It’s Showtime for latest R.I. Hollywood pitch

 

Rhode Island may give Canada some competition as a backdrop for Hollywood films.
 

A Showtime pilot called “The Brotherhood” is being shot in Rhode Island, despite the producers’ initial desire to save money up north in Toronto – one of numerous Canadian locations that have become a hotbed for movie-making.

The decision to shoot the cable show’s pilot might have something to do with possible tax breaks being dangled by Rhode Island officials, who hope to get the support of the General Assembly next session.

Showtime is also leaning toward shooting in the Ocean State because “The Brotherhood’s” fictional story takes place in Rhode Island.

“There is a creative benefit to having a show actually based in the place it is supposed to be happening. It brings life to a show – like ‘The Sopranos’ being filmed in New Jersey,” said Bob Greenblatt, president of Showtime Networks Inc.

He added, “We always had Providence in mind but we thought we’d end up in Toronto, because it’s just more economical to film there.”

Steven Feinberg, director of Rhode Island’s film and television office, is working with state legislators to pass a bill that would make Rhode Island competitive by offering financial incentives to filmmakers.

“Billions of dollars have been lost to other states and across the border because we haven’t offered good enough deals to Hollywood. I want to change that, and I will have legislation introduced to make sure Hollywood can film here,” Feinberg said.

Showtime hired 150 crewmembers, 300 film extras and is spending millions of dollars during the three weeks it takes to film that one episode, Feinberg said. Filming started Aug. 30 and will be winding down next week. It is being shot on Federal Hill, the State House, and other locations throughout the Providence, Greenblatt said.

When Showtime representatives were in the state scoping out scenery for the show, Feinberg quickly got the right people together – including the mayor of Providence and a number of state representatives – to get the pilot episode filmed in state.

The state could not compete financially with what Canada offers, so instead the state gave Showtime hotel space, office space and police officer details and use of locations like the Armory.

“Financially, what I offered them is a minuscule part of their budget, but creatively, I knew I could compete (with Canada).

The director (Philip Noyce) really wanted the show filmed here. …From a director’s point of view, being here is telling the truth,” Feinberg said.

Canada is a popular place to film movies and shows because it offers filmmakers a 25 percent labor tax credit and a 30-percent dollar exchange rate. In the United States, Louisiana is the most competitive place because it offers a 10 to 15 percent labor tax credit.

If the pilot is a hit with Showtime executives and the test audience when it is viewed in January, a decision will be made as to where the rest of the series will be shot.

“It’s important for me to have legislation passed by January so when Showtime decides where to continue filming, I can offer them a good deal,” Feinberg said.

The bills Feinberg plans to introduce will likely offer filmmakers a labor tax break competitive with Louisana’s, a state tax exemption and local investment tax credit.

He already has two politicians to introduce and sponsor the bill, and other state officials like House Speaker William J. Murphy and Providence Mayor David Cicilline, promised to support the effort to attract films during a welcoming ceremony for The Brotherhood at the State House State Reception Room Aug. 27.

“When the show ‘Providence’ aired, people wanted to come here and go to the places it was shot. We want to put Rhode Island on the map in the film industry again,” said Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty. “It gives us the chance to showcase our state and pump millions of dollars into our economy.”

The pilot is the very first episode of a television series that introduces the character and story line. “The Brotherhood” is about two Irish brothers; one a hardened criminal and the other a rising political star who struggles to be an ethical leader.

The series is being directed by Phillip Noyce (“Clear and Present Danger,” The Quiet American”), and produced by Henry Bronchtein, whose resume includes “The Sopranos”, stars Jason Clarke (“Rabbit-Proof Fence”) who plays a local politician, his wife, played by Annabeth Gish (“The X-Files,” “The West Wing”), and Jason Isaacs (“The Patriot”, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”) as his criminal brother.

The Film and Television Office is a department of the State Arts Council, and has in the past attracted several leading Hollywood directors directors including Steven Spielberg (“Amistad”), James Cameron (“True Lies”) and The Farrelly Brothers (“Something About Mary”) and famous actors like Jim Carrey (“Dumb & Dumber”) and Brad Pitt (“Meet Joe Black”), the state Economic Development office reports.