but you covered what I wanted to say.

I have had friends who have provided assets and sevices for movie production companies in the past. It was not a pleasant or profitable experience. They said that the companies wil issue a purchase order for items and services, sign the bill, and when production is over, leave town. Their goal is to produce the movie using other people's money. They basically ignore the bills untill they are sued and when the movie starts to get returns at the box office, they start paying the bills, an most times try to get the payables negotiated down. A lot of people get swept up in the "glamor" of suppling sercices for such a company. Beware! If you are a vendor, hotel or business that could have them as a customer, I would not be afraid of running a Dunn and Bradsteet report on any production company that asks for credit. Some of these companies change their names to stay under the radar. I don't know if this company in the article is one of those who practice this type of underwriting, but caution should be the word. Don't get caught up in the hype of being involved in a movie. Do your homework first.

SIMPLE, HAVE THEM FILL OUT A CREDIT APPLICATION AND IF THEY DO NOT QUALIFY DO NOT EXTEND THE CREDIT HAVE THEM PAY ON CREDIT CARDS.

lETS EXPAND OUR STATE AND START DOING STUFF LIKE MOVIES BEING SHOT HERE. YOU WONDER WHY EVERYONE IS LEAVING THE STATE.

EXPAND WHAT IT IS WER OFFER

Mainbad makes a valid point. But, sometimes the impetus behind taking a loss is to simply be a part of a work of art. Movies are a huge collaborative effort. Most people have no idea of how many people it actually takes to bring a thought to birth on the screen. (Try reading the credits sometime). And if it turns out to be a great movie, you also get bragging rights. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to work in the wardrob dept. of a small film in the American Playhouse series for PBS. The film starred two relatively unknown actors who have since become award winning TV and film stars. I take pride in my little contribution everytime I watch one of them now and see how they have grown. (The film was made in Mississippi, too bad they did not ask us about the fire ants.) I guess what I am trying to say is that there are many motivators for offering your services. Money is only one.

Mainleyme, you are aware that most films these days, especially films with very low budgets such as this project, are done on HD video -- not on film?

Additionally, the producers of this movie are not looking for a handout of 20 million dollars as some here have said, they are asking for tax incentives. This is a very common practice all over the country these days, state governments seem to like the publicity Hollywood has to offer, and at this point can Maine really say no?

pjramsay

, quink2495

Not to bash Stephen King but, I'm sure that he took a very large slice of the eventual monetery amount that is to be paid for these people who are adapting his book to the screen.

It's called a year's option and it puts the work on hold against being sold to another producer or production company while they go about getting the further means to produce the future work.

These people are asking the state of Maine to give them money to do this film but, has Mr. King given them the good faith to waive payment until the deal is all financed?

I would doubt it very much as he doesn't want to lose another possible sale to some other production company that might come along and be interested enough to make the film and already have the needed cash in hand.

I believe the state of Maine should be using this money as intended by allocating funds to the Penobscots and the other Native American Tribes in the Wabanaki Council to have the MPBN write, artistically produce and film an interesting documentery about the history, lives, and hoped for accomplishments of its ancestors and present members.

This film could be used as a part of a Maine/National Native American Month that could be shown in schools, town halls, and public libraries across the state and nation after it's aired on Maine and National Public Broadcasting Networks across the land.

This would bring work, attention and needed tourists' dollars to the state of Maine and uplift the sorry plight of a recognized group of decent people who have been constantly down graded ever since their land and their freedoms were stolen from them hundreds of years ago.

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

New York, New York

Mainlyme in NYC - your living in the Big Apple has tainted your thought process. You are assuming this and assuming that. I give Mr. King credit for doing business with reputable companies. I know for a fact that he films in Maine to promote Maine.

Your aptitude for fiction writing is evident in your previous threads. Stephen King has proven that writers have no borders - you can write from anywhere. Sad that you choose to write from NYC instead of Bangor, Maine. I guess we are just not good enough up here on the Penobscot.

I have the perfect location! It is a camp, the only camp, on a small island (remote, but no too remote) near Mt. Katahdin. I'll even offer a special price for incentive!

It is my clear understanding that there are also cash grants from the Maine State Commission on the Arts.

No wonder show business has been full of nothing but crap for the last 30 years!

pjramsay

My land and almost my life were stolen from me, also.

It turns out that even though I love the Bangor Area, the state of Maine and the people in it, I was just too big for Bangor.

But. take heart as, I'm now getting to be too much for New York City, also."

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

Mainelyme ~ Can you tell us the names of the the movies you've written and when they were produced? Nice to know we have more Maine talent that isn't going to waste.

Amazed

Don't get snide!

Mainelyme

Mainleyme wrote One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SteveyDee

I didn't

I wouldn't want to have interviewed you!

Mainelyme

There you are.. LOL

SteveyDee

I'll bet you can't spell LOL backwards!

Mainelyme

I will try, might take a while.

The first time I ever left Lubec was for two years to go with my hubby in the Army to Missouri. I had never been away from my family before and by reading Stephen King's books made me feel like I was back at home and I would love to meet him to tell him just that: he took me home for a while.

Mainelyme ...that was a good one. LOL

SteveyDee

Practice-Practice-Practice!

Mainelyme

Let's look at the BIG picture. Our tourism industry needs help keeping us On the map! The tax incentives? If we don't offer them, they will go elsewhere. What do we like to hear people say when they speak of Maine? The rocky coast, the mountains of western Maine, 4 beautiful seasons, Stephen King? Let's pay it back!