If new tax incentives pay off, Wisconsin could be a very attractive location for film and TV producers. Wisconsin legislature approved a host of incentives in hopes of drawing more entertainment business to the state that went into effect Jan. 1, 2008. Incentives include sales tax exemption and breaks on equipment and services used during production and post-production.

The state is also offering “a refundable tax credit of 25 percent of direct production expenditures for feature films, television movies, episodic and mini-series television, video games and broadcast advertising production,” according to the Film Wisconsin, Inc. website. The site also mentions further incentives on a city-by-city basis, such as the use of state-owned buildings and locations with no charge.

“Forty six states already have incentives in place” says Scott Robbe of Film Wisconsin. “This will make Wisconsin competitive in a national and international market.”

Robbe adds that this could add that the tax breaks could “mean hundreds of millions of dollars for Wisconsin in the first few years.”

The incentives may already be working, if you believe the rumors. Several news sources, including WTMJ, have reported that Johnny Depp and Christian Bale will be in Wisconsin this spring shooting a new Universal flick entitled “Public Enemies” about three Depression-era bank robbers. The film, which follows the Feds as they attempt to stop notorious gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd, is to be directed by Michael Mann (“Ali,” “Miami Vice”).

Speculated shooting locations included Baraboo, Eau Claire, Viroqua and La Crosse, according to various reports. Production companies involved said they plan to shoot in Wisconsin for approximately 35 days. WTMJ4 reported that the film’s budget is somewhere between $100 and $300 million.

According to Robbe, since the incentives have gone to effect, Wisconsin has seen scours of movie scouts, looking at Wisconsin as a possible shooting location. He says that 10 feature films have committed, or on the verge of committing to shooting here.

This could be good news for Wisconsin graduates. Robbe says that the incentives could mean that “more graduates will have the opportunity, if they want, to stay in Wisconsin to work in the entertainment industry.”

While nothing is confirmed about “Public Enemies” making its way to the state this spring, Wisconsin film fans should keep their eyes peeled for a star sighting. And who knows, maybe Wisconsin will become the new California.

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